the war on drugs spills over on to legitimate users

[apple0154]

I remember when the surgeon had his protege give me an injection in my back for pain. It reminded me of what a dentist does to freeze ones tooth. It was incredible. I was clapping my hands in the hospital. He told me it would last about 3 hours so do whatever I had to do by then.

When I returned to my family doctor I asked him why they couldn't just cut that nerve and be done with it. He explained that the nerves were bundled together and if they cut the wrong one I wouldn't be able to walk.

Anyway, when I started taking the meds my doctor told me I would become physically dependent on them so I told him I didn't see any difference between that and a diabetic. The diabetic has to take insulin every day for the rest of their life. So I will have to take meds for the rest of my life. I don't see what's so bad about that considering I tried all kinds of treatment. Chiropractor. Acupuncture. Cortisone. Tranquilizers. Anti-inflammatories (super aspirin). Anti-seizure meds (although I never had a seizure in my life. Supposedly a side effect is pain reduction.) TENS (bio feedback).

I recall the Cortizone episode. About six months after starting the meds my doctor decided to refer me to another pain specialist. He invited me into his office, we did our introductions, then he said, "The first thing we're going to do is get you off those pills." Those were fighting words!

"No! No, no , no, and no. That is the LAST thing we're going to do", I countered. "I was in pain for two years and the solution was a 15 minute visit to a pain specialist and a handful of pills. If/when your solution works I'll gladly throw the pills away but the pain has to stop BEFORE I give up the pills."

In hindsight I should have been more polite as he hadn't yet given me the injection. Live and learn.

I had three visits/injections before I thanked him for trying and never returned.

 

[anatta]

I remember when the surgeon had his protege give me an injection in my back for pain. It reminded me of what a dentist does to freeze ones tooth. It was incredible. I was clapping my hands in the hospital. He told me it would last about 3 hours so do whatever I had to do by then.

When I returned to my family doctor I asked him why they couldn't just cut that nerve and be done with it. He explained that the nerves were bundled together and if they cut the wrong one I wouldn't be able to walk.

Anyway, when I started taking the meds my doctor told me I would become physically dependent on them so I told him I didn't see any difference between that and a diabetic. The diabetic has to take insulin every day for the rest of their life. So I will have to take meds for the rest of my life. I don't see what's so bad about that considering I tried all kinds of treatment. Chiropractor. Acupuncture. Cortisone. Tranquilizers. Anti-inflammatories (super aspirin). Anti-seizure meds (although I never had a seizure in my life. Supposedly a side effect is pain reduction.) TENS (bio feedback).

I recall the Cortizone episode. About six months after starting the meds my doctor decided to refer me to another pain specialist. He invited me into his office, we did our introductions, then he said, "The first thing we're going to do is get you off those pills." Those were fighting words!

"No! No, no , no, and no. That is the LAST thing we're going to do", I countered. "I was in pain for two years and the solution was a 15 minute visit to a pain specialist and a handful of pills. If/when your solution works I'll gladly throw the pills away but the pain has to stop BEFORE I give up the pills."

In hindsight I should have been more polite as he hadn't yet given me the injection. Live and learn.

I had three visits/injections before I thanked him for trying and never returned.

You had to do what;s best for you. you tried all different types of alternatives for pain, they didnt work, so pain pills work, and you use them.

I can't see any problems there. Some ppl just hate the thought of using them -they are kinna nasty ( constipation, hot flashes, dependency).
But they WORK. The patient should be able to decide if they want to use the pils ( we're talking long term pain relief here).

Honestly, I'd rather avoid surgery if possible, and surgery carrys risks ( cut the wrong nerve, and botch, etc). Pain pills carry risks.(well known won't list)

It's your body, and as long as it's a medical legitimate useage, common sense says you get to decide how to mitigate the pain.
The problem is the DEA is scareing Dr's away from legitimate pain management - fucking Goons.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I blame the MDs, but maybe not as much as I blame Big Ins./Big Pharma.

The majority of MDs in this country will swear that vitamins do nothing. They'll also swear that chiropractic/acupuncture are nothing more than voodoo.

I liken that to a Ford salesman telling you that Chevy sucks.

But, when people educate themselves about alternatives, and seek them out, the insurance companies put the kabosh on the only treatments that will do any good for a lot of patients.

Sad but true. Assuming though that health care reform isn't completely gutted by moronic knuckle draggers and with the new reporting requirements I think you'll see that begin to change as part of the cost control efforts that will inevitably be a part of HC reform.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

thanks for the clarification, women are especially subject to fibromyalgia, common drug therapy is Ultram (tramadol 50 mg's) -it's an opiate but does not produce a "mental high" -ideal for bone pain, and tendons. Being an opiate it does have some addictive qualities, but no where near narcotics like hydro/oxycodone.

