The American Medical Association ( AMA) is who recently made the recommendation to limit opioids to patients with acute pain and cancer and to NOT use opiods for chronic pain. I'm so frustrated feeling like I'm "drug seeking" Well I guess I am drug seeking, just not the same as a drug addict. My message to the AMA is "You may think you know what my chronic pain is, but I don't think you do. Even those who have experienced chronic pain do not know about MY chronic pain and what works for me!"

I completely agree. I've seen some many studies and documentaries where people end up on heroin because they can no longer get what they need from a Dr. Or because they have no insurance and the prescriptions are too expensive. Its becoming disgusting how the government is trying to take away our rights to try to live normal lives. My primary had the best saying when I first started seeing him. When I told him about my previous primary not willing to prescribe me anything more then muscle relaxers and ibprophen he said "well obviously she has never had a back ache". I'd been complaining of lower back pain over and over to her. He wrote me a script and ordered xrays. We then found my fusion had failed and my rods were fractured. She never listened enough to even order an xray. Back to the point I believe many people will turn to illegal drugs and or suicide if they ban these modern day miracle drugs. Without the relief I am given from these small pills I doubt I would be able to get out of bed, let alone live a half way normal life raising my daughter and supporting my family.

@frankjr - I'm one of those who have been down the road of seeking relief via narcotics, as well as the road of seeking relief via suicide. Some of my doctors agree that my chronic pain would be treated well with opiates, but the clinics they work with have chosen to put tight limits on them, and would drop me if I were to use medical marijuana, which is legal here in Oregon.

Have you tried going on an extended road trip? That presents some real logistic challenges.

I wonder sometimes what relief we might find if there were proven alternatives. Have you tried any? I know that many people have had good results for a variety of issues. I tend to be somewhat hard to convince. I do hope you find local medical care soon.

Jim

Have you tried Gabapentin? I was skeptical but have found that it certainly takes the edge off the pain and my narcotic use has been cut in about half.

Hello Jimhd,
Just a short note: I have had chronic pain in my spine for the last 59 years. It is terrible, but what I wanted to mention is that if you are close to Portland, I know there is an acupuncture clinic in Portland that is part of the POCA community. I can't remember what POCA stands for right now, but I know they have a sliding scale. I live in Tucson, and found an Acupuncture clinic that is part of POCA and I only play $20 a visit. Now I am on SSDI right now because of my back, and I do get some relief from Acupuncture treatments. It only lasts for about 10 hours -- sometimes much less when I experience a flare up, but for the most part, I have been able to cut back on the narcotics during those 10 hours. Unfortunately, the pain comes back with a vengeance but the acupuncture seems to help a bit. I have to sleep a great deal after the treatments, so if that happens to you, I am told its normal.

If I can find the actual name of the clinic I will forward it to you in a few days. I return on Thursday for my next treatment and I know the clinic I go to is part of the POCA community. I Wish you all the Best,

B

Small world I'm from Tucson but now live in Show Low. My Dr is in Tucson that's where I drive down to every month. Where do you do accupuncture in Tucson?

My primary is for medical marijuana band would like me to use it. It is legal in Az with a medical card. The problem is I run a federally licensed business and carry a firearm. You lose you right to own firearms by getting your card and I would lose my job. I have in the past tryed it and did receive some relief however I don't like how my head feels. I couldn't function the way I do now.

I have not, haven't even heard of it before I found this website yesterday. I will ask my Dr. Next appointment. I have to see him every 30 days so it won't be very long thankfully. Off to work, hope eveyone has a nice day.

@mollykillefer - I have tried every medication available for neuropathy, including Gabapentin, plus a number of off label meds. None helped. Lyrica put me in the hospital. I'm now tapering up on Azathioprine, which is supposed to slow the progress of neuropathy.

I had a spinal cord stimulator implant in June, and it has given me significant relief.

I discussed with the neurologist about possibly revisiting the neuropathy meds, when things have leveled off, with a possible goal of getting off morphine. I don't have a problem with continuing the morphine, as long as it's helping.

@bob815c - Acupuncture is available locally, but our budget is just too limited to permit any additional expenses.

Jim

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