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How to manage non-neuropathic pain without meds that work?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 2/29/2020 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Last week I told Doc I stopped taking Norco because it wasn't doing anything. No relief, no withdrawal (see previous posts). He said he'd tried everything and nothing works. He refilled my tramadol, which doesn't do anything for pain but makes me less grumpy. Then he said go get a MM card and call him, or come back in 6 months.

My orthopod said he'd operate on my torn meniscus. I'm still trying to find something to relieve the swollen anterior tibial compartment - one doc said he'd "filet" it. Another one said he could do it with a couple of scissor sticks, and another said it was just edema.

I'm in ATL this week kid-sitting - driving them to school, soccer, cooking, cleaning and laundry (agony going up high stairs at 3/4 century with level 7+ pain). Can't get or even take MM here! Can get it at home, but will cost a bundle, if I figure out how to get the card. Doc said his patients are spending 1-9 K a month.
Posted 3/1/2020 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
I am a little confused about the drs comments regarding the MM card. I know a couple of people that got the cards. Their drs had paperwork that he had to fill out on their behalf. The paperwork had to be turned into the state along with the fee to get the card. So far, I don't know of anyone with a card paying the price range you have quoted. The only thing I suggest is to go to a dispensary & talk to someone. You can find out the cost, what kind of paperwork you would need for a MM card. If you are in a recreational use state no card would be needed.
Posted 3/3/2020 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
In PA we have to go online to get the state registration, then go to the doc to get it signed, then send it in, or maybe it's electronic now, and pay $50 for the card. Then we have to pay again every year. But the website to get registered and get your patient ID number doesn't work a lot of the time. I finally got a callback and was told that the form had to be typed in all caps, which it didn't say on the page. You're supposed to know that because it's how the driver's license is written. Yeah, right!
Doctor visits run $200.
According to one website, PA dispensary mm is $60 to 100 per gram. Another says an ounce costs $350 an ounce for good quality. But I don't know what form the mm is in. I won't smoke! It's cheaper on the street, but I won't do that either!
I don't believe it's going to do anything but make me stupid and doped up, like the kids I saw in college. I haven't read anything I believe that shows it's going to relieve my "real"/nociceptive pain, or for that matter, my neuropathic pain from breaking my neck, but since I have no other recourse I have to spend the money and try it. Then when it doesn't work, what do I do?
Posted 3/4/2020 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, I get what you are saying about not wanting to the dopey goofy feeling. Is recreational use allowed in Pa? If it is, you could try the edibles & you would not have to have a card. But, none of it will be cheap. BTW, Pa is cheaper than Florida for the card.

It is not legal in my state & even if it was I would pass. I am not willing to give up my driving which I would have to do. I have to think of safety for others & myself.

It's up to you if you want to try it, but feeling as strong as you do about it, it may not be a viable option & could be a waste of money.
Posted 3/5/2020 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
PA is not a recreational state, and I hope it doesn't become one.

I will talk to my doc about trying mm. Sometime. Maybe he knows what you can do with raw dried chunks of vegetation. I didn't see any edibles on the website of the nearest dispensary.

Driving - I can't do without it! I have no way of getting anywhere or getting groceries or anything any other way. What's the rule about it?

Post Edited (Alcie) : 3/4/2020 6:26:48 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/5/2020 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I did a quick google search & read a little, a person can be charged with A DUI, MM doesn't make a difference. Check with your state laws to verify. Even though it's stated approved it's still considered a felony under Federal laws.
Posted 3/5/2020 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
I spent some time searching and found that in PA it's illegal to have ANY amount of THC metabolites in your system, which could include something you used days ago. It's state law as well as federal here. A couple of states have a specified amount. Medical card doesn't make any difference.
My doc is on vacation now, but I will consult with him and get the card, even though I probably won't use it.
It's depressing to have intractable pain and not being able to do anything about it.
Posted 3/20/2020 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alcie:
I'm wondering why you would want to try recreational Marijuana, when it makes a person high and is illegal in your state? Plus if you were to buy it on the street, you wouldn't have a clue what is in it.