I think women just have lower bone mass, a "taking more calcium" isn't going to help by itself. It can actually add to inflamaton!!!
I was on Ultram for plantar fasciitis; it was somewhat helpful, but I went to wearing Asics -the kind of tennis shoe, that has those "pods" on the back.

The best medicine is always preventive, and I've been working out like a madman, i've now dropped 100 pounds, down to 240 from my bloated obesity of 340.

I've manged to get off everything, except sleeping pills, there is no substitute for physical fitness.

The problem with the new state data base laws though, is a pain clinic requires an MRI, or X-Ray down here in Florida.
We had "pill mills" -and as I've discussed, we put an end to that, but they are prosecuting a Dr. i used to go to for sciatica, and general problems associated with obesity.
He's a good Dr., but got a "rep" as a pill pusher ( he wouldn't even write refills).
I wrote him offering to testify in his upcoming trail, his atty said thank you, but they prolly won't be calling any patients as witnesses.

Ideally keeping one in good physical shape wards off all KINDS of health problems -but not all Americans are healthy, or willing to manage their own HC.

I got a free clinic, and the only drugs I take now are levothyroxin for hypothyroaid, and Xanax for sleep ( might chage to klonopin).

I am addicted to sleep meds -but so what? I don't abuse them, use them only for sleep.
The clinic said they'll keep giving them to me, as i'm DOCUMENTED with chronic insomnia - but for those poor ppl whom aren't documented
( millions of uninsured) the pay for pill clinics are not happening.

Anyways. I asked the Dr. last time i went to the clinic "what if my plantar fasciitis starts showing painful symptoms again -wil I be able to receive Ultram?
NO. and he minced no words.
"we're under constant scruntinity by the DEA - i can lose my liscense, or at least face a medical board if i cannot document your pain."
It's damn near impossible to document by tests, you just have it.
same with sciatica, almost impossible to "prove" but I've had it, and it's sheer misery. Only pain pills help. Only they're simply not given out anymore.

The DEA is a monster -they;re the one's pushing the current war on medical marijuana ( which Doj caved to).
Everyone worries about some poor schmuck using pills without an absolute air tight case of documentation.
It's actually driving legitimate patient to sek street drugs. How can this be a good policy?

So the pendulum has swung from pill mills, to NO PAIN MEDS - unless you have visable signs of injury.
Fuck that. Pain relief is PART OF MEDICAL PRACTICE,but the DEA - is a monster, and no-one wants to push back.

Not even Obama, not even state gov't, and the Dr's are running scared. Seems we just can't find a middle way in this country -
the extremes are always trying to set their agenda for everyone.

You are absolutely right about fitness. I'm a huge believer in the holistic approach to wellness. This is where medicine falls down big time. Medicne is spectacular for disease and trauma therapy but just isn't focused on health and wellness. I was raised in the holistic tradition so I take a great degree of accountability for my wellness. I eat a varied and balanced diet with large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables and fiber, I minimize processed foods and saturated fats. I exercise 5 to 10 hours a week on average, I manage stress well, I get my 7 to 8 hours of sleep and I exercise my mind/spirit as well as my body. I also keep my vices such as beer and the occasional cigar in moderation and I feel great. I'm absolutely convinced that the holistic approach focusing on the triad (body, spirit, mind) as far superior to allopathic philosophy where health and wellness are concerned.

If you have chronic insomnia you may want to check out a sleep lab. You could have sleep apnea.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

it's iffy, and EXPENSIVE, and require multiple visits.
How can I pay for that? I can't even afford insurance -why i got the free clinic ( all blessings to those compasionate souls).
Most scaitica just stops - sometime a week, sometimes a couple weeks
so the "quick fix", is just to prescribe. There is nothing wrong with using pain pills for a short duration, that's what they're used for.
If it was chronic, then yes -a more sensible approach would be acupunture - but sciatica is not amanedable to a cure by one visit.
You might get a certain amount of relief, or not -usually requires follow ups -by that time the pain can go away by itself.

The easiest, and most cost efficient way is to write about 2 weeks of hydrocodone -see if it's temporary - voila' your done.
For chronic back pain, then chiropractors, or acupunture can be looked into as holistic.
The problem now is you can't even get a dose for 2 weeks of pain without a bunch of tests - nor can i afford paying $50/$75 a visit to an acupuncturist, over a period of time.

My sciatica is a thing of the past -hopefully stays that way - the Dr .i mentioned, only gave me enough for 3 weeks - i saw him 3 times over the course of 2 years - not what i'd classify as a "pill mill".
Yet the poor guy is facing trail:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...ill-change-of-venue-motion-management-clinics

I fixed my sciatica with a combination of chiropractic and orthotics. The adjustments provided symptomatic relief but it was the orthotics which fixed the problem.

