Chronic pain

DrownedFishOnFire

Back into the wild where I belong. Out of your way
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#61
It looks like medically it is legal in IL
Forgot it was legal for over a year now or so.

http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-...ness/medical-cannabis/debilitating-conditions

However headaches is not on this list nor am I willing to risk my job loss if I turn positive for a random drug screen which I am not protected under in the State of Illinois even if I'm qualified for the prescription itself. Illinois is at will state. Can be fired for any reason including a failed drug test
 
#62
Hi, thanks for starting this thread! I've had bad back pain for years now, I decided, WTH, I have private insurance, I may as well get it sorted out. Three years later, two decompression and a spinal fusion later I'm left in worse pain that when I started on this journey. My insurance provider has now told me they can no longer treat me as my condition is now considered chronic and all the private consultants have washed their hands of me, the only thing they have here for severe pain relief is Tramadol, and am not looking forward to spending the rest of my life spaced out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated x
 

Walker

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#64
Hey @DrownedFishOnFire
I know you've been talking about those migraines for a minute now. Are you taking a suppressive med? Something you take every day to keep these things away... Or are you only getting abortives? I had migraines since I was a toddler, seriously - but life changed when I got a daily med. I'd say I have a load of regular headaches now (more than other people) but they're not migraine status but like twice a month. It was a real life changing time, no kidding.
 

DrownedFishOnFire

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#65
Hey @DrownedFishOnFire
I know you've been talking about those migraines for a minute now. Are you taking a suppressive med? Something you take every day to keep these things away... Or are you only getting abortives? I had migraines since I was a toddler, seriously - but life changed when I got a daily med. I'd say I have a load of regular headaches now (more than other people) but they're not migraine status but like twice a month. It was a real life changing time, no kidding.
Oh yeah I'm on 3 different medications with trail and error that I have to take on a daily basis: Verapamil, Amitriptyline, and Acetazolamide. They're a lifesaver for sure

PRNS been trying different kinds including tramadol (which makes them worse in my case) and trying to avoid addictive pain killers as I do have tylenol #3 for backup before heading to the ER for the drip.

Am allergic to nsaids myself, even had to go to the ER on naproxen due to swollen throat/tongue so my options were so limited.

The first PRN that worked was Midrin I was so happy til 2017 insurance stopped paying for it because its now not FDA approved so I had to find a compounding pharmaceutical place that had the specific things and after a while it stopped being effective so we are now back on imitrex 100mg because the headaches are under control.

Like you said its better to have it once or twice a month same here its once or twice a week vs 24/7 thing for me after the accident. Weather makes it off kilter too. I will take that any day now vs what it was before.
 
#66
Hi @walkerbait95, started the Tramadol after my last op, and also co codamol during the day, although can't take more than a couple of doses as I work in a call centre and the co codamol make me feel spaced. I have an apt with my NHS GP next week, my private consultant has recommended facet joint injections, but I've not heard anything back from the private pain relief Dr. Before this journey I had no idea that there was nothing at all out there for pain relief.....it's scary
 

Human Ex Machinae

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#67
I don't personally understand this phobia that exists in the medical profession about providing people in chronic pain with the drugs that will ease their pain. Because they might get addicted? Who the hell wouldn't get addicted to feeling no pain, as opposed to living in constant agony?

"Oh, sorry, yes, I have a full range of drugs I could prescribe to you that would ease or completely eliminate your suffering, but I won't, because it's possible that you might become addicted."

Seriously? Yes, unfortunately, they're completely serious.
 

Walker

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#68
I'm with you, @HumanExMachina My mother killed herself because of chronic pain so was she better off being addicted to pain pills or better of dead? I guess she made that choice for herself. I'd have liked some other option myself but if the pain isn't controlled there's nowhere to really GO. I'm already falling apart now (this condition is genetic) and I feel like reaching the age she lived to would be agonizing.
 

Kira

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#69
My mum tried to kill herself 2 months ago for the first time due to years of on-going chronic pain. It tore me up knowing that it was so bad that she desperately wanted out. She's seen a multitude of doctors and specialists who are still guessing what exactly is wrong with her and limit her pain meds for addiction reasons. BS really.
She's in one of those "too hard" categories.
 

SillyOldBear

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#70
And in Washington state they want to limit them more. Maximum 7 day supply of any opiod pain killer. Since so many people are abusing them and dying from them I guess they have decided even non-abusers, or horrible pain should not have them. People who abuse these drugs are destroying the lives of those who need them for intractable pain. This is INSANE!
 

MarkahMalady

Well-Known Member
#71
Hey, this is my first post here so I hope this is okay.
I've been living with chronic pain for about ten years but haven't been able to thoroughly address it to my physician for fear of coming off looking like a drug seeker/lazy whiner/complainer. (Also some advanced social anxiety prevents casually bringing up stuff that is a "big deal") I'm at such a low point with this right now. I thought losing weight would cure my leg pain and 100 lbs later I'm still in agony. I'm not even working full time right now, had to move back into my crazy parents house...
Did a bit of research on the disorder mentioned in the original post though, that sucks, man. Maybe someday soon some cool new drugs will get invented that make you feel amazing :)
Here's hoping everyone on here wakes up feeling at least okay tomorrow.
 

Petal

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#72
Hey, this is my first post here so I hope this is okay.
I've been living with chronic pain for about ten years but haven't been able to thoroughly address it to my physician for fear of coming off looking like a drug seeker/lazy whiner/complainer. (Also some advanced social anxiety prevents casually bringing up stuff that is a "big deal") I'm at such a low point with this right now. I thought losing weight would cure my leg pain and 100 lbs later I'm still in agony. I'm not even working full time right now, had to move back into my crazy parents house...
Did a bit of research on the disorder mentioned in the original post though, that sucks, man. Maybe someday soon some cool new drugs will get invented that make you feel amazing :)
Here's hoping everyone on here wakes up feeling at least okay tomorrow.
Hi and welcome to SF. Of course its okay to post here, I am sorry for what you are going through, well done on the weight loss though, even if it did not reduce the pain I'm sure there are health benefits from the weight loss :) reduced risk of diabetes/ heart disease etc..

I hope you keep posting and maybe share your story with us, no one here will judge you... who am I to judge a fellow human being? It does suck that people abusing certain medicines can give the people who are truly suffering a tough time to get treatment, same with anxiety medicine too. I can sympathise with you but again so sorry for where you are in life right now. Hope tomorrow is a little brighter for you too, thanks ~ @MarkahMalady
 

Walker

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#73
I miss posts here and then but I'm just seeing this about your mother, @Kira I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope you get her some help and I hope she's receptive to it. I never want anyone else to be in the situation I am. I get not wanting to be here because of pain.. and hell, I even get what my mom did after all these years (it's been almost 18). I understand but that doesn't make it messed up. The very best of luck to her.
 

Dottie

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#76
Worst pain day I've had in a long time. It'd be nice if the cold didn't make all my joints feel like someone took a bat to 'em.
 

SillyOldBear

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#77
Heard about a back surgeon who tries to get patients to control pain without surgery. He wrote a book about it. His name is David Hanscom. Website is backincontrol.com. Might be worth checking out.
 

MarkahMalady

Well-Known Member
#80
I'm sorry you're in so much pain. Do you know the cause?
My doctor has never diagnosed my chronic pain, she just tells me to seek physical therapy. Which I doubt my crappy health insurance will cover, or she'll write me a two week prescription for heavy ibuprofen. This has been a chronic issue since I was prepubescent and now I'm in my 30's. Not that I'm trying to feel sorry for myself or wallow in it, but it's always been clear that no one cares and I'm on my own in this.
 

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