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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 6 days ago | Replies (6794)Comment receiving replies
Hello. My name is Ann. I have chronic pain and have been taking oxycodone for about 6 years. I was diagnosed with EDS less than a year ago. I’ve had around 45 surgical procedures and continue with additional surgeries. I self diagnosed followed by confirmation by a rheumatologist. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my 20s. I worked as a generalist in the clinical laboratory for 17 years and as a RN for ten. Up until this past month my PCP prescribed my pain medication. Since November of 2017 until May of this year I had 3 surgeries, several teeth extracted, pneumonia, and 3 episodes of severe muscle spasms. Having worked in healthcare many years I am knowledgeable in the safe practice of using narcotic and non-narcotic medications. There were times I took more than my usual doses of oxycodone. I kept my PCP informed about when and why I took extra medication. I had a pain contract with my doctor. With a pain contract I cannot receive any prescriptions from another doctor. I went through hell with pain because of this. I have never abused my medication. On the last update to my PCP I was informed she would no longer prescribe oxycodone for me. She referred me to another doctor to get me on Suboxone. I explained I was not an addict and Suboxone would not help relieve the pain. She insisted otherwise. I saw the physician I was referred to. He agreed with me. I am not an addict and Suboxone, he stated, would not be beneficial to me. I went to my pain clinic and explained the situation. I am now taking OxyContin 3 times a day and I’m allowed two 10 mg oxycodone per day. I had to sign another contract. The experience was humiliating. I feel I am being treated like a criminal instead of a patient with legitimate reasons to be taking narcotics. In the past I have used CBD capsules to reduce pain. If I do so now I will no longer be able to get my prescribed medication. Chronic pain, loss of the ability to work, and physical limitations has also caused problems with depression. I know there are many individuals out there with these same issues. I feel each and every one of us needs to stand together for changes in our health care system to be made.I know this has been long to read. Thank you for taking the time to read this. It feels good to vent. There are many days I want to give up. When a life lacks quality it’s difficult to keep on trying to live.
Replies to "Hello. My name is Ann. I have chronic pain and have been taking oxycodone for about..."
Ann, I'm in a similar situation as you, but not as severely. My PCP as stopped prescribing any type of pain meds. When my Script runs out I'm not sure what I'm going to do. You mentioned using CBD capsules. I've been researching CBD products. If you don't mind sharing, would you please tell me the strength and frequency of the capsules you used? I'd appreciate it. I truly wish you luck in your search for pain relief. And also relief for your depression. I very much understand how they are interlaced. @cognac
If you go back one page here (from 174 to 173 or 172) you'll find a post from me that gives links to 3 different online websites that are about the use of CBD, how to determine what your dosage should be, and a good place to buy it. I hope you find the information you need.
Gail
Volunteer Mentor
Hi Ann, I am Gary and a volunteer mentor. I had acute pancreatitis hospitalizations thrice in 2006 and by the third was dx'ed with chronic pancreatitis. I have had a distal pancreatectomy, a cholesystectomy, a partial thyroidectomy, hernia repair, dangerous infection after having the tumor (benign) removed from my pancreas, and probably an avg of three ERCP's per year since 2008. So, none of that is to say anything other than I understand pain at high levels on a chronic basis and I also have felt like a street druggie more than once in trying to get properly treated medicinally and as you know, it continues to get more difficult. I am sorry that you or anyone has to endure such extreme pain and then seemingly be blamed for wanting some relief and there are minimal choices because of a system that punishes those who follow the rules, don't prescription shop, submit to random drug testing, sign narcotic contracts, and if we get the drugs we need to just get by, they are still not nearly as effective as other drugs that should be available to anyone who suffers in the way you describe. I write politicians asking that they put themselves in the same place and they would not recognize empathy if I could beat them into submission with it; I don't mean violence just bringing them into our world and show them the millions struggling in the same way.
Anyway, please come back here to talk about your frustrations and talk with others who are experiencing similar lives. I find that to be cathartic and just knowing I am not alone, that unfortunately there are those having a more difficult time (very humbling), and that people care about the plight of someone other than themself and I think that does just a bit to lower my pain level. If you are like the rest of us who have needed opioids for years, I am sure there is anxiety over everything and keeping a supply of medicinal relief is just one of those panic inducing fears. I think talking is also helpful for that malady as well. I am here most days for at least a bit of time and will attempt to make sure you know someone is listening. We always ask, because we are patients as well; please share any thing you have learned that helps you in your struggle and we will try to do the same. Nurses are wonderful to begin with and their perspective and knowledge is often very beneficial to us total lay-people.
Peace and strength, Gary
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@freezing Hi I'm a retired nurse back fracture on job ,fibromyalgia for 30+ yrs and studied holistic meds,herbs,homeopathic treatments I found for muscle pain , magnesium in a higher mg. Helped Dr.had me on Narcotics for awhile from fracture , then Tramadol 50,mg. I was on 6 a day but now down to 1-2 for pain ,my discretion. Along with Tramadol now Dr put me on 1Moloxican .Faith in God is a must for us sufferers.Sorry for your own pain but this is a good place to share your story Welcome oh health care system isn't helping us who legitimately need it. One thing for muscle spasms helps is drinking pickle juice ,an old remedy but it works as well as Epsom Salts rub on muscles if you can't take bath. This rub is fairly new I found it at Walmart. Blessings to you Linda