Doctors & Pain Meds

[KimT]

Have you gone to a pain management specialist? My neuro specializes in pain management. I take Valium and Oxy (very, very small dose) to manage my pain. Otherwise I'd be in bed all day. My doctor knows I don't abuse drugs and he has no problem prescribing it for me.

I would also try medical weed if my state allowed it.

 

[harpert]

My pain management doctor will not prescribe pain medication either. He has me taking 1500 Mg of Gabapentin a day along with Savella. Does it help my pain? NO, not really. There are some days where I would give anything to get relief from a Tramadol. There are a lot of docs who say the pain is not helped with opioids.....how do they know? I take so many meds it is crazy and I have not had a day where I have no issues. Fibro sucks!

 

[KimT]

My pain went away completely with a small dose of Oxy. I was still fatigued but no pain.

 

[oportosanto]

Yep, two problems actually, not only the tolerance, but also the addiction and higher dosage. It's a tricky situation.

 

[Cassandra]

One quick comment: Find a great doctor.... It's potentially a long road ahead.... There are Grat doctors out there! If you can find one active in the studies of Fibromyalgia and RA. The are the most informed and the number of doctors becoming aware of the true disease of fibromyalgia is growing! Did you know there is a study released showing the possibility of a bacterial infection in the brain that marks the beginning of the disorder.... Then there are the studies revealing genetic predisposition? It is so worth the time finding the best! Please for your own health, take that stress out of your life and know you have a qualified professional in this with you..... Find the Best Doctor you can find....it's a long road and remission is possible

 

[glinda2127]

Hi there, I just joined today and wanted to vent a little on this topic. Around my city I have found it very difficult to get real relief for this godawfull pain. Going from dr. to dr. makes it look like your dr. shopping and then no one wants to help. At first I was only prescribed Lyrica which I do not like but they don't care. Gaba, cymbalta, etc. did nothing. Finally after a year I was prescribed Tramadol; one twice per day. What is that about? Tramadol is only a step up from ibuprofen. The gov't seems to do alot of regulating on pain meds but one thing they don't think about is that if I had something real to take for pain I could go back to work and not be applying for disability. I know the whole tolerance thing but working would solve so many problems at the same time. I wouldn't care if in 20 years I would be at the max for pain meds; at least I had another 20 years to live my life! And even though smoking pot is illegal here I have tried it and it doesn't really take the pain away but I can ignore it more and wow can I get my house clean and actually do things. I do suffer more at the end of the day from moving all day long but at least I accomplished something and feel better about myself. Of course now I rarely get to smoke it because of money issues not being able to work. I found a new dr. that did her residency at the Mayo clinic(i wanted to go there but my insurance denied me)so I'm hoping she will help. I've hesitated on making the appt. because I hate starting over for nothing. I always say I want either a different diagnosis or less pain and I get nowhere. To whomever may read this thanks for listening; and if anyone is in my area with any ideas please let me know.

 

[harpert]

I feel your pain Devilstompa, My pain doctor does not believe in opoiods so he only will prescribe Gabapentin. Unfortunately he is the only pain doctor who takes my insurance and it is an hour drive. There has not been a day that I don't feel in pain. I am not working because I cannot get through a day without pain and/or excessive sleeping. I hope you find a doctor that can help you, Gentle hugs!

 

[moe1959]

Hi there I haven't seen your posting. I'd like to know what your Dr. Gives you for Fibromyalgia, how long have you been on it? I'm always willing to learn new things. I was told to do yoga. The Yoga is ok, But I haven't found a good teacher yet that doest say weird stuff during the exersize. I'm on a low impact machine only 4 days now, and my bp is better.

 

[toxichaven]

Same here cant get 24 hour pain relief no matter what I say or tell any doctor I've seen. I also have 6 bulging disc and 1 disc in the lumbar ready to rupture. Cant even move most days. I get a total of 12 hours of relief if I don't eat, 8 hours if I do eat. If anyone knows a good doctor in the Pittsburgh PA area please let me know.

 

[moe1959]

That's a great idea how does one find another person in our area thats going through the same thing?

 

[moe1959]

Wow! I'm no Dr. But that seems like ALOT of gabapenton.

 

[Hetgirl63]

First, you will have to keep going to Dr's until you find the right one. Only 1-2 out of every 10 Dr's are worthy of their medical degree. Most could give a crap about the quality of the patient. They spend less than 5 minutes with you and expect to 'get it'. Look at reviews of Internist (if you have a complicated medical history.... and Fibro qualifies) you need an Internist as your PCP. Once you get a good Internist, have him / her refer you to a Pain Management Dr (again, look at reviews / word of mouth). Once in Pain Man, you will be *closely* monitored, but you should find some relief. As for something a Dr could rx you right away, I find Savella (higher doses.... many say it does not work as you have to get the dose up to 80 mg or higher a day, I am on 150 mg a day) is Fibro's best kept secret. How do I know it works? I still hurt, but when I do NOT take it for any length of time, I am a deflated balloon. I cannot function... at all. Also Volatren gel. I call it "Liquid gold" and have a tube in every room in my house... no odor, no stain. Good luck!

 

[toxichaven]

Thank you for reply. My grandmother broke her hip a few months ago she happened to have some Volatren gel and let me try it. It helps a good bit with the pain. I see pain management doctor on September 20th so I'm preying he will give me more Volatren gel and something for 24 hour pain relief like a patch or anything really.

 

[Pastorkelliefibro]

It is a battle. The body always builds a tolerance to pain meds. My doctor even tried Zubsolv which is like Suboxone to help my pain. Unfortunately the battle is unique to each of us which makes it hard for doctors to treat. And with the Dea cracking down on drug seekers and opiate abusers they have focused on pain clinics putting the fear of God in the physicians who I believe are desperately trying to help and find other ways to help, nevertheless the less it is causing many who are suffering to self medicate and some to even turn to street opiate which are the true epidemic in this country. The Dea needs to focus on that and let doctors treat us as they need too. I pray everyday for a cure for our pain. Don't feel bad for needing to take medication, just proceed with caution and pay attention to your body. Love yall and keep fighting. God bless. .Pastor Kellie

 

[Hope4all]

Hi! I'm pretty new to the forum. This weekend my pain was excruciating and my husband, who works at a pharmacy was like, someone should give you something stronger for your pain. He said doctors are afraid to prescribe pain meds for fear of the government. I had a doctor who had my pain under control, and the hospital 'moved' him to another position. The doctor who replaced him immediately took my off my pain meds (no taper or anything), telling me I could get addicted. He also took me off the medicine I needed to eat, because that was too risky. Fortunately for me, my old doctor's pa or np was still there and she has been very compassionate and smart. After surviving this weekend, though, and having a depressing decline in my abilities, I do wonder if I could get some pain meds. I would be grateful for something to help at the worst parts if they don't want you to build a tolerance. I was thinking about asking for a physical therapy referral and a handful of pain pills, but I am afraid to tell the doctor's office about it. I am afraid they will think I am a drug seeker and it will ruin the relationship I have with them. But this is stupid. There is a lot more to addiction than having a prescription for pain medication. Thanks a lot to the jerks who abuse drugs and left us suffering. What they need to realize is there are consequences to leaving us in pain, too. It can be very traumatic. When a person is in pain, their blood pressure can go up, they may sweat or turn pale, and in my case I have a tremor. Anyone have advice? Btw I exercise until an injury stopped me which led to this flare, I do tens, relaxation meditation, massage, lyrica, trintellix, Wellbutrin and buspar. I can't take savella.