I'm Disabled And Was On Pain Meds
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I'm permanently disabled after being injured on the job. I was a union boilermaker which is a hazardous job in itself, but i wasnt ready to retire. I've had c4 5 5 6 fused, back and foot surgery. I was taking 240 80mg OC a month. Dr cut me to 6 30 mg roxy's daily, now i get nothing. Al doctors are not helping. I have been on those meds since 1998.

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I’m sorry to hear your situation, I have 2 compressed fractures of my spine, basically I crushed 2 of them and I’m not a candidate for surgery. I too have been denied pain meds for up to a month, I went without sleep for days and ended up hospitalized due to agonizing pain and sleep deprivation. I tried CBD oil and a vape pen, those 2 helped me get thru pain, it was expensive but it worked, I just had to try several doses several times a day because relief does not last long, it wears off quick.Good luck and I hope you get relief.

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Re: Rob (# 3)

I understand I have been disabled since 2010. I have been on pain meds ever since then. But now my pain management doc told me he is taking me off all the pain pills. He has taken me off morphine but am still on hydrocodone 10-325. He says he is taking that also. I had a spinal cord stimulator put in my back years ago. I fractured my spine in the lumbar area and have hardware holding it together. And also a plate with 6 screws in my neck. The spinal cord stimulator doesn't work for me. He say I have to have another surgery and have an upgraded stimulator put in. He was mad because I didn't use the first one long. I told him if someone gave you a pill for pain and it didnt work would you keep taking the pill? He swears it works. Wish he had my body for one day he would change his mind about treatment. It's just not right that people that abuse it cause us that don't to have to deal with unbearable pain.

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Re: Rob (# 2)

Excuse me - are you mocking us that really need pain medication to have any type of life that may resemble “normal”?

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Re: Rob (# 3)

I feel your pain. I won’t be seeing my kids or grandchildren, going to the seashore or taking care of my Home. I will be lucky to be able to take care of myself. I remember not being able to shower sometimes. I don’t want to go back to that life.

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Re: Rob (# 2)

To all of us that have been effected by the cut of opioids and live with chronic pain I personally have found a great doctor in Bromfield colo although I can’t live with out my pills I’m being weenie off my feytnal and having a stimulater put in I know a lot of people doing this and I think it’s a great option best of luck to all

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If pain is the reason you can't work, you need to find a new doctor ASAP. When you receive SSDI you have Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR) at intervals. If you are not receiving current treatment for the impairments you were approved for. Chances are very good SSA will say you no longer meet their criteria for disability.

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It is best to not give your doctor a difficult time when they say they are gong to reduce your pain medications. You stand a better chance of being prescribed low dose pain medications. It takes time for your body and brain to adjust to not having the same dose of pain medications.But, you will feel better and be able to do most, if not all of the things on a low dose you could do on the high dose.

You need to get a copy of your medical records from your pain doctor and read them. Sometimes they contain information that makes another doctor refuse to see you. When you call other doctor's offices. Do not ask about a specific medication or dose. Say you need a new pain management doctor. Remember each doctor has their own way of prescribing. It is highly doubtful you will receive an opiate on your first visit. It might take several visits for a new doctor to prescribe an opiate. You do need to realize you are not going to find a doctor to prescribe high doses like you were on before.

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Re: Rob (# 3)

Hi. I also have just had my pain medication that kept me working full-time reduced significantly. I know taking it away completely is coming soon. Like you I know I will have to retire early and will have no quality of life without something for my chronic pain. I have been searching for a compassionate doctor and alternative treatments without success. I understand the “optiod crisis” but I think there needs to be differentiation for those that get prescriptions from pain management doctors. I think taking away medication without slowly tapering down the dosage to avoid horrible withdrawal symptoms is “cruelty to humans”. I hope you have found some relief by now. Good luck.

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Ive been silent on opiod topic lately,thinking an intelligent,influential dr or politician would step forwards explain the dilemma legit pain patients are enduring. We know the problem created by people who abused these pills for euphoria. We couldn't control them only ourself, now we and the loved 1s in our life see how we need medicine to allow us to enjoy life and function pain free. I can't fish cut grass or drive a car normal things to pain-free people
We were productive with opioid now washing dishes is impossible. Good luck to all that suffer like me!

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Re: David (# 1)

You got it figured out. Not many do. Most wanna blame drs for reducing meds, they've seen to many drs lose their licence or go to jail. It's gonna get worse, just wish i could get pain meds somehow just to be almost normal.

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Hi Rob,

Sorry to hear about your challenging situation. It seems like many chronic pain patients are facing a similar set of circumstances in this new era of opioid madness. At this point, I get the sense that all one can do is continue searching for a compassionate doctor or deviate towards natural alternatives such as kratom, cannabis (cbd/thc), turmeric, exercise (in whatever capacity seems doable), meditation and surrounding yourself with loved ones who care about your mental health & well-being. There is no one-size fits all approach, so taking the time to find what works may be a journey in and of itself, especially when doctors are too afraid to prescribe adequate treatment. Just know that you're not going at this alone and there are people who care.

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