Vetswife,

I’m so sorry that your husband is in this much pain. My husband severely injured his back many years ago and was afraid that the surgery would be worse. Before his injury, he didn’t take any type of pain meds, even OTC meds. For three years before his surgery he was taking vicodin and oxy like m&ms, he chewed them as well. I was so worried that he had become addicted to them. Once he had his surgery, he took his pain meds the day of his surgery and the day after and did not touch them again until just recently when he reinjured himself.

I’m really surprised that your husband’s doctor has not required him to see a psychiatrist. In this area, if you’ve been on pain meds for 3 years you are required to see a psychiatrist to determine if you are addicted to the medication; which I’m not suggesting he is, just a rule here.

In all probability he will have to take something for the rest of his life, but I agree that a pain specialist is your best plan of attack. Could he be afraid of the levels of medication that the pain doc would discover in his system?

I know that pain docs are black and white. A fellow PCer had problems because she had a false positive for a drug that the pain doc didn’t Rx and he dropped her like a hot potato. Even though she retested immediately at her own expense, and discovered that the OTC antihistamines (which she disclosed at the time of the test) combined with her Rx meds are known to give a false positive.

IRL, a friend was dropped by hers for testing positive after eating lemon poppy seed muffins. She did not know she was being tested that day and informed the technician when her blood was taken, but it didn’t matter. Many pain docs have a one strike rule period. I imagine that they hear it all, and view weeding out the actual abusers is time that they’re not willing to waste.

Whatever happens, I hope and pray your husband finds relief. I know how difficult it is to live with someone in chronic pain, the depression, anger, and frustration. Sorry for the lengthy reply.