Question about chronic pain

[blizzard2014]

I was wondering if any of you guys deal with chronic pain. I have been at war with myself for the past seven years over using 30-40 mgs of Hydrocodone per day for chronic pain. I have a waxing and waning pain in my entire right leg from blood clots that did not dissolve. My circulation is compromised and it can range anywhere at times from no pain at all to a level 7. Mostly, I have to lay down in bed when it acts up, as it becomes painful just sitting in a chair with my leg elevated after a while. Sitting in a regular chair for a few hours aggravates it just as much as standing does. I can stand up for almost five hours at a time now, as long as I am on pain meds. When I first tried to work, my ankle and foot would double in size from just 4 hours of standing. My leg still swells though after the 4 hour mark, but not as bad as it used to, then it feels numb and it hurts to even keep a sock on it. Lately I have been lowering my dose of meds and not taking any meds before bed. My leg gets so sore and starts to cramp after a few hours in bed, then it is so sore I can't even tolerate sleeping due to the soreness. I got up early today because of the pain. It was more of a deep soreness than a throbbing pain, but a lot of times it is a pressure type pain like my leg is going to explode. I woke up and took my meds and now my leg feels better. I have been living in fear for months that one day they are going to take my pain meds from me. I have managed to make it for 7 days without meds fighting the pain until I finally break down and relent to the pain. I have very little withdrawals, just insomnia, but mostly the insomnia is due to the pain and not necessarily stopping the pain meds. I have tried medical marijuana and it does work, but leaves me too high to function. I just wonder what is life worth when you're only able to survive because you are on a bunch of medications like Frankenstein to hold you together. Life without pain meds would be sheer h*** and I would be very miserable. But the way the DEA and CDC are coming after pain patients, it's just a matter of time before things get worse. Do you think it makes a person weak to be on pain medications for non-cancer type of pain? Just to get a respite from the grinding pain? 

[Guest KiminOrlando]

Short answer, NO, it does not make you weak. The people that are making the rules have never been in the situation to deal with chronic pain, so it is easy to say just deal with it. I have Rheumatoid-arthritis and am currently in a flare. I am having a hard time using my arms today. If I had a narcotic today (or last night) I would have gladly taken it, but I can't get them. I didn't sleep until 7 am because of pain, then woke up at 10:30. I'm exhausted but hurt too much to be able to sleep. Take the pill if you need it. I hope this 'no pain meds' fad passes soon. It is torture.

[StayAtHomeMom]

Medical Marijuana has different strains. The different strains can affect how much pain relief you can get and not be as high. Depending on your state regulations, you might be able to find a dispencery that can help you find the strain you need. 

Honestly if you need it, take the pain med. If you have a headache most people take the over the counter meds and don't even think twice. They just want relief. Same with your leg. If it hurts take the meds. If I remember correctly you go to a pain clinic. And they don't prescribe the pain meds they did without trying other stuff first. 

My friend swears by CBD lotion for her pain. It is not perfect but she is allergic to a lot of medications so she tries a lot of alternative stuff. If it makes more you comfortable try other stuff that may help. Just make sure you check with your pharmacist and doctor so there is no contradicting medications. 

[blizzard2014]

3 hours ago, KiminOrlando said:

Short answer, NO, it does not make you weak. The people that are making the rules have never been in the situation to deal with chronic pain, so it is easy to say just deal with it. I have Rheumatoid-arthritis and am currently in a flare. I am having a hard time using my arms today. If I had a narcotic today (or last night) I would have gladly taken it, but I can't get them. I didn't sleep until 7 am because of pain, then woke up at 10:30. I'm exhausted but hurt too much to be able to sleep. Take the pill if you need it. I hope this 'no pain meds' fad passes soon. It is torture.

