Just a little injury history.
Broke my L-4 during training in the military in 94. Over the years, weight and age haven't helped (not overly obese 215lb 6'1). Pinched nerve at L-4; bulging disks at L-3, L-4 and L-5; arthritis in all three of those vertebrae also; arthritis in my hips which my V.A. doctor said was because of my back; Gerd, from the plethora of pills I take; hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5/325mg) four times a day; anti-inflammatory meds; spinal injections; acupuncture; tens unit; bio wave unit; some electric unit that clips to my ear; meditation. Name it and I've tried it.
The thing that works the best is my hydrocodone. I have been on it since 2010. I don't abuse it, but get treated like I do, especially when I ask for a refill when my fill date is up but I picked up my meds a day or two later (which they count as the fill date somehow). I took the urine test like I always do every 3 months. I had alcohol in my system. No excuses for that. I drank the night before and there was still some in my system. This triggered an "emergency" meeting. At the time, I did not know what it was about
so I took my wife with me. Found out it was for the alcohol and "mixing" meds with alcohol. I'm 45 and not an idiot.
My family is too young for me to cash out on them in a dumb "accidental" way. If I drink, I don't use my hydrocodone. Mainly because one, I could die and two, the pain is numbed already so why waste them. So during the meeting I was told I could have no more than two alcoholic drinks a day. No problem. Six months later, slight amount of alcohol in my urine. There was no more than two drinks during lunch as I then went and had my urinalysis conducted. I was taken from four a day to two a day because I was told I couldn't have any alcohol period. When I stated that was not true, my wife and I were both in here when I was told I could have two drinks. Doctor said she would never say that. So okay.
Nothing I can do about
that and wasn't going to argue about
it when she is the final authority on it anyway and could take them all away. I also cannot get an increase from the 5mg which is the lowest there is and it's all I have ever been on without asking for an increase. I know I'm venting about
this and I've never posted this anywhere before, but is there anyone who knows if the Veteran Affairs has any other pain medication available besides the hydrocodone? They don't have everything available like the private sector does though.
I made a few paragraphs to make your post easier to read.
Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 12/24/2020 5:41:31 PM (GMT-7)