Pain Awareness Month-Reality

The number of people with chronic pain grows daily, and pain medication is hard to find in stock or doctors have stopped writing prescriptions due to the DEA. It’s a difficult time to have chronic pain, there are stories of people with cancer or other painful diseases being denied pain medication, It’s heartbreaking.

I have not taken Percocet for 3 years, It wasn’t an intentional choice, it was the choice of my doctor. I wasn’t in enough pain for him. Pain Doctors can be very strict due to the DEA breathing down their neck.

I’m not going to tell you about pain, you already know. I want to pass on a few tips about Pain Doctors.

The DEA is on a war path against pain medication (all controlled substances), and in the process has scared many doctors to no longer write prescriptions for their patients or have very strict rules you need to understand.

Taking pain medication long-term will require patience, compliance, and frustration. Appointments with your pain doctor are a top priority, do not miss an appointment. Call after if you have to but call the office right away and talk to the Office Manager. Most Pain Doctors have a contract saying you will do certain things and will not do certain things. In the contract, it could say two missed appointments and you’re fired. Read the contract!

If this is your first pain doctor, work hard to keep the relationship healthy, every time you change Pain Doctors it’s notated in your medical records. The more Pain Doctors you see, you run the risk of being labeled as a drug seeker.

When talking to your doctor always focus on the pain areas and other issues related. Don’t ask about medication, say instead, I’m hoping you can help me. Again, this is a measure to not be called a drug seeker.

Don’t complain about waiting or staff with the doctor, calmly talk with the Office Manager. They pull a ton of weight and are good to be friends with.

You can expect to give a urine sample every month or possibly every three, whatever the doctor decides.

The DEA will not allow pharmacies to fill certain medications, including pain meds until you’re down to your last pills, so expect to see your doctor every month to get a new prescription. It’s a crazy world. Do say what medication you pick up, just your name and how many prescriptions you have. Sad to say but someone may have a better idea of what to do with the meds. I know this sounds dramatic but have you watched the news this week?

My next tidbit will sound strange. I recommend keeping a backstock in case you are fired and left without medication. This happened to me and I was glad to have backstock to help ease the withdrawal. When it’s time to take your medication, ask yourself, do I really need it or all of it. If you can skip it, then put it in a bottle for the what-ifs. Always fill your prescription on time even if you have pills left, the leftovers can go to backstock.

I get addicted quickly to pain meds and the withdrawal is tough. Don’t deny yourself medication, at the same time, it’s tough to go cold turkey. That’s why I have a backstock. It goes without saying, don’t tell your doctor what you’re doing!

BEWARE! If you have constant pain and have not received relief from medication, the doctor may mention a Spine Stimulator. STOP!!!!! You can let them check your insurance coverage if you’re curious, but decide later. This medical device needs your research because the results are all over the board. Read until you are satisfied.

I had a bad fall over the weekend and the post was written with concussion fog. I apologize if it doesn’t flow.

I’m hoping you have many pain-free days.

Melinda