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Going to the Dr. and really dread it.

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Posted 11/15/2010 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
 

 

Well, I'm going to talk to her about a different pain med. Last week she referred me to a pain mgm center. The problem is they cannot get me in till April.

 

I called my Drs. nurse and asked her to talk to my doctor about prescribing something to help me till then, and she said no she can't do that.  The truth is she can, this med center leaves prescribing narcotics up to the descretion of the physician. In case it's not clear, I'm referring to my pcp here. 

 

I thought long and hard about this, I don't want to take anything unless I really need to.  My problem is I can't take any sleep aids, they all make me nauseas. So this in turn ramps up my pain level, (or so I believe) it seems everything I try with the Tramadol has this effect on me. The last sleep med I tried, can't think of the name, but I slept like a baby for the first time in over a year, but was so nauseas all the next day till I went to sleep about 11 pm.

 

I know it sounds weird, however everything I take does this to me, and I think it has to do with the Tramadol. Which isn't working too well for me anymore anyway, hence the decision to ask for something stronger.

 

If anyone catching this believes in prayer, please say one for me. It feels like I am going in there on the defensive even though I know I have no reason to feel this way.

 

I'll let you know what happens later.

 

Blessings

 

Debbie

Posted 11/15/2010 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie...stay strong and wishing you the best of luck in getting your pain under control!

Hugs,
Krista
Posted 11/15/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
I will pray that everything goes well for you. Maybe you should write everything down (pain levels, what helps, what doesn't, what your side effects are) and go in there armed with facts. I find it helps me to not try to rely on my memory. I also find that it helps me sound more professional and not "apologetic" or defensive as I'm describing what isn't working.

Hugs - Austen
Posted 11/15/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie just wanted you to know you are in my prayers. I truly hope that you get some relief soon.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 11/15/2010 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I have problems taking medication, too.  That's why I've stuck with the over the counter stuff.  I'll be praying that you find what works for you. 

 

Have you considered a change in doctors?  I wouldn't waste my time with a doctor that won't ease your pain.  You aren't looking to be pain-free...but you do want to be able to function.  It's a quality of life issue.  Also, if you don't think your doctor is being honest with you, you really don't have a good rapport and that's not going to help you at all.  You need a doctor that will work with you.

 

Meantime, I'm keeping you in my prayers.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/16/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
 

 

Thanks for the prayers. By the time I was sitting in the exam room waiting to see the doctor a calm had came over me, I believe it was because my DH prayed, plus your prayers, with mine gave me the assurance God was in control.

I told her why I no longer wanted to take the Tramadol, and also that one of the girls who worked there assured me the doctor can do it, only I would have to sign a contract.

 

It's funny because her answer was,  she does not prescribe narcotics to anyone any more because so many people gave her convincing stories about pain, and assurances about not being drug seekers, and it turned out they were lying.

I told her again how I have a feeling the Tramadol makes it where I can't take hardly handle anything else, like not even a low dose antidepressant... and we talked a few more moments.  She wound up telling me this same thing 3 different times.

The last time as she was shaking her head no she did write out a prescription for tylenol 3 w/codeine.  So I want to share with you all, God is there, He does care, and sometimes He says yes.  And of course sometimes He says no. I'm thankful for a yes today.

 

Sherrine, I totally agree about having a doctor who understands, and tries to help us, one we can have a good rapport with. Unfortunatly in my situation this is the only place I can go where they have a sliding fee, so I do not have to pay the full amount which  really helps since I have no insurance.

Thanks again for the encouragement, and prayers.  

Posted 11/16/2010 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you got somewhat of a yes today Debbie...I really hope it helps with your pain.

Hugs,
Krista
Posted 11/16/2010 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
 

Thanks Krista, I hope it helps too, if I had my rathers it would be something less apt to cause nausea, but I knew it was not the time to bring this up.

Hey Austen, you would've been proud of me, I was calm, cool and collected, well ok, maybe not quite, but I honestly did NOT feel on the defensive, or apologetic. I knew I had no reason too, even though I felt somewhat like that before I went.

I felt like I was a person who had a right to ask for the help I needed from a medical professional who was being paid to help me in the best way possible. 

Thanks again

Blessings

Debbie  

Posted 11/16/2010 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie, I'm glad you got some results and it sure sounds like you handled yourself beautifully!  You do have to speak up.  Doctors are not a god...even though some think they are!  smilewinkgrin    Hopefully, this medication will help you with your pain.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/16/2010 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie,

Glad you got some help. Every little bit helps. Also glad you didn't feel defensive, because as you said, you have nothing to feel defensive about!

Debbie
Posted 11/17/2010 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie,

 

 

I am glad that you were able to get some different meds. I do agree with Sherrine about maybe getting a new doctor if the one you have is not helping as much as you would like.  We deserve the best care we can get. During my years of having Fibro I have been on a number of different meds even in a couple of trials. As there is no true med to treat Fibro I think we are always searching the one thing that will help us the most.  I can tell you here in Canada I did have to sign a form along with my doctor that went into our goverment as I am now taking some heavy duty drugs and they are afraid of doctor shopping. I am glad that did not stop her from giving me the meds as so far they seem to work the best for me.

