Chronic pain and other joint issues: Looking for answers

You are not alone in your struggle to get pain relief! I totally understand your frustration! If a doctor put something in your medical record that isn’t correct, you should do what you can to fight it! I know how overwhelming that can be when dealing with pain, stress and confusion! I have chronic pain from different sources, fibromyalgia, back problems, etc. and have been forced to find a new pain doctor after the DEA revoked my last pain doctors license to prescribe pain medication. Because of government interference in pain medication dosage prescribing, pain doctors are restricting pain medication out of fear of action by the CDC and DEA. Many pain doctors are losing their licenses and simply leaving the profession because of these issues. The doctors that remain, are either restricting dosage or not prescribing opiates. I’m caught up in that issue myself right now. Because of my on going challenges finding the dosage I was taking, I’m tapering off my pain medication now and have found a doctor who is aggressively treating my back problems. I will be starting a new med for withdrawal from opioids on Friday. They have become so hard to get, I’ve agreed to go this route as long as my pain is addressed and treated after years of neglect.
I would look into your options about filing a complaint about the doctor who put incorrect information in your records. If you do an internet search for ‘complain about doctor care’ you will see information with resources. You can talk to the department of health or the medical board. You don’t have to file a law suit. Depending on the accusation that was made, you maybe able to get advice from legal services for free on how to proceed. If your doctor has no proof of what they accused you of and it’s affecting treatment, I would start with a letter to the doctor asking them to remove the information from your medical record. Explain what your intentions are for treatment of your pain, and that his accusation is unfounded and incorrect. What proof does he have? Tell them you want your letter placed in your medical records.
I’m so sorry your going through this. As with any profession, there are bad doctors. I’ve seen a couple myself. Don’t give up looking for help! Be your own best advocate! I’ve had to convince doctors I’m not seeking medication but adequate treatment! Most doctors want to get to know you and diagnose your symptoms before prescribing these days. Unfortunately, our government has made doctors responsible for patients becoming addicts. Since they can’t get control of illegal drugs, they’ve come after pain patients!
Don’t let this doctor detour your pursuit for treatment! I would look into what my options might be about getting my records changed, especially if the information is incorrect!

Hello and welcome to Connect, @maz25. Congratulations on withdrawing from all opiate medication! It sounds like you've given many treatments a good try for your constant pain. I'm sorry to know that you're struggling, and understand the discouragement, frustration and exhaustion that comes along with searching for help. Like you, I ran into a road block with chronic pain after a few years of medical interventions that failed. It wasn't until I realized that things will continue to stay the same unless I decided to make changes.

My thoughts are to think outside of the traditional medical world box of all the things you mention that did not help you and consider seeking help through lifestyle changes and implementing a more holistic approach. Have you ever tried a pain rehabilitation program that helps build function over feelings through physical activity, teaches moderation and modification, counsels on stress-management, self-care, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and sleep hygiene?

This way may not be for everyone and takes a great deal of personal growth and work, but can pay off by putting you in control of managing and living with chronic symptoms. What do you think? Any thoughts on this type of pain management?

You are not alone in your struggle to get pain relief! I totally understand your frustration! If a doctor put something in your medical record that isn’t correct, you should do what you can to fight it! I know how overwhelming that can be when dealing with pain, stress and confusion! I have chronic pain from different sources, fibromyalgia, back problems, etc. and have been forced to find a new pain doctor after the DEA revoked my last pain doctors license to prescribe pain medication. Because of government interference in pain medication dosage prescribing, pain doctors are restricting pain medication out of fear of action by the CDC and DEA. Many pain doctors are losing their licenses and simply leaving the profession because of these issues. The doctors that remain, are either restricting dosage or not prescribing opiates. I’m caught up in that issue myself right now. Because of my on going challenges finding the dosage I was taking, I’m tapering off my pain medication now and have found a doctor who is aggressively treating my back problems. I will be starting a new med for withdrawal from opioids on Friday. They have become so hard to get, I’ve agreed to go this route as long as my pain is addressed and treated after years of neglect.
I would look into your options about filing a complaint about the doctor who put incorrect information in your records. If you do an internet search for ‘complain about doctor care’ you will see information with resources. You can talk to the department of health or the medical board. You don’t have to file a law suit. Depending on the accusation that was made, you maybe able to get advice from legal services for free on how to proceed. If your doctor has no proof of what they accused you of and it’s affecting treatment, I would start with a letter to the doctor asking them to remove the information from your medical record. Explain what your intentions are for treatment of your pain, and that his accusation is unfounded and incorrect. What proof does he have? Tell them you want your letter placed in your medical records.
I’m so sorry your going through this. As with any profession, there are bad doctors. I’ve seen a couple myself. Don’t give up looking for help! Be your own best advocate! I’ve had to convince doctors I’m not seeking medication but adequate treatment! Most doctors want to get to know you and diagnose your symptoms before prescribing these days. Unfortunately, our government has made doctors responsible for patients becoming addicts. Since they can’t get control of illegal drugs, they’ve come after pain patients!
Don’t let this doctor detour your pursuit for treatment! I would look into what my options might be about getting my records changed, especially if the information is incorrect!

