Pain Medication Shame (Page 5) (Top voted first)

First of all, I hate taking pain meds but I was almost completely bedridden for 2 yrs. They gave me my life back and I'll be grateful for the rest of my life. My insurance company dropped me right before I was gonna have surgery to get some relief. So I had no choice but to go with the pain meds. I've been on oxycodone 30/150 per month (5 a day) and MS Contin 200mg 2 times daily since 2009. Had breaks when I could. My point is, nobody knows what my daily life is like. I feel ashamed every month getting refills. Maybe it's in my head but the staff at the pharmacy gives me that "pill seeker" look. I guess all that matters is my doctor trusts me and he knows my complete history. I know I'm not taking them for fun. I'd much rather be normal. Can anyone relate to what I'm saying?

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REPORT

I submit my verbiage with the hopes that someone in the viewing audience may find inspiration, or a least a little humor!
Just as big Al Einstein attempted a few decades ago, I too am seeking the allusive "theory for everything."
Having given the subject consideration, The most current group of folks to be trampled upon, taken advantage of, blatantly discriminated against, is the AGED AND THE INFIRMED!
Our former president Obama once referred to aged citizens as "not worth the health care investment." As I approach the big "70", I fear that our government will categorize me as simply another aged brick in the wall, all while making it harder to obtain the pharmacology that sustains me!

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Re: John Kramer (# 131)
Keep in mind that back in the 80’s the Democrat Governor Richard Lamm said that older people “have a duty to die”. It stirred up quite a brouhaha. Now that he is 84 he has yet to fulfill his “duty”. He was only 49 when he made his “duty to die” statement. Wonder what he thinks now. Chronic pain patients need to be treated with dignity and respect. I moved to take care of my father who would have died THREE times before he did if I was not there to insist that the “Doctors should be Doctors and let God be God”. I got them to do whatever they needed to do to make his life livable. He lived until he was 94. The weird thing is he had 100% health insurance and every Doctor’s Bill was paid in full—and they still did not want to treat him. I wish I could make all Physician’s be empathetic and treat everyone like they should be treated. Unfortunately, this is not a reality. Even when ALL medical bills are paid 100%.

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I am 60 years old, have a C1+2 fusion and herniations from C4-6, cervicalgia, and DDD. I am inoperable due to fusion. Now NSAIDs have caused extreme grief with bleeding ulcers, etc because the "prescribed dose" is worthless for the pain I go through. They stopped Norco which I was on 25+ years a few years ago with excuses (clean urine so it wasn't that)..never needed more and more and more??
Can't take Nsaids, what does help me, is now refused... Pain management so overloaded in New York... just no answers!? Just suffer! At 60? Great! "Well how dare you ask! Now you're a junkie!"...come on! This is a bunch of rubbish... how about creating a non opioid pain killer that works then? Do something more then kill bill these insurance companies with exorbitant over charges for doing nothing! I speak for many here... very low quality of life for many of us.

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I understand it is not the pharmacist that makes you feel bad about getting your meds because they are not the ones who handles the money and distribution of your meds which your pharmacist is aware of your diagnosis and understand your need of pain meds enable you to to be a functional part of society I am a nurse of 35 years practice for thirty of those years been on pain meds for eight years three years ago I had to go on disability the pharmacist knows your diagnosis the same as they know mine the tech's don't have any idea why you are on that much medication a couple of times I was treated that way and I spoke to the pharmacist in private after that I was not treated like a med seeker I have multiple diagnosis one I'd bone cancer that is just one so now I go and I don't made to feel uncomfortable

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I am in the same boat with most of these people. I take 80 mg of oxycodone once a day, not ideal but I will not keep taking more and more. Unfortunately, due to an accident years ago I am not a surgery candidate. I save money, don't have to be concerned about what everyone thinks. I am not saying it's for everyone but it works for me. The doctors priced themselves out of a customer. Good luck to you all.

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Re: Brandi79 (# 13)

Ask your doctor which he/she would chose? 24hrs of pain or 24hrs of anxiety mostly due to the pain.

My doctor gives me meds for both and Ambien to sleep.

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Re: Curious80 (# 21)

If you have an old doctor, find a young one. There is no reason to see a doctor you hate. When I was on a lot of Oxy I was also given 3mg of Alprazolam and 10mg of Ambien.

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Re: Precious (# 23)

Depending on the paperwork you signed before surgery, you may have a case. Definitely report him to the board.

As for Suboxone 15mg = 6mg of morphine. It works incredible! I have been on it for 2 1/2 years for chronic pain, and wish I found it years ago!

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Re: Me (# 55)

Thank you for response and yes I did talk to a attorney over the phone just to ask if they thought i had a case once and at that time maybe 5 yrs had passed but the attorney said my time limit was up. At this time my doctor was doing xray on my pelvis every three months due to keeping a check on this growth that was on the bone. And the suboxene do help my pain Im just getting adjusted to side effects.

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Precious

Oops...1mg of Suboxone = 15mg morphine

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To Romanj32: I have been on oxycodone since 2003 and various other pain meds prior to that. I started with chronic,migraines. Then in 2003 I developed back pain from standing on my feet all day ( I was a nurse ). I contracted MRSA which caused painful abscesses on both arms and no doctor could tell me how the MRSA had morphed into an unknown and untreatable disease. Then I had stage 3 Breast cancer. All of this ended my nursing future. I said all of that to say this. I also felt the drug seeker looks at the pharmacy. I got lucky though and found one pharmacist who didn't treat me that way. So for many years where ever he worked I followed. Then he got a job filling in for absent pharmacists within a chain of pharmacies and I could no longer follow. However, I was blessed because his son had become a pharmacist, so he sent me to his son. His son treated me very well and his co-workers got to know me and also treated me well. I have had some issues since the opiate overdoses became top news. Then my problem shifted to doctors who misjudged me. I honestly know how it feels to be judged by your pain meds. Maybe you can talk to a pharmacist and explain why you take the meds you take. When they know you have serious problems healthwise, then they begin to relate to you more from a place of compassion. I'm still on oxy but no longer judged. I hope my story helps you in some way. I really hope you can find a pharmacist who won't judge you if you can let him or her get to know you the person. Sometimes we must tell our story to be accepted and understood. Good luck to you and may God bless you with compassion.

