[SteveVe]

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with a herniated disk.

Since then I have moderate pain about 2 to 3 times a year.

I vist my back doctor about once a year where he takes an Xray, does not see anything and gives me 120 Lortab Hydrocodone with 30 Celebrex plus 120 methocarbamol.

Everytime I go to see the doctor I am afraid he will not give me the medication. Plus I am afraid to talk about it at all (for example the methocarbamol does nothing for me).

I think I am afraid because I have heard in the news that less and less doctors what to presribe opiods.

I have never taken any illegal drugs (really). Perhaps I like to 'research' too much and now think that may undermedicated. I do have slight pain all the time, but usually don't take anything because I don't want to run out and want to save it for 'when I really need it.'

Any suggestions. I'd like to talk to the doctor. I think that on average I would need about 1 Lortab a day. Is that a lot?

[Cats Meow]

No, it's very little, a doctor shouldn't cut you off since you've taken it for so long. You shouldn't be afraid to tell him what does and does not work, not everything works for everybody, there is no point in taking something that doesn't work. If you walk in afraid of saying something, he might be able to tell, and think you are hiding something, it sounds like you have no reason to, so try and be confident, don't lie and don't exaggerate and you should be okay.

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )-~

[zippysgoddess]

Cats is correct. You obviously aren't abusing and using more than you are supposed to, so you have nothing to worry about there. When you are on certain strengths of drugs for a long period of time, you will almost always hit a point where your tolerance builds up and it no longer works for you, this requires that you raise your dosages or switch meds.

Don't be afraid to talk to your doc, if they are giving you prescriptions for them to begin with, obviously they aren't afraid to prescribe them, but you have to let them know what is or isn't working for you.

verwon@gmail.com

My information is not guaranteed correct. I do not get them right all the time, but I do enjoy the hunt~

[SteveVe]

quote:Originally posted by Cats Meow

No, it's very little, a doctor shouldn't cut you off since you've taken it for so long. You shouldn't be afraid to tell him what does and does not work, not everything works for everybody, there is no point in taking something that doesn't work. If you walk in afraid of saying something, he might be able to tell, and think you are hiding something, it sounds like you have no reason to, so try and be confident, don't lie and don't exaggerate and you should be okay.

^..^ ~~ ,
=´`= ___ )-~

Part of the problem is that sometimes when I go see the doctor I do not have any pain, but I do want medication because I know that within the week/month I will need it.

What do I tell the doctor when he is asking me about the pain today?

[zippysgoddess]

If he has any sense, he shouldn't just be asking you about today's pain, he should be asking you about all your days, or an average of your pain levels. Your best bet, when he asks that, is to pretend it is a bad day , and fill him in on that day. Or, if you prefer, be honest and say it isn't too bad today, but on X number of other days this month, you had severe pain and could barely move.

My doctor knows that just because I feel okay on the day I am in there, it doesn't mean I feel like that everyday, so you need to make that clear to him.

verwon@gmail.com

My information is not guaranteed correct. I do not get them right all the time, but I do enjoy the hunt~