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I am a 350 pound diabetic with neuropathy, and about 40 other disabling conditions. Every day is a struggle with its attendant and horrific pain. So often these days I hear the ignorant party line PC voice that has been so, so hurtful to the American citizenry for the last 100 years since the wealthy
millionaire Vanderbilt family started rabble rousing via yellow journalism against the poor first generation Chinese immigrants and their opium dens. Back pre WWI all opioids were over the counter. They were the active ingredient in a significant number of patent medicines that everyone used. The world back then was not going to hell. Did you know that in the early 1900s you could buy heroin in pharmacies? For loose change? Did you know that people used to pour heroin creamer into their teas? Did you know that most of these people were considered normal? That they apparently held jobs and were no more dysfunctional than anyone else? Hatred and racism fueled the movement against their usage. Just as hatred and racism against Mexicans would tar and feather marijuana usage thirty years later. Just as hatred and politics against the counter culture caused legislation against the psychedelics beginning in 1966 by the anti christ Regan the anti visionary. If you truly care about helping your fellow citizens, please get educated. Recent research shows only a fraction of those who use narcotics, even serious narcotics, end up addicted. Most users can walk away from drugs, and, it goes without saying, alcohol with no struggle at all. The story of a drug war gone horribly wrong is wonderfully told in Johann Hari’s, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs (2016). Hari traveled the world, asking questions about why we criminalize drug use, whether drug use is an incurable illness, how users should be treated, whether legalization makes sense. Among the facts he reports: The United States imprisons more people for narcotics related offenses than does Western Europe for all offenses combined. Outbreaks of drug addition historically occur during periods of great social dislocation – think gin-soaked slums in the Industrial Revolution, or heroin-addled troops in Vietnam. The most persuasive anecdote in the book reflects work done with rats and cocaine. When rats are left alone in a cage, they return repetitively, and often fatally, to a cocaine-laced bottle of water. But place that same bottle of water in a cage in which there are plenty of other rats, and plenty for the rats to do, and most rats ignore the cocaine altogether. In other words, drug use may have more to do with opportunities for meaningful social engagement than drug warriors want to admit. The arguments Hari raises won’t persuade everyone. Law enforcement, for example, has powerful incentives to oppose legalization. Asset forfeiture policies in drug prosecutions permit police departments to line their coffers with cash used to purchase new and better weapons and means of social control. Prisons, too, need to be filled. Sad to see anyone believing that. Folks like me who actually live with severe debilitating pain every day of their lives require the merciful relief the opioids faithfully deliver to make life bearable. We do not want the pharmacological horrors that the drug manufacturers have sought to replace the first generation painkillers with. It turns out the new high tech medicines seem to have truly wretched side effects that can shorten life vis a vie traditional opioid painkillers, as well as reduce the quality of life versus same. Libertarians have the right idea. The War on Drugs is ineffective at limiting access to dangerous drugs and, instead, empowers dangerous gangs that make incredible fortunes on the black market for these illegal drugs. The War on Drugs has imprisoned millions of non-violent people. The War on Drugs is largely responsible for the militarization of police forces in America. It has pitted police against citizens and this is unfair to both. Police need to be able to focus on protecting the American public from violent offenders and fraud. Lastly, Libertarians believe that it is immoral for the government to dictate which substances a person is permitted to consume, whether it is alcohol, tobacco, herbal remedies, saturated fat, marijuana, etc. These decisions belong to individual people, not the government. Because of all of these things, Libertarians advocate ending the War on Drugs. Guess which way I am voting come 2020. My heart broke in 2016 when i heard about this phony “opioid crisis” being debated in both major party debates. In retrospect it should have been no surprise since all they represent is major monied interests.
Meanwhile why must I beg my doctor for pain relief, only to find that after he agrees, that no prescription was ever called in to my pharmacy? This resulting in other family members having to beg on my behalf. Then after getting the doctor to grudgingly call in a very tiny allotment of pills that Medicaid refuses to pay for, I am all the time now a days without adequate relief. I now am expected to make do with over 70% less medication. I am permanently disabled. What harm would the powers that be cause by relieving my tortuous pain? I will never again be a “useful” member of their workforce.
I am 71 I have arthritis.. In 2011 I fell an hurt my back. it never got beat only worse. I went to my primary doc who then sent me to a pain specialist who suggest Tramadol.. I though of al the other treatment they talked about like massage, hydro therapy , None of them exist. none of them are covered my medicare. so I took the tramadol. I did know what it was. fast forward to December 2017. My doctor calls me in , on my dime. as always, said we are “weaning you off” gave me a month but I only had enough for 2 week. spread out may be 2 week. He refused to give me more . I just read this is against federal law and state law so their touting CDC laws is a lie. why are they lying? then they said I flunked a us because an as needed drug did not show up Xanax, so they took me off everything then find me from the whole system . there is only one system in Kitties county.. so they killed me They even shot me out of there ER and inpatient.
I want to sue them but can’t find a lawyer .. Oh the clinic is Kitties Valley clinic in Cle Elum if you care to give them a call and tell them I am not alone no matter how much they want to isolate me
Hello my name is Barbara and I’m 47 yrs old I was in a severe car accident when I was 15 and have suffered numerous injuries due to such most of me has had surgery and or has been completely replaced and I have numerous surgerious with many more to come I am not one to jump to medication or surgery without several opinions and severity of pain n how it inhibits my life I have peaks n Valleys I’m in pain all the time and without the help of medication n other tricks as of. Biofeedback, hot or cold packs ect I try every natural way to try n get a handle on my pain but after awhile no Avail I am currently not doing well n need several things done at once Rt now the only way I can have any type of life is medication drive n not giving up I don’t feel it fair that I do everything I am told as of others in the same condition or worse than mine and being 47 someone is always keeping track of my meds n my drs and I follow all the rules I understand that these steps are put in place to protect us both I find it unfair that my touch of life Rt now because of a few wrong doers is possibly going to be taken away because there are those who don’t follow the rules I don’t think anyone could change shoes with me for even n hour because of the excruciating pain n not being able to do anything or want to do because the one relief they had was taken away we are taught everyone is an individual and should be treated as so why should those fighting the good fight n trying to have a life have it taken away because of others that do not follow the rules it’s completely unfair I have so much more to say and if you would like to chat pls reach out I would gladly tell you everything but don’t punish the many for the few wrong doers I consider myself young and still have a life to fight for and you taking away my privilege to have one or help me when needed is unfair PLEASE DONT MAKE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS BECAUSE OF THE MISTAKES WRONGDOING AND IGNORANCE I CHALLENGE YOU TO STAY WITH ME FOR A FEW DAYS N NIGHTS WITH NO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND YOU HELP ME TAKE ME FOR TESTS APPOINTMENTS AND GO WITHOUT SLEEP AND MOST OF ALL DEAL WITH THE UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PAIN WHY SHOULD WE SUFFER FOR THIS WHEN WE ARE TRYING WORK ON THOSE WHO NEED. IT REMEMBER NOT ONLY DO I SUFFER BUT MY FAMILY ANYONE THAT ASSISTS ME. I IN NO WAY ASKED FOR THIS AS IM SURE THE OTHERS DIDNT. FIND OUT MUCH MORE INFO ABOUT THIS UNFORTUNATE AND UNFAIR DILEMMA
I am in constant pain due- to Rheumatoid Arthritis & chronic pain syndrome as well as osteoarthritis. I was on a pain med. system that worked reasonably well. Due to these laws to catch drug dealers- my meds have been reduced to a point where they barley take the EDGE off the pain. Add to that this is the 3rd. pharmacy I have had to change to who will even fill the reduced amount. Sometimes you have to wait 2 or 3 days until (they say) they will have stock. Pain does not work like that. You cannot get them even 1 day before 30 days. I will be 70 soon and am spending my GOLDEN YEARS in pain & constant worry if I will get the relief I need to function semi-normally.
