[Debbie V]

well, saw new pain doc yesterday. neveous but ended up with something havent had in a long time... HOPE. When he saw my list of medications and dosages he said I think you made a mistake when listed your methadone, you listed 4 10mg tab 3 times a day, did you mean one 3 times a day? I said no, the first is right. his response? your taking 120mg of methadone a day! thats huge I would never go that high! then saw my oxyir dosages and same He said aloat of times he find s that oxyir does more harm than good. He then asked if have ever been put on a narcotic holiday. had no clue what that ment. so, no. he is wondering if possibly some of my pain is due to the high levels of narcotics and there hurting more than helping. WHen we talked about all my meds, And got home I looked over the list had given him with amounts, it was the frist time I was shocked. cause realized when take all my meds, I am taking between 40 and 47 pills A DAY depeding on how much break through.
We scheduled an appointment for me to do a in office ketamine infusion on Dec 3rd, was thirlled. had been looking for someone that did the ketamine here locally and could not find any doc that did. He also mentioned other things he would like to try.asked if had ever considered a epidural pump. I told him had done over night epidural, single shot epidurals but had never heard of that, asked if he ment a pain med pump. explained no, a actual epidural pump. could do a week long trial where put the cathater in and go home where for a week get the epidural meds slowly 24/7 and if worked maybe doing the pump. another new option, I got really excited. He asked how dealing with all the meds, as far as function., told him can we say ah constant fog? so he gave me a sample of Provigil. he expained that the med is used alot by the military for there black ops guys, said its to help stay awake and may help counteract the foggyness I have from all my other meds like my Keppra.
This is the first time in so long I feel like there is HOPE, hope that can maybe just maybe get some energy and function back. be able to say hey, lets go out to the bar and go dancing, the little things that I have always enjoyed doing but havent been able to cause hurting too much, to foggy or just not the energy. plus maybe if do get some energy back, not so foggy, the me back that Earl fell in love with, may help our relationship.
At the same time of all this hope and excitement, I do feel a loss. Almost like cheating by changing pain docs. I have had the same one since 2000. He has always been wonderful. yet the last few months have been concerned with the amounts of opiates, how if pain levels go up, his dealing with is increasing my methadone or oxyir. not trying anything but meds. when asked him about ketamine he said no, more dangerous than possible help would not do it, didnt do it at all. I am going to sit down and write a thank you note to him, thanking him for all he has done for me over the past 9 years. yet the distance and drive was just getting too difficult for me plus for earl to get the time off or Goddess forbid my getting there if he is out to sea or something. I know if ever needed to go back to him the door is open, he told me that when mentioned was gonna look for one locally. He totally understood I mean Ive been doing the commute for 5 years. 2 hr drive there and back. a whole day for my appointment. only saw him every 3 months cause was easier on us so he would do my scripts 3 months at a time. Now back to once a month, which do like cause can talk about where things are at etc. IF have a major issue, he is close, or can call the hospital for me to go in and get something to help when out of control. ok, now babbling.
WHat do you guys think? am I being too excited, too hopeful?
Hope everyone is haveing a pain free or close to it day

Blessed Be
Deb

RSD is not who we are, but we are rather fighters and survivors!




n 2m331rtf

[CedarS]

Sounds wonderful, hope is great to have and it sounds like you have a good new pain doc.

So glad you had a positive experience!!

[(JD)]

Yes, with that much pain med it is highly probable that they are causing more pain than you actually have (all the time.) Detox is not fun, but I'm glad that he is offering the epidural at least. I doubt that it will allow you as much as you're used to, and that can be very difficult at best. If you experience too much withdrawal, call and tell them, and make sure they help you wean more slowly. Usually when you see a doctor like that you sign an agreement that you won't take anything except what that doctor gives you. Be sure that if you have signed that, that you don't even take an aspirin (for pain) without consulting him! They can drop patients like hot potatoes if you don't comply. I wouldn't want you to lose someone that sounds interested in helping you.

[krzyk101]

Glad to hear of your new doc and the HOPE, interested in how the progress is going? I recently went from taking 4 10mg methadone tabs 4x a day to zero, due to the 'stigma' of the word 'methadone' now am taking 100 mg of extended release of Morphine and the oxy for breakthrough, yet still feel the methadone worked better for me, dont give up and do hope the new method of pain relief is working well for you.

[HugaBoo]

Provigil: I have a lot of respect for this drug.

It activates and ONLY activates the part of the brain that allows you to be awake. If you want a high, caffeene does WAY better. It is commonly prescribed for Sleep Disorders and is often only covered by ins companies for such... So beware, can be REALLY Pricey (guessing around 300 bucks a month).

One other thing, you literally feel awake. However, if you are really tired you can still nap (amazing to me). So don't just sit up out of bed take one and go back to sleep and expect you will wake in x amount of minutes all hyper and ready take on the world, LOL

[krzyk101]

Originally Posted by HugaBoo

Provigil: I have a lot of respect for this drug.

It activates and ONLY activates the part of the brain that allows you to be awake. If you want a high, caffeene does WAY better. It is commonly prescribed for Sleep Disorders and is often only covered by ins companies for such... So beware, can be REALLY Pricey (guessing around 300 bucks a month).

One other thing, you literally feel awake. However, if you are really tired you can still nap (amazing to me). So don't just sit up out of bed take one and go back to sleep and expect you will wake in x amount of minutes all hyper and ready take on the world, LOL

Hello and to psych central, I am somewhat confused on the topic of this post, I am wondering if the drug you mentioned 'provigil' is used in the treatment of Chronic Pain?

I am not able to only have pain control during my waking hours, I need to have round the clock pain control even when able to be asleep. I don't understand the reference to being HIGH and drinking coffee.

Methadone, Morphine, Demerol, Oxycontin, and other Narcotic pain medications do not give one a high when suffering from Chronic Pain, only hopeful relief. I am prescribed mg of morphine a day and have yet to feel the least bit HIGH on it as I am still in pain even with the morphine, oxycodone, and other pain and muscle relaxants. Each person with Chronic Pain differs and if thought that one can be HIGH and in pain both then the pain is not chronic or something like that. I just have had to battle the common perception that euphoria is associated with Narcotic medications used in the treatment with Chronic Pain.

Euphoria and Chronic pain of a genuine sort do not occur when one does actually have valid need for the Narcotic pain medication, I know, I have not been euphoric from my pain medications ever, lol even when I did try.

Take care and have a good day