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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 52 minutes ago | Replies (7069)Comment receiving replies
Hello everyone and thank you for starting this group. I'm a 72 year old female and have multiple problems with my back including a endplate compression fracture of the L3 vertebrae, bone marrow edema, several disc protrusions measuring from 3mm to 4mm, facet arthropathy, grade 1 retrolisthesis, moderate facet arthropathy, a broad-based disc osteophyte complex that measure 4 mm in dimension and scoliosis. Almost all of these affect all of the lumbar discs, except for the fracture of the vertebrae. This is the 3rd vertebrae I've either fractured or broken. I have severe osteoporosis so I'm at high risk for breaking bones and have had my share of them. So with all that aside, my spine specialist says I'm at high risk for surgery because my bones are so brittle. My pain level is relieved by pain meds and spinal injections. But when I recently fractured my vertebrae the pain was unbearable. All my doctor has wanted to do is send me for X-rays and MRI's. I did all that and now she wants me to go for more X-Rays. But has never once tried to do anything for my pain. I could go to the ER but all they would do is give me pain shots which only last a few hours and I would have to go every day to keep me out of pain and you all know that eventually they would consider you a addict. I hate those pain shots because of they way they make me feel. So what I'm wondering is why would a doctor not help their patient with this much pain, even if it's for a short time, until they can find another way of treatment. It's been almost a month since I fractured my vertebrae and I've barely been able to stand to even fix myself anything to eat or go to the restroom. On top of all this, I have C-dif, so getting to the bathroom in time has not been too successful and cleaning up after myself has been so difficult. My doctor just doesn't seem to understand the difficulty the pain has been for me. Does anyone else out there have to deal with this? What in the world is going on? Are they really that afraid of losing their license if they don't do as the Food & Drug Admin tells them to do with dispensing of pain meds or am I just missing the point here. The pain center clinics are all new to me and now I hear that even the doctors won't even dispense cough syrup with codeine . Is this true? Has it gotten that bad or is this the new normal? I'm just shocked that a doctor won't help a patient in this kind of pain. Please share your thoughts or advice. I would love to hear from anyone out there who is dealing with chronic pain and not getting the proper treatment for it. Thank you very much.
Replies to "Hello everyone and thank you for starting this group. I'm a 72 year old female and..."
I was a medical professional prior to becoming a professional patient . In the 90’s, it was considered malpractice to not treat or under treat pain . Unfortunately, a lot of doctors and patients mistreated this opportunity in multiple ways . Now ,the pendulum has swung way too far in the other direction . I feel that bringing up pain at a doctor visit is like a faux pas - suddenly the dr changes the subject and it is never discussed . I see no way that after perusing my chart you could not understand why I would need something for pain control . I understand the plight of the doctors but I am disappointed that most doctors are willing to allow their patients to suffer and I see very few who seem to be an advocate for us . I do know that all pain does not require a narcotic , but sometimes it does . With pain medication , I can carry out far more activities on my own , I am kinder to my family and my depression is lifted ! To feel that no one cares about this need is so depressing . At times I have felt that I was not worthwhile for a doctor to stick his neck out a bit , while maintaining the law . It has become too easy to smooth over this subject bc we have been subjected to the mentAlity that requesting pain medication is wrong .
On the other hand , I have an empathetic pain management doctor who is treating me with compassion and I get what I need . However prior to this I was treated like a gangster. The process of dealing with my pain became something that sucked the life out of me .
Some things that did help me at times was CBD lotion on my neck ; TENS unit ; a cane that you use to work our the spasms in the upper back , neck, shoulders . Physical therapy to strengthen and increase stamina overall helped me a lot. I figured my pain would be increased but it never did . Keep looking for the right pain management dr . There are many treatments for pain and not all need to be narcotics ; but sometimes they are needed and they should be dispensed in a careful manner and monitored closely . I am hoping that the pendulum will swing back in the other direction .
You have to be your own advocate .
The whole world of pain treatment with opioids became a big, new thing a few years ago. Why make people suffer when you can easily give them relief with opiodes? It became a medical speciality. Then it was, of course, abused, sold illegally and lots of new addicts! So, overreaction once again and everyone on an opioid was labeled an addict. People were put in anything but opioids which were doled out in minuscule amounts after huge, painful events. The governments of states as well as the federal government and pharmaceutical industry got involved in strict regulation. That’s really why you’re suffering. I’ll tell you later about my own experience. I’m really sorry.
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@mamawnebel Hello there. I'm sorry you are in such back pain. What a terrible place to be when all you're asking for is relief. I understand because I've been there....opiates, nerve blocks, ablations, muscle relaxers.
Recently, my Dad, who is 74 and experiencing terrible back pain from a fall, went to the ER and was prescribed a narcotic. He does not like taking narcotics but did for two days, and was knocked out and out of his misery. On day three he said I cant take them anymore. This has been the same story over and over for my Dad. Its sad because, I agree that chronic pain is absolutely miserable, but once all fixes and repairs are done, its about managing pain ,symptoms and discomfort.
Specialists have a lane and typically are not helpful in long term management outside of pills and needles. Of course the ER always remains available as you mention , but that just continues to repeat the cycle of temporary relief and no real gain.
May I ask if you have ever considered a comprehensive pain management program such as Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehabilitation Center, or looked into alternate methods of management through lifestyle changes?