Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 944908

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-)

Posted by floatingbridge on April 24, 2010, at 17:44:32

So I'm off for x-rays and more lab tests. Physiatrist seems smart, competent, and interested in actually figuring out what's creating pain.

For now, in holding pattern of low dose, preemptive vicodin. Yesterday had a terrible flare-up. Four tabs (the most ever taken in one day) barely dented it--and created cognitive dulling to boot. No high there.

Doc says what I take right now is "chump-change". That made me laugh. Said something interesting that I thought I'd pass on regarding pain meds. He described a negative reinforcment pattern: when one has a pain flare, they say (subconsciuosly), okay, I get to take my pain meds. (A danger, I suppose esp. if pain is not managed successfully.) Very interesting to me. This guy is no pusher.

An important tangent: my mood has been really good. I might freak out about autoimmune testing, pain, seeing yet another and another doctor, however, bounce-back time is swifter.

go figure. let's hope it lasts.

(And if you're thinking it's because I'm high as a kite, I'll say this: when I have my health issues managed, go off low-dose vicodin, and if my depression worsens, I'm getting my shrink to restart the vicodin. If it works for me, med category is secondary.)

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-) » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2010, at 18:44:00

In reply to update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-), posted by floatingbridge on April 24, 2010, at 17:44:32

FB and I agree with you. Love Phillipa

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-)

Posted by bulldog2 on April 25, 2010, at 12:35:07

In reply to update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-), posted by floatingbridge on April 24, 2010, at 17:44:32

> So I'm off for x-rays and more lab tests. Physiatrist seems smart, competent, and interested in actually figuring out what's creating pain.
>
> For now, in holding pattern of low dose, preemptive vicodin. Yesterday had a terrible flare-up. Four tabs (the most ever taken in one day) barely dented it--and created cognitive dulling to boot. No high there.
>
> Doc says what I take right now is "chump-change". That made me laugh. Said something interesting that I thought I'd pass on regarding pain meds. He described a negative reinforcment pattern: when one has a pain flare, they say (subconsciuosly), okay, I get to take my pain meds. (A danger, I suppose esp. if pain is not managed successfully.) Very interesting to me. This guy is no pusher.
>
> An important tangent: my mood has been really good. I might freak out about autoimmune testing, pain, seeing yet another and another doctor, however, bounce-back time is swifter.
>
> go figure. let's hope it lasts.
>
> (And if you're thinking it's because I'm high as a kite, I'll say this: when I have my health issues managed, go off low-dose vicodin, and if my depression worsens, I'm getting my shrink to restart the vicodin. If it works for me, med category is secondary.)

The euphoria vanishes very soon after starting therapy. Anyone that chases euphoria will end up on huge doses.However one can maintain that almost impercitable mood lift on the same dose for a while. Sometimes it does take a little tampering with the dose to get good pain control.

For me good pain control means not obsessive thinking about the pain or wrestling to try and control it. You finally get to get on with life without struggling with pain issues!

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » bulldog2

Posted by floatingbridge on April 25, 2010, at 16:46:59

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-), posted by bulldog2 on April 25, 2010, at 12:35:07

Bulldog, I feel like I am spending too much time dealing with pain--reading, thinking, not to mention feeling!

Tomorrow I'll try to get into my pcp. A friend mentioned muscle relaxants (at night). I know squat, but have to do something until a plan is in place.

There is a real science to pain management. Hopefully, it will not be long-term for me!

Thanks!

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-)

Posted by bleauberry on April 25, 2010, at 18:38:08

In reply to update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-), posted by floatingbridge on April 24, 2010, at 17:44:32

Vic was great for me. No euphoria at all, I just felt normal. Plain normal. Like decades ago. Awesome. It was for post-op pain. Still have a bottle, but don't use them for fear of the slippery slope.

I hope you can get some insight on the pain. A full immune system check is in order I believe. If CD4 is elevated, that is diagnostic of Lyme, better than the Lyme tests actually.

Pain has a cause. To the best of my knowledge it is within the arena of infection/inflammation and the cascade effect it all has on the immune system. And of course right along with it in close partnership is the effect on the brain...depression. Specific testing is often futile or not even possible. Too many false negatives that basically sentence people to life in prison and premature death. The only true tests I have discovered are blind trials of antibiotics and antifungals to see what happens.

I'm wishing the best for you. Hang in there.

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » bleauberry

Posted by floatingbridge on April 25, 2010, at 18:57:23

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;-), posted by bleauberry on April 25, 2010, at 18:38:08

Hey BB,

I don't think I've had a CD 4. Will check my records. My ana was negative, however, that was all my pcp said. When I requested the titer, all he said was negative--that he was not given a number. Don't know the lab, so don't know their ranges.

