I have severe chronic pain?

Hello, caringsonbj!
Oh, how right you are about doctors who do not listen or do not care. I
had what I thought was a good doc for over 5 years. I have had RSD for
20 years, the burning pain. She kept me comfortable on a combo of
methadone 40mg and Percocet 40mg a day. Three months ago she did
blood work and said my liver was good and the methadone level was "in
therapeutic range" and normal. Then she said I had to come off my meds
and try something else - no real explanation. Something about her boards
wanted pain patients to take only 1 long-acting medication, not a combo
of 2 drugs. So I tried what she prescribed. 40mg methadone alone was
not enough to cut the pain. 40mg Percocet alone was agony - no way it
cut the pain. Then the Oxycontin 20mg every 12 hours - but it did not
last 12 hours - only about 8 hours. I never got the old oxycontin, only the

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new "non-abusive" kind. She let me go up to 30mg Oxycontin every 8
hours and still I never got relief. I was so far behind in the pain game I
just could not catch up. On a weekend, of course, I called in total agony
and the PA said I could take 4 Oxycontin and come in for an appt on the
next Wednesday, 4 days later. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesay I just
could not stand it and took 6 pills each day, 2 over what the PA said I
could take. I went in Wednesday and told the doctor what I had done and
I still had not had relief. She immediately began yelling about she had
cancer patients who were dying who did not take as much pain medicine
as I did. I was just going to have to suck it up and hurt was her comment.
Long story shorter. She discharged me, after keeping me comfortable
for 5 years, with l8 Oxycontin 20mg to wean myself off on. In all my time
with her, she never tried any of the other drugs I hear about in these
discussion groups, never even mentioned the possiblilty. She was more
interested in covering her behind and did not care at all about me. I
asked her how I was supposed to deal with the pain and her response was
"you just do what you have to do." Helpful, huh? My internest gave me a
scrip for enough Percocet to get me through while he is getting me in to
see another pain doctor. When she had my pain under control, it was only
in my lower legs, but now it is in my arms, my chest, even up in my neck.
My fear it that she has screwed me totally and I will never be under
control again. All I have been doing is saying my prayers and turning it
over to God, because I know I have no control over it. I pray for every
person out there who suffers - physical pain or mental pain, it doesn't
matter because it hurts. I pray that both of us, no all of us, find doctors
who are willing to listen, not hear but listen. Thanks for listening to my
story.
NurseJFW

Dear Geoff

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I misread your post when I answered you back, You said your physician said the DEA would not allow him to increase the strength of your patch, I haven't heard of anything like that, I know from what I have heard they watch doctor's who write prescriptions for narcotics, I think as long as the doctor can document why he is doing what he is doing then their isn't a problem, that's why I encouraged you to give him as much detailed information as possible, medications that are used over an extended period of time get to where they no longer have the same effect as the once did, the liver (I think) gets rid of it or is absorbed and then your body requires a higher dose, I have a friend here who is on Fentanyl patches she is on the 100mcg patch, 1-50mcgpatch and I think they just added a 25mcg, she goes to the pain clinic, she has fibromyalgia, and Kidney failure, she is able to function normally for someone on that dosage of medication, I hope your doctor is able to come up with either another drug or is able to increase this medication, Please be sure and keep us posted.

I didn't like the methadone. Yes, it did at 50mg. a day help my pain, but I would actually doze off or zone out at red lights etc... Kind of scarey to me. I just hope the morphine time release doesn't do the same. I also have back, neck , well lets just say entire spine problems from failed surgeries, very severe Osteoarthritis, & Osteporosis. Fibromyalgia is another of my problems. I am going to see a Neuro surgeon next week, to see if I can get I believe it's called neuroplasty. It's a shot of glue type stuff to fix compression fractures. I have an aracnoid cyst in my L - spine, that needs surgery, stenosis in my neck that needs surgery, but they won't do it because the weak bones won't hold screws. I also am going to have surgery in April on my left wrist & thumb for osteoarthritis, & as soon as that heals , the right thumb,index, & middle finger for osterarthritis.

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So, what I am saying is I guess we are qutie a bit alike! I can't believe you only get 1 Oxycodone a day! A better choice would be Oxycontin without the tylenol, & hydrocodone for breakthrough pain. Lord knows you need it! Good luck to you my friend, & keep us up to date. I might add, that after you listed your conditions this A.M., I was astonished you have made it so far with so little medicine. Mary