Flares......!

#1 -- Just wondering if it is possible to have flares that last a few weeks at a time....  but a little more mild than the traditional "OMG somebody shoot me....bedridden....I want to die"  flare.   I went to work all the way through it but I think that I am coming out of a flare right now,  feeling better, more energy, not quite as much pain and even a more positve outlook.  A few weeks ago I struggled every minute of every day to just do the minimum amount possible for my basic hygiene and my job.   Anyone have this??   Could possibly be related to the weather too, here in NC we've had one of the worst winters in years....but still.

#2-  How "assertive" should I be with my new pain doc as far as making sure she's aware of how I'm affected by my RNY and medication absorption.  My first visit I mentioned it, and I had some documentation with me, but she didnt seem interested.  I wasnt really thrilled with her attitude, not very friendly....but I suppose she isnt required to be friendly.  I feel like my pain meds only last half the time they are supposed to.... so my pain is up down up down up down all day.

sigh

Oh yeah I feel like I'm flaring most of the time, there's very little difference day to day with my pain. Once in awhile I'll have a day or two when I feel better but it never lasts. I've read lots of folks are having a terrible time because of the storms you're having back east. I swear everyday I have to "talk myself" into getting up in the morning. It feels soooo much better to just lay in bed.
I would be very asserttive with your doc as far as making her understand that you don't absorb meds the same way regular folks do. Would your bariatric doc write her a statement to explain it. I'm sure she hears all kinds of excuses to get extra meds but she has to understand that in your case it is absolutely true. I would take documentation each time you see her in case she "forgets" and tries to put you off. She sounds like a real charmer!

I don't know if this will help you or not as we are all different, but I find that if I crack my percocet or vicodin in 1/2 and take it every two hours instead of a whole one every four hours, that really seems to keep my pain at bay...my only issue right now is my doc will only give me 12 a month and that is nothing.  I have 4 kids and am very conscious of when, how and why I take any narcotics, she has been our family doc for 11 years and so I find this a bit unreasonable.

Also, her PA is adamant that there are NO  malaborbtion issues with RNY patients and we all know that's a crock of poo!

 Thanks a lot for the reply!  I think  i'll give that method a try.   My doctor's attitude was much more personable on the second visit, and she did comply with some medication requests.  For example, I've been on Soma for a while now for back spasms, and I asked her to take over writing that for me, to keep as many meds in one place as possible.  She said she didnt like Soma, but wrote for some anyway to use if I need it, and  also wrote for Skelaxin, another muscle relaxer that doesnt have any sedative affects for during the day.  AND ACTUALLY gave me a refill!!!!!  I couldnt believe that I wasnt going to have to call the office in 30 days & go through that routine!  I will be making my 3rd appt in May and I hope it goes as well.  She told me to call her if I had a bad flare.  That in itself made me feel like she was saying " I believe you, and I'm going to help you"   Some days are better than others but if things stay the way they are now I might can live with this beast!!!

Thanks again, and thanks everyone for "listening"
Patti