Thanks for the support and input. :-)

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » floatingbridge

Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2010, at 20:07:37

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » bleauberry, posted by floatingbridge on April 25, 2010, at 18:57:23

FB that's great the ANA was negative means below 1:40. ANA is one of the tests used in autoimmune diseases if low probably don't. Also when had lymes bad the ANA was 1:2880. Very high. The second number doubles each time. Now even my ANA tested negative so thinking my lyme's is inactive and the doxy isn't needed. But will continue til see him end of May. I forgot the soma last night was going to try again. Funny good thing I didn't as had horrible nightmares and would have thought from that is had taken it. Love Phillipa

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » Phillipa

Posted by floatingbridge on April 26, 2010, at 12:12:04

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2010, at 20:07:37

Phillipa,

I think I understand the ana now--thanks. So under 1:40. Good! And good for you, too.

Did you try the soma?

Informed that the physiatrist doesn't prescribe--that's what my pcp said--that the pcp prescribes or refers to pain management. Very frustrating! Because how can that be true?--so going in person to pcp to ask how the heck to proceed! If I didn't have health coverage I'd be hemorrhaging money. I need to practice assertiveness skills with doctors--!

I love the double-take (not!) I get when they both hear that my psychiatrist referred me--. I may have a mood disorder and any number of disorders and neurotic on top, but jeez, I hope they don't discount my health issues.

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;

Posted by bulldog2 on April 26, 2010, at 12:27:36

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on April 26, 2010, at 12:12:04

> Phillipa,
>
> I think I understand the ana now--thanks. So under 1:40. Good! And good for you, too.
>
> Did you try the soma?
>
> Informed that the physiatrist doesn't prescribe--that's what my pcp said--that the pcp prescribes or refers to pain management. Very frustrating! Because how can that be true?--so going in person to pcp to ask how the heck to proceed! If I didn't have health coverage I'd be hemorrhaging money. I need to practice assertiveness skills with doctors--!
>
> I love the double-take (not!) I get when they both hear that my psychiatrist referred me--. I may have a mood disorder and any number of disorders and neurotic on top, but jeez, I hope they don't discount my health issues.

Hi Floating

Docs are very paranoid about opiates. My pcp won't give me opiates.(pcp told me to go to this doc) I went to a rheumatologist and he will give me opiates. He's sending me to a pain specialist for cortisone shots. The rheum told me to get my opiates there.At this point I dug in and told him this is getting to complicated. I told him I understand that I need the pain specialist for shots as the rheumatologist doesn't give them). However I told him you've been in charge of the opiates up to know so please stay in charge. I'll go to the pain management guy for the shots but I don't need another specialist to go to for meds!! So the rheumatologist agreed he would be in charge of the medications.
Each doctor want to send you to another doc for this and that. Each has a narrow window of what they do. Very frustrating. Some times you just have to speak up and tell them what you need. Doesn't mean you'll get it but you have better chance. If you're in pain and what you're getting is not sufficient to keep pain under control tell them!! People have a right to proper pain control.
These pcp's today are worthless. Really just in charge of coordinating the specialist merry go round.

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » bulldog2

Posted by floatingbridge on April 26, 2010, at 12:32:00

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;, posted by bulldog2 on April 26, 2010, at 12:27:36

Hey Bulldog,

I did get that sensation that something 'new' was happening. Like a turf war, but your post makes more sense. And add to that that I'm a 'mental patient' and I feel this could get more complicated than I'm used to.

Thanks for the head's up. Knowing how things work is key.

 

Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ;

Posted by bulldog2 on April 26, 2010, at 13:35:35

In reply to Re: update from unlikely, potential opoid-seeker ; » bulldog2, posted by floatingbridge on April 26, 2010, at 12:32:00

> Hey Bulldog,
>
> I did get that sensation that something 'new' was happening. Like a turf war, but your post makes more sense. And add to that that I'm a 'mental patient' and I feel this could get more complicated than I'm used to.
>
> Thanks for the head's up. Knowing how things work is key.

Hi Floating

I have a theory. It seems as if each doc including the specialists are eager to send you to another specialist to do something you would think they could do. They often have a name of someone to send you to. Do they get kickbacks or is there an unwritten rule that if I recommend you that you will recommend me. The system seems unnecessarily complicated.

As far as opiates go look for the right doctor. They are out there. A lot of docs are squemish about them. The tide is turning but slowly. Did you know that until the 1950's that opiates were what docs presrcibed for depression. That's when the tcas and maois were found.
Now they are being rediscovered for pain and for other novel uses. No they are not perfect but if other pain meds do not work than use something that does. They also may be helpful augments for depression. It is up to your doc to monitor your usage.
So look for a doctor that will use opiates for pain and is willing to use them for chronic pain.You may have to see him/her once a month to discuss your treatment.

Good Luck


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