Pain medicine

Hi Barbz - I just responded to your other post. What state do you live in? I am in the middle of a big Crohn's exacerbation and my general practitioner has prescribed me a low dose fentanyl patch and oxycodone as needed for breakthrough pain. She said just to call when I need a refill, so it seemed like she was fine prescribing this for the foreseeable future; I, however don't feel comfortable taking them long term. I'm hoping to only take them for a month and wean off - hoping the Stellara kicks in and TPN helps. The fentanyl is actually really helpful tho - I don't feel the typical "opiate grogginess" and the pain relief is very steady and consistent.

Maybe you need to find another doctor? Especially if you feel you need daily pain relied. Th obvious goal is to treat the Crohns so that there is no pain but we all know that this is easier said than done. I am at a point in my life where I feel I deserve appropriate pain relief when needed and am responsible enough to weigh the pros and cons. I also feel doctors have a right to not prescribe narcotics if they don't feel comfortable - there are legit concerns involved with prescribing these to the wrong person. Luckily I have a few doctors who have always been understanding and more than willing to help with pain relief. I do think that the fact that I have always weaned myself off on my own when I no longer felt I needed them helps my cause. That being said - if you're in pain daily then you should be allowed APPRIORIATE pain relief as needed. You're a grown up and can make the best choice for YOU and deserve a doctor who respects this. It's not like our pain is not obvious through scans and blood work. No docotor would look at a CT scan of my bowels and accuse me of "faking it".

Sorry, this is an area I've becom more passionate about lately. I really wish there were more pain relief options available and maybe there will be in the near future. Even better would be better Crohn's treatments so we don't end up in pain in the first place. I continue to be optimistic!

What Straydog said in your other post is probably the reason you are being weaned. I don't think there is a specific law or guidelines that state that GI patients shouldn't be prescribed pain meds. Can you have another surgery if needed? Can you look for another pain management doctor or talk to your general practitioner about pain management? Is medical marijuana available in your state?

No one should be expected to live in pain, I'm sorry you are having a tough time. Is your GI offering any solutions in regards to Crohn's meds? I hope you are able to find a doctor willing to address your pain, at lest until you can get your Crohn's under control.

Yes, I did notice that. I was just wondering if there was a different PM willing to take her on. I obviously am not as familiar with chronic pain treatment given that my pain comes and goes depending on the status of my disease. But I know that there are Crohn's patients that do receive chronic pain treatment from pain specialists or GPs (although maybe this is not as much these days?). GIs seem notorious for not wanting to treat pain. Curiously, mine will no longer prescribe pain meds but is supportive of me using pain meds prescribed by someone else. Crohn's patients qualify for medical marijuana in NY too - but I have found this prescription harder to obtain than opiates (doctors need to be specifically certified to prescribe it and it is rarely covered by insurance). Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I am hoping that there are still some feasible pain relief options for those that need it. I have been in pain so severe in the past where I really can't see how I would have gotten through it without.