Pain meds

[Cindylou]

So, when I saw my pain med doctor last Tuesday, he filled a script of Percocet for 15 of them. Needless to say, if I am going to see him in the two weeks he mentioned, this is 1 percocet a day. I have taken 2 a day, just about, so consequently I only have about 3 left. I get the not wanting to go full force with them since I finally got off, but 15 count for 2 weeks seems rather cruel. I really am trying to use them sparingly. And since I am on such a low dose, I am getting some relief from them. Just for about 4 hours worth. Any thoughts? I am thinking about calling them Monday morning to try and either get a refill or get scheduled for the cauterizing of the facets.

[Dave]

CL,

I have to call in my scrips every week. He will only give out what you should have in that time. Last time I called they gave me 50-10 mg Norcos. That's 70 mg's a day, I would be comatose. On the flip side, when I was in intense pain, they would give me 30-5 mg for the week. That would last maybe 5 days so I would call again, explain my pain, then I would get more. At first I thought they were thinking I was an addict, but I swallowed my pride, knowing they knew my problems, and called anyway.

The short of what I said is "call for more". If they think you do not need them, explain your pain. I'm sure they are aware of it.

let us know how you do Monday.

[Cindylou]

Thanks Dave. But you also have to drive in person to pick up a narcotic script. That is a total pain when you are hurting. Is that what you do too? Or do you just wait for them to snail mail it?

[Katie]

CL, I know how you feel. Would they not fax it over if you explain things?

My GP will not help with pain meds at all, even when my pain management doctor has be unreachable for a week or more. I don't know why, but every once in awhile she does not respond to faxes, phone calls, etc, even with the pharmacist trying. So I've learned to start trying two weeks ahead when I'm getting low and so far have not run out.

It is almost a two hour round trip to go in to see her, but I have to every once in awhile as she is not allowed to keep writing more without seeing me.

But even when my pharmacist tells my family doctor that I will be out without her giving me a few till we reach the other doctor, she won't help. I hate the stigma of being on these drugs.

Perhaps your doctor has underestimated how many you will need, or there is some regulation about how many they can start giving a patient on the first one or two prescriptions? If you have a good relationship with him, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Cindylou]

Those are the times you feel like a junkie, no? Begging for pills. Here you cannot fax a script for narcotics of this type. Against the law. Sounds like your GP wants to stay completely out of the picture concerning your pain management. Now you know, and can adjust accordingly. I'm going to call tomorrow morning and see if I can schedule the facet rhizotomy procedure. Thanks Katie.

[KBear]

CL- I'm in the same boat. I had went to the dr 2 1/2 months ago and he wrote my vicodin for 4 a day, even though we discussed 5 a day and he said that is what he was writing. Well, I decided to just take the 4 a day and see how it went. I did ok the first 2 months, only having to refill 3 or 4 days early, both times. Well, I just filled 2 weeks ago, and I will be out in 2 days. I am freaking out. I don't want to tell them that I have been taking double the prescribed; but I am in so much pain that even taking that, I'm still in pain. I am going to call tomorrow and see if I can get in. I probably will be able to see the nurse practitoner (who is a pain med nazi, she doesn't want to prescribe anything). If I want to wait for my dr, I will have to wait a couple of weeks.... which I don't have. I don't think they will up my script or refill this early, without seeing me. I hate it, because it does make me feel like a junkie having to go through this and worry about pain pills. I think I am going to ask them to do some facet injections, to make sure that is not where my pain is coming from.

[Dave]

CL,

My pharmacy is three blocks down the road. When I was unable to drive, my wife would pick them up. I just had to sign a release allowing her to do so.

[Justin]

I truly understand where everyone is coming from. I'm currently in the same boat and have been in the past.

The key is to spell out your pain and explain what is going on. Be honest and up front with your physicians. If you see many providers (surgeon, pain management, etc.), make sure that only one is writing for your narcotic medications and that your other doctors are copied on the note. Discuss long-acting vs. short-acting meds, establish that you are truly in pain and continue to be proactive in your care.

Hang in there everyone.

[Katie]

This infuriates me. This is what comes from my so called physicians saying that they don't do spine surgery just for pain. Simply for pain. As if pain has no consequences. These drugs have taken over my life, probably brought on all the weird allergies and reactions to ordinary things I've never been sensitive to before taking them. Three anaphylactic reactions since last fall.

They have given me a stigma, looks from friends and strangers that make me cower inside. I joke about it on the outside but inside is a different matter. And the fear of withdrawal symptoms if and when I get rid of the pain looms large as well.

All of this will come forth at my appeal for funding out of country surgery. This is not a simple request just for surgery. I want my life back. A life that does not include withdrawal symptoms every morning from short acting narcotics. A life without weird side effects. A life without sympathetic side glances from friends and family. I most definitely do not want more drugs, despite what some misguided doctors think. Not more than absolutely necessary now, and hopefully not at all soon.

[Cindylou]

Katie, you said it so eloquently, I want to encourage you to print out exactly what you wrote here, so you have this ammunition in your back pocket for your appeal and future dr. appts. It is so easy to get flustered when we are in the Dr.'s appt., and unfortunately, some, not all docs, can be intimidating and RUSHED. There is nothing that gets me more tongue tied than when I feel the doctor already tuning me out, with one foot out the door to the next patient. Dave, I didn't mean getting to the pharmacy, but having to get to your Dr.'s office in person to pick up a narcotic script, when you are in so much pain. I get that they can't just willy nilly fax these things, but....My pharmacy actually delivers which is a godsend if I am hurting too much to get over there. And Justin....you spelled it out precisely. We do have to be honest with our doctors and convey our true pain levels. Honesty always is the best policy. Good luck Kathy as you pursue possible facet injections as well. I'll keep everyone abreast too as I call my pain management doc in the morning. It's late here. Time for bed for me.