Just got dropped from Pain Management!

I was supposed to go in for the radiofrequency ablation for my lower back today and I chickened out. I called first thing this morning and told them I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it and that I needed more time to think about it. I also asked if I had other options, such as other steroid injections.

I got a call saying that the doctor reviewed my records and felt that if I didn't want to do RFA then there was nothing else for them to do for me. I got dropped and referred back to my PCP.

Im not even upset.. they don't handle any of my meds, and the injections last week were a nightmare. I read their reviews online and things like this happened to others. Some of the reviews for this place are pretty bad..people say the doctors are just in it for the money!

It's not that scarey to be honest.. They said from the get go that they would only do injections and stuff for me, which I was fine with. The injections on my thumbs and back failed and I refused the next option, so I guess I don't blame them even though I think they could of tried something else.

As far as finding another, I don't think I will. In fact I'm giving up all doctors and medication for awhile and im going to ride that out. I've been thinking of the whole pain medication thing after the posts the other day and I don't think I want to go down that road just yet. Ive already started tapering the norco down yesterday, and I've been off my antidepressant for a week or so now..feel no better or no worse yet. Took 1 norco in the morning yesterday and only a half one later, I'll probably stick with that for a few days then eliminate the evening one, then just stop.. We'll see.

I also don't know if I'll be coming to these forums for awhile as I've decided to put my research and complaining to a halt as well.

I think you are making some good decisions but you should always stay in contact with your primary care doctor.

You seem much more under control in this post and that's because you are finally taking control over your illness and not depending on doctors and medication to control it for you. You are becoming your own advocate, you are listening to your body, and you are using good judgement. I'm really proud of you!

I'm glad you are trying less medication. You won't know if you can get away with less unless you try. I hope you find that you don't need much medication. Take enough to have quality of life and control over you pain.

Very few fibromites can get away with absolutely no medication for pain. I'm fortunate that ibuprofen and Tylenol help me as much as they do. I have gotten bleeding ulcers from their use two times in 28 years so that's not too bad. The last time was three years ago. I had to stop ibuprofen for several months to let the ulcers heal up. I needed something badly and tried Vicodin and Tramadol and those didn't help me at all. My rheumy wanted me on Remacade infusions and, after researching that option, I decided against it. The great thing was my Internist said he didn't blame me. LOL. We both decided to try the ibuprofen again, since it was a quality of life issue. We added prescription strength Pepcid AC. This lowers the acid In my stomach but doesn't practically eliminate it like Prilosec and other PPI's do. The PPI's can cause osteoporosis and I found that out the hard way. He also added a medication called Misoprostol that helps protect the stomach from ulcers plus I always take ibuprofen with food to add more stomach protection. I've been doing this for three years and it's working great for me. And of course my muscle relaxer, Robaxin, was a God send too.

Do go back and check out supplements that I and others have mentioned and do try to figure out easier ways for the lifting in your job...that is if you can't be moved to a less physical job within your company.

Lastly, do know we are here to help you. Support really helps when you have chronic illnesses. It's good to take a break from the forums and it's DEFINITELY good to not visit "Dr. Google" but if you need us we will be here for you. I wish you the best of luck in finding what helps you control your pain. Remember...we really do care about you!

Sherrine

I just had to not by choice stop the norco for two weeks ( insurance vs new law drama ) I survived by this forum and ibuprofen alone. I have decided to cut norco back just because my body went through a dry out and I don't want to go through that again. I also have RA besides but if you can cut back on the pain meds then do it. But don't cut back on " complaining" because FM hurts. It's not something to be white knuckled away. It isn't something like ( ok I'm a smoker too) like nicotine that you can will power yourself through alone. ( pleased to meet you I'm missus no will power at all) I hope you can achieve your goals. Just remember that yes there are some doctors who shouldn't be in health care because they seem more interested in treatment than the patient. But there are some real " healers" out there. I read in a book once I have always been too chicken to try it however that if you use 1 tb spoon of guaifenesin a day it helps FM but in this book it says you have to be off ALL meds to see the difference. There very well maybe other treatments for FM that are "safer" than Rx but for me because of the multiple things I have it just is out of the question for me. If you can stop taking Rx then I'm routing for you. It is a dream for me. One day with out having to run to a bottle for relief. I am sending hopeful thoughts your way. It's a new day. Carpe Diem!