I think I have already I am 71. I should not be being punished or being made to be an activist when i can’t hardly walk.. my doctor has broken both federal and state law and the of State Washington medical commission does not care at all! I just cannot believe that even with all this nothing has changed at all.. I was fired from my cinco and the medical commission state everything but the fact the clinic wants me to shut up. and go away. ‘ The drug they put me on they did not me they did is Tramadol they yanked me off with no assistance. their so called wean was a lie no wean no support just drag me here and there and force me to take disgusting expensive SSRI/SNRI. there is not alternatives none. so why do they keep using the word. I deserve pain relief .
Spinal fusion, denied mediation. I asked a Primary care physician for a referral to a pain management clinic. He said I didn’t need pain meds, he said his back was worse than mine! I walked out, no referral or meds. I had to look for another primary doctor. I was able to get into a pain center. Then I had to go without meds for a couple of days, my supliment insurance only approved one week. I had to make a second appointment so my pain doctor could call my insurance to approve the rest of my meds. The DEA, CDC, state government, and insurance are making it so difficult to receive the care necessary to function day-to-day. All responsible should live in pain for as long as I have for the past ten years. I am a responsible senior citizen and have never abused any medication. The stigma of having to rely on pain meds is overwhelming, then the insult of feeling like your begging. Because people don’t see an outward physical appearance like a broken arm in a cast. Your intelligence is questined every day, what I wouldn’t give to just be able to walk to my mailbox or just to go to to the grocery store or walk around on a nice day. Things have to change, I missed the rally being unable to stand for a long. I will gladly sign a petition if would help us.
I have a migraine. I’m on day 6.
I’ve been to the er.
The dr spent maybe 30 seconds with me.
No, this absolutely isn’t an exaggeration.
My blood pressure was 199/113 and my pain was so bad I was sobbing.
Despite throwing up repeatedly I was given a single pill, a shot of benadryl on one hip and a shot of anti anxiety in the other. It could have been a shot glass of water. It did absolutely nothing except lower my blood pressure so I could be released. Blood pressure that immediately spiked again once the ineffective shot wore off.
I wonder if they do it just to get you out and still cover their asses. Lower your blood pressure artificially I mean.
I was worse when I left. My pain has steadily increased and now comes in waves accompanied my stabbing stomach pains.
I told the nurse. I pleaded for help.
The dr never returned after his 30 second assessment which he couldn’t do because I couldn’t look onto the light which frustrated him. I tried desperately hard to just look at it but the pain was worse than delivering a 12 pound 14 ounce baby, all natural. I know, I did that without a single tear. I couldn’t force my eyes to stay open when he shined the light into my pupils.
I have begged not to be left in this state. It got me absolutely no where.
I’ve slept very little in the past 6 days and my headache is every bit as bad as it was when it came on suddenly.
Hemiplegic migraines are like this.
A Dr needs to stop and listen to me.
I don’t want narcotics. I want relief.
If any dr would just run a simple and fairly quick metabolic test on me they see that I metabolize narcotic medications so quickly they’re nearly useless unless I am given a fairly high dose and then that dose is followed up quickly with a second. It’s rare but occasionally I require a 3rd before my blood pressure comes down and my headache fades to manageable.
Or I’ve been admitted for lessor headaches and sedated until I could be brought out of it.
So why can’t I just get that? Because the moment you admit that you know this about your body the Dr just sees you drug seeking.
We don’t have insurance for me so I can’t just go to my neurologist.
I had been to a pain clinic 2 years ago but they dropped me when I refused the horrifically painful spinal injections that had been effective exactly zero % of the time. Those injections are big money and I refused.
Those injections are now counter indicated for my conditions. As is many of the medications I had been on.
I don’t know what the answer is.
I know this morning comes after another night of no sleep.
I know I desperately need a shower but can’t see clearly and do not have the strength to raise my arms. I’m to embarrassed to ask my husband to help me and I simply don’t know anyone else who would even if I asked.
I know I need medical intervention but because I know exactly what works, I will not get it.
I’m exhausted and my sobs are met with dry eyes. I’m not dehydrated, I’m just all out of tears.
I hurt and my vision is cloudy as if I am looking through vaseline smeared glasses.
I hurt but I am going to make candy bar cookies with Moses, and he won’t know we’re making cake mix cookies because I don’t have it in me to make scratch anything. I’ll make instant mashed potatoes and deli gravy with Shannyn.
Mason will laugh and lift the pork loin in and out of the oven but won’t know it’s because I will drop it if I even try.
Skylar will come find me in bed between tasks with kiddos and stay very close. All day close. She is the most tuned into me and I’ve never figured out how. Most people have no idea what kind of pain I am in.
Sharlotte will get her bubble bath and I will sit on the stool to wash her hair because I don’t have it in me to kneel next to the tub.
I will try to hide just how bad it is from my husband because he has to work.
He would want to drive me far away, maybe even a different state just to see if somebody in a different er will help me.
He won’t care the cost and would risk his job.
I feel like a burden.
My body is broken and this headache has lasted so long I am beginning to fear it is my new normal.
I know I could live like this but f*ck, why would I want to? No I am absolutely not suicidal. That’s way to much judgement for me. Not a choice I would make.
I want to live. I just would rather live with a 4 or less on the pain scale and I’ve been sitting at a steady 8 with intense stabbing 9 and sometimes I hit a 10. Never though have I been under an 8.
The ringing in my right ear never goes away and the only way to describe it is like a fire alarm going off at a steady high pitch and it never ends. I have not managed to make it stop. Not with the Moses and fans and head thumping and and…all of it. If Google suggests it, I tried it.
I can barely breathe and it takes absolutely every single bit of strength I have not to let my family see me scream and cry. So I quit crying.
I’m just here. Begging God, the universe and whomever has the answer to help me.
It’s my mantra.
Help me Jesus.
Please, please, Jesus…help me.
This is what it is like to suffer a hemiplegic migraine.
This is me living with lupus and fibromyalgia and neuropathy and so many other painful conditions.
This is me living drug free.
Back in 2004, my world came crashing down on me. I had my Secretarial business, and was enjoying my work so much. Wasn’t feeling well – lots of aches and pain. I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Fibromyalgia. As time went by, I was in and out of the hospital for my feet which would swell up. Doctors were not sure of what I had. I would soon be diagnosed with Venous Insufficiency. Cellulitis landed me in the hospital a few times. Finally a good foot doctor, and my Internal Medicine doctor were convinced that I had RSD. I went to see a Neurologist in Rolling Hills, CA and sure enough- that’s what I had. My legs always felt like they were on fire and I was hypersensitive on the bottom of my feet and the swelling was bad. Thankfully I was diagnosed but for me it was too late. You have to catch CRPS or RSD at the onset.
In 2008, I had a Discogram and thereafter had back surgery at L5 S1. Have you ever had a Discogram? Painful but you find out where the pain is coming from so it is a good diagnostic tool.
