I wish I could go swimming as I am disabled and swimming is about the only exercise I could do, but the only swimming pool is too far away and too expensive. Also it is not doctors who are restricting opioids although some doctors are involved. <br />
Due to untimely deaths from over doses the thinking is that eliminate opioids and stop the deaths, but in some journals on pain their are studies that show a high rate of suicide among chronic pain suffers. The limiting of opioids is more likely result in increased suicides as well as more suffers going out side the law for dangerous illegal drugs. I do not see anything good coming from these restrictions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sent from Windows Mail
I am so sorry for getting back to you so late! Please forgive me! Since you sent me a reply over a week ago, I have been suffering from terrible migraines. They have been so bad that I can't turn a light on in the apartment. What's even worse, I can't even watch TV or have any noise in the apartment. I felt so isolated, and my Dr is so afraid of his reputation that asking him for any additional meds right now will only bring another excuse or refusal! I am so tired of him. Ever since the opiates have been under investigation, he has become so afraid to prescribe anything for my chronic back and neck pain that he just won't help me in any way. I am trying my best to find another Dr in the area, but so far as soon as they learn that I have been taking methadone for pain and oxycodone as my 'break through' medication, they refuse to see me. Although I have never been a heroin addict and have been taking the methadone and oxy's for over fourteen years, they still think I am an addict. It's awful to try to find some help and have the door closed immediately. I don't really know what to do at this point.
I have previously applied for the Medical Marijuana card in Arizona and received one for this year, and I have been extremely selective about what I buy. So far only the eatables are tolerable. I too can't stand the way inhaling mmj affects my mind. I tried it about 3 years ago when mmj was first approved in Arizona (I think it was about 3 years ago) and I can't stand the effect that it has on my mind. Of course, I will not drive even when I use the eatables, but really being confined in the apartment is not healthy for me. I am so sorry to hear about your comment about the firearm licensing and the medical marijuana card. Truly I am sorry!
What I wanted to send you is the information regarding the acupuncture clinics that I have found in Tucson. I sincerely hope one or both of them can help you. I have been going to the Tucson Acupuncture Co-op for over a year now and am getting some relief from the chronic pain. The acupuncture treatments gives me about 10 hours of relief and have helped me to cut down on the methadone tablets that I take every day. I have hope that eventually, I can stop the methadone and oxycodone but that is still in the future. So far, I have been able to reduce the methadone from 120 mg/day to 30 mg/day and the oxycodone from 80 mg/day to 10 mg/day. It is hopeful that, if I can continue to afford the acupuncture that I can stop the pain meds totally. I survive from my SSDI income but by the time I pay for rent, utilities, groceries, and insulin, not much is left over for anything.
Both of the clinics that follow have a sliding scale. There is no proof of income required, they both trust in the integrity of their patients. The Tucson Acupuncture Co-op has a sliding scale of $15 to $30 per treatment. There is a one time paperwork fee of $10 for the first treatment. After that, for example, I only pay $15 per treatment. The treatments are the same for the patient who pays $15 or $30 for a treatment. I have listed the url for you so you can check them out. The Tucson Acupuncture Co-op is part of the Backyard Healthcare Project: Either url should get you to their website. You can also find them on the Groupon Website. In the search area just type acupuncture treatments and I believe you will find them. Usually, I see Josh or Brent for my treatments, however, Ellen and Whitney are both competent as well.
Additionally there is another Acupuncture clinic that is nearby that I am going to check out. Sometimes I think it is good to have a different approach to acupuncture so in a few days, I am going to try the Gathering Point Acupuncture Treatment clinic. Instead of using recliners for the acupuncture treatments, they use a massage table. My hope is that Michelle might be able to use a couple of different acupuncture points to help the chronic pain I suffer from. Also on some days, the Gathering Point Acupuncture clinic has hours that better fit into my schedule. I can let you know how things work out there, after the Thanksgiving Holiday. I believe that through the month of November, Tucson Acupuncture Co-op is offering a special for Veterans.
The Gathering Point Acupuncture
1927 E Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-777-7444 http://gpcacupuncture.com/
I pray that one or both of these clinics can give you some relief. If you need any further information about these two sites, please contact me and I will do my best to help you out. I do know that most of the other acupuncture clinics in Tucson and Oro Valley have insane prices. For example two of the clinics I called wanted $180 for the first visit, and then $90 for each additional visit. I usually try to get in for four treatments a week. If I had enough energy and could fight off the pain, I would try to go five or six times a week, but it's too hard for me to attempt so many treatments.
