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Posted 1/26/2008 8:58 PM (GMT -6)
What I am about to say shows how far the opoid fear has gone.  As many of you know, I am a medical transcriptionist, well, I just finished a report on a woman who had back surgery...Guess what they sent her home on......TYLENOL, not with codeine, just plain ole Tylenol.  That is just ridiculous and has me absolutely steaming.  I have had back and neck surgery and know there is absolutely no way plain Tylenol is going to touch the pain she will go through.  The poor patient was probably afraid to ask for anything, too, so as not to be labeled a drug seeker. mad sad
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain 
MEDS:  Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, trazodone, and Parafon Forte
 
To handle yourself, use your head...to handle others, use your heart
 
I'm going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me.

Posted 1/26/2008 9:44 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Sue,I can and do believe it.It is such a sham that people have to suffer because of people that abuse them and we have to pay that price because if this.I have Crohns and RA and OA and I go to a pain clinic.about five months ago I had gallbladder surgery and when I woke up I was in extreampain to say the least they gave me tylenol 3.I had told them I could not take this because I go to a pain clinic and I had my own pain meds with me.The point is I think about people that have surgery and they give them that to ease the pain yea right.
Curley
.........
 

Posted 1/26/2008 10:57 PM (GMT -6)
I had emergency surgery on my great toe on New Year's Eve. They took off 1/2 the nail down into the nail BED, and cut away two pockets of dead tissue and infection. I was told the toe would NOT hurt because they removed the inflamed and infected part. When the doctor called later to check on me at home, I told her it hurt much worse than prior to the procedure. She told me to take a Tylenol. I was finally able to tolerate the toe after taking 1/2 of a Vicodin. I sometimes wonder if these people have EVER undergone any type of surgery or procedures. Because if they had, I think they might have a little more compassion.
Moderator Crohn's Disease Forum
CD, Ankylosing Spondylitis, small fiber peripheral neuropathy, avascular necrosis, diffuse connective tissue disease, Sjogren's Syndrome ?
 

Posted 1/26/2008 11:19 PM (GMT -6)
I think these drs need to undergo procedures w/no pain medication so they can see how badly they are treating their patients. The woman sent home with Tylenol after major surgery should file a complaint but mostly likely will not, otherwise she would have gone home with something decent for pain.

Its criminal what patients are subjected to by drs these days.....Susie

Posted 1/27/2008 12:38 PM (GMT -6)
This is a great thread! Isn't there something in the doctors code..."First do NO harm"? Sure sounds like many are abusing this. Compassion has gone out the window for so many doctors because of shyster lawyers and a few 'druggies', IMHO. I agree that the people dispensing the medications need to have experienced some real pain.