I was put on a low dose opioid in 2004, and have been on it ever since. It has given me quality of life to where I can at least move around as well as clean my home. I feel you do not have to be on such a high dosage to be adequately pain relieved. That’s just my opinion.
My internal medicine doctor in 2016 told me she could no longer continue prescribing my pain medication due to the DEA and alerts. In my opinion she was afraid she would lose her medical license, and I understand that. I have always been a patient in charge of myself. My own advocate. My physician sent me to a wonderful pain mgmt doctor whom I respect and appreciate. I’m still with him.
Doctors should not be scared of taking care of their patients. The medical community needs to change. We are losing people to suicide who cannot cope anymore. They have been removed or tapered from their medication. American Medical Assoc needs to listen to us.
The people paying the ultimate price today are the pain patients who take their medication as prescribed- do not abuse – do not doctor or pharmacy shop at all- who PLAY by the rules set forth. They are good patients like myself. We need more pain mgmt doctors especially as the Baby Boomers age. People in rural areas do not have what we have in the big cities. That must change.
23 Doctors and counting;
DEA & CDC March 2017 admitted to congress they were wrong!
Prescription drugs ARE NOT BEHIND the falsely claimed Opiate epidemic…”GOOGLE THE PDF REPORT” from your own government.
THE CDC & DEA admitted to using flawed statistical information in their determination.
Law enforcement in Colorado pointed to the flawed data collection – stating: i give the same person an over dose kit 3 times a week – the data collected does not account for the same person and counts each dose as a “NEW Person”.
DOJ issues (01/31/2019) finding against a Primary care clinic that refused to provide Opiate medication as discriminatory treatment a denial of access – ordered the practice stopped and ordered payment to the victim for damages.
Profiteering is the name of the game – as it has the appearance, doctors invested in “pain management clinics” push their patients to the clinics to extract as much as they can.
Patients are being extorted by their own doctors –
Recently for the 2nd time – i was told that because of my chronic pain – i would have to submit to degrading treatment in the form of: forced to suffer withdraws from medication – for a baseline reading (That in it self is fraud) you need no such finding – and is proposed only for the profitably and Deming abusive behavior of medical providers to “instate control over” and unethically dominate another human…for the “Sole purpose” to extract money – this violates the WHO (World Health Organization) provisions for a health care provider….BUT there is more
– i must show up once a month to have my vitals taken before they will give me the prescription (lab Rat) treatment at my expense roughly $300.00 a pop. AND i MUST see a mental Health Therapist – so that they can approve the medication usage –
HOWEVER in Colorado: a Therapist is not licensed to engage in prescribing medications – they are not qualified – another scam for money by the mental health providers FOR PROFITABILITY… as i said since 2003 i have been on my meds without one issue – at most seen my provider every 6 months for review – as i received scrips every month to or post dated scrips every 3 months for the next 3 months.
NONE OF THOSE advocating for these “criminalized treatment” are chronic pain suffers – in my opinion not qualified – because they do not understand and never will.
At best we need to sue and win large awards to redirect doctors to their senses –
as each takes a cut of the pie of insurance money (Since 2003) – could there be fact based evidence that mental health providers are be-hide the push for tighter controls in Colorado as they speak to doctors and legislatures over forcing Chronic pain suffers into their offices for “profiting” as doctors invest in so called “scam pain clinics with the state”???
I am looking for an attorney who got will to stand with me and fight for my rights!
Hello. My name is Ron and I’ve been a chronic pain patient for over 25 years. I did attend both rallys at the Oklahoma state capitol. My primary reason for sending this E-mail is to reach out to others about the sad state of affairs regarding how the DEA is threatening our doctors and causing many of us to suffer needlessly. I’m excited that I have found a politician who is actually trying to help. It’s U.S. senator Jim Inhofe. During my many conversations with his staff, one point came up more than once. Even though they said that many people have called them, I was the first person that specified that the DEA was preventing my, or any doctor from exceeding the CDC guidelines of 90 meme per day. I asked one of his aides to call the DEA and confront them. And, God love her, she did! Of course they denied everything. If anyone else out there in our great state of Oklahoma has heard the same thing from their doctor, please contact Senator Inhofe’s office and tell them. The aide that I spoke with said it would help her/ them if more of their constituents would call and specifically say that the DEA was the problem,. The phone number in Washington D.C. is 202-224-4721. I can’t express enough how impressed I have been with her/ their willingness to listen and actually try to do something other than just pay lip service. Please, E-mail me back if you have any questions or just want to talk. God bless us all. Thank you.
I’m not going to beg for my medication. I’m not going try to justify myself with some long winded sob story about my disease and why pain medication is helpful. I’m not going to explain that somehow, apparently miraculously, I’ve taken these drugs for years, on a schedule, by the book, with no problem.
Who woulda thought? How am I not a raving drug addict? I don’t know? I must have magical powers I guess.
(Here’s a secret: My magical powers are called maturity and wisdom and logic and self preservation. Yep, that’s all it takes for you not to become a drug addict while taking opiates…)
I manage to work, take care of my family and my home. That’s all I want to be able to do.
But I’m not going to plead, or grovel or whine. Our country has decided it is no longer in the business of treating pain. Period.
Fine. Then, let me beat you to the punch. I don’t need it. I’m coming off all of it. No one is going to control me. I control me.
So, I will either survive or I wont. Either is fine. Honestly.
If there comes a time when I can not take care of my responsibilities any more, and I am a burden more than a blessing. I will be ready, and my family can be ready to live without me.
Wake up people, they are culling the herd, and we are the stragglers. Get with it or start packing.
Or how about this? How about a national hunger strike??
I have lived in chronic for the last 23 years. My doctor would prescribe meds that I would take responsibily over the years along with cortisone injections, I’ve been able to hold down full time employment along with caring for my parents and myself.
In the last year, the cortisone injects failed to work which has made my life impossible. I am retired, my parents have passed. I am in an insane amount of pain. My orthopedic doctor said the damage is to bad to operate . Then he discharged me from his care, and told me to see a pain management doctor. I felt like a dead bug just thrown out of the door.
When I got home, I called the pain management doctor that was recommended. I have to wait 3 weeks to go there. No pain meds, nothing. I honestly don’t know if I can make it three weeks. Thinking about suicide. Thinking about going into a city to find drugs. Thinking about moving to a suicide assisted state. I have no quality of life if I can’t get some relief. Don’t know what to do. I’m not addicted to opioids, can’t remember the last time I took one, but if and when the pain gets so bad, I need to know I can take one.
My pain is killing me, so I feel like I’m already dead. Now my Dr. says I have to stop taking my opiod pain meds, which cost me about $35.00 a month and start on a different opioid that cost me $455.00 a month. Really, these rich politicians who get special interest money from pharmaceutical companies are simply voting for thier own interest. Do they really think ,WE THE PEOPLE, will do nothing while they spit on our graves. Well I know of some who have some pretty drastic, although perfectly sane and legal, options that will get the attention, of the entire world. These people are going to change the lives of every politician in this and every country, by bringing them down to our level, to truly know what chronic pain feels like. Wait and watch.
My husband was diagnosed with the most painful type of lung cancer and his doctors refused him pain meds. It took 10 days of fighting until they finally let him have them but not with throwing insults our way. My husband is a retired officer, not your classic druggy. They had the nerve to say it was not their policy to dispense addictive drugs. So i said oh i guess its your policy to deny pain medicine to cancer patients, how dare you. I was ready to sue them. That’s what they need, lots of lawsuits to get them in line.