I wish I could go swimming as I am disabled and swimming is about the only exercise I could do, but the only swimming pool is too far away and too expensive. Also it is not doctors who are restricting opioids although some doctors are involved. <br />
Due to untimely deaths from over doses the thinking is that eliminate opioids and stop the deaths, but in some journals on pain their are studies that show a high rate of suicide among chronic pain suffers. The limiting of opioids is more likely result in increased suicides as well as more suffers going out side the law for dangerous illegal drugs. I do not see anything good coming from these restrictions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sent from Windows Mail
@bob815c - I would wager that as soon as a doctor sees mm on your list of meds, along with the other pain meds, it shuts them down. Many doctors refuse to prescribe if a patient is using mm, regardless how legal and helpful it is. Have you seen a pain specialist? Mine has been great!
I wish I could go swimming as I am disabled and swimming is about the only exercise I could do, but the only swimming pool is too far away and too expensive. Also it is not doctors who are restricting opioids although some doctors are involved. <br />
Due to untimely deaths from over doses the thinking is that eliminate opioids and stop the deaths, but in some journals on pain their are studies that show a high rate of suicide among chronic pain suffers. The limiting of opioids is more likely result in increased suicides as well as more suffers going out side the law for dangerous illegal drugs. I do not see anything good coming from these restrictions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sent from Windows Mail
Hello Jim,
Thanks for your reply. I just wanted to let you know that I never list the medical mm on my list of medications when I speak to my doctor or when I try to set up an appointment with any other doctor. As soon as I mention the methadone or the oxycodone, either the front office hangs up on me or I am accused of being a heroin addict. Even the big named pharmacies all accuse me of trying to get a fix. For all the retired and disabled people in Tucson, I am amazed at the response from the medical community. I look like an ape when I walk and my walking 'gate' is only about 6 inches. My head hangs off to the side because of the arthritic spurs at C-3 so I am a little disgusted with the reaction from the Doctors and the Pharmacists here. I have tried a couple of Pain clinics before, but they haven't been able to help me at all. Most only recommend physical therapy at $40 or $60 a visit. That's my co-pay, and if I could afford them I would go, but SSDI doesn't pay me enough to be able to afford that therapy. Several times this year I have had to choose between medicines and food. In the beginning, I chose the medicines but after 4 days of eating a loaf of bread or corn bread to fill my aching stomach, I found I my glucose levels ranged between 350 and 450 mg/dl. It was a bad choice. Now I try to balance the meds with groceries. It doesn't work very well. I do feel hopeless about the situation, and so far I haven't been able to find any supplemental insurance plans or Advantage plans that can help. Even Medicare refuses to help me with the prescriptions. Please, I am not looking for pity, but I just wanted to be honest with you.
I wish I could go swimming as I am disabled and swimming is about the only exercise I could do, but the only swimming pool is too far away and too expensive. Also it is not doctors who are restricting opioids although some doctors are involved. <br />
Due to untimely deaths from over doses the thinking is that eliminate opioids and stop the deaths, but in some journals on pain their are studies that show a high rate of suicide among chronic pain suffers. The limiting of opioids is more likely result in increased suicides as well as more suffers going out side the law for dangerous illegal drugs. I do not see anything good coming from these restrictions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sent from Windows Mail
I had the thought as I read your post that if I were in your place, I'd call the man who set up our Medicare and supplements, and tell him what's going on. I'm pretty sure that he'd look at the plans that are available, and find one that would cover the costs of my care. He's been a good agent, and has done the work of researching.
Hi @19lin. Welcome to Connect! I understand your concerns and this is a great forum in which to discuss them. I'm tagging @mlemieux, @suebreen54 and @leh09 who may be interested in discussing this as well. I'm also moving your post over to a thread called "Chronic pain - Let's talk" as I think it's a good fit for this discussion.
I've suffered with chronic pain most of my life. I have arthritis which started reading it's ugly head when I was 10 years old. By the time I was 18 it was in my spine. I am 81 and spinal stenosis has almost crippled me. Am on opioids and have had several spinal ablations. One back surgeon 15 years ago said I was inoperable. My pain specialist says it would take a year to recover with no guarantees.
