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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Welcome to the new Chronic Pain group.
I’m Kelsey and I’m the moderator of the group. I look forwarding to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Why not take a minute and introduce yourself.
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@jimhd As I approached Medicare age, I went to an ombudsman in the Area Agency on Aging in the county where I was living. My situation was a bit different, as I knew I was moving the same month as turning 65, to another county. We researched based on new county, and was advised to consider a secondary coverage that would allow me to choose my own drs. Coming from an HMO coverage, I went to a PPO plan with United Healthcare, as offered through AARP, and have been very happy with them. Dues to health issues I went with a Plan F, and am so glad I did, as my health has declined. I went with Humana for my prescription plan, and again have been very pleased. ** I am not employed by either of them, and receive no compensation from them for telling you this. Do your homework, make informed decisions. When I moved to another state two months ago, I was able to bring all my coverage with me.
Ginger
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1 ReactionGinger
I appreciate this input as well. Can never have enough knowledge. Thanks!
Rachel
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1 ReactionUnfortunately I don't think there is any way to avoid the fluctuation in Part D Medicare co-pays - call your congressmen and senators, join AARP (they provide forms, online petitions, etc. to make it easy to let your legislators know your feelings). What you can avoid with a Medicare Advantage plan is only a separate Part D premium, not how Part D works. If you've ever heard reference made to the "donut hole" - that's what they are talking about!
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1 ReactionAwww, thanks again, Don. You absolutely made my day. Hang in there, buddy. I am full of CBD drops as we speak, so I am a little punchy, but the damn feet don't hurt, so all is good. God bless your kind words. Lori Renee
This discussion of insurance is interesting ... I'm trying to understand it. We have Medicare and Humana with parts: B, C, D. I fell into the 'donut hole' earlier this year - the pharmacist explained it. It's a tricky part of medicare that politicians (not humanitarians) dreamed up. It's supposed to save the government some money but I'm not sure that the government saves any money if we add up the enormous cost of record-keeping to save pennies. Peggy
May I ask: How many drops of CBD do you do, and did you start with one drop and go up from there? It makes you 'punchy'? Like marijuana makes people high? I'm considering trying just one drop - scary for me - I had a bad reaction to pot when I tried it in college (in the 70's, statute of limitations is up). The pain in my feet is breaking through the lyrica and gabapentin and I'm at maximum doses of those; I don't want narcotics or anything that might make me sleepy, so, the pain doc and I are discussing the options. I'm okay with 1/2 of a Tramadol, nothing else I've tried works. Peggy
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1 ReactionI think you should read a lot more on CBD a sure way off base. You don't get high from CBD and the benefits are outstanding. You should smoke marijuana it would also help you calm your nerves and sleep better as well as pain control. I've been doing it over 40 years and I'm suppressing of a large corporation. CNN has special on this just this past week and look it up. Take Tramadol/APAP
@pfbacon
The CBD doesn't make you euphoric. It's the THC that gives the high. You can use it in food - there are websites that have tons of recipes. I made fudge with cannabutter. Melt the butter, grind the cannabis and let it simmer in the butter for a couple of hours, then use it in cooking and baking. I made batches of fudge with it but it tasted too much like weed. If I were to make butter again, I'd simmer it in a crock pot in the garage, so it doesn't smell up the house.
I've never tried the oil. I understand that it's pretty expensive, as is any medical marijuana. The dispensaries here in Oregon can sell it, but you can only get a very small amount per day, which isn't enough to do anything. If you have a green card from a doctor, you can get a lot more. The hemp market is being swamped here, with fields of it from 1 acre to thousands. Word was that a company is working toward setting up a processing facility in our town.
Others have written posts in this discussion that are from better informed than I.
Jim
@1prettymess
I feel I need to say something about opioids and antidepressants. They don't make a person"euphoric". I've been taking both for a long time, and I definitely have never experienced anything that is close to euphoria.
If a person who has chronic (also called clinical or major) depression is taking an antidepressant, the medication helps to level out the mood. Bipolar depression and bipolar disorder are another subject. Medication helps to make the mood swings that go from dark depression to a hyper, manic high, level out so the downs don't go as far down and the high doesn't get to a manic episode.
I've been taking a fairly low dose of morphine sulfate contin for several years now, specifically for the neuropathy pain, and it has helped take the edge off the pain. I stopped taking it yesterday because I started a new medication that seems to be helping a lot. My hope is that the Imipram will treat the pain enough so I can get off opioids. I've willingly taken it because it's the only medication that has treated my pain without unacceptable side effects.
Just wanted to add my two cents worth.
Jim
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2 ReactionsPain. I'm in so much pain I am ready to give up. Stinging in my finger is so bad it brings me to tears. It radiates to my other fingers and now also into my hand. Been dealing with it for years. Every doctor has done or said not one thing helpful. My husband got me a tiny shocker deviselike $$25.00. Last week we got CBD oil (no help) $$35.00 too late. I have wrapped it. I get massages (free) but possibly more damaging from my husband. My quality of life hmmm