Pain management...why is it so hard?

Okay I know that there are lots of people that go into the doctor's offices or emergency rooms and demand this drug or that narcotic. But what about those with real problems? I mean why would a doctor look at my chart and see that I have had 30 surgeries from an extremely painful condition (spina bifida) and say, "Well, I would think that you would be used to the pain by now. Let's put you on some motrin and flexeril"? I told my doctor what works and what doesn't and he knows that this disability will never go away. He told me that I needed to see a rheumatologist because I have muscle pain...the pain goes deeper then my muscles. Tramadol is all they are willing to prescribe me, and it does not work anymore. Why can a drug seeker get away with more then a legitimate person in pain? Can't the doctor see the proof that I am in pain?

Why is it so hard?
That's what she said.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through. Yeah, it seems that the drug seekers have pretty much ruined it for those who truly need the meds for pain control. But that said, it sounds like your doctor is being very insensitive to you. You have a right to be treated appropriately for your pain. Motrin and flexeril? Pffffffft....I would consider looking for a new doctor.

Good luck and I hope you get your pain under control soon.

you need alternative meds...you have had too much of synthetic meds that you experience so much pain in your body as a result thereof..try to check the given link..it might ease your pain if not totally eradicated.

get some pain killers (Y)

I go to a pain clinic, one of the best I have even seen, updated and super modern. I have been to several that made my run the other way. I had a complete evaluation, drug testing and two complete interviews before treatment started. When the treatment didn't work, they put me o a drug program and gave me several drugs to try, then settled for one, I still have some pain but for the first time in fourteen years, I am mostly pain free.
Your going to have to go to one of these. If your doctor won't refer you, you'll have to find one through friends or a hospital.

It amazes me how drug addicts can get narcotics and yet,people, with real pain, are told to take tramadol, motrin, etc. As an RN, I know how addicts do it, but I don't want to go there as, ultimately, they do not get good care. I suggest you find a doc who specializes in pain management. Ask your MD, call an ER, look in the yellow pages. Your pain needs to be managed effectively. Be assertive with MDs and learn to advocate for yourself. In today's health care system, you need to be a pit bull or you will not be best served. A sad truth. Good Luck.

I'm am so sorry you have that painful condition, most people with it have to use devices like crutches or braces or wheel chair to get around. If you don't use these, feel yourself as being lucky. One pill I know that should help the nerves is Neurontin. It's not a narcotic, my wife has to take it for the tingling and pain in her legs because of being a diabetic. Side effects are minimal. There is also a device that can be implanted in your back that gives out certain set doses of like morphine every hour or so. I would get another opinion from another Doctor like a Neurosurgeon. If there is a Community Center in your town that has a warmed swimming pool, that's a good place to do some leg and back exercises. The warmth will also feel good. I want to wish for you the very best young lady and good luck on finding an understanding Doctor.

Pain is really poorly understood by the medical profession. In addition to that many really don't know the difference between an addict and someone who is physically dependent on pain medication. An addict seeks narcotics to achieve a high, while those who are dependent are simply seeking relief from their pain and as a consequence do not become high when the proper dosages are administered.

ER docs and pain management docs quickly become jaded with the number of addicts they see in their practices, for instance wanting dilaudid for nothing more serious than a muscle strain. On the same token how many addicts do you really think spend hour after hour waiting in an ER for their drugs for maybe a 30 minute high.

The human body learns to deal with an increased amount of pain as a result of having to deal with severe chronic pain. However, this does not mean that one gets used to the pain the suffer on a daily basis. Unfortunately many of todays physicians really do not have the experience to drawn from when it comes to severe chronic pain. To many a hang nail and smashing your thumb with a hammer they see as having the same intensity pain. Unfortunately most do not get it.

You have a couple of choices, You can interview other pain management physicians until you find one you feel is going to be compassionate to your situation. You can seek out the services of a rheumatologist or even a neurologist. Be willing to try other types of medications in an attempt to control your pain, but be firm when you find you have to try yet something else. Severe chronic pain is not easy to treat or live with. You owe it to yourself to find someone who will be willing to work with you.

Good luck!