I'm concerned about the new recommended guidelines for opioids. My need is genuine, my dose is low for a chronic pain patient, but I don't want to have to nearly beg every time I see my pain Doctor. Yes I understand that opioids are not the best choice for chronic pain, but I've tried everything else and what I'm on right now works! I haven't had a dosage increase in a long time however every time I've tried to back my dose down the pain is unbearable. I'm so frustrated with it all.
@leh09 Welcome to connect We are a group of pain suffere,s ,and so much more If you can give us a little more information about what you have I,m sure someone on here can help with same problem We share with each other as to what helps us with same conditions Looking forward to hearing from you.
I have severe chronic pain all the time from muscular skeletal problems, bone on bone, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Hoshimotos, chronic fatigue, severe migraines. I have had surgery on almost every part of my body, recent back surgery, facining bilateral shoulder, surgeries 23 and me, told me I was 50 % askanazi Jewish, I know the Med issues are a mile long 56 markers came neg however please help Calygirl
Wide spread deep burning pain, also musculoskeletal pain, multiple back surgeries, Massage and trigger point therapy and so many things help temporarily, but, my insurance doesn’t pay for so much of this. Please advice.
Calygirl.
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Hello Frankjr,
I am so sorry for getting back to you so late! Please forgive me! Since you sent me a reply over a week ago, I have been suffering from terrible migraines. They have been so bad that I can't turn a light on in the apartment. What's even worse, I can't even watch TV or have any noise in the apartment. I felt so isolated, and my Dr is so afraid of his reputation that asking him for any additional meds right now will only bring another excuse or refusal! I am so tired of him. Ever since the opiates have been under investigation, he has become so afraid to prescribe anything for my chronic back and neck pain that he just won't help me in any way. I am trying my best to find another Dr in the area, but so far as soon as they learn that I have been taking methadone for pain and oxycodone as my 'break through' medication, they refuse to see me. Although I have never been a heroin addict and have been taking the methadone and oxy's for over fourteen years, they still think I am an addict. It's awful to try to find some help and have the door closed immediately. I don't really know what to do at this point.
I have previously applied for the Medical Marijuana card in Arizona and received one for this year, and I have been extremely selective about what I buy. So far only the eatables are tolerable. I too can't stand the way inhaling mmj affects my mind. I tried it about 3 years ago when mmj was first approved in Arizona (I think it was about 3 years ago) and I can't stand the effect that it has on my mind. Of course, I will not drive even when I use the eatables, but really being confined in the apartment is not healthy for me. I am so sorry to hear about your comment about the firearm licensing and the medical marijuana card. Truly I am sorry!
What I wanted to send you is the information regarding the acupuncture clinics that I have found in Tucson. I sincerely hope one or both of them can help you. I have been going to the Tucson Acupuncture Co-op for over a year now and am getting some relief from the chronic pain. The acupuncture treatments gives me about 10 hours of relief and have helped me to cut down on the methadone tablets that I take every day. I have hope that eventually, I can stop the methadone and oxycodone but that is still in the future. So far, I have been able to reduce the methadone from 120 mg/day to 30 mg/day and the oxycodone from 80 mg/day to 10 mg/day. It is hopeful that, if I can continue to afford the acupuncture that I can stop the pain meds totally. I survive from my SSDI income but by the time I pay for rent, utilities, groceries, and insulin, not much is left over for anything.
Both of the clinics that follow have a sliding scale. There is no proof of income required, they both trust in the integrity of their patients. The Tucson Acupuncture Co-op has a sliding scale of $15 to $30 per treatment. There is a one time paperwork fee of $10 for the first treatment. After that, for example, I only pay $15 per treatment. The treatments are the same for the patient who pays $15 or $30 for a treatment. I have listed the url for you so you can check them out. The Tucson Acupuncture Co-op is part of the Backyard Healthcare Project: Either url should get you to their website. You can also find them on the Groupon Website. In the search area just type acupuncture treatments and I believe you will find them. Usually, I see Josh or Brent for my treatments, however, Ellen and Whitney are both competent as well.
Tucson Acupuncture Co-op
204 E Fort Lowell Rd
Tucson, AZ 85705
520-867-8004
http://acupuncturecoop.com/wp/
info@acupuncturecoop.com
Additionally there is another Acupuncture clinic that is nearby that I am going to check out. Sometimes I think it is good to have a different approach to acupuncture so in a few days, I am going to try the Gathering Point Acupuncture Treatment clinic. Instead of using recliners for the acupuncture treatments, they use a massage table. My hope is that Michelle might be able to use a couple of different acupuncture points to help the chronic pain I suffer from. Also on some days, the Gathering Point Acupuncture clinic has hours that better fit into my schedule. I can let you know how things work out there, after the Thanksgiving Holiday. I believe that through the month of November, Tucson Acupuncture Co-op is offering a special for Veterans.
