I wouldn’t have believed the convoluted mess our doctors are in, had it not been for personal experience. The doctors mentioned in this post, are fantastic doctors. They will remain nameless, as it’s not our intention to cast doubt on them, but the overall system. Nineteen years ago, my wife was injured in an accident. She’s had seven back surgeries, three neck surgeries, and has a TENS Unit implanted in her lower back. Very strong willed and persistent. We are thankful that her expenses are covered from the accident.
Being made to feel like a drug abuser.
When you have severe pain like this, you’re handed off to a “pain control doctor”. He specializes in dispensing the drugs needed, to reduce your pain to a manageable level. First, you have to be interviewed by a psychiatrist, to ascertain if you’re a suicide risk. Once you’re approved, you see the doctor a minimum of every three months, if not more often. This is required by law if your given narcotics. In this case, opioids. You also get the pleasure, of being made to feel like a drug abuser by mandatory regular, and surprise drug tests. This is to lessen the liability of the doctors, by monitoring the level of medicine in your system. Making sure you are not overtaking, or not taking and selling your medicine. They even call you in randomly for urine tests, or a “pill count”, to see if you are taking them.
The War on Opioids, sounds like a noble endeavor, to slow the consumption of powerful drugs, reducing the addiction rate. The strangest part? There seems to be no mechanism to help you get away from the opioids. A pain specialist, can prescribe the opioids, but they refrain from prescribing medicine to wean you off the narcotic medicines. Due to liability.
The programs are only for, “drug abusers”,
Seeking help to get off a narcotic due to injury, is just as big a joke. When she asked if there was a program that could help her finally move off the opioid based pain medicine, she was told the programs are only for “drug abusers”, which she is not, as she is seen and monitored by a doctor. So, they can help you get on them, but unless you’re abusing the drug, you have to wean yourself off. At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawal.
Ever know anyone that had withdrawals of any type? Not fun to watch. My wife has been on opioid based medicine for 19 years. First half of that time, was on Fentanyl Patches, until the highest dosage wasn’t providing enough relief. She weaned herself off the patches, by stretching out the time between patch changes. She was on the higher dose Fentanyl patch, changed every 48 hours. While it wasn’t as horrible as in the movies, it was really hard on her. Mood swings, feeling like she had the super flu for nearly two months. Plus putting up with the pain slowly increasing, until she could safely switch to another medicine that might help the pain.
At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawals
So they tried oxycodone, another opioid. She had reactions to that, so it was changed to Percocet. That is the one she is trying to move away from. At this rate, she will be an expert at withdrawal from medicine. She has amazed the doctors by being able to do it on her own twice now. A movement should be started to support pain management doctors, assist patients with stopping opioid medications, or any other strong pain medications. She told them the War On Opioids, is a joke. They could put her on narcotics, but not allowed to help her get off them.
All I can say, She’s one hell of a woman.
Comments always welcome,
Hugs to your strong-willed wife! My bro-in-law has scoliosis. He’s almost 80 and it’s pronounced and very painful. He was on fentanyl patches and they just take the edge off the pain. He’s in a home now with dementia (hopefully he forgets about the pain). I don’t know what they do for him there. My heart goes out to anyone with unmanageable pain.
Thank you, Kate. I feel for him as well. Hopefully they will keep him comfortable. Thanks for the comment.
Well done to your wife for her courage, Ron. I cannot even imagine the strong pull of so many years of having taken opiates, then trying to do without them. Perhaps her doctors could try to make a case for her? I don’t know that much about it, but no doubt all those years on strong drugs cannot have helped other parts of her body, and the sooner she can stop taking them, the better.
Please give her my sincere best wishes for some form of resolution.
Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I will pass on the best wishes to her. She’s very ill with the programs, so she is determined to show them. She is doing well at this point. The hardest part, is not having a replacement just yet, for the pain. She needs to reduce the current level. Thanks for the comment.
Wow! Your wife sounds like one strong courageous woman!! You are right, there are a lot of things messed up about the system! Glad your wife stood up to the Drs and I wish her all the best.
Thanks so much. She is a fighter, more like a rock, actually.
You are very welcome! I am sure that having you support her helps her to be that rock!
I bet the manufacturers are delighted with that culture among those who prescribe potentially addictive meds!
I’m sure they are, Colin. You see the company representatives coming and going each time you visit the doctor. They are there hawking new drugs, trying to get the doctor to try them, or suggest them to patients.
It’s not that much different here. Corporations totally focused on profit.
I’m glad your wife is doing well getting off the drugs on her own. Amazing that she received no support. I heard a radio show recently that said doctors were encouraged to give out opioids (at one time, not sure it continues) for even minor pain. I would love to see those responsible for this horrible crisis brought to justice.
You’re right. That was the attitude until just recently. Funny how they will hand out narcotics, yet you have to beg for antibiotics when needed.
Kudos to your wife! She is a very brave woman.
Thank you, Anne. She is amazing. I don’t know how she does it all.
Good god! WHAT a woman your wife is!!! I wish her all the best, lots of courage and love. And to you, her loving carer. xoxoxo
Thanks, Ellie. She’s a sweetheart, but tough when she needs to be. She gets a tad touchy, but she says it’s the pain, not any craving that she can see. She is having some nausea, but motion sickness medicine helps that.
That is one broken system. I wish both you and your wife the strength and courage to get through this, if that is at all possible.
I think anything is possible, if you stick to each other. Thanks for the thoughts, Maggie.
What a nightmare. The view of opioids has gone back and forth over the years catching innocent people, such as your wife, in its wild swings.
Such is our system, Elizabeth. If you acquire them illegally, they spend millions to help addicts. If you’re prescribed them legally, there is no free help. Amazing!
Thanks for the time and comment.