[Random]

I have chronic pain, its in my leg. My doctor informed me today that he doesnt think I need pain meds at all. Im terrified and its triggering me into dark dark places.And its likely to get worse not better as the pain keeps me up so I lose sleep and I have obvious mental health issues that worsen under stress and lack of sleep. He told me I could make an appointment for pain education but in the past his wisdom included things like "read a magazine!". Im skipping between panic and outrage here.

I looked around and read a few posts here and saw when people posted about being denied pain meds people asked if there was any substance abuse problems in the past. I do have this, but it was marijuana and a decade ago. Is this following me around still and the reason I'm left to suffer? My pain isnt going away anytime soon and things like reading a magazine arent working at all. I know I could go to the ER and probably get something since they always take care of me there but I dont think theres anything they can do besides give me something for the pain which is a temporary fix.

Is it worth finding a new doctor? Or am I just doomed to live like this for possibly decades? The thought of that scares the living daylights out of me.

[lizardlady]

I have no great words of wisdom for you, but sure understand that chronic pain feeds depression.

[continuosly blue]

Having chronic pain nowadays is a curse.
1. Nobody really believes you.
2. The Drs. are scared **** to give you anything stronger than Tylenol
because there has been so much abuse of pain meds by stupid idiots and OD'S
that the govt. is keeping an eye out for Drs. who prescribe "to much" pain meds.
This ruins it for people who really need it.
3. Most Drs. don't know the difference between mental addiction and physical addiction.
4. If you need pain meds you better not say you ever even drank alcohol.
5. Your lucky if you can get the problem FIXED.
6. Maybe if you learn to meditate you'll feel better ( snickering )

I could go on and on.
Chronic pain has cost me my marriage , job , everything. I'm in
constant anxiety and depression.

Sorry I can't be more optimistic but I'm just sharing from my own personal experience

Hopefully you'll fare better.

I'm in pain right now. You probably have it worse than I do. No one knows how much you are hurting including the doctors. I'm sorry you have to suffer. I take over the counter pain relievers but only when I'm really bad. I hope you have someone to lean on. People in pain, both physical and mental, need a source of comfort.

[Random]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Still angry, still miserable but reading the replies cleared the clouds away for a time and I appreicate it.

[Rose76]

I'm sorry, Random, that you are dealing with chronic pain. You might try telling your current doctor that non-drug methods are just not working for you. If he tells you that's just too bad, then I would start doctor shopping.

I used to believe in being totally honest and up-front with doctors, but I've changed my mind. You have to be careful what you share. I would advise you to never mention your past use of marijuana again to any doctor. Somethings belong to the past and just don't have much to do with today.

I am on pain pills, and I am constantly afraid my doctor might stop ordering them. He's unpredictable. It causes me a lot of anxiety.

I hope your leg pain lessens. While you have it, you have a right to treatment for it that us effective.

[Random]

I can totally relate to that Rose76. I once mentioned exercise helped with the pain, I was pleasantly surprised and happy and then every time I mentioned pain for months on end he would say just exercise! Like since it helped sometimes its suddenly a cure all. Im now afraid to admit ANYTHING else works ever. I get pain meds are a last resort and I should try all the healthy alternatives first but sometimes its just nothing else can touch it and without them Im stuck awake at 3am(like tonight) wondering what I should be doing.

[Thor0298]

I have had back issue leading to leg pain for three years. No one needs to know about your past. I put off seeing a pain dr for a long time. Saw him about two months ago. It has been great relatively speaking. I've tried about every avenue up to that point. Surgery, PT, acupuncture and massage. That could be all j don't remember exactly. But my doc sees I am in some sort of medical appt averaging about 6 times a week. He has never once blinked at giving me Meds. Do the Meds help a lot, no. A little. I sleep a little better and can enjoy time with my family a little longer. I think showing you are actively trying to do something goes a long way. Hopefully you find some break in the pain soon. But I'd try finding a pain doc.

