what do women find most helpful to tolerate or curb pain, not meds?
exercise - 14.3% - 1 votes
sleep - 14.3% - 1 votes
being alone - 14.3% - 1 votes
being with loved ones - 14.3% - 1 votes
heatpack or hot bath/shower - 42.9% - 3 votes
coldpack - 0.0% - 0 votes
kova
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 6
Posted 2/27/2013 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
So, a bit of background...on klonipin for anxiety1mgx2, oxycodone5mgx3, amitryptolene 40mg for sleep, meletonin 5mg sleep, flexiril 10mgx3 for spasms, Zoloft 150mg for major deppressive disorder, vit d3 3000mg, cod liver fish oil(yuck!)2tsp, naproxen 500mg, anti-diareaheal(ap?) & stool softener as needed.
This new doc took a wonderfully empathic physician position and right off switched up a couple, tried baclofen(sent me to er after 1&1/2 days due to passing out and not being able to remember the day.) Tried neurontin and swelled up terribly. So, now after x-rays showing how bad my spine is with herniated discs the physicist said it will get worse but still suggests I work on getting off meds and this new doc shares that opinion. I am scared to death of the power they hold over my well-being.
Can you go to a pain clinic with or without a docs referal? I had to have one for massage(not good) for nathuropath(don't see improvement from supplements, the mj authorization has helped from time to time~edibles with high cbd low thx.)
So, do I dare ask to get a referal back to the Rhumatoligist or a pain clinic? She already has established a standoffish relationship with me and with an hour long appt is looming...how do I deal with it? My only 3 appointments with her I ended up crying trying to explain what I do do for myself and that yes, I understand there is no magic pill. (At least my old doc wasn't afraid to try morphine but I did not cope well with the nausea and swelling so WE chose to get me off it.)
This is my first post and I've found tons of good info, now I'd like to ask for help and advice from you!
MyselfRedux
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 6232
Posted 2/27/2013 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Quickly-a rheumatologist is going to be your first step. A PM would be the next step after that, IMO.
Sleep and exercise are central to my condition management.
kova
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 6
Posted 2/27/2013 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
With my insurance I was revered and diagnosed in 2005 and sent back to my primary. The last couple years have been the worst so I recently was granted ssdi, so sad to not be working in early childhood education.
What is IMO? Do you think I should be asking for the referrals, I believe that's the way good old group health works?
Thank you.
Sherrine
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18467
Posted 2/27/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Kova, and welcome! I'm sorry you are having these problems. It's my personal belief that you need a doctor that you trust and that trusts you. You need a doctor that understands your health issues....especially fibromyalgia. You didn't say whether or not you have fibro but chronic pain is chronic pain no mater what is causing it.
I would try to see a board certified Rheumatologist that treats fibro patients. You should check first to make sure before an appointment is made. They work with fibro, arthritis, and some spine problems and that would be a good fit for what you are describing.
I developed very bad back pain and nerve pain running down both legs about a year ago. I could hardly walk and was walking with two canes. My Internist had me try Vicodin and then Tramadol and neither of these painkillers helped me at all. He knew this was a quality of life issue so my Internist gave me the cards to two rheumatologists he knew were excellent and suggested I go see o e of them.
I checked both out on the Internet and chose one and, boy, is he fantastic...just like the reviews said! After x-rays, much blood work, and two MRI's, it was discovered that I also have a rheumatoid-like spine issue called ankylosing spondylitis. I was given ibuprofen with food and a muscle relaxer and I'm 100% better...just with finding the right medication that could help me. I'm telling you this because perhaps you don't need pain clinics, etc. but do need a doctor that will listen and work with you. It sounds like your new doctor isn't now.
I hope you don't go in and ask for narcotics, etc. That can cause doctors to dig their heels in. The first thread on the forum is called Fibro 101 and there are good links about fibro there. There is a link that has pain charts and also a journal. You could print these out, write down daily activities and record the pain you are feeling. This way, when you take this to your doctor, they may better understand what you are going through.
I do hope you get the help you need. Living in chronic, uncontrolled pain can be the pits. I have chronic pain but it's under control now.
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
kova
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 6
Posted 2/27/2013 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello there! I haven't quite figured out how to put my diagnoses down so it comes up with my reply yet. Any help since you are the moderator?
I have Fibromyalgia, depressive disorder, anxiety, osteoarthritis(MRI tech said my neck looked like that of a 70 yr old man~that was many yrs ago)degenerative disc disease with bone spurs and c5&6 are near rupturing as wel as 2 in the theocratic(that's the bottom of the spine right, or is it lumbar?), bone spur on my left knee after patella relocation, 3 surgeries to take bone off the shoulder and move my bicep muscle on my dominate arm, ibs, severe headaches and all that comes with the fibro, fog, spasms, balance issues, roaming pain...
Sherrine
Forum Moderator
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 18467
Posted 2/27/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I would still start with a rheumy with all of that. It sure sounds like you need some strong pain relief with all your problems. But the journal listing your pain is a good start to get the help you need.
To have your health issues come up in your signature. Go to your profile, type them in and you should be set.
Sherrine
kova
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 6
Posted 2/27/2013 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! Anyone have experience with a Physitrist?
Spookiesmom
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 370
Posted 2/28/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Yes I have. They are also known as pain management. I wonder how you manage to stay upright with all those meds? Wouldn't be surprised if a doc eliminated some.
kova
New Member
Joined : Jul 2012
Posts : 6
Posted 3/3/2013 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I am trying to put a list of questions and concerns for tomorrow's appt and I sincerely hope she is more attentive and empathetic. I've read that sometimes if you just switch the pain med out for a different one you can stay on a low dose and it will be more beneficial then continuing the one that you get a tolerance over. Is it ok to ask that?
I do walk in the pool and go for walks on the weekends as long as I can manage. I feel there may be reverse ageism after being told, 'your too young tohave all these problems!', I'm 38 and fibro usually hits between 30-50 and I have ssdi because at least the Administrative law judge believed me. Now thatthat stress is over my anxiety and depression feel way more in control and I am only asking for a doc that's not afraid to give me some pain relief. What usually is a 8 on the pain scale turns into more like a 4-5 but that is only temporary with the fast acting Percocet. I'm not asking for a maricle (I feel like as soon as I leave she laughs at me, get the same feeling from urgent care docs at times when they see I take a small dosed opiate:o(
Does anyone know of a long acting med(other then morphine that a reluctant doc may allow?