Yeah. I too hope this crack down on chronic pain patients will end. I just lost my pharmacist again. Now I have to go and interview a new pharmacist and explain everything I have going on to them to see if they will actually fill my pain meds. CVS got to the point where every month I had to wait a week or two for them to supposedly get the scripts ordered. They gave me the run around and it was a big mess. I interviewed my current pharmacist and he actually hold the meds for me every month. He will not fill any scripts if only my amount is left in stock. I never have an issue and he never looks at me like I'm a junkie. Soon I will have to change GP's because mines will be retiring. Then have to explain to the new doc all these weird issues. I think I'm going to just tell new doc the meds I take work, don't focus on the reasons why, just don't rock the boat lol. I hate being a slave to doc and pharmacist. The medical industry straight up owns me now. 

[blizzard2014]

3 hours ago, StayAtHomeMom said:

Medical Marijuana has different strains. The different strains can affect how much pain relief you can get and not be as high. Depending on your state regulations, you might be able to find a dispencery that can help you find the strain you need. 

Honestly if you need it, take the pain med. If you have a headache most people take the over the counter meds and don't even think twice. They just want relief. Same with your leg. If it hurts take the meds. If I remember correctly you go to a pain clinic. And they don't prescribe the pain meds they did without trying other stuff first. 

My friend swears by CBD lotion for her pain. It is not perfect but she is allergic to a lot of medications so she tries a lot of alternative stuff. If it makes more you comfortable try other stuff that may help. Just make sure you check with your pharmacist and doctor so there is no contradicting medications. 

The MJ is good. I just bought edibles and they are way too potent. I was high for 24 hours off 6 grams of chocolate edible. I will probably go to smoking one bowl every few hours if I ever stop this janitor job and just stay at home. There is no way I can drive while on that stuff. I can't even drive on more powerful pain meds like Methadone. I always take my pain meds 4 hours before I drive to work, then at work when I will be there for 4 hours. I never drive on the meds unless it is an emergency and leg is locking up and I am scared of not being able to make it home. Then I stay in the right lane and drive defensively. But on the weed no. I was never good on weed, even when I tried it as a kid. But the edibles worked so well I had to keep on reminding myself that I have a bad leg and to take it easy. My leg almost felt normal again. So many people are being cut off their meds. It really makes me feel for them. I never realize how much the meds are helping until I cut them down or stop them for seven days. 

[blizzard2014]

I have a panic attack every time I try and think how I will explain all I have going on to the new doc. I don't think I can do it in 15 minutes. 

[Pistol]

@blizzard2014 - I am sorry about all of your issues. When you see the new PCP: everything should be explained in your medical record. You have a diagnosis, you are seeing a pain specialist, you have been taking these meds for a long time, you have never abused the prescriptions … there is no reason for him not to continue your treatment. But I am aware that many docs now have the right to refuse patients that take many narcotics. Before the initial appointment write everything down so you have all your ducks in a row and can " make your case".  I have a B-I-L who is disabled from back problems and he takes pain meds chronically. His pain clinic switches his meds every month - Oxycodone then Percocet. This helps not to build up a tolerance and needing to increase the dose of the meds because the body needs more of it to be effective. He has been on the same dose for years now and the meds are still working ( of course he still has pain but it seems tolerable most days ). --- Don't panic - it will be OK! Let us know how it goes!!!!

[blizzard2014]

Thanks for the kk

On ‎9‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 3:29 AM, Pistol said:

@blizzard2014 - I am sorry about all of your issues. When you see the new PCP: everything should be explained in your medical record. You have a diagnosis, you are seeing a pain specialist, you have been taking these meds for a long time, you have never abused the prescriptions … there is no reason for him not to continue your treatment. But I am aware that many docs now have the right to refuse patients that take many narcotics. Before the initial appointment write everything down so you have all your ducks in a row and can " make your case".  I have a B-I-L who is disabled from back problems and he takes pain meds chronically. His pain clinic switches his meds every month - Oxycodone then Percocet. This helps not to build up a tolerance and needing to increase the dose of the meds because the body needs more of it to be effective. He has been on the same dose for years now and the meds are still working ( of course he still has pain but it seems tolerable most days ). --- Don't panic - it will be OK! Let us know how it goes!!!!

Thanks for the kind words Pistol.