It's been three and a half months since the 4th spine surgery that was supposed to relieve my pain. Needless to say, I think the use of "supposed to" explains the outcome of it.
I finally got into the Pain Clinic to see a specialist, and -imagine this!- she listened! I feel like my hopes & prayers have been answered. After more than two years (27.5 months, to be exact) of pain and suffering that the United States wouldn't even consider torturing Gitmo prisoners with, I have relief. Sweet, sweet relief.
I was scared that she would write off my pain & spasms like the last "pain specialist" did. (A friend warned me he would; she was right.) She listened to me describe every bit of my pain, including my nerve pain! She was not okay with how my neurosurgeon treated me, and made sure my pain AND SPASTICITY was treated. I definitely am giving her a 6/5 score when the survey-people call me.
She didn't treat me like an addict, or like I ever will be an addict. All the doctors I've seen refused to prescribe me the only things that work on my pain because they are "highly addictive." In her words, "There is a big difference between physical dependence and addiction."
Morphine is the only thing to relieve every ounce of my pain (except nerve pain) without making me loopy or foggy like Vicodin & Percocet do. Valium is the only thing to completely stop my spasms AND my nerve pain.
Knight, I am overjoyed to read this good news!!!!! I responded to your earlier post about unrelieved pain before I saw this. Ask about methadone--fewer side effects than morphine. Your pain specialist is exactly right to distinguish between physical dependence and addiction!
Knight, yes, new doctor who cares and follows through. Interview them first...
Thanks, DJ--barely hanging on, new complications and a disease that is progressive. But all not lost--just trying to keep at what I need to get done. Pain level improved, but fatigue ridiculous.
I have a wonderful team of doctors! Just added a cardiologist, and a new, more local, pulmonologist. That is one of the blessings for me--my doctors really care about me, and they communicate with each other. My issues are complex, rare, and my disease has no cure, just management of symptoms.
I have a wonderful team of doctors! Just added a cardiologist, and a new, more local, pulmonologist. That is one of the blessings for me--my doctors really care about me, and they communicate with each other. My issues are complex, rare, and my disease has no cure, just management of symptoms.
Thats reassuring at least wavewolf,.about the doctors...its an absolute must..Be sure to take care
I'm now on morphine extended release tablets 2x/day as needed, morphine immediate release tablets 6x/day as needed, Baclofen, and Valium to manage my pain & spasms. Mix the extended release morphine with the Valium at night and I am zonked out! Holy cow! I'm off to dreamland now!