Opinions - How to tell your doc the meds aren't strong enough without looking like an addict

[dasfonzie]

To start, a little background. I have a herniated disc, and in a likely hood have for over 3 years. I recently got health insurance so I went to a doctor after I pulled a muscle lifting weights. The MRI showed I had a herniated disc so she put me on 5/500 hydro APAP. Before this I was a recreational user of opiates, also I weight about 250lbs. so taking 1 to 2 daily ( as recommended) i really not helping me. To keep the pain and spasms away I'm taking 6-8, and trust me, that's with much restraint. To top it off she did bloodwork and showed that I have an over active liver... most likely from the pill/alcohol abuse I've been putting myself through for the past 3 years.

So now I sit here my bottles of 60 hydros empty after a week, I don't want to call in a refill that's 3 weeks premature, this is also greatly affecting my sleep patterns. I work 7 days a week and have class 3 days a week, which makes no sleep a huge problem

Reputation Comments on this post:

please read the rules about not incriminating yourself

[fiveleggedrat]

Pain specialist or Pain Clinic. They won't jew with the opioids, but aren't cheap.

Edit: For whoever left me neg rep for saying the word "jew": grow the fuck up. I don't care if someone gets their feelings hurt in a drug forum because I make a metaphor about doctors not giving out prescription painkillers.

And say it out loud, not from behind an anonymous feedback system.

[dasfonzie]

i know i screwed up and went to my primary care physician, my insurance won't sign off on a second doctor though. How much do they usually run? When my insurance runs out next month I can get it through work

[fiveleggedrat]

A lot of them are cash only. A lot do not take insurance. Swiy will have to look around in their area. The internet helps to find them.

As for how much, I can't say for sure, it varies widely.

[Richard_smoker]

well, i'm not sure what 5-legs is talking bout here...but then again Florida is the freest state in the union when it comes to prescription drug regulations. maybe that has something to do with it.

For the rest of the U.S., true pain specialists only accept patients on a referral basis from another physician.

now, this is purely hypothetical. But it might just be what you're looking for in terms of a solid answer: More than likely the 2 5mg per day tabs are just a starting poing--i.e. the initial attempt to control your pain. it's called being conservative in lieu of our lawsuit-happy world and the witch hunt-minded drug law enforcement agencies.

The usual protocol for something like this is to continue to keep your physician informed of the nature of your pain, with care being taken for specifics. Expect to leave a message or 2 with the nurse between visits, and be prepared to sign a pain contract. You will likely be asked to keep a daily journal. This is all useful for establishing a paper-trail that justifies high-end treatment. Best advice is to act very excited about any non-narcotic drug(s) including anti-depressants. If you're really in a lot of pain, and NOT an addict, then you will probably be very excited to try ANYTHING for relief. Plus, you will probably try and push for something NON-addictive...then, if you should run out of options in a month or so, then either your primary doctor will be forced to treat you accordingly OR send you to a pain-management specialist.

Both are viable options. Remember, addicts are pushy and specific. They walk into a dr's office from day 1 asking for something specific. Non-addicts trust their physicians until they grow tired of being yanked around like a dipshit. this usually takes about 4 or 5 visits stretched over a course of many weeks. and once you've tried everything, the non-addict will eventually just give in if nothing works. they will ask the doctor what to expect when or if they become addicted...and THIS is where having negative-biased website printouts becomes finally appropriate. Upon being presented with such mixed messages and compelling arguments that support your distrust of narcotics, they will likely argue against the idea of addiction!

Remember, every physician in the U.S.A. hates the internet. HATES IT! Far too many people use the internet to confabulate (make up lies) about their own symptoms. It is widely held that people who use their own minds to read, research & explore their conditions online are evil drug-seeking addicts. so be careful. only use the internet to argue the OPPOSITE of what you really think. -DICK

[lorzapmail]

Swim in a way is lucky with a pain management Doctor. With 2 woker comp suits in the past 6 years and a siting still rear end crash from a truck 2 years ago with law suits, theraphy and mri's. My Pain Doctor has all he needs for my#120 10/325 Norco and #120 Soma's. A few pinpoint shots (not bad) no way like epidurals, every three or 4 months. SWim gets buy fairly good. Swim has never asked for any sked Ii pain meds. He likes to let that be the doctors idea Swims main Doctors prescribes Lorzepams for the anxiety of loosing my job from so many sick days. This situation is part luck (bad or good) and letting the Doc believe he is making the desions/ SWim woorks for a hopital for year in maintanace an got to know many doctors. Don't push them lead them into what you want to talk about. Get around to meds and see what may ahppen

lorzapmail added 13 Minutes and 53 Seconds later...

Sorry for spelling with a boss passing by every few minutes. Swim writes like a fifth grader, at best.

[anarchyat]

Swim is surprised at the reaction of others. In Swims recent experience, his doctor seems very carefree when it comes to prescribing pain meds. Swim broke his foot and calls his doctor for Hyrdo. Swims doctor phones in the prescription for him because Swim is at school a few hours away. The hydros work perfectly for Swims severely broken foot, but Swim can't believe Swiy is only getting Hydros for back pain. Swim doesn't really see a problem with Swiy telling the doctor he needs something stronger.

[silenius]

First of all, please read the rules about not incriminating yourself!

As you said that SWIY has been using opiates only recreationally:
I don't know about your local laws, but at least here it always worked best for SWIM to just be honest and very straight. It might be that his doctors were simply not used to people telling them right away: "I took X, Y, Z in the last days and I smoke weed regularly" - but all dosed SWIM up immediately as they know that SWIM needs more for the desired/required effect.
Finally, if SWIY's doctor is not behaving, find another one. SWIY is the client who pays (indirectly via health insurance) the doctor. He is payed for relieving SWIY of the pain. Nevertheless the doctor should know the basic facts - otherwise he won't be able to treat SWIY properly.

[cuddlesthefox]

Swim actually wrote his GP a letter. Weird swim knows, but swim was to the point and very honest about things. Virtually admitted swim had a serious drug problem... and whoa, he gives me 12 dihydrocodeine a day to help!!!
Mind you, swim thinks his own gp has a bit of a medication problem too.

[Solinari]

I am really surprised no one seems to have mentioned paracetamol overdose. An over active liver, no wonder, taking nearly a full 24 hour dose of paracetamol in one sitting.