People with chronic pain and who don't want a high, often use CBD oil. It is sold at a dispensary probably where you live. It comes in a small bottle and normally 2 drops of oil is dropped under the person's tongue. I am not sure of the cost but it could very well be paid by a person's Insurance since it is medical. Medical officials and governments have poo-pood marijuana use forever, when they should have been studying it for at least many decades, so not a lot is known about it. Reviews for the most part, have been good however.

Keeping in mind 95% of medications we all use for chronic pain, have side effects. Some people are affected more than others. So if a person would have undesirable side effects, they should stop using it. Of course, a person should talk to their Doctor and dispensary first.

I mentioned before that my cousin has had severe RA like myself, since he was 10 years old. Too many meds did not work for him, so after a lot of years, he turned to CBD oil. He is happy with it, as it relieves most of his pain. His wife who has MS, also uses it and is satisfied too. She even gets outside for the last 8 months now. Okay, not right now since the Covid is threatening people but she went out before Covid.
Posted 3/20/2020 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Insurance will Not cover CBD anything or medical marijuana.
Posted 3/21/2020 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
That doesn't surprise me. It should be since CBD and MM has been around for some time and it does the same job as medications for many people.
Posted 3/21/2020 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
msOuchie, the cost factor is why so many people in legal states cannot afford it since insurance will not cover it. CBD oil shops has popped up on nearly every corner in my city. From what I have read in this forum & others the CBD oil prices varies, same with how effective it is for people. Cheap stuff may help one or may not the other. It comes down to what a person is willing to try & what they can afford. The states are making plenty of money off of the taxes it's generating in legal states.
Posted 3/21/2020 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law. In addition, marijuana and CBD oil can interact with some medications.
Posted 3/22/2020 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried CBD externally on my ankle, as advised by my cousin who swears by it. It didn't do anything. As for taking it internally, I don't trust that this stuff is manufactured under safe conditions, and who knows what's in it or where it comes from.

I wouldn't dream of taking THC without a prescription! I got a state number, but haven't talked with my doc signing for a card, which he will do. Anyway, I have no interest in getting high.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence for MM and CBD working for neuropathy, but no real evidence for relieving nociceptive pain. What do you do if you have pain from bone or meniscus injuries or need surgery, and opioids don't work? I can ignore the neuropathic pain. It's the "real" pain that is intolerable.
Posted 3/22/2020 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, is there a reason you will not consider having the Pharmacogenetics testing done? I would think this test could be a valuable tool not only for now, but in the future. If you were to have any further surgery this testing would be important. Having real documentation certainly carries more weight than a patient saying, no that doesn't work for me.

I've had meniscus repairs done on my left knee. The pain is a different pain, the best way I can describe it is a deep burning pain, not a neuropathic pain either. What helped me more than anything with that pain was the ice machine! I cannot remember the name of it, it's like soft leg brace that lets ice cold water circulate. It has what I call a mini ice cooler that you add water & ice to. It's to help keep swelling at a minimum, but it sure helped with that burning. lol. Now a days patients walk immediately after the scope. Things has certainly changed with knee scopes.

Regardless, elective surgeries are being put on hold with the virus that's for sure.
Posted 3/22/2020 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I am looking at pharm genetic testing. I talked with my PM and he said it wasn't worthwhile to bother to get the testing done as he's tried everything for me and nothing works. He gave me a paper script though, and I can call one of the providers and set it up myself. It's not a very good time right now to be asking for it since they are busy with corona, so I'm sitting on it to see if things calm down for the test companies.
Right, meniscus tear is not like neuropathic pain. I had meniscus repair done (scope) on one knee and it was a long painful recovery, walker, lots of PT. Hospitals here at least aren't allowed to do any elective surgery, so even though the surgeon said he'd do it I can't even ask. The knee that was injured last fall needed to wait until the bone bruise and tendon tear settled, and now it only hurts when I walk, stand, sit, sleep ... The knee that had meniscus surgery previously probably needs repair again, but I can't even go in and get it looked at for an MRI because no "procedures" are allowed for now.
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