I hurt my back in 1999 at work. Was awarded a settlement that paid for doc. visits and pain management including pain pills to alleviate pain. Since then I have had 2 surgeries that left me with constant pain across my lower back and numbness in my calf and foot on r. side which feels like I have a tennis ball in my shoe. Over the years my doctors raised my dosage until they believed it to be a therapeutic level. While at that level I was able to control the pain and work a 40hr. work week and overtime every other weekend sometime both Sat. and Sun. My job at the time involved being on my feet 8-10 hrs. a day. My job routinely involved set-up and operate mills, lathes and other heavy machinery. As a prototype tool and die maker I was able to concentrate constantly holding tolerances of .00005 of an inch when I needed to. At the time my dosage was at a level that the “independent doctors” that are paid to say what the insurance carrier deems, would make it impossible to walk. I can only consider it a Godsend that I no longer have to do anything like that now as I am not able to do much of anything. Due to my mind being constantly consumed with the fact that my pain and discomfort being all encompassing. Though I have no control over what others do with their medications. I, and others in my situation are being penalized and made to suffer. Due to the across the board reduction in pain meds to a non therapeutic level while the people who have the ability to change things and give the control back to the doctors, refuse to do so.
In 2006 at the age of 35 i was diagnosed with an aggressive form of rheumatoid arthritis.I had my first total knee replacement’s and 5 years later I had to have the other knee replaced. My pain is real and since our government decided the medications I had been prescribed were not good for me they have decreased my dosages by so much that I can only lay in my bed day in and day out. I am only living until I can die. I no longer have any pleasures in my life. I have so much pain with any attempt of physical activity. I am only 50,how much longer.
I’ve been on methadone 30mg a day for chronic pain for years,2months ago I seen the doctor and he said it was 90mme,then today I seen one of the various nurses,(one Ive never seen)and she tried to tell me 20mg methadone is 90mg morphine when I know better I even asked about what the doc said 2 months prior and she just wouldn’t listen and I didn’t want to argue and just took it even though it’s wrong.Pain clinics shouldn’t be able to lie and cut my meds by one third but what can you do.
I have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) I endured 25+ surgeries. We lost count several years ago. My disease causes tumors to grow within my endocrine system. I have a brain tumor. Adrenal tumors, extremely high calcium and PTH levels, I’ve had most of my pancreas removed as well as my spleen. Thyroid, Multiple skin tumors, parathyroids, my whole reproductive system, part of my stomach, parts of intestines, the list is enormous. I have pancreatitis pain which is listed as one of the most excruciating painful things you can have. I get kidney stones, I have primiformis syndrome, TMJ, spasmodic muscles, bone pain, jaw and ear pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, daily severe nausea, headaches, osteoporosis, diabetes type 3C, chronic bowel obstructions. Basically the pain list
goes forever. I am considered a “Drug seeker” at our local Emergency Room. Some days I can’t even get out of bed. I thought life was getting better and I was starting to enjoy being with my family and able to cook dinner ever so often because I took a opioid in the morning and at night. Now they have pulled the rug out from under “Us…..the people that pain relievers were meant to help”! I have had this disease my whole life. I was able to have a career until I was 36 and it just became impossible to work. I have been on disability since then. Now I find life hard to take. I can’t go to the hospital for relief, I can’t go to the ER… that’s humiliating, I can’t take pain relievers. I’m just miserable. I have never been an addict. If I was feeling good I didn’t take anything. I wasn’t looking for a high….I am way past that. I only want to do some laundry, maybe make some dinner once in awhile and enjoy my family. Now we are selling our house in Oklahoma to
Live in Alabama where the laws are not so strict. We just want to live a normal life until this kills us which now it looks like this will come sooner than I thought
I am a 62-yr-old wife, mother, and grandmother. I am not an addict. I have never had any addiction issues. I’ve been a fully compliant chronic pain patient for well over a decade. My medical record is spotless, as I have never once abused my prescription pain medications. I’ve followed all the rules and everything that’s been asked of me, even more. I’ve signed pain management contracts. I’ve kept my medications locked in a safe that’s bolted to a shelf. I’ve never lost a single pill nor asked for an increase in dosage and I’ve never failed a drug test.
Prior to 2005, I was also a busy computer professional. Right after Christmas in 2004, I was diagnosed with bilateral Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (NTOS). NTOS is a painful and disabling repetitive strain injury that causes chronic muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders. These spasms pinch nerves and arterial flow in the brachial plexus area under the collarbone. The higher my hands go above lap level, the worse the pain gets until my hands actually go numb and I lose pulse. I was judged not to be a good candidate for surgical intervention. In order to try and plateau the progression of my condition, my doctor advised early retirement and I was forced onto SSD. I was devastated by the loss of the career that I worked so hard to build.
Pain management helped me to some degree, but the restrictions I faced due to my disability were daunting and my morale declined. Although I was not psychologically addicted to these medications, the body grows physically dependent and any delay in getting a prescription filled in a timely manner can cause debilitating withdrawal symptoms to set in within hours of a missed dose. This dependence is just one of many significant side effects that chronic pain patients face. As the opioid crisis escalated, delays started becoming the norm, not the exception. Physically disabled patients have enough problems to deal with on a daily basis, getting legitimate prescriptions filled in a timely manner should never be one of them.
Although I was stable at the same dose for years, the frequent trouble I experienced in getting my prescriptions filled in a timely manner became intolerable and caused unbelievable anxiety. It was during one of these delays that I was told about kratom, so I began researching it and decided to give it a try. I was shocked to find that kratom significantly reduced the withdrawal symptoms I experienced. In fact, it worked so very well that I eventually decided to discontinue the extended release morphine I’d come to rely on for over 10 years just to see how I did without it. Did my pain level increase? Of course it did. But I was very optimistic that there might be a better way to manage it. It took a little bit of trial and error, but eventually I found out what works for me and that was a game changer!
You see, what I did not fully appreciate is the just how much the pain medications sapped my energy and motivation. I was astonished at how I’d gotten use to what I now consider an unacceptable level of malaise as I paced my daily activity level in order to avoid flare ups. I found that kratom allows me to function on a whole new level without any impairment or the troublesome side effects and tolerance issues of opioids. I’ve also been able to reduce the amount of muscle relaxers and antispasmodic medications that I need as well. This natural alternative has the added benefit of boosting energy and mood, which is really important for those of us facing chronic illness. Even when well-managed, daily chronic pain is depressing and exhausting.
My husband is also a chronic pain patient from a failed back surgery and is oxygen dependent due to end stage COPD, so he’s not as active as he used to be. For months his pain clinic encouraged his use of hemp derived CBD and it helped some. Now all of a sudden his clinic says no more CBD. Makes no sense when it’s a better choice for him given his breathing limitations? My mother is 92-yrs-old and is still very independent at her age, thankfully. But as an only child, responsibility for her care falls on my shoulders as well. I need to be able to be active and alert in order to help them when they need me. Kratom helps support an overall sense of calm and well being which allows me to manage my daily chronic pain and care for my family with focus and stamina.
We accept that we’ll never be entirely pain free and that is ok. We are just trying to stay productive and as active as possible. If there is to be any hope in solving the opioid crisis, alternatives like kratom and CBD need to be fully explored, not scheduled out of reach. I just pray the government doesn’t keep taking choices away from us. Chronic pain patients need more options, not fewer ones. It’s not right or fair to chronic pain patients.