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Holy smokes, yes! I relate! I have no history of abusing drugs, yet I am treated like I am a worthless lowlife looking for a fix. I'm a 77 year old woman with back pain so severe it has just about robbed me of my life. I love being outdoors but I can't even walk in the woods. I'm outraged that my dog can get pain pills if she needs them but I can't.

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Re: Lin (# 64)

What state do you live in. You don't have to suffer in pain. I fully understand how you feel. I'm on Suboxone and it helps with the pain. But if I needed something harder if my pain was not in control there are doctors here that will help.

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Re: Catryna (# 4)

That's exactly what the Government wants us to do!!!! They're banking on it!!! That's why we're slowly but surely seeing marijuana legalized!! The Government finally decided to legalize it sooo they can bring in tax money!!! I've figured that out when this started !! I'm still working on the pharmaceutical co. and where exactly they fit in! Because you know they're not going to take a hit!! So how many of those companies are quietly growing pot and investing in labs to cultivate the best for your buck in Hope's they can get more people off of opiates and on cannabis!! All because of tax money!!! There is still huge problems not being discussed about cannabis and the affect on the brain!!! It ages the brain!! Theres No way around that fact!!

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Re: Catryna (# 4)

My Dr almost let me go and I have been her patient for 3yrs because she will only give me Tylenol 4 and I asked her to consider letting me go back to taking at least hydrocodone. She is afraid of the government and knows I'm suffering soo I said what about medical Marijuana and she said no way only CBD with no THC...What am I supposed to do? I can't even babysit my grandchildren or perform normal activities anymore. If everyone stopped going to the dr and started looking for alternatives that don't require us to be treated like 2yr olds maybe they would remember they grew up to be drs not judge jury and in some cases people are dying due to doctor's incompetence. Should I try Marijuana or get meds online and possibly get in trouble with the law because I just want to live without soo much pain? I don't like to feel high or out of control and never felt that way with pain meds but Marijuana makes me feel funny and I don't like it. Any suggestions that may help are greatly appreciated. The government needs to get out of our private life and we need help to fight because sick people have no energy left because we already battle every day.

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I sure do! My doctor has gotten afraid to prescribe the medications or quantity that made my life worth living. From 30 mg of oxycodone to 10 mg and then 5. My Fentanyl was also cut from 150 mics to 75. Many are praying for death or planning our death. No one should have to live like this especially when we know there are medication that help but are vilified. I pray your doctor has continued to support you!

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Sure can ,same here in Australia,I'm 66yrs old pinched nerves causing many pain issues ,almost impossible to get simple muscle relaxant so might be able to sleep for couple of hours, unfortunately our government s tend to get there advice from I'll informed buffoons one in particular,who would have the power to be a bit more understanding when it comes down to being in pain.

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Re: Catryna (# 4)

Why is it if I want to try medical marijuana we must surrender any weapons we own.
However even on the large doses of opoids, you are not made to do the same? Also even with medical marajuana legal you can not get a doctor to write even a low dose opoid whole using medical marajuana and if you test posative for it while on opoif Lastly, the marajuana doctor is not covered by any insurance nore the state fees. This would have been about $300 by itself. Then I was told that medical marajuana would cost minimum $100 a month!

How is any of this suppose to help any of us?

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Sometimes a person does not have any real options. At least your Pharmacy does not try and get involved in your treatment program. A Pharmacist does have training--as a PHARMACIST. NO Pharmacist has your medical records or has ever examined you (they are not trained for this anyway). There is a Pharmacist that will say that HE disagrees with your Doctor ordered treatment plan. That you should be on a different pill. That the strength is incorrect, etc. WHY this Pharmacist thinks he can get involved in your treatment plan is amazing to me. Your Doctor examines you and they write a script and then you take it to your pharmacy to be filled. Filling your script is all that a Pharmacist should do UNLESS there is a conflict in the medicines you are taking. Pharmacies have more and more (without your medical records) started to get involved in your treatment plan. They (and their employees) look at you like you have three heads when you present a prescription for any pain medication. It is disgusting and they try and shame you for taking your PRESCRIBED medications even though they have no reason to do this. Changing Pharmacies is easier said then done. They may or may not fill your script even if they fully have the capacity to do so. Pharmacies do not want any pain medication customers to begin with. Pain medication customers, TO THEM, are much more trouble than they are worth. They are being sued by States over anything they do and these States have "bottomless" pockets because almost everyone on both sides of the political aisle supports their actions and their money comes from the taxpayers. There is starting to be some push back on these people but it is very slow in coming and only in small amounts. Even when Pain Specialist Doctors with 20 or more years of experience come out against the awful treatment of chronic pain patients they are often shouted down by people with no training at all.

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Re: cliff j (# 77)

My pharmacist said he doesn’t mind them they make us money so why should we turn them away the only ones that they comment on is the ones that treat us like crap cuz they want their meds early and we can’t cuz it’s illegal. Those are usually the ones that are suspicious to us.

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