 

Take care,

 

Lorraine

Posted 11/17/2010 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie -
The nausea with mixing meds with tramadol could have been the first indication of serotonin syndrome. That's one of the symptoms for some people.

Tramadol works quite well for my fibro pain, but just about everything I have tried along with it has caused serotonin syndrome for me. I get the muscle twitches starting in the legs, moving to the abdomen and even the diaphragm, also turn red, very hot and sweating. It seems to be worse when using the extended release form.

Good luck with your codeine. I can't take that or anything related because they all make me vomit.
Posted 11/17/2010 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad that your visit went well and you were able to stay calm and collected. I'm not sure what it is when we go to the doctor that makes us feel like we are visiting the principal's office. rolleyes confused Maybe because we are in so much pain and they often do have the power to help or not help us.

I hope you find some relief.

Hugs - Austen
Posted 11/17/2010 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
 

Thanks everyone, the support and encouragement here helps alot.

 I'm so thankful God allowed me to be alive in this day and age of modern technology, one reason being so I could find this group of people who know exactly how I feel.  Wow, what a thought huh!? 

 Can you amagine having fibro in the stone age? Or even 10 years ago for that matter, and I know many here have endured this illness for several decades. We can be grateful for the knowledge and understanding that has finally begun to happen concerning fibro.

Austen, you made me laugh because I know going to the principles office is a perfect comparison to sometimes going to the doctor!  It's like..   "shame on you,  for asking for something to help with the terrible pain your going through." "you really just want to get high,  admit it!"  nono  

Alcie, You are the first person who has told me Tramadol afects them the exact same way it does me.  Do you still take it, and just avoid the others pills that can cause Serotonin syndrome?

 SS is awful, and I read that you are really being poisened when this is happening. And I believe it, without a doubt.  

 I am going to start a new post to share what happened when I stopped the Tramadol, and replaced it with codeine.

Blessings

Debbie

 

Posted 11/18/2010 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
OK...I read and re-read the posts, and Seratonin Syndrome was mentioned. I feel very stupid, but what is SS,...what are they symptoms?

Gentle Hugs,

Corri
Posted 11/18/2010 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

 

I just looked up SS...here is the link to the Mayo Clinics definition.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/serotonin-syndrome/DS00860


Lorraine

Posted 11/18/2010 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lorraine!

Thank you for that link. It was VERY informative.

I'm such a "duh"...I don't know why I didn't think of looking it up myself. Sometimes I wonder about myself.......

Gentle Hugs,
Corri
Posted 11/18/2010 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
HI Corrie,

 

Your very welcome.  Blame it on the Fibro Fog!   Good thing we all don't have it at the same time turn

 

Take care,

Lorraine

Posted 11/19/2010 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Nothing makes me more angry than doctors who accuse us of drug seeking. Like this is a way of life we would choose for ourselves. Granted, there are such people who seek chemical escape but I really do think they are the minority. People who truly wish to escape into drugs, in my opinion, get them on the street or in other ways, definitely not in a way where they can be monitored. Nothing is more humilitating than being accused of such behavior (drug seeking) as if we have no moral compass of our own and we need these doctors to protect us from ourselves. NOT! We are in so much pain and experiencing so much frustration that I would not be surprised to hear that some fibro sufferers take their lives rather than suffer the humiliation that some doctors heap upon us. If the doctors only knew how we suffer, even though we look so outwardly well, they would not make our lives any more difficult and painful than they already are. grrrrr Pain management clinics are the best way to go as far as I am concerned as they do understand.

Hugs to all~

Sandy

Norco - pain
Seroquel - sleep
Posted 11/21/2010 8:18 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on oxycodone for severe back pain. I don't intend to be on it the rest of my life, but I feel so belittled when I request a refill. I don't speak to the doctor, but his nurse. She's great for saying, (in a whiney voice) "Oooh, but you just HAD a prescription a month ago...and you need another one?" What does she think? I'm selling them on the street? I'm having surgery for Pete's sake...this pain is REALL!

This is a new doc, and after my surgery I'm going to go in to talk about Fibro pain management. It will be interesting what he comes up with.

Corri
Posted 11/21/2010 9:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone I am new here just trying to learn about Fibromyalgia and all of a sudden I feel as if the person I once was no longer exists and I won't be able to get her back! Like my life is over. If you don't mind what is Norco since I guess I won't be able to ge darvecet any longer....and thanks to you all for jus talking.
Posted 11/21/2010 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
CRZ49, in Fibro 101 there is a link all about Serotonin Syndrome.  You can find a lot of what we talk about in Fibro 101.  It makes it easy for  you to search.

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/21/2010 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sherrine. I read Fibro 101 but, obviously, it didn't sink in. This time, I'll read it, but READ it...if that makes any sense :)

Corri
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