How many of you use extra meds during a bad flare?

I don't really ever have flares. I also don't ever really have any good days. I never have any energy and my pain is 5-6 almost every day. No pain meds work for me. Sorry I can't help with your question. Diane

Thats the problem Karen. My doc knows I need my morphine increased(been on the same dose for 5 years) but he cant do that. I have to have it upped by a pain doctor and so far there is no pain clinic that will take me since all the pain clinics have gone to private insurance only and I am on medicaid. All my doctor can do is write out the meds I was origionaly set up with. I was started on 15 mg of the morphine and was supposed to have that upped every few days till I got to a point where I was only taking the vicodin for breakthrough pain. After starting me on the beginning dose the doctor dropped me like a hot potatoe with no reason other then I lived too far away which made no sense because I had been traveling out to this place every month already to see the uroligist who sent me to this pain clinic because she couldnt put me on a long acting drug. I even asked to see another doctor there and they refused me and I complained to the hospital administraitor( this was at the University of Washington Medical Center) and all I got was a letter saying sorry you had bad service and better luck somewhere else!!! So in order to make these meds work so long as it is I have cut back doses to reset my tolerence for the last few years. On a reg basis I am in pain every day with the meds I have but when you add a flare to that it is just too much for me to handle. I never run completly out of meds as I dont want to go into withdrawel but it is tough when my meds end up being low and I am taking just enough to keep me from being sick without any pain relief at all. So I am taking the breakthrough meds for daily pain and using the morphine simply to make the vicodin work better instead of the other way around of having the morphine to control my pain and only using the vicodin as back up for breakthrough pain.

That is really sad because you should be able to use the morphine to control the pain. When you have to take extra to stop the pain that you are already in, the meds don't help as much. You should be able to stay on top of the pain. What I am trying to say is that you should be able to stop the pain before it happens instead of trying to play catchup later. The meds just aren't as effective.

I really don't know what to say. You are stuck without somebody to increase your meds for you. That is a tough place to be in. But I, like you, would take what it needs to stop the pain. It is just hard when you have to scrimp on your meds to make it through the month. I am just happy that you don't run out. Withdrawals are no fun at all. I read somewhere that you can even go into seizure from narcotic withdrawals. I pray that you don't have to experience that.

Best wishes in finding a new doctor or some way to get the help that you need with your meds. I know how it feels to be in constant pain.

Hugs to you,
Karen

Hi Karen,
It is not right at all that you would be denied medical care because of where you live. It might be worth a shot at contacting PPA. Prescription Plan of America. I think that is right. The one Montel Williams talks about. I have heard of people that qualify through their income levels. And since you are on Medicaid, I am assuming you are also on a limited fixed income.

I don't know if they cover narcotics, but it is worth a try. But, since you have been on it for 5 years it is obviously a maintenance drug for you.
I wish you the best of luck!
Kathy