“Writhing” is a verb I’d never thought about much. As a nurse of almost ten years, I’d treated plenty of pain but managed to stay blissfully unaware to its true violence against the human body. And I will admit there were times when I would secretly roll my eyes at that frequent flyer in my ER with a “nebulous” diagnosis like “Fibromialgia”. Then I woke up on July 7th 2009 and my life changed forever. Day and night, night and day I took to my bed and became intimately acquainted with the action of writhing. After 3 days, my body finally lapsed into some state of unconsciousness not unlike sleep. And, even in my dreams my body made me completely aware of my pain. Nightmares – vivid and horrific of my being run over by a train. Frantically dragging my body and placing my stumps ( legs) into a small wagon while I scream for an ambulance and help that never comes.
My current nightmare is that the political rhetoric will overtake critical thinking and will remove the only barrier to my anguish- responsibly prescribed pain medicine. I work full time again, I’m successfully raising two teens and have a full life. Only because my symptoms are managed. Without that- I have no choice but to let the pain wash over me and allow the writhing to begin.
My disease and my pain will not kill me…. nor will it let me live.
A horrifying purgatory is my day to day life. Without real symptom management – I fear I would have no choice but go end my life. It’s the last thing I want to do … I want life I’d only my meds will allow this.
I am a 42 year old male that works fulltime, play music, and was a pro skater. I have been a successful severe chronic pain patient for 17 years. This past year I have had pain meds cut in half and now all I can do is go to work and come home. Just when I thought of having a family and a quality of life and things were going really well, the changes in prescribing came out shattering relationships. I will not have a family because my condition will get worse and I would be setting my family up for failure. So I have had to be honest with people I love and now feel unstable with these new rules. I don’t know what to do and am trying to stay positive. I read and am trying to find a way through this mess. The artificial medications have awful side effects, and have tried them all and they make me sick inside with migraines or severe nausea.
The more natural the better. Can we vote to grow or legalize all plants so that real natural plants can be used to treat all suffer’s . It’s in the 1st chapter of the Bible that we were given all seed bearing plants to use. Now what is wrong with the Bible.
I became a slave to crippling chronic neuropathic pain in 2007. On my own I reduced CDC controlled substance pain meds to x0mg methadone & x00mg Lyrica. Realizing I didn’t have a refill on a Thursday after taking last remaining meds, I urgently contacted my doctor for an emergency appointment, but was told they couldn’t see me until the following week and suggested I go to ER. Next day pain returned with a vengence. Following day was agonisingly overwhelmed with the addition of severe withdrawals. During 2 weekend visits to ER, I received humiliating degradation, scrutiny & accusations of being a drug seeking addict. Both times only given single dose & they referred me to a methadone clinic. After hours of waiting in line, intake advised they couldn’t help since I was a pain managed chronic pain patient & wasn’t catorgorized as an addict! By now symptoms included near black out episodes from pain, seizures, muscle spasms & collapsing several times from pain & inability to walk. Visited pain Dr on Monday after sleeping over night in their parking lot, still refused to grant me an emergency appointment. That evening, a neighbor who is being treated for cancer, found me collapsed in my front yard & compassionately gave me 2 OxyContin. On Tuesday Dr office called to finally me. During call I informed secretary of the OxyContin. At appointment I advised of everything that I went thru & that they’d find the oxy in my urine. After a humiliating & pleading interrogation, they coldly decided to refuse me further treatment & escorted me out. Essentially abandoning me without any referral. Only proving a prescription for withdrawals. After days at home near bedridden, exhausted from pain & in despair I gathered personal asset papers, my Will, took out my 9mm and wrote my suicide note. Miraculously that evening members of my support group were able to secure several tablets of 10mg methadone. Essentially saving my life! I later secured replacement pain management who subjected me to an excessive inquisition but still agreed to treat me. When I presented my 3rd methadone prescription to the pharmacy, they refused to fill it! Days after I filed a formal complaint, the pharmacy apologized & reversed that decision and has filled my prescription. My nightmare unfortunately hasn’t ended since last week I learned that my new pain Dr. has 14 malpractice cases pending, which undoubtedly will soon result in revocation of his license. I am presently embarking on finding another pain management replacement. However others I know through the National Pain Report Just brought my attention to Palliative Care Certification. I by all accounts meet all the criteria to obtain Palliative Care Status, which I presented to my primary care. PCS would exempt me from the constant anxiety & threats imposed by the CDC Guidelines!! I’ve been tortured by doctors, hospitals & pharmacies all due to the misinterpretation, paranoia, ignorance & impact of the CDC. This would end with PCS. Even though my pain management is somewhat stable, I still unfortunately feel that I may be revisiting the option of my 9mm. I dread the thought of a returning experience of consuming pain & horrific withdrawals. Being vulnerable to the CDC Guidelines makes that thought a real possibility. I am hoping against hope, pray and wish to be granted PCS. Obtaining PCS could help thousands. Long gone is my confidence of ever feeling safe and receiving compassionate treatment from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, CDC, FDA & the DEA. I’ve become experienced in horrific battles with them all. While I’m alive, I want to do my part to help reducing the victimisation of all innocent chronic pain sufferers.
THE LIFE I ONCE KNEW IS NOW GONE, SINCE MY PAIN MEDS WERE TAKEN AWAY. I SUFFER IN PAIN, EVERY MINUTE, OF EVERY DAY. I AM USELESS, AND I NOW IM A BURDEN TO MY FAMILY. WHY AM I BEING PUNISHED? WHAT DID I DO WRONG? HOW CAN THIS BE? I AM ONLY ONE, OF MILLIONS WHO SUFFER FROM CHRONIC PAIN, THAT ARE LIVING IN A HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE. I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN HIGH FROM MY PAIN MEDICATION, I HAVE NEVER LET MY PAIN MEDS GET INTO THE WRONG HANDS. I TOOK MY “LEGAL PAIN MEDICINE” RESPONSIBLY. MY PAIN MEDICINE WAS NOT “HEROIN ” NOR WAS IT “ILLICIT FENTYNAL.” IT WAS MY “”PAIN MEDICINE, THAT LET ME LIVE””!!! . IT LET ME SHOWER..IT LET ME GO FOOD SHOPPING…IT LET ME KEEP A DECENT HOME..IT LET ME EAT..IT LET ME SLEEP ..MOST OF ALL…IT LET ME ENJOY TIME SPENT WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN , FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE, THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY TAKE FOR GRANTED. “I WAS HUMAN”,, ,NOW I AM A BEDRIDDEN, EMPTY SHELL,, ,MY LIFE IS FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT PAIN..WHAT A MISREBLE EXISTANCE…WHY AM I HERE?? WHY WAS I SENTENCED TO LIVE A LIFE IN CHRONIC PAIN?? WHO DECIDED THIS?? DOES ANYONE CARE?? PLEASE , PLEASE HELP THE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS. WE ARE NOT DRUG SEEKERS..WE ARE MOTHERS, FATHERS, GRANDPARENTS..SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WHO HAD A NORMAL LIFE..,,,UNTIL AN ACCIDENT OR ILLNESS HAD STOLEN OUR HEALTH,,, BY NO FAULT OF OUR OWN ..WE ARE YOUR TEACHERS, CROSSING GUARDS, WAITERS, WAITRESSES, POLICE OFFICERS…BUSINESS OWNERS..ECT…..WHO HAVE HAD OUR DOCTORS TURN THEIR BACKS ON US, BECAUSE THE CDC HAS LABELED US “ADDICTS” . WE NEED OUR PAIN MEDS , SO WE CAN LEAD A NORMAL, PRODUCTIVE, LIFE..A BASIC LIFE, FREE FROM PAIN. PLEASE HELP. IM BEGGING YOU. I CANNOT GO ON LIKE THIS MUCH LONGER. MY MEDICINE IS OUT THERE, PLEASE LET ME HAVE IT ..IM GOING TO DIE, AND I DONT WANT THAT.. BUT I HAVE TO WONDER,.. I’LL BE BETTER OFF., AND THE PAIN WOULD END… YOU OR A LOVED ONE, COULD BE NEXT. YOUR ONLY ONE ACCIDENT, ILLNESS OR SURGERY AWAY FROM BECOMING “‘LIKE ME”””
My name is Tynnetta Jackson
I have live with chronic pain since I was about 11years old. I was told it was cramps, then endimetriosis, and now I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic pain . I am now 53yrs od and cannot hold a job because the pain is so bad I cannot get out of bed with pain medicines.
