1. < Chronic Pain

Pain and depression, the one two punch.

Posted by Stephen @wsh66, May 18, 2020

I have dealt with both pain and depression for more than 20 years. I'm ok with both now but they have taken a toll. It seemed it was easier to get good treatment for depression than for pain. I'm guessing in this new anti opioid environment, it even harder, if not impossible to get adequate pain management. I'm part of a type or group of patients who did not contribute to the problem. I'm over 66, my pain is permanent. I'm mostly disabled by pain and will be for the rest of my life. Too far gone to be helped by the PT I did for 15 years and most exercise increases my pain level. There are no more surgeries being suggested. I'm officially receiving palliative care at a very fine pain clinic.

I don't know what I would do if my narcotic treatment were taken away. I know many of you are facing that situation and I wonder how your coping and how it's affecting your depression?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Stephen | @wsh66 | May 21, 2020
In reply to @rwinney "@lilypaws Reading what you've just wrote here and I agree. All of what you said regarding..." + (show)
@rwinney

@lilypaws Reading what you've just wrote here and I agree. All of what you said regarding opiod therapy and pain management. My PCP was kind enough to believe and understand my pain and prescribe me hydrocodone. My pain management drs provide me needles only such as radio frequency ablations and epidurals or, implants of course. Neither PM or my Neuroligist will prescribe an opiod. The stigma is real and felt strongly by communities, advertising, politics. I feel guilty and shamed by this but, at the same time feel truly blessed that I'm the lucky one who receives such help and blessed that an opiod allows me some of my life back. Do I like being in this position and using them? Hell no! It weighs on me daily and I will continue to fight for other solutions.

My heart goes out to everyone who has ever had a suicidal thought from exacerbation of daily pain and all that it brings. I can say I have never been there but, yes depression presents. In the end, my family, my children motivate me and I believe I have good to provide this world still. Since I've been sick, I do think of death. I guess because there have been days when I feel like I'm heading in that direction and envision my funeral, what it would be like. Sorry, I hate to bring negativity up but, if we all know we are not alone and are here for each other....my hope is, that it will help.
Be good to yourselves everyone.

@lilypaws Thank for the conversation starter and stay positive, as I hear in your message of hope.

@lorirenee1 You are a fighting spirit...I feeling this through your messages, despite being tested by your feet.

@wsh66 You provide much experience and knowledge. Thank you for your insight.

Be well
Rachel

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You should never feel guilty about the appropriate use of pain meds. People who became addicted to pain medication became addicted because they took enough to get high. Their doctors are not responsible unless they prescribed such high levels that people got wasted and became addicted. There should be no more guilt associated with taking pain medication that is associated with taking an antihistamine or an anti-inflammatory or any other medicine. You Are Not Alone. There are thousands of us in the same situation. I'm doing everything I can to change this and I won't stop until I do.

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ceceilia | @ceceilia | May 21, 2020
In reply to @wsh66 "I'm sorry to hear this. That's so unfair. They're giving you that urinalysis to prove that..." + (show)
@wsh66

I'm sorry to hear this. That's so unfair. They're giving you that urinalysis to prove that you're actually taking your drugs and not selling them and that you're not using any illegal drugs which would point you out as a drug addict. It is actually a good thing and you should encourage your doctor to continue that practice. It gives the doctor some cover should he be accused of giving out too many drugs to the wrong people. About cost, have you asked your insurance company what narcotic they would cover ? It seems odd that they don't want to pay for dilaudid because it's one of the cheapest medicines that we have.

I take Dilaudid too but I get mine from an intrathecal pump surgically implanted in my belly. I take between 4 and 5 mg per 24 hours. That's a small dose but it is 100 to 300 times more effective than taking it orally. It also prevents the side effects of grogginess and constipation. Better yet as I can't touch these drugs I can't alter the way I take them I can't sell them it puts me Beyond reproach in the eyes of the doctor's as not being a drug addict. Search these chats under my handle wsh66. I've written quite a bit about the pump. The four milligrams is automatic. The other milligram is divided into 10 doses that I can give myself, one an hour over 24 hours. My doctor also continues a small oral dose for later in the day when the rest of the medication is not adequate to deal with my increasing pain. The only downside is I can see is I will have to have a surgery every five to seven years to replace my pump and I have to drive down to M Health, about an hour away, once every 10 weeks to have the old medicine removed and new medicine put into my pump via a small needle. We need to find a better solution to this crisis than just cutting off people whose lives were saved by getting pain medication.

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Thanks for the reply. My insurance covered dilaudid for 30 days and then quit. I will look under the handle wsh66 for information on Pain Pumps. Have you had any experience with spinal cord stimulator?

