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Why do doctors always want to take away what works?

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Posted 4/12/2012 11:12 AM (GMT 0)

Good morning,

I really mean that too. I was just wondering why sooooooooooooooo many doctors want to keep changing meds. I was diagnosed with FM last year when my pain became unbearable. I've had 15 different surgeries in the past 25 years and after each one the pain never went away. I finally found a pain doctor who put me on percocet 2-3 per day and clonazepam for anxiety. I have TMJ,osteoarthrtis,IBS,Panic attacks,anxiety,depression, and few undiagnosed. My pain doctor sent me to a Rheumatologist who initially I was very happy with until this week. She wants to change my meds to tramodol and add Viibryd. I looked up the side affects and interactions as I always do when they prescribe different drugs. There was a BIG skull warning not to take them together. I understand the label that has been put on narcotic drugs but for me I have never abused and only take what is absolutely necessary to function like a normal person. I have ended up in ER so many times due to the medication changes they have given me. I am unable to take anti-inflamatory drugs and morst antibiotics because I go into anthrophalactic shock. I carry an EPI pen wherever I go.Why do doctors not read your chart? I am getting so frustrated and don't know what to do. I'm starting to lie about trying some drugs because the fear of reaction is so great that I want only to stay with what I know works for me. How can I stay strong. I do everything to make the most of my life. Pool therapy works great(warm water) and gentle chair Yoga does as well and laugh everyday about something. Thanks for listening. Take good care of yourself! God never gives us more tha we can handle together.  yeah

Posted 4/12/2012 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Lifizgd, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  I think your rheumatologist is really trying to help you.  They probably realize that this is a long term deal with you and Tramadol would be safer for you. 

 

Tramadol is an opiod-like drug and works very much like the narcotics but there is far less chance of your becoming dependend/addicted on them.  Quite a few members on this forum use and like Tramadol.  I was on Vicodin when I saw my rheumy for the first time and he switched me to Tramadol, too.  It didn't help me at all when I tried it, but I DID try it.  You can cut it in half, too.  That's how I started taking it because I also have reactions to some medications. 

 

Have you discussed with your doctors your fears about new medications?  I have done that and so they know where I'm coming from and work with me.  But don't lie about what you take and don't take.  That won't help you or help your doctor to help you. 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there...even things that can help you. 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine 

Posted 4/12/2012 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't change your pain meds. Tramadol is nothing like percocet and will not relieve your pain. Stick with the first doctor. Let the other one know you don't want to switch. Stick to your guns...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/12/2012 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Ifizgd,

I'm sorry you're having to go through this. I know exactly what you mean. Thankfully, I've been lucky with my doctor, he really does listen to me.

I've had more trouble, myself, with drugs going off the market. For MANY years I used Darvocet for breakthrough pain, and Midrin for migraines, and within a year they were both impossible to get. (My theory is that they were so old the pharmaceutical companies weren't making "enough" off of them anymore - but that's another story!)

Anyway, I always look up interactions too, and I think it's very strange that your new rheumy would prescribe 2 drugs that are known to interact dangerously. At the very least, I'd ask her about this - maybe she is unaware, and if she's a decent doctor she'll admit that and thank you, not get huffy like so many of them do when questioned.

Are you still seeing tha pain doctor, or was this a switch? It sounds like that one understood you better. I don't understand the stigma attatched to narcotics, either. Anything can be abused, but sometimes, there's a real need.

Good luck, and keep us posted...we care around here.

Debbie
Posted 4/13/2012 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You all for your input. I am always open to new help if I believe it is truly to help ME and not the masses. I made an appointment with the pain doctor I've been with for 4 years to discuss what my Rheumatologist is suggesting. She understands the pain I have better than any other doctor I've seen. She was doing accupuncture for 1 1/2 years until I could not even tolerate the small needles anymore. That is when she knew I needed more help. The pain doctor my rhematologist has made an appointment for me to see I believe to be totally against any narcotics. I am addicted if addiction means wanting to be pain controlled. Anxiety comes with FM if the pain becomes so unbearable(which it has) that you don't even want to be around anymore. There are many issues surrounding the decisions I need to make. I am currently waiting for a disability hearing and fear that if I don't do what all these doctors tell me it will have an adverse affect. I am 57 years old and have worked most of my life. I never wanted to have to ask for any help until 2 years ago. I could no longer even take care of my grandchildren when they were small. That was a killer for me.