I have gone to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for assistance and still no help. I am have been going to pain management clinic to another. NO help and no one cares or understands its time for chronic sufferers to be heard.
In 2013 I suffered an onset of back pain. I could not walk, sleep or eat. Was diagnosed with a thinning spine and misplaced disk. There is no operating to fix it. I can lay flat on my back and that eases the pain for a short time. If it wasnt for pain medication I would be in a wheelchair. If it wasn’t for my pain management Dr. I couldn’t go grocery shopping. The pain was constant and to top it off, I developed arthritis in my hips. With pain medication and periodic cortisone injections. I can be human again.
In 2001 I slipped at work and hit two tables as I fell. My right arm i flung out to try and catch myself hit a metal table and my spine slammed into a wooden butcher’s block. I tore my right rotator cuff and blew out 2 dice in my neck where i hit the wooden block. I have had 4 operations. 2 spinal and 2 on my shoulder to repair damage. I developed crps in my right arm. And sereve muscle spasms in my back and neck plus chronic pain. I’ve tried injections both epidural and trigger point injections. I’ve done tons of physical therapy. Opioids are my only way to control the pain
I suffer daily from chronic pain. Without my pain meds I can’t walk and I’m so miserable I just lay in bed on heating pads or ice just screaming in pain. The pain gets so bad I pray for the Lord to just take me! I suffer from osteoporosis and sciatic nerve damage from waist down and degenerate joint and disc disease also PAD perial artery disease which is extremely painful. I need my meds. I didn’t ask to be this way so don’t treat me like a criminal because I’m not well!!
I have been in pain from my days as I have worked all my life got married in January 26/68 had my 1st child that May 20, had 2 more children.70/72 went to work when he was in school and I have had a few operations, back,overies, dropped uterus and a 2nd back last year and r oldest had Colon cancer he passed away 1/25/18 had both eyes done and my back is still hurting me n I can’t wait for you to pass on this one hurting everyday I am 67yrs old n hubby and I stay to r self’s and I need help with my back pain loaded with arthritis, left leg gives out no warning I have a cancer patient and I will be getting a new CT scan for my left lung no more surgeries had enough eyes done to so I can get to the doctor, market, etc and hubby is on his 3rd defrib in 10yrs he can’t drive so I am asking for someone to fix this for me please and thank you for your interest on this one hopefully it will work I tried other pills and don’t work allergies to Morphine,Nsaids and too much Asiprin.upset stomach, runs ear’s Ring so please let this pass ur hurting people who really need their meds I take 14 pills a day Thanks
i used over the counter pain meds till i sarted crapping blood. i thought iwas dying from something. doc said i was was using too much and prescribed a better, less physically dammaging alterantive. i have used this alternitive with out for six years without increasing the very low dose i started with. my doc retired and i can not find another that will prescribe the same thing i used for years with no adverse side effects. now , im crapping blood again, when i really need pain relief. p.s. i im a construction worker, every day is very hard. over the counter, and most prescriptions are wrecking my liver. when will i ever get the same care that i benefited so much from?
I am a severe ra pain patient.. I am looking for numbers to contact people who can help us…My name is Bob…I just cant fathom living without pain med help…never broke agreements with dr..suffered to find my current dr that actually helped me now a year later..i cant live like this ra has deformed my feet..knees,,in my neck..hips..elbows..hands are deformed..have had consistent 15x times normal inflammation in my body..and get told we are cutting meds…This is not Russia..How do we deny people normal amounts of effective pain med help and just let them suffer? Im lost…just want numbers to contact people that can truly listen and fight for legitimate person that needs his pain meds to even move…Thank You..
90 MMEs? If we were actually serious about saving lives using this logic, then doctors would be required “by law” to make people sign sobriety management contracts before prescribing their drug of choice. No one is allowed more than ten ounces of 80-proof booze per day. The limit for 90-proof is eight ounces. “Any person cannot possibly be more nor less affected by alcohol than the next person; body size and weight makes no difference.”
Doctors would be required to impose limits on prescriptions for nicotine and other addictive drugs that are proven to be bad for the body. “No one is allowed more than six cigarette-equivalents per day. Cigars are limited to three. Electronic cigs and vaping can get away with ten. Cannabis joints are only twelve.”
Looking at it another way, “No person with diabetes needs more nor less insulin than any other. Everyone’s blood sugar chemistry is the same.”
90 MMEs is ridiculous, and betrays an agenda that disregards medical thinking.
I have had two spinal fusions due to spondylolisthesis, lumbar 3-5 and cervical 5-7. Pain free for 7 years with lumbar surgery working as RN. When pain returned, injections etc. Valtoren, nothing until I asked to have something that actually works. Was ok with the meds given, could work a difficult job. Then new primary in 2018 in same group gave 3 options: taper off, see a surgeon or go to pain MGMT in same group. Redid all imaging, consulted with pain mgmnt who seemed understanding, but refused to treat with meds, recommended surgeon, injections which he admitted had 50-50 success rate. Recommended I ask primary again for the med continuance. So no success. I was lowered from 20 mme daily (60 tabs monthly) to 50 tabs monthly with no tapering plan! Did that for several months and then went to a different pain mgmnt after being fearful of my on the job pain which caused me to retire early. From a great job! This MD office posts they will not prescribe more than 60 mme, however is trying to be able to help those of us who are exercising and trying other means of keeping healthy and of course playing by the rules. Although I have kept my dose low, I feel discriminated against because my body experiences pain. The stigma is real. My last visit I was askedbif I had tried anything else such as yoga or chiropractor. I said no, but got a clue this was a required line of inquiry. I will be smarter with my answers next visit!. The hospital system where I was an RN is trying to be on the cutting edge of this epidemic I was told, which is no narcotic prescriptions. I had to go elsewhere for treatment. My primary care MD said “I don’t think you’re abusing 20 mme of pain meds”, but this is what he must do per the new regulations, meaning his employer I think. My new MD said “you’re not doing anything wrong”. I said “well I am made to feel like I am”. But I am an RN. I can play the “game” while reading between the lines. It is, to say the least, humiliating. That’s the highlights, but our country is the best. We must do better than this to treat honest people in pain. They have no problem cutting us open; big business for doc’s and hospitals. But no treatment for pain? Something very wrong with this thinking. Thanks.
I was shocked to learn that I could no longer get medication for my Poly Osteoarthritis. To deny everyone the pain meds they need because some choose to get high off the meds is absolutely unfair, and depressing. To know that your pain can be adequately managed and yet not because of others abuse is senseless. Nearly anything can be abused, if you are so inclined.
