Doc giving me a guilt trip....

Hi.  I've never posted on this forum before.  I spend most of my time on the post op pregnancy board, ever since I had my 2nd son after WLS.  But this issue deals with pain and the pain forum has been closed....sooo after reading some of your postings, I think you may be able to help.  I was in an auto accident 17 yrs ago.  I've had 4 surgeries in the last 4 years.  WLS in 2005.  Back in March of this year I pulled something out in my neck, while towel drying my hair.  And I've been in pain ever since.  In addition to the neck pain, I also deal with tension headaches, depression and migraines....which cause me to want to eat and subsequently gain weight....vicious cycle right?
My chiropractor thinks my neck problem was never resolved after my accident and may be why it was so easy to aggravate it.  Since March, I've been treated by my primary doctor, 2 urgent cares, 3 chiropractors, a neurologist, physicial therapy, massage therapy, accupuncture/accupressure, and now I'm being referred to a dentist for possible TMJ as the cause of my headaches and to a pain management specialist about my neck.  The pain in my neck gets so intense sometimes that I can't work, function at home, turn my head, play with my kids.  And then there are days like today where it's just a dull ache.  I'm still seeing the chiropractor 3 x week.  And as a WLS patient, you know I can't take ibuprofen or nuproxin.  My primary care has been giving me very low doses of Vicadin since March, like 20 Q of Vicodin-5, which of course I have to take 2 at a time to get any relief, so they don't last long.  I saw my PCP again today as a follow-up.  He told me that he's worried about me becoming dependant, and also because "big brother" is watching and he doesn't want to get in trouble or for me to get in trouble.  He told me that he gets quarterly reports from the pharmacies regarding the controlled substances he prescribes.  I know this already because I'm a medical investigator.  I have a justifiable medical reason.  Why would either of us get in trouble?  Especially with that small of a dose.  Now I feel guilty asking for something for pain when I am in pain.  WTH is that about?  I could understand if he was giving me hundreds a month and I never had any history of pain or treatment....but 20/month is barely enough to get me by...what's he think? that I'm selling them?  I understand that in this time, that doctors have to CYA also, but at the expense of the patient's well being?  I'm being referred to a pain management specialist for nerve block injections and hope to not need any narcotics after that.  Am I over-reacting?  Why should I feel guilty when I'm in pain?
Tra

Wow my doc must get his arse chewed regularly then because I take 4 oxycodone a day and have for over a year now. Yes I'm dependent in the sense that I can't just stop taking them with out nasty withdrawls so would have to step down to a lesser med to get off of them. However I have nasty arthritis in my lower back, it's all full of splits and cracks so with out the pain meds I can't move. I just don't understand all the nonsense we have to go thru to get pain relief. I have to have the amount I get monitored and have to get a new Rx every month so the doc can keep tabs on how much I'm using but otherwise that's my only limitation. Maybe the pain management people will be more willing to help. Good luck with the nerve block injections, I had them for my back but they didn't help enough to make it worth the $400 a treatment and that was just my co-pay! There are so many meds out there that can help us I just don't see why we can't get them. My doc says "life is to be lived, not survived". Good luck, I know how miserable chronic pain is!

Thankyou.  Yes, I know alot of people that take WAY more than me.  My own mother lives with constant headaches because she had aneurysm surgery in 93 and has a metal clip in her head.  She takes Oxycotin daily and has prescription for 120 Loritab per month.  I don't understand why my doc is freaking out about 20/month. 

Hey Sweetie!  I see you haven't been doing well.  I would definately have them check for Fibro... in my neck and upper back is the WORSE... but I do have it all over my body.  My PCP was fine with giving me Lyrica 3 times a day at max dosage plus lortab 10 3 times a day as needed, now she has an issue with it and has sent me to pain management.  I go see them on Friday, I am hoping they will give me the pain patch and lortab for break through pain as meds don't work really well on me.  I can take a lot of pain medication without side effects.  *sigh*

You are not over reacting.. I do not want any nerve blocks or injections as when I had MarSadie in April 07 they gave me 2 epidurals that did not take and that is when Firbo kicked in HIGH gear.  You need to get yourself a doctor that understand Fibro or Chronic pain who understands that medication is needed. 

Good luck and you feel free to contact me at anytime.  Miss you!!

OMG - Hi Emily!  I was just talking about you this morning with my hubby...were your ears burning?  LOL.  A recent post on the post op pregnancy board made me think of the pain you were in when you were pregnant with MarSadie, when we were all worried sick about you.  I know you've come a long way from then but I do remember.  Hope  you are well these days.

Tra

I read the post of preggo board but not active.  I have been in intense pain since about week 7 with MarSadie.  Luckly, I was treated by wonderful doctors and have pressed passed those days.  Now, it is only Fibro which is HORRIBLE enough!  The Lyrica does really nothing but make me tired and as you know I am the only bread winner in my family so it SUCKS.  Lortab is the only thing that helps but after reading and talking with Doctors I think the patch might help me too, so I will find out more on Friday.

The kids are doing GREAT.  The older two started school yesterday in a new school system because we moved to a beautiful home.  (Picture below)  I have a lot to be grateful for and I just want to live life and not just work and be in pain and down and out.  When I have my meds I am good but as I said before I haven't had any for almost 3 weeks.  I am also looking into my revision to an extended RNY but I had to cancel that appointment and resched for 8/21 so I didn't miss too much work and really afraid to have surgery again until my pain is managed.

 

Wow that is a beautiful house!  Glad the kids are good and hope your appointment goes well.  Keep in touch.  As for the revision, best of luck.  I pray I haven't ruined my tool - I weigh more now than I did when I was pregnant with Jeremy.  :(
Tra

Thanks!  I know where you are coming from... I have gained back 100 lbs of the 210lbs I have lost... I have lost 15lbs in the last 3 months... I had an Upper GI with Small Bowel Follow Through and because of bad results I had a CT Scan - they found that my stoma is wide open and the food passes right through in addition I have a hernia and a loop in my bowel that looks like it will be a bowel obstruction soon - I want to get the stoma fixed and have my common channel extended to 50cm so I absorb less.  So we will see..

Good luck.  4 surgeries in 4 years is enough for me - I hope to NEVER go under the knife again.

Hi, my name is Pam. I am new here. This is my first post. I have not yet had the surgery but am currently having to go thru the required supervised diet that my insurance requires. 9 months out of the last 12. Almost 2 down. 7 to go. The reason I am writing is I really need some advice about this. I have fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes, and a disorder called ARD (adhesions related disorder). My appendix ruptured about 6 years ago and then I got a hernia. I have had 7 surgeries in that time. Because of the infection with the appendix I have a chronic problem with scar tissue. It is a very painful condition. The same surgeon that repaired my last hernia will be doing the WLS. He wants to do the bypass. I have to take strong pain meds every day to survive the pain from these things and with each surgery I get even more adhesions. I am really scared to have the surgery because of more scar tissue. My entire abdomen is mesh now because of all the hernia's. I gained all this weight because of all the surgeries and I can't exercise because of all the pain. I go to P****er therapy but that is all I can do. I am worried because I have heard there are so many meds you can't take after surgery. I have taken 800 mg of Ibuprofen for 12 years and I know you can't have that.I go to a pain doc and am going to see a fibro specialist next week hoping he can help. I don't know what to do. I meet with my doc week after next and my nutritionist and psych. I can't get them to understand that I can't exercise and do some of the things that you are supposed to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on these things?