Suffer from chronic pain? Many of us do and we take it like good

[axollot]

little soldiers. For many reasons. I was so angry at the NYTs editorial it ran yesterday that I not only wrote the author, but a piece on a website that I do some assistant editing. Please forgive my mistakes made in haste- most of it was written this morning while on first cup of coffee, but the letter is located there too written yesterday (also on first cup) LOL.

http://www.worldwidehippies.com/2011/10/05/response-to-nyt-bogus-editorial-regarding-pain-medications-and-medicare/

Living in chronic pain is frustrating enough without having bogus articles written by the NYT claiming patients are committing fraud and prescription drug abuse all funded with Medicare. Anyone that is a CPP patient knows how hard it is to get treated with respect by a doctor.

The link to the NYT editorial is also at link.

Cheers
Sandy
:hug:

[Exultant Democracy]

1. Cronic pain and not being white is even worse.

Just look at the MRI i'm obviously in a lot of pain all the time and I already take too much Advil for my stomach to deal with.

[axollot]

12. Chronic Pain and being female is bad too. Not white and female?

Probably even worse! One sided articles on chronic pain making us all "evil" in the eyes of the clueless and forcing others to suffer in silence, since they are afraid they will be called an addict, abuser or worse is also terrible.

I point everyone to the site American Pain foundation. www.painfoudation.org they have a discussion site called painaid.org too. They have advocates there that can help you too.

Good luck

Cheers
Sandy

[HighContext]

15. I'm female, I'm not white, I'm a lesbian, and I have a club foot.

I win.

[OneGrassRoot]

26. ....

:hug:

[axollot]

18. Some Chronic Pain stats -

Women are less likely to receive treatment for pain than men
According to recent pain research by Hoffman and Tarzian ( "The Girl Who Cried Pain: A Bias Against Women In The Treatment of Pain" Law/ Med Ethics, 2001: 29:13-27), women are less likely to receive treatment for pain than men.


http://www.beyondchronicpain.com/site/media/currentStatisticsOnChronicPain.php

Cheers
Sandy

[Autumn]

2. Living in chronic pain with no insurance

sucks.

[axollot]

10. Yes it does. I am so sorry. Perdue will cover your script for

their pain medication if no insurance and not making enough money (which most of us are NOT making enough and would qualify).

Go to their website for the number. You will have to flip the cost of seeing the doctor - who may negotiate the amount for you too. It's worth trying. The meds are the biggest cost usually.

Cheers
Sandy

[Autumn]

19. They have a program here for people with no insurance. I'm on the

list, waiting for the call.

[Liberal_in_LA]

17. I'm sure it does. Sorry if you are in this circumstance

[joeybee12]

3. Tell the asshole who wrote it not everyone shares his S&M fantasies...

and don't think living in pain is great.

[closeupready]

4. I actually had this conversation with a friend of mine recently; she is in pain, and

she wanted effective painkillers from the doctor, but said that even though she needs stronger pain medicine than is available, she can't get it because of laws purporting to combat precscription pain pill abuse. I got so angry about that - pain medication is created to ALLEVIATE PAIN! Big fucking duh. :mad:

[COLGATE4]

5. Your friend needs to go to a Doctor who is a pain specialist (usually

anesthesiologists) rather than trying to get adequate pain relief from her Primary Care physician. PCP's are scared to death of all the rules and regs, and of lawsuits. Pain clinics and pain specialists deal with this day in, day out and are much better prepared to offer her the type of pain control she requires. (Took me 20 years to find this out).

[closeupready]

11. Thank you - I'll pass that along.

:hi:

[axollot]

14. I posted this in reply to my original OP but in case you miss it -

(The following will help you get taken more seriously by your primary care of specialist)

1st since your doc will not even note your records, I would suggest changing doctors. If that is just not an option, then the site www.painfoundation.org has a print out you can bring in since it's illegal to deny your pain or tell you "it's all in your head" - a doctor must take proper steps to treat pain seriously.

2nd. make a list. List your daily pain in a 1-10 manner - one being the least/no pain and 10 the worst pain ever.

Make a journal of where, when, how you have pain on a day by day basis and all other issues and bring that in to your next appointment too.

You have to be proactive to get anything done. Ask them (depending on your pain) if you need MRI/CAT Scans/Blood Work etc.

I have done pain advocacy as much as humanely possible since being treated like dirt in the early days of my chronic pain. And trust me I went through hell, was called an addict, drug seeker, all sorts of bullshit. Once I was able to grab a hold of the reigns of my medical care (and why I am now on SSDI with Medicare and only 40) it's been much better.

If a doctor knows you KNOW and you do your research and homework - you will get better respect. If not, report your doc and find a new one. The difference between shopping for a doctor and doctor shopping is walking out of the building with a prescription. If you see a doc and do not take any prescriptions from them (scheduled medications i.e. narcotics either pain meds or benzodiazepines) you are safe and playing it legal.

Finally, and maybe one of the most important steps in pain management. Use only ONE pharmacy - EVER. Get to know the manager of the pharmacy and their staff. Let them know why you are prescribed xyz and what your health problems are etc. It pays off in dividends if you have to change doctors for any reason you have a strong medication history built up and relationship with your pharmacist which may out last any you have with a doctor.