The Gathering Point Acupuncture
1927 E Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85719
520-777-7444
http://gpcacupuncture.com/
I pray that one or both of these clinics can give you some relief. If you need any further information about these two sites, please contact me and I will do my best to help you out. I do know that most of the other acupuncture clinics in Tucson and Oro Valley have insane prices. For example two of the clinics I called wanted $180 for the first visit, and then $90 for each additional visit. I usually try to get in for four treatments a week. If I had enough energy and could fight off the pain, I would try to go five or six times a week, but it's too hard for me to attempt so many treatments.
I wish you all the Best in your efforts!
Sincerely,
Bob815c
Bob Henshaw
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1 Reaction@bob815c - I would wager that as soon as a doctor sees mm on your list of meds, along with the other pain meds, it shuts them down. Many doctors refuse to prescribe if a patient is using mm, regardless how legal and helpful it is. Have you seen a pain specialist? Mine has been great!
Jim
Hello Jim,
Thanks for your reply. I just wanted to let you know that I never list the medical mm on my list of medications when I speak to my doctor or when I try to set up an appointment with any other doctor. As soon as I mention the methadone or the oxycodone, either the front office hangs up on me or I am accused of being a heroin addict. Even the big named pharmacies all accuse me of trying to get a fix. For all the retired and disabled people in Tucson, I am amazed at the response from the medical community. I look like an ape when I walk and my walking 'gate' is only about 6 inches. My head hangs off to the side because of the arthritic spurs at C-3 so I am a little disgusted with the reaction from the Doctors and the Pharmacists here. I have tried a couple of Pain clinics before, but they haven't been able to help me at all. Most only recommend physical therapy at $40 or $60 a visit. That's my co-pay, and if I could afford them I would go, but SSDI doesn't pay me enough to be able to afford that therapy. Several times this year I have had to choose between medicines and food. In the beginning, I chose the medicines but after 4 days of eating a loaf of bread or corn bread to fill my aching stomach, I found I my glucose levels ranged between 350 and 450 mg/dl. It was a bad choice. Now I try to balance the meds with groceries. It doesn't work very well. I do feel hopeless about the situation, and so far I haven't been able to find any supplemental insurance plans or Advantage plans that can help. Even Medicare refuses to help me with the prescriptions. Please, I am not looking for pity, but I just wanted to be honest with you.
Thanks again for your concern,
Bob
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1 Reaction@bob815c
I had the thought as I read your post that if I were in your place, I'd call the man who set up our Medicare and supplements, and tell him what's going on. I'm pretty sure that he'd look at the plans that are available, and find one that would cover the costs of my care. He's been a good agent, and has done the work of researching.
Gotta go.
Jim
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2 ReactionsI've suffered with chronic pain most of my life. I have arthritis which started reading it's ugly head when I was 10 years old. By the time I was 18 it was in my spine. I am 81 and spinal stenosis has almost crippled me. Am on opioids and have had several spinal ablations. One back surgeon 15 years ago said I was inoperable. My pain specialist says it would take a year to recover with no guarantees.
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2 ReactionsI understand as well. Both me and my daughter suffer from the same chronic disease.
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2 Reactions@leh09 Welcome to connect We are a group of pain suffere,s ,and so much more If you can give us a little more information about what you have I,m sure someone on here can help with same problem We share with each other as to what helps us with same conditions Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@kimmiesue55 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.
May I ask what chronic disease you and your daughter have?
I have severe chronic pain all the time from muscular skeletal problems, bone on bone, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Hoshimotos, chronic fatigue, severe migraines. I have had surgery on almost every part of my body, recent back surgery, facining bilateral shoulder, surgeries 23 and me, told me I was 50 % askanazi Jewish, I know the Med issues are a mile long 56 markers came neg however please help Calygirl
Wide spread deep burning pain, also musculoskeletal pain, multiple back surgeries, Massage and trigger point therapy and so many things help temporarily, but, my insurance doesn’t pay for so much of this. Please advice.
Calygirl.