Gentle hugs to all,
Chutzie

ps, Ides...sure hope your foot is about back to normal by now. ;-)
Co-Mod Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Forums
~~~
Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis, Insulin dependent diabetic, collapsed disk, dermatitis herpetiformus, osteo arthritis in spine and other locations.
***************

The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein: (1879-1955)

Posted 1/27/2008 5:13 PM (GMT -6)
A week or so prior to having my back surgery, I seen my doctor who was dispensing my CP meds. She gave me my medication to take after surgery on top of a smaller prescription for my regular meds. However, while I was in the hospital I rreceived something much weaker than what my body was used to taking. I felt that I was in back labor for 3-4 days. I had one nurse advocating for me, but the doctor didn't budge, but added a muscle relaxer. They wanted to keep me longer in the hospital but I refused, I knew I had better medication at home, and sure enough, once going home and taking my med, the back labor pain went away.

I feel horrible for this patient sent home on Tylenol....I really hope she is able to contact the doctor for something better.
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain 
MEDS:  Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, trazodone, and Parafon Forte
 
To handle yourself, use your head...to handle others, use your heart
 
I'm going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me.

Posted 1/27/2008 5:45 PM (GMT -6)
I agree, if you are going to do surgery and not script adequate pain meds your patient should get to preform the surgery on you. On the other hand I usually have bad side efffects to meds and have said many times that docs should have to take the junk they prescibe-perhaps not while they are doing surgery thouhh.
Posted 1/27/2008 6:14 PM (GMT -6)
Sjkly - now THAT would be perfect, the patient getting to do surgery on the doctor!

On the flip side, I just typed a report where the patient had her ovaries removed laparoscopically and was not sure if hydrocodone or Percocet worked better for her, so the doctor sent her home with both. Right there is a different breed of doctor, the breed we CP patients are searching for. They are out there, I just wish they weren't the ones who are more difficult to find. It really should not be that way, but, unfortunately, the DEA has made many wary of all patients.

Shoot, if it weren't illegal, maybe the ovary patient could give the other half of medicine to the back surgery patient!!!!
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain 
MEDS:  Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, trazodone, and Parafon Forte
 
To handle yourself, use your head...to handle others, use your heart
 
I'm going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me.

Posted 1/28/2008 6:42 PM (GMT -6)
I was diagnosed with crohn's disease with terrible crohn's related arthritis 10 years ago. I lived in the south at the time and had no problems getting pain meds (lortab) as I needed it. I recently moved to the northeast, and I have been told that I am a drug seeker. I went to the er several months ago for kidney stones and a rectovaginal fistula and really bad crohn's. The dr. confirmed everything and then proceeded to give me tylenol. He said that he won't give pain meds in the er. The guy next door to me was just diagnosed with a slipped disc. They wouldn't give him anything either and he was screaming in agony. It makes me so mad. Every time I have to call my doctor or ask for a refill I get anxiety about it and often suffer instead of ask for it because I am so afraid of their reaction. I am in such agony every day and have a toddler to take care of!! I wish they would feel the pain and not get any relief not to mention never sleeping due to pain.

Doctors really need to treat pain. Tylenol does nothing.
30 years old.  Wife and mother of 2 year old girl.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1999
Had symptoms since I was a child
Recto-vaginal fistula, closed from remicade.
Medications:
Remicade every 8 weeks
Imuran, Phenergen prn, Prednisone, Lortab prn, Bentyl,
Last hospitalization: Dec 2005
 
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
 

Posted 1/28/2008 7:02 PM (GMT -6)
gagabonnie - You make an excellent point. I actually think that some doctors believe that if the patient THINKS they are getting a pain medication then they have done their job, you know, the placebo effect. It is our responsibility as the patient to advocate for ourselves and educate ourselves....but at the same time that can be perceived as being pushy or, as mommyof1 found out, labeled as a drug seeker. It is a catch 22, but I think it is time doctors opened their eyes, too, got a backbone and stood up to the DEA or the powers that be and advocate more for their patients. I guess that is one of the items on my wish list for life.

Gramps, I know you are involved in advocating for patient's rights. I would be very interested to know how to get involved.