 

[anatta]

You are absolutely right about fitness. I'm a huge believer in the holistic approach to wellness. This is where medicine falls down big time. Medicne is spectacular for disease and trauma therapy but just isn't focused on health and wellness. I was raised in the holistic tradition so I take a great degree of accountability for my wellness. I eat a varied and balanced diet with large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables and fiber, I minimize processed foods and saturated fats. I exercise 5 to 10 hours a week on average, I manage stress well, I get my 7 to 8 hours of sleep and I exercise my mind/spirit as well as my body. I also keep my vices such as beer and the occasional cigar in moderation and I feel great. I'm absolutely convinced that the holistic approach focusing on the triad (body, spirit, mind) as far superior to allopathic philosophy where health and wellness are concerned.

If you have chronic insomnia you may want to check out a sleep lab. You could have sleep apnea.

Excellent. a superb lifestyle, I did have sleep apnea, but that was from being obese. ( runs in my family-i'm from a time when fat kids were called "chubby and cute").
Anyways, without totally boring you, i bought into the healthy lifestyle. It took a MD. to tell me "you're pre-diabetic" ( glucose was like 130).

I exercise about as much as you do now -circuit training, the scaitica -gone, not an episode in 2 years since i went on the Total Body Makeover.
Plantar - flares up now and then - mostly when i'm outside on the sidewalk keeping an eye on my cat ( I live on a busy city block near SeaWorld - too dangerous for my old cat to run wild.)

All in all physical fitness has relieved most of my ailments, as I am chasing 60 years old. I'm just greatful that Dr. at the free clinic told me like it is,
I wish I could tell young ppl "you have a choice" when I se them stoking up on fries and fatburgers. But I didn't listen, and fat ppl are in denial -especially NOW when we know al the dangers of obesity.

Sounds like you got a good thing going -and I really appreciate the concerns. I'm with you, i do yoga poses, but mostly bodyworkouts, as my flexability is not there -yet.
It's a routine i've incorporated into my life, and I ain't going back.

 

[apple0154]

You had to do what;s best for you. you tried all different types of alternatives for pain, they didnt work, so pain pills work, and you use them.

I can't see any problems there. Some ppl just hate the thought of using them -they are kinna nasty ( constipation, hot flashes, dependency).
But they WORK. The patient should be able to decide if they want to use the pils ( we're talking long term pain relief here).

Honestly, I'd rather avoid surgery if possible, and surgery carrys risks ( cut the wrong nerve, and botch, etc). Pain pills carry risks.(well known won't list)

It's your body, and as long as it's a medical legitimate useage, common sense says you get to decide how to mitigate the pain.
The problem is the DEA is scareing Dr's away from legitimate pain management - fucking Goons.

Part of the problem with constipation is people tend to not move as much when taking pain meds. The secret is to take enough to relieve the pain so one can move around. I remember the pain specialist telling me to take sufficient medication so the pain is relieved and not just diminished. Especially when it comes to pain due to nerve damage. If one only takes enough to diminish the pain but still is fighting it other nerves become tense. It's like holding ones body tense so as not to move a certain way. Also, lots of fruit in ones diet and plenty of water is greatly beneficial.

I found hot flashes result in the body running out of pain reliever. That's the physical dependency showing up. And, of course, it doesn't help the patient worrying about whether or not they'll receive sufficient pain medication in the future.

I was fortunate to find my doctor. He was working for the insurance company evaluating my situation when I first met him. I asked him to be my doctor. He agreed to recuse himself from my case and I signed the appropriate papers. Just one more example of how that terrible government medical works. (I had to throw that in for all the anti-government medical folks.)

 

[anatta]

Part of the problem with constipation is people tend to not move as much when taking pain meds. The secret is to take enough to relieve the pain so one can move around. I remember the pain specialist telling me to take sufficient medication so the pain is relieved and not just diminished. Especially when it comes to pain due to nerve damage. If one only takes enough to diminish the pain but still is fighting it other nerves become tense. It's like holding ones body tense so as not to move a certain way. Also, lots of fruit in ones diet and plenty of water is greatly beneficial.

I found hot flashes result in the body running out of pain reliever. That's the physical dependency showing up. And, of course, it doesn't help the patient worrying about whether or not they'll receive sufficient pain medication in the future.

I was fortunate to find my doctor. He was working for the insurance company evaluating my situation when I first met him. I asked him to be my doctor. He agreed to recuse himself from my case and I signed the appropriate papers. Just one more example of how that terrible government medical works. (I had to throw that in for all the anti-government medical folks.)

yes. some ppl take stool softners. but movement is always good, for the digestive system ( take a walk an hour aftr eating etc.).

I tolerate them pretty well, thank goodness I don't need them NOW. But when/if I do, i hope they are available.
The DEA is the Gestapo.