I have some of my pain meds that are out of date for over a year. Recently while suffering Lumbar Stenosis and needing and receiving spinal injections, I asked about my out of date considered to banned, the PA said nothing, so whenever my pain is unbearable and persistent I take one for relief. To to take away needed relief is inhumane for the many that need these meds . Regulate, track , do what you need but stop full stop denial of any use.
I am being cut down on my med to meet the CDC guidelines a Iam in pain management and do not want to have surgery
Hi I am Dianna. My story begins at the age of 14. In gyme I hurt my back. Since then I have gone through therapy and traction and many different pain meds. Arthritis has set in now for several years and I also have fibromyalgia. I don’t wish this on anyone. There’s a lot more to this story but not enough room.
Hi, I’m Debra a 55 year old chronic pain patients undertreated. I’ve endured 13 stomach surgeries, 3 knee surgeries and I have compression fractures up and down my spine along with herniated discs. In 2012 I started pain management . At first and for 5 years the dose my doctor gives worked. If I had breakthrough pain I would lay down or use heat and ice. Yet over the last 2 years my body as acclimated to the dose given this greater breakthrough pain. When I asked my doctor if he could prescribe something additional or different to go along with what I take now, I learned of the CDC guidelines. I was shocked that a entity that had never seen my MRIs or seen me physically could tell my physician what or how he could treat me. It truly floored me. I go to a physician that my state has licensed as “qualified” to treat yet now the CDC stops him from treating me? Then I started to learn more. Reason TV did a piece showing that the CDC grouped illegal drugs in with prescription overdose deaths to inflate the numbers. Why? The only rationale I could come up with is that the CDC wants chronic pain patients to die. Anyone that lives with constant pain, knows well that no amount of aspirin, Tylenol or Motrin can relieve the type of pain we suffer. Yet we are prejudged without due process that we are not capable of taking our medications responsiblely. We are prejudged without due process that we are going to take medication for a “high”. Yet the CDC well knows that if you have severe pain and take opioids that a “high” isn’t possible. They know how the brain works. They know we only get pain relief from opioid. Yet they became our “shadow doctors, shadow investigator “, to control our conditions. If I went and interfere with their physician on their insulin, heart medication, I would be arrested or sued for violating their constitutional rights. Yet are they not violating ours? I’ve never been a conspiracy theorists, but I truly believe it’s a attempt on our lives. I know it surely is on our quality of life. Where are our attorneys to help us? Where are our Congress, or Senate? We are expendable rubbish on their fake opioid crisis. Fake? Has to be for the CDC to pad the numbers. Yet the deaths still go up. Yet where’s the death figures on chronic pain patients committing suicide? I’m sure there’s no programs or grants to be had for that. Yet the “inflated crisis” has done 0 to stop the deaths. Why? Because the deaths are not coming from chronic pain patients. They are coming from where they always have, street drugs. Yet alcohol kills more people, tobacco does. Where is the limit on the sales of those? This needs to stop. We have a right to be treated by our doctors. Our doctors have the right to treat us. After all, the same entity that determined that education level needed to be a licensed physician is now questioning these physicians judgement? We need a class action suit to stop the violation of our civil rights.
I have been a Chronic Pain Patient for years due to Being pushed out a story window, My Spine is a mess, I have RODS From the Top of TSPINE ALL THE WAY DOWN LSPINE! Also I suffer Acute Chronic Pancreatitis. WHAT is wrong with our Country doing this to us, They have no clue how much we suffer…
I would love to attend the rallys as I’m certain many would if we had not been abandoned by our doctors and cut off our medication. I did have most of my life back. I’ve always been active and enjoy being physically productive. That I am accomplishing things. Now I’m bedridden; but I do a lot of research and one area that puzzles me is that I am not aware off any lawsuit against the DEA. They are violating their sole purpose of controlling illegal drugs. I’m also certain they are violating HIPAA as I found my own doctor had my records which I never signed any release. Is there a class-action suit being pursued?
To Whom It May Concern,
I have been on my medication for over 4 years, and have not had a problem taking this medication at all. I have had over 30 operation, and need 3 more; I do not want some of these operation. I just want to live a some what normal life, and be able to do thing with my family. If I do not take my medications I am not able to walk that good, and am in Constance pain, I am on O.W,C,P,; and all of a sudden they switch over to a company called FirstScript to take care of my prescriptions, now I am having a very difficult time getting my medication. My doctor is writing a letter to O.W.C.P., and FirstScript explaining that I do not abuse my medication, and also take it as prescribed. I have a high tolerant from all the operations I have had, and still need more operations. But as long as I can have a somewhat normal life with the medication I am taking, I do not want more operation, unless the pain gets to bad. I am a 62 years old man, and I am living a life that I can do things together with my family. I also have been on pain medication since 1974. I have also been force to leave my job, even through it was work related injury – and I did not want to stop working, I have been working for this company for over 34 years.
Sincerely V/R,
Glenn
I am a 50 yr old man that has been living with horrible pain in a number of places throughout my body. I have had 2 surgeries on my left shoulder witch has done absolutely nothing. I decided to go to Boston hospital for another opinion, because the Dr’s whe did my surgeries began implying that I was making it up. I went to physical theropy after both surgeries for months. It made my pain where I couldn’t move for 2 days after. My Doctor in Boston advised me that I need 2 replacement shoulders, but they wont replace till i’m 55 yrs old. I also need my C spine 4 thru 7 fused, but my primary, ortho, and nuro surgen advised me to hold out as long as I possibly can because its not guaranteed to fix the problem and could make it worse. Both knees are full of authritis. Stand from a sitting or laying position is a nightmare. My lower back into my right hip and down my leg would make most people cry. I’ve been given 5 or 6 shots, one time was through ultrasound so it’s in the right place. Those shots are absolutely usless. Ice nor heat will help at all on my shoulders, neck or lower back. I was given time release meds, and breakthrough meds by my Primary, which let me get up and have a somewhat productive life. Because of all the scare tactics from some senitor that is on the other side of the country, my primary sent me to Pain Mng. Within 2 months my time release meds were cut, and then my breakthrough meds were canceled all together. Now I’m pretty much couch ridden for most of the day. Trying to get the little things done, clothes, dishes, vaccumming, puts me out of commition for the rest of the day and sometimes runs into the second day. To all the people who don’t live with pain, you will never know how the pain meds are needed to have some kind of usefull life. To group chronic pain suffers with someone who sticks a needle in their arm to get high, just isn’t right nor fair. I didn’t do this to myself, so don’t make me feel like i’m a junky because I want some kind of life back, which the right amount of meds does. It’s time for Doctors to stand up and grow some balls and fight for your patient.
I had back survey in 1997, at the age of 37, pain was in spinal area, 3 herniated disc s, and severe leg pain, the surgery did not help. Now I am 60, I live in pain 24/7, note severe pain, back and leg, they will not do a second surgery, due to will not work!!! I have spent to much time in bed suffering!!!! The pain is so bad, tears come to my eyes. I can hardly walk, so I stay in house!!!! Please do not treat us like drug addict s, I as well as other need to change this now!!!! Let’s face it if it was a politician s family member, I know they would not be suffering. Shame on you people, that make our lives hell. Sincerely USA citizen
I have been on pain meds for 15 years. My pain manager dr’s office was raided about 2 months ago. I had enough pain meds to get me through until he was back in his office a month later. He now cannot prescribe that medication. He has instructed me to take 1/2 my dosage I was on until I run out . I now am in so much pain I can not function. My blood pressure has shot up. Just not doing good at all. Guess when I run
Out here in a few days I will no longer be able to hang on. Only God knows what will happen then.
