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Posted 4/1/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had my doctors appointment today with my rheumy.

All I can say is....she stepped up to the plate!!!!! These last two days have been pretty bad, I was completely out of medication and really in pain. Last night was pretty bad and I woke up all night, so I called off work today and rested until my doctors appointment. I really was not sure what to expect at this point. I went in and right away my doctor looked at me and asked me if I had a migraine, I said no it's the pains in my body. So I went into her office, sat down and I explained to her what happened with the pain management doctor (this was not the doctor that my rheumy referred me to, but the PM she wanted me to see did not take my insurance, I went to another one that my primary doctor referred me to. So I told her everything that happened and what he said about pain medication, bio feed back...everything, she looked at me, told me she was sorry and at this point she was going to handle my pain management. I almost couldn't believe I was hearing this. So she said she wanted to put me on medication that is longer lasting than the short acting kind. She said she wanted to try oxy on me. I was feeling a little scared at first because I had never taken oxy and all I could think of was my sister-in-law that had passed away 3 years ago from breast cancer, she was the only person that I knew that had taken it before, and I knew it had to be strong. But after talking to my doctor she felt this was best and started me out on the lowest dosage, and also game me something for break thru and an actual plan for daily management. She also wants me to get a bone scan, and some blood work done to see if there is anything else going on. I really have to say that it was like a whole new doctor this time. It's like she could see the pain I was in and almost like she finally got it...so needless to say I am ecstatic that she wants to work with me. Took my meds a little bit ago, it feels odd, but I know that any new medication can do that so I'm just relaxing at home taking it slow. She told me by Easter, I should feel much better.
smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/1/2010 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I am so happy for you!!! Isn't it wonderful when they can really see? I know you have to feel so blessed right now. To be validated in your pain and to have a plan for fighting it is like lifting a ton of bricks off of your shoulders.

I think it may have helped that you had a couple of days "without" so that the meds did not mask what was really going on. I know it was tough to suffer, but this could be just the beginning of many low pain days!

Rest, relax, and let the meds do their job!

All the best!
Posted 4/1/2010 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hopegirl,
That is great. It is so difficult for others to understand the struggles we go through with various docs, and the treasure of finding a good one. It's better than any diamond. Good, caring and competent medical care can have such a positive impact on our lives, and of course the reverse is always true.

It's too bad you had to go through so many hoops to get to this place, but I am happy for you that your doc finally saw the light, and as you put it, stepped up to the plate.

I hope you can relax and have a peaceful holiday.

PaLady
Posted 4/1/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Wow Hopegirl!
That is just wonderful!! I am so blessed that she stepped up to the plate and wanted to help! Now, what's her name, and where is she!! LOL!! Just kidding. I hope the pain meds brings you blessed relief and know I am keeping you in my thoughts!
Catz4
Posted 4/1/2010 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
hopegirl

I am Happy for YOU, There are Doctors out there, who really do care about their patients! I am glad that you have one of them, caring for you! Oxy can be a real blessing in controling pain, give it a few days, I think that you will find it much better than having to take other types of pain meds every few hours! I do wish you well!

Good Luck to You!

White Beard
Posted 4/1/2010 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Hopegirl! I was just reading your post here, and I was happy to see that your Dr did step up to the plate. This exact thing happened to me, and my PCD took the Pain Management into his own hands, after he saw that the local PM clinic treated me like a criminal.

As for the Oxycontin, don't fear it. Have you taken Percocet's before? It is very similar and almost the same as the Oxycontin, but is a 12 hour release med. You should not have the up's and down effects as with the Percocet's.

I do however have a couple pieces of advice for you when you take this medicine.

#1 Make sure you are getting plenty of fiber in your diet, and look at maybe adding some Prunes to your diet as well.
#2 Don't ever try to break the Oxycontin in half, as this is a very dangerous thing to do, and you could OD from it. It is a time release med.

Other than that, I think you will be pleased with it, once they get the strength matched up to your needs. If you feel like it is too strong for you, ask them to reduce it to a smaller mg.

Take care, and I wish you the best!

SE
Posted 4/2/2010 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hopegirl, I am so, so happy your appointment went so well. What a relief!!! It sounds like your doctor really understands what's going on with you and she's going to do what she can to help you feel better. That's wonderful news!!

Keep us posted on how you're doing when you start the meds. I am praying for you that you will get great relief and will be a completely different person in a very short time.

Big hugs to you!!!

Pam
Posted 4/2/2010 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You all so much for your kind words!!! I am back to work today, I took my oxy this morning at 7:00 am, along with my nuvigil and tramadol. Taken exactly like the doctor ordered. I started taking it yesterday, but being here at work, it makes me feel different, I guess it is like when I first took percocets and other pain meds before. I guess I have to get use to it, because I know now when I take percocets I only get pain relief, not that wizzy loopy feeling. But so far I am hanging in there!!

 

And I sure will start eating  prunes!!

Posted 4/2/2010 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Hopegirl....Great news about the Reumy Dr. helping you out....Very Happy for you...I have a ???? about the Nuvigil... I have been taking Provigil for a couple a years and I was wanting to change to Nuvigil....How do you like it? Did you ever take Provigil? Why do you take it? I take it because I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime and in any position....It's funny until you fall down and crack your head on a cabinet....then it's not so darned funny....ha ha

Me.
Posted 4/5/2010 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Uniquelyme-

Hi, yes, I did start out taking provigil first. It worked ok, I don't remember but for some reason, I didn't take it every day, I think because maybe I got a headache and I thought it may have attributed to it?? On a routine visit to my rheumy, we talked about how I'm not sleeping then so sleepy in the morning, so she told me that there was something new out Nuvigil and she wanted me to try it. From the first day I took it, I noticed a major help. I take it as soon as I get up I eat a little something with it, just so I won't have to worry about any tummy trouble, may not do that for anyone, or even me, but just do it as a precaution. Then I start to get ready for work, by the time I am out of the shower, I'm good to go. It lasts for me about 7 or so hours I would like if it lasted a little longer, but I could take it a little later I guess. But I really like it. I would get so sleepy before I would have to take little naps in my car for about 15 mins or so sometimes because it go so bad. Try it, and let me know how you like it. Hope it works out for you.

It's Sunday evening and I have had a really good weekend. Its sorta strange, I know the pain is there sorta, but I really don't feel it like before, if you know what I mean??? I just can't believe what a weekend I had, just going over to our friends house with my husband and chatting with the girls for a few hours, before no way would I have been able to do that, I would of pretty much been in bed all day exhausted from the week and in pain. Hope you all had a great Resurrection Day!!
Posted 4/5/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Now if I can just get some prunes, I will be good! turn
Posted 4/5/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hopegirl,

So happy to hear about your Dr. appt!!! So wonderful to hear good news:)

One suggestion I wanted to put out there is that I love the new Sunsweet PlumSmart Plum Juice Extra with Fiber...it has Pre-biotics which really help your stomach/intestines to stay healthy

To me, it's SO much easier to drink a glass of this than having to eat a bunch of prunes..and it tastes great too!

I have a whole 'arsenal' of natural things that I use to help with those issues as this was discussed on a recent thread which you can look up...very helpful suggestions from everyone:)
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