My pain medication that I was prescribed?

Hello Brian,
I’m so sorry to hear about your present situation. Try to ask around when you speak with others and you may find a companionate physician.
FYI: My AARP supplemental insurance pays for my YMCA’s yearly membership. Plus I have the option to join five other organizations that they will cover as well. The jacuzzi, sauna and steam is so helpful for my medical condition.
I’m an 80 year old HVAC and residential 3rd generation sheet metal craftsman.

I’ve had two carpal tunnel surgeries of my right & one of my left. My right wrist joint is painful and I wear a small brace to prevent movement that will exacerbate whatever is the problem.

I require left knee surgery and possibly the right. I wear a compression sleeve on the left knee that has a cyst and is bone on bone.

In the early 2000 era I seeked a Orthopaedic surgeon who performed the neurological testing and found I had Peripheral neuropathy especially of my left leg.
Aside from that diagnosis I also have spinal degenerative disease.
In the 1980’s I didn’t have any medical insurance. Therefore I wasn’t being treated for my bilateral shoulder pain including scapular pain.
The specialist I was seeing at the then San Francisco General Hospital tried Gabapentin and Celebrex but I wasn’t feeling better.
Then he prescribed OxyContin LA, Vicodin & Valium. I researched OxyContin and found that I required the (IM) immediate release form and he complied. The LA (long acting) was just causing constipation .
I also while on these drugs sought a pain specialist who didn’t do a dam thing for me.
I was on these drugs for almost 6 years and in 2115 I was told to come to the hospital and was given a room number.
A nurse told me that no more medication was going to be given to me period!
I wasn’t even given the opportunity to wean off of them.
My primary I had at the time wasn’t addressing my symptoms but he did assist me to wean me off the Valium and I requested Ativan in place of Valium.
I finally found a physician who is a DO not MD.
He’s sent me to at least seven specialists, and post spine surgery my surgeon suggested Valium is best for symptoms and my primary prescribes 5Mg Valium & 10/325 of Norco.
Celebrex, Motrin is my first method of use, and I only take one dose every other day to monitor my body pain.
Also he was able to obtain 5% topical Lidocaine patches that helps with my lower back arthritis pain, plus other areas of pain so I don’t have to rely on oral medication.
Topicals as well.
Since I’m on Medicare with United Health Care plan F, I’m covered by my spine surgery I had in 2023, plus all medical visits including medication prescriptions and PT.
I recently had my cardiologist go in through my left arm and found two arteries that require stents. However, he told me to proceed with the bilateral hernia mesh surgery and I proceeded.
On the second entry they went into my right groin area to reach the arteries (this was very painful unlike the first pass and black and blue in my groin area) and he found one was blocked. So he couldn’t proceed and put me on four medications to lower my cholesterol and stabilize my wellbeing.
Last week I had a CT scan ordered by the surgeon who will be addressing my Inguinal hernia surgery.
Through all the above, I only can sleep on my back otherwise I have immediate spasms of my hamstrings and going down to my arches and toes.
When I was on all the opioids I didn’t realize when I’m awoken by the spasms I simply get out of bed and hands on knees for two minutes and then return to sleep.
Also I sometimes utilize compression socks.
It wasn’t until early 2024 I was diagnosed with bilateral lower spine arthritis.
I told my primary I felt the left leg was shorter than the right leg and when he sent me to the foot specialist she ordered an MRI from my hips to my feet is when it was discovered.

In closing, I can sit as I did driving ride share 12 hour shifts with no pain until 2023 when my Honda Odessey was broadsided.
I’m most comfortable sitting at home with my seat cushion and sometimes fall asleep.

Best to you in easing the pain.
Sincerely, James G