[Random]

I followed Thor's advice here and asked for a referral to a pain clinic. I now have meds and am feeling relief. Just saw them today and even though I was reluctant I told them about past marijuana abuse but that it was long ago and Im old and boring now and he said you look like a good guy, Im going to trust you. PHEW! I was just paranoid if I lied and then they found out, I'd look bad. They also did a urine analysis(not just for me but thats just standard there apparently) which I liked cause then I dont have to worry if they believe me or not. I'll have proof that Im old and boring now

Life isnt perfect of course, even with them Im still in some amount of pain but its an amount I can cope with and I hope sleep with. I cant find the words to express the gratitude I have for the responses I got when I was mid freak out but thank you to everyone.

[Thor0298]

Glad you got some relief random. You all they could ever do is say no. I'm glad you took the chance. I put off the pain doc for a lot longer than I should have. My doc is pretty decent. Understands that things aren't great.

[Open_Book]

Chonic pain meds are contributing to my depression. But do I want the pain or deal with the depression? At this point Im trying to deal with the depression.

[Random]

Interesting, I am more the exact opposite. If Im allowed to have meds, even if its just for part of the day, it gives me a chance to breathe and let my body relax and I end up happier. What about the pain meds makes you more depressed? Is taking them a trigger for something or just the narcotic part doesnt go well with your body chemistry?

[Open_Book]

[QUOTE=continuosly blue;4747544]Having chronic pain nowadays is a curse.
1. Nobody really believes you.
2. The Drs. are scared **** to give you anything stronger than Tylenol
because there has been so much abuse of pain meds by stupid idiots and OD'S
that the govt. is keeping an eye out for Drs. who prescribe "to much" pain meds.
This ruins it for people who really need it.
3. Most Drs. don't know the difference between mental addiction and physical addiction.
4. If you need pain meds you better not say you ever even drank alcohol.
5. Your lucky if you can get the problem FIXED.
6. Maybe if you learn to meditate you'll feel better ( snickering )

I could go on and on.
Chronic pain has cost me my marriage , job , everything. I'm in
constant anxiety and depression.

Sorry I can't be more optimistic but I'm just sharing from my own personal experience

Hopefully you'll fare better.[/Q

My doc gives me a lot of meds. I know they are definatly affecting my mood. I feel like im going crazy. Don't want to be on them but cant stand the pain with out them.

[Open_Book]

My doc gives me a lot of meds. I know they are definatly affecting my mood. I feel like im going crazy. Don't want to be on them but cant stand the pain with out them

[Open_Book]

Im on hydrocodone 10, gralise, fentanyl, amrix and baclofen.

[lv99atheist]

Just for reference (and not to moralize, I assure you!) I'm as clean as they come. ...Well, besides being addicted to chocolate... I don't smoke, don't drink that often, and don't do any drugs except that one time I tried a pot brownie. Even I have a LOT of trouble getting the medication I need! I think the docs are being stingy for a few reasons... one being the moralizing fools in elected office. They think we "lesser beings" are just faking to get the stuff we want. I think it's totally a projection! Another is that I've heard about doctors who sell pain pills for a tidy profit under the table... because all their wealth from legit work isn't good enough. How Greedy Doctors Just Caused Me 5 Days Of Withdrawal | Cracked.com for more.

I'm usually hard-nosed about toeing the line and all that, but considering a clean and sober guy like myself can't get any relief, I'd definitely recommend everyone keep mum about their past. I'd recommend finding another doctor, if you can, too. Obviously that bullcrap about distracting yourself with magazines is not going to work... and frankly smells a bit like sexism to me, too! I wish we could all navel-gaze our way out of pain. Hell, I'd be among the first to set up a free ashram dedicated to pain relief if that worked. But if that's ALL he's telling you, time to say "Namaste" and move on.

[Rose76]

Wow - thanks for the link above. I did not know about there being a data base in 37 states that tracks how many docs you get opiates from. It's good to know.