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain 
MEDS:  Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, trazodone, and Parafon Forte
 
To handle yourself, use your head...to handle others, use your heart
 
I'm going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me.

Posted 1/28/2008 7:06 PM (GMT -6)
Mochiah said...
What I am about to say shows how far the opoid fear has gone.  As many of you know, I am a medical transcriptionist, well, I just finished a report on a woman who had back surgery...Guess what they sent her home on......TYLENOL, not with codeine, just plain ole Tylenol.  That is just ridiculous and has me absolutely steaming.  I have had back and neck surgery and know there is absolutely no way plain Tylenol is going to touch the pain she will go through.  The poor patient was probably afraid to ask for anything, too, so as not to be labeled a drug seeker. mad sad

I'm absolutely speechless and scared!  This reminds me of when I was a little girl and had the surgeries I had ( bilateral muscle transfers in my hips).  They wouldn't give me anything stronger than tylenol, either.   I was a child, but still. Nowadays, they prescribe morphine for kids, but back in the early 70s, it was looked down upon.  
 
You're right, Sue! It's maddening that a Dr would prescribe tylenol to a patient straight from back surgery.  
 
Be afraid; be very afraid!
-Born with Spina bifida 
 
-Dxed with hydocephalus @ 3wks of age.  Shunted with a V/A shunt since age 6.
 
-Dx'ed with unilateral hip dysplasia since age 6.
 
- Dx'ed with fibromyalgia in 2004
 
- Dx'ed   Depression/GAD/PTSD since 2000
 
- Dex'ed  * "Learning disabled"-age 9  "LD" translation: ADD and Dyslexia
 
- Dx'ed * IBS-C  a few months ago
 
* I'm currently untreated with medication for the ADD and IBS-C. However, my current med regimen seems to help with my concentration. My IBS is managed  through diet and softeners when needed.
Current meds:
 
Paxil 50mgs
Risperdal Consta 25mg
Trileptal  900mg
Atarax 25mgs
Ketoprofen 200mgs
Lorcet 10mgs (PRN)
Xanax  2-6mgs (PRN for acute anxiety or panic attacks)
Flexeril  10mgs for muscle spasms and pain

Posted 1/30/2008 12:34 AM (GMT -6)
hey, all! what great thread!

it might just be my age, but since being rxed opiates i've had few problems getting them. only once did i have a problem. after my second back surgery my dr wouldn't rx any "real" pain meds. i found out that because he had rxed so many the dea pulled his certrificate for rxing narcotics. my gp rxed the pain meds i needed and couldn't really understand how the surgion couldn't rx narcotics. other than this "political" denial, my experience has been quite different from my fellow sufferers on this thread.

i wish everyone a pain-free night tonight and a pain free day tomorrow.

warren
That light at the end of he tunnel?  It's an on-coming train.
 
 

Posted 1/30/2008 4:28 AM (GMT -6)
Why do people automaticaly jump on the drug seeking bandwagon...thats the most offensive thing...I hate the looks at the pharmacy..Most people really have no clue what its like to have constant pain..What a shame..I truly feel sorry for that lady...Someone should have punched that doc....
Posted 1/30/2008 10:30 PM (GMT -6)

helloow, again, fellow "junkies."  just a thought.  from 'the gospel according to warren, ch2v18 (or something like that) "there is no worse villany than an excess of good intentions."

in england during the 60's, some landlords were less than supportive of their tennants, evicting them for no apparent reason and raising their rents several times a year.  parliament, in it's infinite wisdom, passed tennants' rights laws so that it is all but impossible to get a tennent evicted.  consequence:  no more (or at least very little) rental property in england.

there is a drug epidemic in america (i'd actualy like to see audited statistics on this, though - i wonder if this is a real epidemic or a media frenzy).  in its infinite stupidity the american congress passes some very hardhitting legislation (a congressman can't be seen as being "soft" on drugs now, can he?).  Rather than protect our northern and southern borders, where the majority of the illegal drugs are coming from, threy attack what they can control:  docters and hospitals.

several years ago, the most renowned pm doctoer in the us was arrested, tried and convicted for over-prescribing narcotics to his "hopeless" pm patients.  the government didn't have to say a word.  every pm dr in the country got the message:  you may be next.

 

i know, i'm flogging a dead horse here.

 

warren

That light at the end of he tunnel?  It's an on-coming train.
 
 

Posted 1/30/2008 11:02 PM (GMT -6)
I am surprised there are actually still doctors who go into pain management as a specialty, problem is they say they want to treat pain patients yet get stingy when it comes to what helps. This is a bit of an unfair generalization on my part and by no means includes all PM doctors. But, geez, if it isn't the doctor unwilling to prescribe adequate pain relief, then it is the pharmacist or little teenage pharmacy techs who think of all chronic pain patients as low life junkies. <stepping down off my soap box now.>