I have voiced my major concerns about new drugs. Too many trips to the ER will do that to a person. I live alone so the anxiety is very high when taking a new medication that could cause major reactions. I've had to call my daughter too many times to take me to the ER for just that reason. I pray that my own pain doctor will help me to fight for what works for me. I might add that my Rheumatologist has great anomosity towards the Hospital my pain doctor is affiliated with.Thanks again for listening. It really and truly helps to hear that I am not alone or crazy. I pray all have some if not many smiles today.

yeah  

Posted 4/13/2012 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am very happy with my tramadol, especially because it keeps working at the same dose, and I am tolerant to Vicodin, which is about the only other narcotic I can take.

Yes, you do have to watch for serotonin syndrome - from taking too much or interaction with other drugs that raise serotonin. Reading drug side effects and interactions keeps me from getting into trouble. I know what to look for. When I start to get muscle twitches I check my journal to see if I took something wrong, because it can go to overheating quickly.

I have added a half the smallest amitriptyline at night. It works pretty well for nerve pain. It also raises serotonin, so I have to skip it when it builds up too much. Some people are taking the metabolite nortriptyline. which is shorter acting and supposed to have fewer side effects. I'm going to ask my rheumy about it at my next appointment.
Posted 4/14/2012 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
Debbie

I use midrin was just put on a few months ago

May I ask you how much did you take?

I am suppose to take 2 at first then one each hour up to eight

It didnt help this last migraine had to use imtex on top of it

and still had a headace for 5 days Not a full migraine just a headach

So did it take time for it to work

Its generic is there a difference?

Just wondering Thanks in advance

always Renee

Posted 4/15/2012 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
ifizgd- I was just reading your post. Sounds like you are trying to find Dr's that will work with you for your disability. That is very important for your case. I am like some others I dont think I would let the rumy. Dr. be handling my pain control. You can let her know that you have someone controling your pain already. You have to be recareful when you have multi Dr's that they understand what you are taking and not to have interactions with drugs they order. If you feel like you take the prescribed amt. of pain meds then they dont cause you problems dont worry. Feel lucky that you can handle narcotics well. Pain control is so important to having a quality of life. Just remember honesty will go a long ways with your Dr's.
Posted 4/17/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Renee,

Sorry, I didn't have a computer for a few days, or I would have gotten back to you....

I'm surprised that you were just put on Midrin, but maybe you're not in the US? My doctor and pharmacist said it was taken off the market here. Yes, I think it's a generic, I don't know what the brand name is.

Anyway, I always just took 1, and it took most of the headache away. A few times I took a 2nd after a few hours.

Hopefully, you're doing better by now!

Debbie
Posted 4/21/2012 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't see a need for the rheumy to send you to another pain doc when you have had the same one for 4 years. That seems odd in itself. I feel like you should stick with what works now because we are ever changing with our symptoms and the way meds affect us. You will most likely need changes later so any small reprieve is welcome! Personally I feel the meds they push on us have more side effects and withdrawal symptoms then narcotics. Don't get me wrong, I believe in taking the best care of your body in a natural way you can. I am scared because I have been on Norco for 2 years and it works well, but my tolerance is up. I need 2 n a half tabs now for relief (10/325) I am aware of the Tylenol being hard on the liver. I went to my doc last month to discuss a change of pain med for a couple months to bring my tolerance down (diff opiates work on diff receptors) anyway, the nurse offered a fentanyl patch or stronger tab. I let her know I want to stay on Norco because it works and try not to use stronger meds right now. Even if switching to something that didn't work as well for awhile so I could decrease my tolerance. She finally said why dont we increase your amount of tabs per month if it still works for you....then worry about it when this amount isn't helping. I agreed and doc agreed. There is such a stigma you feel guilty, but I feel better with the compassionate doc I have now compared to the one I had 5 years ago that wanted things her way or the highway. I fired her. This doc is also better with thyroid treatment. I do better on the natural T4 and he added T3....Endocrine doc and old pmd never even offered this! Good luck to you
Posted 4/23/2012 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I've had the same issue. I had a great Fibro Dr. for a year but I just couldn't afford her anymore. I took Tramadol on a regular basis and Loritab for breakthrough. I even had her write letters for other docs so they would know that my diagnosis was legitimate. But now I can't get any Loritab out of them and only two Tramadol a day. Its been rough. I'm just praying that people begin to take Fibro more seriously.
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