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Stephen | @wsh66 | May 21, 2020

Yes I was tested and evaluated for a spinal implant but was rejected from this option due to the trial. The pump gives me the best relief I've veer had. Prior to it's implant I was getting huge quantities of oral narcotics that were not very effective but which made me stupid and very very constipated.

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ceceilia | @ceceilia | May 21, 2020

Thanks again. I thought my surgery was going to relieve my pain and I could start living again. Now, I am starting all over again. I will do more research on a pain pump. I looking at all options. Take care and be safe.

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lilypaws | @lilypaws | May 22, 2020

@ceceilia this is lilypaws I'm a very feeling person and so sorry and sad your surgery did not relieve your pain. What type of surgery did you have? I'm having a spine fusion on June 9th. They first said they would have to go in my front and back, but now only my back, but from T-10 to my pelvis. It's a big surgery! They tested me to see if it would work and the test came back positive. I was just at Mayo Clinic at Rochester on Monday and they ran a whole bunch of tests. They all came out ok. I can't wait for June 9th, I'm in a lot of pain, but it will be better. I'm sorry your surgery did not work. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

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ceceilia | @ceceilia | May 22, 2020

I had a L4 through S1 spinal fusion surgery at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix AZ in October 2019. My surgeon said it looks good, but unfortunately I am still in more pain now than prior to surgery, However, with COVID -19 I have missed my 6 month check up. I hoping that my surgeon will be able to give me more answers when I see him again. He did tell me that it could take up to a year or more to completely heal. So, I am still hopeful. I had the most excellent care at the Mayo hospital. My surgeon and hospital staff were wonderful. Your surgery will be much more extensive than mine. Everyone is different and I will keep you in my prayers. You will definitely need help after your surgery. I have a wonderful husband and he was there for me. Somethings I found essential were a toilet riser, a bed rail to help in getting in and out of bed and a trapper devise to pick up things. I also used a walker for a short time. Make sure they give you adequate pain meds and don’t be hesitant to call your doctor if you need more. If you would like to talk with me more, let me know and I will give you my email address. I wish you a speedy recovery and a successful surgery. Just remember, it takes time and a lot of patience as you recover,

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lilypaws | @lilypaws | May 22, 2020

@ceceilia I was wondering old you are?  I put down the things I might need after surgery you mentioned. We go to a class to see what my husband needs to do to help me recover. Jeanie

Editor's Note:
Hi @ceceilia, you'll notice that I removed your personal email address from this discussion. Mayo Clinic Connect is a public forum, thus we recommend sharing personal contact information by using the private message function. Learn how here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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ceceilia | @ceceilia | May 22, 2020

Hi, I will send you an email. Kathy

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lorirenee1 | @lorirenee1 | May 22, 2020
In reply to @lilypaws "@wsh66, @lorirenee1 I feel for you guys. I could get hydrocodone, but a year ago my..." + (show)
@lilypaws

@wsh66, @lorirenee1 I feel for you guys. I could get hydrocodone, but a year ago my doctor at Mayo told me I had to get off of it if he was going to be doing surgery ,because then what he used would not work as well. Well I listened and got off of it and have been in a lot of pain. I had an ablation first and then had to see an endocrinologist, which took time. I then had to go on Tymlos to strengthen my bones for 6 weeks before the surgery . Finally now I'm having my surgery on June 9th. So, after the surgery I will be on Percocet, Tramadol and valium and they will come home with me.
I feel for both of you. My doctor knew I was in pain and gave me hydrocodone, but it did seem like my pain doctor didn't agree with it. He didn't help me much except for the epidurals.
Lorirenee1. It scares me that you think of suicide, so it must be really bad pain. I'm glad you have marijuana and Kraton (what is Kraton)?
May God Bless both of you and I hope you get what you need to survive. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you.

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@lilypaws Thanks so much for your kind words. I certainly hope your surgery goes well! I am waiting for a DRG stimulator trial for my intense, severe, foot pain. Kratom is a tree that comes from SE Asia. The leaves are ground and swallowed, or in my case, swallowed in pill form. Kratom helps to lower or sometimes not feel pain at all, for a few hours. God bless, and best of luck. Lori

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lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2020
In reply to @lilypaws "@ceceilia I was wondering old you are?  I put down the things I might need after..." + (show)
@lilypaws

@ceceilia I was wondering old you are?  I put down the things I might need after surgery you mentioned. We go to a class to see what my husband needs to do to help me recover. Jeanie

Editor's Note:
Hi @ceceilia, you'll notice that I removed your personal email address from this discussion. Mayo Clinic Connect is a public forum, thus we recommend sharing personal contact information by using the private message function. Learn how here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/

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@lilypaws I just saw your post to cecelia . My maiden name was Snyder spelled same . I will be putting you on the prayer list with other warriors starting June1 You will come through this with flying colors .

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