 |
toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
|
|
After 2 years of suffering through physical therapy for my back, orthotics for my shoes, a lumbo sacral brace, home TENS unit, now another round of PT to see if I would benefit from a home traction unit, I was FINALLY reccommended to be on long-acting opiate analgesics by my back doctor. The conditions was that my PCP had to prescribe them and he was really uncomfortable with this. But he did it, under the condition that I would start going to a PM clinic as soon as I got medicaid.
Well, I called this pain clinic yesterday to see where I was in line and apparently it's one those PMs where they "don't use narcotics."
I don't mind all the other Best if kept off the board (except the PT exercises, which have definitely caused more harm than good) but I think at this point I'm justified to be treated with opiates by a local doctor.
180mg/day of morphine. . I want to switch to another med, like duragesic or something. But it's not going to happen if I use this pain clinic. Unfortunately, this is the one I have a referral for.
I am also suffering from something very much like Rhuematoid arthritis. I wonder if the rheumatoologist may be able to find some reason for the cervical pain I have been having (which is aggravated by the PT for my lumbar).
God, this is such a mess. I am NOT going back to suffering 24/7, to being literally unable to get out of bed from pain. What do I do? This has me so mad. Don't these folks understand?
Oh, I'll get to see a "pain psychologist". Well, that will be great. Um, I already have a therapist and a psychiatrist.
I hope this rheumatologist will be able to rid me of these people. I mean, what magic do they think they are going to perform that is going to make my pain go away? I am already on anti-depressants. Arrrgh! I want to scream. This is such BS. I think I need to make some phone calls.
--------------------
"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
|
antique
Banned
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 215
Loc: east coast
|
|
Toe, I'm sorry to hear about your pain and frustration.  We've really got a screwed up way of dealing with patients suffering chronic pain in this country...no doubt about it.
A pain psychologist? That's a new one on me. Do they teach you meditation techniques for dealing with the pain or what?
I would like to pick your brain if you're up for it. Is there a connection between cervical pain and rheumatoid arthritis? I know RA can cause pain there but was just wondering if there was any particular link?
Sorry about my ignorance. I have RA and fibro...been diagnosed for years at least by a GP...and I have not bothered to see a specialist or even educate myself about it until recently. Now if you knew me, you'd know how strange that is for me to not have researched it to the umpth degree. Maybe I need to see a pain psychologist. I guess I haven't wanted to deal with it. Mostly I've been miserable and barely functional at times. It was very infrequently that I got good pain meds.
Well, I've managed to turn this into about me & my pain.  I would be interested to know what exactly a rheumatologist can do to help. Prescribe good pain meds maybe, but what else can they do?
I sure do appreciate you and everyone else here on the board for sharing so much info with me. I wish I knew something to tell you that would help ease your pain.
|
chevygal
Veteran
Reged: 04/28/03
Posts: 504
Loc: Way down south
|
|
toe
I don;t know what to say, wish I knew something that would help or at least make ya feel better. Sorry. I will be thinking of ya though and hoping something does come thru for you.
chevygal
|
toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
|
|
I don't know whether there is a connection between the cervical (and thoracic) pain and RA. . . I have my first appointment, having slept through the original, today. Mine spine doctor, whose concern was primarily discs and facets, and the ER docs, who were only looking for broken bones, have found nothing to explain the mid-back and neck/shoulder pain. I'm presuming a rheumatologist will be looking at other things, though.
I'm not under attack right now, but I recently started again with PT for the herniated disc in my lumbar and -Lo and Behold- my back and shoulders start hurting again. I had to leave PT yesterday because the traction belt kept sliding until she had it so tight I could not breathe. Then when she unleashed me to get up and try again from the beginning, I felt that horrible point right in the "bra strap" area that sent me to the ER months ago. It had been bothering me all weekend, but when I sat up from just a couple of minutes' traction, I knew why. I apologized and said there was no way I could undergo lumbar traction without getting some sort of palliative treatment for the other parts of my back that are strained by the aggressive lumbar treatment.
This something like my 5th round of PT. My last one ended with me in more pain than when I came in.
I don't know what is wrong with my back, the only thing the doctors "see" is a herniation and two much smaller bulges in my lumbar. I do have pain from that--a nagging aches after overexertion and the occasional pinched nerve. But it is my mid back and neck that nag me with sharp reminders that something-is-wrong when I have to sit up nicely for any period of time, as at the symphony, in a class, preesumably at a job.
I'm not experiencing the RA pain right now, although I'll certainly be able to describe it. He is supposed to evaluate for fibro as well. The results are meant to go to Social Security. I will request he prescribes me a cane, because when I do have flareups, I kind of need one. I'll explain the problems PT is causing me and has caused me. I will definitely report the reults back.
BTW, I called the "pain center" back and talked to someone and put my case to them straight: I've been through multiple rounds of PT, I use a lumbar-thoracic brace as needed, own a TNS unit, also PRN, and all this has done in the course of 2 years is cause me greater and greater agony, to the point where it has been agreed that I *need* to take painkillers. And if their goal is to take them away from me, then I am not interested in their services.
Problem is, all the specialists want me to report to a "PCP" and I really don't have one. When my student insurance stops and I am just on medicaid, I *really* won't have one. They don't want to do the prescribing. But since this rheumatologist seems unbusy enough that I was able to get a make up appt for the one I missed in less than a month, and he takes medicaid, maybe he will be willing to take me on.