I’m 44 years old and for over 12 years have suffered with ” chronic pelvic pain”, I’m using quotations because it has taken 13 years for a diagnosis including endometriosis and adenomyosis. At first I suffered with unbearable pain during my never ending monthly cycle then over the last year the pain has been constant. It has ruined my quality of life, I’ve had to take unpaid medical leaves from work, miss my children’s birthdays and celebrations, holidays with family. The pain most times is excruciating and leaves me in tears with vomiting spells and bed ridden. If I go to the Er they only manage the pain for a few hours and send me on my way, no scripts for home. My gyn refuses to give me any pain meds even though they know I take roughly 6,000 mg of Tylenol and 2,400 mg of Motrin a day. As long as my liver is ok in my labs right then they are ok with it! Thats insanity to me. I need help managing my pain I’ve suffered long enough. What I don’t need is judgement based on someone else’s inability to control their addictive behavior. I’m at my wits end with this chronic pain. There are so many women like me who suffer with this awful disease, I hear their stories every day. There are literally millions of us getting no pain management. Do we not have the right to medicine that can give us life back?!
Hello,
I am a chronic pain sufferer, and have been for over 30 years. I have a spinal deformity, and automobile accidents have exacerbated it. I have wide-spread pain, spastic muscles, joint pain and swelling, arthritis, my spine is fusing, fibromyalgia, my life is pain every day. All day.
Living your life in pain is exhausting. The side-eye we get from people that are fortunate enough to not be in our situation is hurtful and depressing. The snide remarks are ignorant and definitely don’t help our mental states.
I am not a drug addict, and never have been. I’m not shaking on a street corner searching frantically for a fix. It’s unfair and misleading to sweep chronic pain patients into the same category as drug abusers. It’s abhorrent someone that has never met me or lived in my body can decide my suffering isn’t valid and that deep breaths will make my broken bone stop hurting.
Chronic pain sufferers need your compassion and grace, not judgement and arbitrary denial of pain management. I have a small prescription of the lowest-dose pain med possible. It took years for me to get it. It has improved my quality of life exponentially. I can turn my head, I can lift my arm, I can lean over. The pain still exists, but is much more tolerable.
My medication allows me to work with less pain, which in turn raises productivity. Having my medicine withheld would be prohibitive to my self-suffciency and quality of life. Sentencing a person to pain is cruel, especially when it is controllable. People are dying due this false “opioid epidemic.” They are choosing death over the agony they endure. This is unnacceptable and completely avoidable.
Thank you for listening.
I have a chronic condition called endometriosis. There is NO cure for it. Had a hysterectomy and it grew back, plus scar adhesions. My doctor said I was caked with scar adhesions all over my bowels, intestines, bladder….pretty much every organ in my abdomen. They will not go back in to remove it because it will cause more damage to my bowels and I will end up with a colostomy bag. I am 45 years old and a colostomy bag would be horrible. All there is to do right now is manage my pain, because as I said, there is NO cure. Well after years of being on meds that actually gave me quality of life, I was taken off them. My pain doctor (who I was with for 6 years) decided that after 6 years he was “no longer comfortable treating me” For 6 years with this doctor I took piss tests (and never failed), never abused them, never called in for early scripts etc. I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to. I am on disability for my condition because I have proof/documentation and it is really not fair, or ethical for people like me to suffer and go without because of the “epidemic” I have not had pain meds since August and now I sit home all day almost everyday because of the pain. I can no longer exercise, do basic housework or have any kind of social life. I usually can’t even drive myself to appointments. Why are we being punished ? Is the plan? For the government to make us all suffer? Chronic pain sufferers will start killing themselves because we can’t get any relief! I can’t believe that any human with a heart would want us to suffer. Maybe these people who are making these laws don’t care because it’s not them suffering.
1984 began my battle to have a functional life with chronic pain.
I am a recipient of failed medical implants that fragmented inside my body which began the spiraling health and pain issues in a Giant Cell Response to Teflon and Silastic exposure .
Chronic Pain and muscle spasms that first was all in my head, face and ears traveled to widespread pain.
I was diagnosed with TMJ Disease, Arthritis, Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis, Ruptured Cervical and Spinal Disease, Cervical Fusion, Giant Cell Response, and recently an Ischemic Stroke.
My pain had been managed well for 30 years with opioid. In 2014 I decided to taper down with my pain management doctor monitoring. I wanted to know where my pain was at, it haf been so long on pain medication. I took a 4 year hiatus using only aspirin and cannabis to manage my pain.
October 2018 I had a stroke, now my preexisting pain has exacerbated and I have new nerve pain from the stroke.
I keep being advised to take Tylenol and offered Gabapentin which I am not able to tolerate the side effects.
Although I obviously don’t have an addiction problem and for 30 years never violated the trust between myself and my physicians I am battling the prejudiced medical community that’s threatened by the US government.
Once upon a time there was a girl named Michelle who was full of life, thriving, living, drive a corvette with the top down, she had a husband and a daughter. When she was 23 she had been diagnosed with RSD, starting in her hand moved to her whole right side. Though the years Michelle has also a myriad of health problems, in 94 she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Ashlee, she also suffered from chronic pain, in 2017 at 23 this young girl commited SUICIDE because her pain was so bad physically and mentally she saw no other way out. Now I Michelle live in bed with minimal meds to get me through the day. I dont want to die I want to thrive!! I want to take care of my husband, I do not want to be a cranky person. I hate this pain that has taken over my whole right side and has now progressed to my left hand up to my elbow. Ive done every procedure known to man. I am so tierd of the Government being my doctor, my Doctor is worn out, hes the best but I can see it in his eyes, he can see it in my eyes. We both are overwhelmed by restrictions by the Government.
Help Help
Michelle
My personal pain begain when a aluminum canoe was dropped on my head by accident. The person was attempting to remove the canoe by himself and I was right there. I’ve had migraines ever since. That was 40 years ago. Depending on how you look at it, I’m either very lucky or unlucky. I’m a glass half full kind of person. I’ve been hit several times by driver’s under influence. The worst event was when I sent to a conference in China. My business trip included 5 flights inside China and one of the flight never arrived because the Russian made plane crashed. I broke nearly every bone from head to foot. My skill, bi level in my neck, my entire spine, sacrum which shattered and my tailbone. Both knees and both feet. Unfortunately I inheirted, DDD, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, spondylosis, scoliosis, my spine and feet have legitimate bone spurs, I’m hypothyroid, and I have arachnoid scarring on my brain from far too many migraines.
I could list other health problems but, that’s enough for today. I should mention, my husband has survived the first Spinal cord injury and surgery of its kind ever in world history. He lives with daily pain and we’re very worried about him as well. Both my sons had Childhood cancers. I am very concerned about these bad opioid laws.
I’m a Disabled Veteran with a spinal injury that could have only happened in the military. The result is half of my left leg paralyzed due to the signals being knocked out of phase and scrambled, not blocked. EMG proved it. My brain interprets half the signals from my leg as chaotic and out of phase – BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA much like a baseball bat slamming half my left leg. It is getting worse with age and have lost my livelihood over it. In the process of losing everything. Now I’m losing the only thing that keeps the BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA bearable.