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain 
MEDS:  Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, trazodone, and Parafon Forte
 
To handle yourself, use your head...to handle others, use your heart
 
I'm going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me.

Posted 1/31/2008 11:05 PM (GMT -6)
love it! keeep it coming.

warren
That light at the end of he tunnel?  It's an on-coming train.
 
 

Posted 2/1/2008 10:26 PM (GMT -6)
Right on! Write on! Love this thread and tnx Gramps
[2}Dx: Post Spinal Fusion chronic pain since 1984;Polyneuropathy;Meniere's Disease, Left ear deafness & severe tinnitus on both sides, Left; Intmt Anhedonic depression;
Hx,Meds: donthearishoutyou.com/blog/

Posted 2/4/2008 5:52 AM (GMT -6)
Two years ago this month I had to have Emergency surgery for an Ovarian Torsion.  (Where the ovary gets twisted and loses its' blood supply)  Since the ovary was swollen to the size of a grapefruit, they made a 4"-5" incision (using an old C-section scar).
 
When I came out of the Operating Room, they had me on a Dilauded PCA pump (the kind you control yourself...pushing the button when you have pain, the machine administers the medication through your IV).  The reason for Dilauded is due to the fact my regular chronic pain meds are the Fentanyl Patch and Morphine...so it was the only thing that touched the surgical pain.
 
When it came time for me to get discharged and go home I wasn't given any pain meds, even though I had surgery 36 hrs prior.  The doctor told me to take my Chronic Pain meds.  He wouldn't listen when I tried to explain that those meds didn't work for surgical pain.  Needless to say, I spent about a week at home on the couch miserable in tears because that doctor didn't know how to differentiate between different types of pain.
 
Sad to hear it happens so often.
 
TMarie
Posted 2/4/2008 10:24 PM (GMT -6)
Hi, just dropping in from the UC forum. I have to tell you about my amazing orthopedic surgeon. I've had a major leg surgery and two shoulder surgeries in the past two and a half years. She always has the anesthesiologist give a nerve block that completely blocks all pain to the operated limb for three to four days. Then on top of that, while you're in the hospital she gives you a PCA line and then Percocet to take home. I never have pain from the surgery.

Now the rehab, that's another issue....ha!

Anyway, you might ask your surgeons about the possibility of a block for some procedures.
Judy
 
Moderate to severe left-sided UC (21 cm) diagnosed 2001.
Asacol, Rowasa, Pentasa, Prednisone, Entocort, Azathioprine
Colazal,  Remicade, Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri.
In remission since April, 2006. Remicade has been my wonder drug.
 
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 2/11/2008 12:22 AM (GMT -6)
I've just had kind of a reverse version of this situation... I have had chronic undiagnosed intractable mid-back pain for 6 years and two weeks ago my low back went too landing me in the hospital for 10 days. For all of these years, docs have tried myriad meds but almost always one at a time - never in combination. Nothing really worked. When I was discharged from the hospital this time, they sent me home with a combination of prescriptions that actually worked for my pain! I was not pain free, but know better than to expect that. Still, the combo of meds they prescribed made the pain much more tolerable. In fact, I recovered much more quickly from this acute episode than ever before in the past. I was amazed and elated... finally, a solution! I thought if I could continue this blend of meds throughout PT (with a new and really good therapist) then maybe, just maybe, I could get to the point that I wouldn't really need any (or at least most) of the meds anymore and could return to a semi-normal lifestyle.

Then.... I went to see my pain doc for a follow-up. She did not like the blend of meds and immediately axed the BTP med and one of the muscle relaxants and then increased the dose of the stronger extended release med. ??? She actually wants me to take MORE & STRONGER narcotics when the lower dose combined with some weaker meds worked well. This after I joyfully told her how I finally felt semi-human on these prescriptions. I've followed her directions and made the changes. I felt completely drugged when I increased the extended release med and slept most of the day. But even worse, my pain was WAY up all day too. Every time I woke up, I was in tears because of the pain and wished I was permitted to take anything for the breakthrough pain. Unfortunately, my doc has forbidden me to take even OTC things like tylenol or ibuprofen because of the tylenol content in the prescribed meds. I have gone back to the lower dose of the extended release drug just so I can function, but I am still in a lot more pain b/c I cannot take anything for breakthrough pain. I just don't get it.
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