@fredjan2016 @rwinney

I made the mistake of voluntarily cutting back my dosage of ms contin from 30mg tid to 15mg tid, and now he's told me that (in his mind) I've become tolerant and raising the dosage wouldn't help, so he refuses to increase the dosage. He's also said that if I ever start using any cannabis products he would stop prescribing any pain medication. I understand that he has to follow the guidelines set up by his clinic, but that seems to be irresponsible medical care by denying me access to the medications that actually treat my pain, that are meds he has been prescribing for more than 5 years. Until a few months ago it had been the only medication that did anything for my pain. Adding imipramine in November has given me some pain relief without unacceptable side effects, but I know that the ms contin is doing its part. I've been trying to take it only once a day, in the morning, but it's not enough, so I had to start taking one at bedtime as well. I keep up with getting the prescription filled every month so I have enough ahead to last me for 3 months if my pcp refuses to continue prescribing it. As if dealing with the pain isn't enough. I just hope the irrational panic of opioids goes away so we who take it responsibly for chronic pain won't be treated like druggies.

But that's one of my soapboxes and I'm now climbing off it.

Jim

I agree with you there. On 3 occasions over the past year I've approached my Dr on hydro not working well enough for me. I'm by no means a junkie and he knows that about me personally. I elected for lidocaine infusions in hopes for additional relief but, no. His one response was to consider medical marijuana which I tried for months and don't care for on a daily basis. The next was an option to switch to methadone which I didnt feel comfortable with. The last and most recent was to try Nortriptyline which I tried for one week and hated it. This suggestion came on the heals off me letting him know I thought it was almost cruel that I suffer this way. I have finally asked, after 1 year of trying other
things, to be bumped to 7.5 hydro but, he avoids an increase like the plague. I understand his reasons as opiods are taboo so, I took matters into my own hands and decided Mayo's Pain Rehab program may help/teach me how to live with my pain or reveal just how screwed up my body is. I'm presently in the process of getting accepted and feeling a bit disappointed that coronavirus may impact me getting there anytime soon. Discouraged with increasing pain no matter what I do so, back to square one. Thanks for hearing me out and the advice. I do make mental notes to self of all the meds others have success with and maybe its time I come right out and suggest other options. Ughh.
Rachel