Cheers
Sandy

[nashville_brook]

21. this is really good advice -- reminds me...

i have a great pharmacist, but i haven't had this discussion with him on my pain issues. he's moved heaven and earth to get my migraine meds filled, refilled and paid for by the insurance. i will make sure to fill him in on the other.

[csziggy]

22. I agree with using a single pharmacy

I've been managing pain from my knees and other joints for ten years now. My regular primary care doctor does not worry about giving me scripts for Vicodin for the pain since he knows I hate taking it. I might take a full prescription in a year, if that.

When I had to get oral surgery, the periodontist prescribed a stronger version of Vicodin than I usually get and when I went in to get it filled before the surgery, the pharmacist asked about me having a second prescription from a different doctor. It had been over nine months since I had gotten the previous script from my regular doctor filled, but the system still kicked it out. Because of the long history I had with that pharmacy - even though it is a chain store - the pharmacist was able to check the record of my usage of Vicodin over several years.

I am concerned now - our insurance will no longer be accepted by that pharmacy. I am hoping that with the new year selections coming up the insurance provided by hubby's job will change (AGAIN). As of last year, we have separate insurance and cards for health, prescriptions, dental and vision. It's crazy and a PITA. The prescription insurance has their own online pharmacy and they keep spamming us to get us to change to that system. They have the worst robocall/voice menu system and no way to get to a human being I have ever dealt with. No way I will EVER do business with them for my prescriptions. If that became the only way I could get coverage for prescriptions, I would figure out a way to pay for them out of pocket.

[kag]

6. Nice letter, Sandy. And to the point.

It's those of us who need the meds for real pain that end up getting hurt, often embarrassed, humiliated and stigmatized. As you know, I've been there. Thanks for speaking up.

:toast:

[BobbyBoring]

7. What a bucnh of bull shit

I've suffered from chronic back pain for too many years. The past 2 months have been absolute hell. I would love to be able to get a FEW extra pills but it's impossible to do legally. Starting last November, my clinic started piss testing which is really degrading. I'm an old hippy so I kind of understand it with me, but they're testing little old ladies and know damn well they are not abusing.

Articles like this only make it worse.

[axollot]

8. That's happening to me too. Bring research in to your doc as I am

going to do tomorrow about the SAFETY of smoking Mj with my small amount of meds.(it's not illegal to test poz for it and the doc still prescribe for you! Print that info out. It's a quick google. 1996 SCOTUS had a ruling - great place to start)

he's actually pro MJ if I wasnt taking other meds but I have to work on my pain from multiple angles. As most of us in pain know.

Cheers and :hug: to all.

Sandy

[axollot]

9. Here is one link to get you started.

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/pain_brochure.pdf

Also be sure to check out American Pain Foundation @ www.painfoundation.org
Good luck

Cheers
sandy

[axollot]

13. To all. If you are having trouble with your doctor to take your pain

seriously please read the following suggestions. (I wrote this yesterday but it fits here)

1st since your doc will not even note your records, I would suggest changing doctors. If that is just not an option, then the site has a print out you can bring in since it's illegal to deny your pain or tell you "it's all in your head" - a doctor must take proper steps to treat pain seriously.

2nd. make a list. List your daily pain in a 1-10 manner - one being the least/no pain and 10 the worst pain ever.

Make a journal of where, when, how you have pain on a day by day basis and all other issues and bring that in to your next appointment too.

You have to be proactive to get anything done. Ask them (depending on your pain) if you need MRI/CAT Scans/Blood Work etc.

I have done pain advocacy as much as humanely possible since being treated like dirt in the early days of my chronic pain. And trust me I went through hell, was called an addict, drug seeker, all sorts of bullshit. Once I was able to grab a hold of the reigns of my medical care (and why I am now on SSDI with Medicare and only 40) it's been much better.

If a doctor knows you KNOW and you do your research and homework - you will get better respect. If not, report your doc and find a new one. The difference between shopping for a doctor and doctor shopping is walking out of the building with a prescription. If you see a doc and do not take any prescriptions from them (scheduled medications i.e. narcotics either pain meds or benzodiazepines) you are safe and playing it legal.

Finally, and maybe one of the most important steps in pain management. Use only ONE pharmacy - EVER. Get to know the manager of the pharmacy and their staff. Let them know why you are prescribed xyz and what your health problems are etc. It pays off in dividends if you have to change doctors for any reason you have a strong medication history built up and relationship with your pharmacist which may out last any you have with a doctor.

:hug: to my du mates and fellow CPP and/or caregivers.

Cheers
Sandy

[axollot]

16. Link www.painfoundation.org (whoops didnt mean to leave it out of above post) eom

[nashville_brook]

20. omg -- thank you so much for writing on this!

chronic since 2003. every single day.

[axollot]

24. I know this is a little late but same here just since 2000. (03 was a good year though) eom

[Kurovski]

23. Good job.

I'm extra pissy when i'm in pain, and so go fuck yer own big stupid Corporate-sphincter-eating face, NYT!

Sorry, i never joined the army. ;)

[Vinca]

25. Good letter. There is nothing worse than dealing with chronic pain.

I have off and on again bouts of neuralgia and always feel like a junkie when I ask for prescription pain meds. Doctors hate to prescribe anything, too, because they're thrown in with the prescription-for-hire doctors.