Most days I wake up and a I can't even move. I finally get to see a rheumie and this happens during a good run. I hope he understands. I just don't know what to do. . . However, if most of the pain I'm experiencing can be explained by rheumatology, I think I will be happy. At least it's a start to finding out what the heck is wrong with me.
--------------------
"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
|
IMSUSCOT1
Threadhead
Reged: 10/23/02
Posts: 874
Loc: usa
|
|
Toe, so sorry to hear about this latest disappointment! You only have a herniated disc???? They don't think that's the source of the pain???? I don't know what town you live in, but I think it's time to find a PM group affiliated with a teaching institution....there's got to be one in your region...you might have to travel (that's what I do) I fly 400 miles 3-4 times a year, but I get oxycontin & percocet for breakthrough pain at doses I need...with an understanding attitude....all this PT and traction is for the birds...my dear, you have a chronic condition...you've complied out the wazoo, now you need help...I'd start with all universities in the region that have medical schools, call them, and see if you can get into their PM program...I assure you, their view of PM is much more current and compassionate....if I hear of one more PM group that "doesn't believe in narcotics" I swear I'm gonna get a gun & go POSTAL! You may also try emailing Purdue Pharmacueticals, and see if they are willing to provide you with a list of doctors in your town who utilize oxycontin...
|
toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
|
|
Yes, well, here's the fun thing: I am actually utilizing the services of the hospital attached to the second largest university in the US.
The rheumatologist was worthless: he basically did some bending of the joints, said, "You definitely don't have RA," ordered some bloodwork and sent me on my way. No follow up, no nothing.
My spine doctor didn't want any follow up. either.
It's funny how these doctors stop wanting to see you again once they notice that your insurance has changed to "medicaid,"
And I still have no idea what's causing the pain in my middle and upper back. No one will treat it or even consider it because it is not the area where the herniation is. Raspberries to the whole American Medical Community.
--------------------
"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
|
AngelRat
Member
Reged: 04/14/03
Posts: 175
Loc: CA
|
|
Quote:
...It's funny how these doctors stop wanting to see you again once they notice that your insurance has changed to "medicaid,"
Of course, that's because Medicaid pays so little - but they do not frown so much upon Medicare if you can manage to get that (I'm not familiar with your entire situation, so pardon me please if you already have both). For example, if you became disabled before the age of 22, you could become a C.D.B. (Childhood Disability Beneficiary) drawing benefits, including Medicare, on your parent's Social Security (from whoever would draw the most, or from both if under a certain amount). If you can possibly get on this program it's well worth the extra benefits, and you don't have to watch every financial move you make as you must do with the SSI type of benefits - one can be rich and still be a C.D.B. (assuming, of course, one remains disabled). A typical C.D.B. gets a decent check (often better than SSI), Medicare, *and* Medicaid to cover those scripts (it's a little more difficult in the 209B states, but still very possible). And one can usually top this off with the very good possibility of sizable accumulated retroactive benefits.
--------------------
I'm floating around like a chicken with my legs cut off. I am the poultrygeist. Goo goo g' joob, and a cockadoodle BOO to you dude.
|
toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1422
Loc: MidWest USA
|
|
Yeah, I know.
Unfortunately my disabilities are psychiatric and I am all too aware that there are people out their "playing crazy" to draw on these funds. The time that elapsed between my last treatment as a minor (which I of course rebelled against) and the commencement of treatment as an adult is too great. I think. . .
If someone could tell me different, could tell me there is any likelihood of records from LSCW's, psychiatrists, and mental hospitals on an adolescent from the late eighties through 1990 being recoverable and useful, that would be nice.
I'm sure if SSA had sent requests for info to all the doctors and professionals I gave them contact info for, their job and my life would be made much too easy.
As I understand it, after I qualify as a Federal Wacko, my State/County Wackoship (which includes a stipend of medicaid, $115 cash and $140 food stamps each month) will be bolstered by some 500 something a month and Medicare coverage.
Pretty sure I'm not eligible for SSD. All I want is the hope that I will be able to pay my half of the rent come November 1, or that the backpay check I got from the county will have accrued enough interest or crust from the $115/month payments to cover it.
We had a whole thread here about my eligibility. Okay, maybe that's pushing it, but I started the thread. I think that would have been June 6th. Yup, that's the date I lost my TAship and found out that studying really hard to make good grades and 11 years of post-secondary education doesn't get you much of anywhere if you are in possession of major depressive disorder that moves faster than they can invent new pills. . .
I think it has been 3 months since I filed first. Now I am holed up and just waiting for them to reject me already so I can do the appeal.
--------------------
"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
|
Trampy
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 04/02/02
Posts: 1230
Loc: Southwest U.S.
|
|
Quote:
If someone could tell me different, could tell me there is any likelihood of records from LSCW's, psychiatrists, and mental hospitals on an adolescent from the late eighties through 1990 being recoverable and useful, that would be nice. ...
The laws on how long a provider must retain medical and counseling records are state matters. The law might be different for the two types of records. In my state, all such records can be destroyed if they are more than ten years old. Any local doctor's office should be able to tell you what your state's laws require for medical record retention.
Trampy
--------------------
Your mileage may vary ...
|
|
|
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit 
Reply 
Quote 