I have already withdrew from all opioid meds. I have Complex Regional Pain Syndrome due to nerve damage from a severely broken and shattered ankle in 2013, I have been to 4 different pain management Dr's who either prescribed looks meds or Med. Cannabis ( none of which helped me since I was falling down and injuring other body parts.) I also had a Spinal cord stimulator implant& removal since it did not provide adequate relief from my constant pain.I also been told I have fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis as well.I tried acupuncture and the person treating was afraid to place any needles any where near my Rt. ankle. I don' t know where else to seek relief from my constant pain. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

@anne4u, pain, stress and medications cause a loss of magnesium possibly creating a deficiency. This impacts thiamine and vitamin D as both require magnesium to become bioactive. Vitamin B2 along with activated thiamine are needed to activate vitamin B6. The B vitamins work better together. The first two links offer the effects of B vitamins on conditions similar to some you have mentioned. The ncbi link reviews the fifth element...boron, which often goes unnoticed, yet brings an enormous number of benefits to the table. A Youtube video by Dr. Jorge Flechas MD on boron is riveting. The krispin link is offers additional magnesium information. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.
https://www.dsm.com/pharma/en/news/dsm-pharma-blog/back-to-basics-the-impact-of-b-vitamins-on-low-back-pain.html
https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2013/07/19/the-high-dose-b-1-thiamine-supplementation-survey-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html

I’m going through so much right now between withdrawal and pain, my head is spinning from researching options for relief. I do a lot of natural methods to assist with it all and to help cope, but bad days are difficult nonetheless!
I just heard about Kratom tea. I’ve talked to other pain patients who are going through similar circumstances as me and say it helps. I plan to do my own research about it. Everyone is different and one thing I’ve learned is that what works for one person may not for another. It maybe mentioned here somewhere, I haven’t looked yet.

@anne4u, pain, stress and medications cause a loss of magnesium possibly creating a deficiency. This impacts thiamine and vitamin D as both require magnesium to become bioactive. Vitamin B2 along with activated thiamine are needed to activate vitamin B6. The B vitamins work better together. The first two links offer the effects of B vitamins on conditions similar to some you have mentioned. The ncbi link reviews the fifth element...boron, which often goes unnoticed, yet brings an enormous number of benefits to the table. A Youtube video by Dr. Jorge Flechas MD on boron is riveting. The krispin link is offers additional magnesium information. Always consult your health care professional before using any supplement.
https://www.dsm.com/pharma/en/news/dsm-pharma-blog/back-to-basics-the-impact-of-b-vitamins-on-low-back-pain.html
https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2013/07/19/the-high-dose-b-1-thiamine-supplementation-survey-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4712861/
https://www.krispin.com/magnes.html

Hello and welcome to Connect, @maz25. Congratulations on withdrawing from all opiate medication! It sounds like you've given many treatments a good try for your constant pain. I'm sorry to know that you're struggling, and understand the discouragement, frustration and exhaustion that comes along with searching for help. Like you, I ran into a road block with chronic pain after a few years of medical interventions that failed. It wasn't until I realized that things will continue to stay the same unless I decided to make changes.

My thoughts are to think outside of the traditional medical world box of all the things you mention that did not help you and consider seeking help through lifestyle changes and implementing a more holistic approach. Have you ever tried a pain rehabilitation program that helps build function over feelings through physical activity, teaches moderation and modification, counsels on stress-management, self-care, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutrition and sleep hygiene?

This way may not be for everyone and takes a great deal of personal growth and work, but can pay off by putting you in control of managing and living with chronic symptoms. What do you think? Any thoughts on this type of pain management?

Thank you so much for your comments. I’m in the process of getting a release for my records. I’m just so worn out because it’s the only thing I can think of and this pain is unbearable. It’s just unthinkable that so many doctors will believe some other doctor they don’t even know instead of the patient sitting in front of them in obvious pain. My insurance is paying them, they act like I’m taking up time they could be using for “important” patients. Unfortunately, what he accused me of was in my urine, and I have no idea how. Morphine showed up. I did not, nor do I know where to get morphine! I may be old, but I’m not stupid. Everybody who walks into a pain clinic has to immediately pee in a cup. How stupid would someone have to be to take something not prescribed. I’ll go to my grave defending myself. To who? I don’t know. Doctors don’t believe me, anyway. It’s not medical malpractice, so an attorney won’t touch it. I just feel so alone.