How did/do you deal with the stress?

[treefrog]

My Opana-ER prescription could have been filled sooner than the "month", because I could have gotten this last one filled. But, the pharmaceutical company's coupon card can only be used once every 25 days. So, I told the pharmacy I would come back after I could use it. $25 is $25, and I need to save as much money as I can. It will still be before I go to Germany, and that's all that matters.

But, yes. Here in the US it seems the answer to everything is pop a pill. I don't know if that is the answer either. But I sure am grateful I can get the pain medication I need.

I did have to sign a pain contract with my PM doctor. If I break that contract, they won't see me anymore. I can't take any pain meds prescribed by any other doctor. I have to submit to a urine test, whenever they ask. I am fine with this, as they only do it to protect themselves from people who try to get drugs when they don't need it.

[runner]

Michelle Maree,

BTW, I just had to say this but my daughter's name is Maree Michelle, with Michelle her middle name. I rarely see the name Maree. So I thought it uncanny that you have both her names in your posting name.

About the availability of drugs, apparently the Bush administration and the DEA cracked down on drug abusers by making it difficult for the normal person who is taking pain meds for pain and not a high.
When i go to the pharmacy, I often feel like I am looked down upon or thought as a drug-abuser.
One time, I got a prescription from my doctor and raced to Costco (because that is where all my meds were) and my daughter was driving me and we got there 45 minutes before they were closed. And the person there (pharmacist) is complaining because I got there too late and I am explaining we just got out of the doctor's office.

And the people there are like , "You can come back tomorrow and fill the prescription", and I am trying to them that I am in severe pain and cannot drive and am about to have major back surgery, etc... They were so ignorant of the fact that getting from here to there meant that I needed help, that I couldn't just pop over to Costco at a moment's notice and I could not just go without pain meds until the next day.
.
After that and the fact that they did not always carry oxycontin, which I was taking at that time, I switched pharmacies. But I learned long before that in the US, the doctors expect all your prescriptions at one pharmacy.
Way back when, when I first hurt my back, the physical rehab and pain doctor's nurse told me that I had to have ALL of my prescriptions at one pharmacy. I had prescriptions all over the place.
Now I just have them at a 24 hour pharmacy.

And when I was on the heavy narcotics like Oxycontin, I realized that people think that you are going to get addicted if you start them, and they didn't realize that you may build tolerance to the drug but not many people get addicted when they are taking them for pain control and not to get a high.

I found many misconceptions about pain meds and people with back pain. I always feel odd when going to pick up my prescriptions. I am taking Gabapentin (neurotoin) and i ran out recently and I am trying to tell the clerk over the phone that I can not go cold turkey on the drug. The next time, I spoke to the pharmacist himself and he was understanding and gave me a few days supply because it took at least five days to get this prescription filled.
Stuff like that is really irritating.
Also in the US to get Percocet (Oxycodone, acetaminopen) or Oxycontin, you have to get a prescription straight from the doctor's office and if the doctor doesn't fill it out properly, the pharmacy won't fill the prescription.
WHen you are in severe pain, it is difficult to go pick up a prescription because you are not supposed to drive while taking narcotics.
So you have to get someone to take you to the doctor's office.

It is just a pain and i think they are punishing innocent people who have legitimate reasons to get pain meds.

That's my humble opinion.

Runner

[Michelle Maree]

Runner, it is more unusual way of spelling Maree, I must ask my mother why. And with that name I bet your daughter is as lovely as me .

It really hurts me that I am treated like a junkie in this country for being on medication that I really need. i have hurt and aged so much from this pain to then have little sympathy from the doctors has actually made me feel suicidal. I get no high from the medication at all in fact it doesnt cover it for more than very basic livind. And I know that if I didnt have this pain anymore that I would give it up cold turkey like after my last operation.
I then think,if I do choose to go to Germany in the next month or so how the hell am i going to get the extra medication to take with me? I may even need Dr B to call on my behalf to arrange it .Now that would be funny!!!

How did you guys arrange it?
Did you need documentation?
Michelle

[runner]

Michelle Maree,

the usual spelling here is Marie. She is my first so I wanted her to be unique and I really loved the name.
She doesn't always like it because people cannot spell it or pronounce it properly.
Funny enough, I got the name from a soap opera. One day, while I was pregnant, I saw the real name of an actress as Maree. Maybe that was fortune-telling because my Maree does sing and act. Real extrovert, unlike her mom.

One thing I found here, is that none of my current doctors treat me like a junkie. (Although I did speak to doctors that were like that).
They believe I am in pain and have given me pain prescriptions when I have needed them. When I went off pain meds after surgery, I was allowed to slowly decrease the dosage. I was in a heck of a lot of pain immediately after surgery, but the pain meds were sufficient. That was one thing I was worried about was being undermedicated. My fears were actually unfounded.

[jessmith07]

Hi All...I hope all you Mom's had a great Mother's Day...I sure did!

Well, I'm feeling much more calm, although still scared. My pain at the moment is being managed by my regular doctor, and when I called and explained that I needed enough pain meds for a month for after surgery, all she gave me was 60 Lortabs, 10mg. I thought, that's 2/day if something happens and I have to stay for a month...or 4/day for the 2 weeks I'm planning on being there. Not good enough. So, I decided to make an appointment with a pain management doctor to get myself established before I left, because I figured that I might need one after I got back, and it'd be easier if I already had one. I have an appointment this Wednesday. I sent the names and numbers of all my doctors and an authorization to contact them and get my records, as well as a description of my surgery and diagnosis from Dr. B. Hopefully, he'll be more helpful and understanding in getting me what I need.

Now, if I could only get back into a decent sleeping pattern...I have definitely seen an improvement with the increased Cymbalta, my daily anti-anxiety med, and I'm able to focus a bit better, and I know that would get even better if I were well rested.

I have my moments when I still want to "chicken-out" of the surgery, but I did that last year with the laminectomy, and cancelled it back in April, because I had found a drug that got my pain under control, just as I have now. So I resumed my active lifestyle, and even kicked it up a notch, and wound up doing even more damage, and the medication wore off, and I was in so much pain, I could barely move. Plus, the medication I'm on now, Arthrotec, has some pretty nasty side-effects for being on it long-term, so even though it took my pain level from an 7/8 down to a 2/3 INSTANTLY, I want off of it ASAP. But, I have to admit, it's still tempting to say, "I'm not so bad, now...I don't really need this surgery, do I?" And then I'll look at my x-rays and MRI images, and say, "Yes, Jess...you have to do this, before you make other areas worse..."

Anyway...I haven't been on in a couple of days, so I just wanted to check in...everyone's been keeping me pretty busy, and I've been forcing myself to stay in bed at night, even though I'm awake...

I'm still hanging in there...and the handle is getting stronger...

[treefrog]

My Mother's Day was very blah, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing. My boyfriend worked Saturday night, and slept well into the afternoon. Then when he got up, we only spent a little time together before he took off to go to MD to check on his house there. He's turning right back around, and driving back home tonight. But he wanted to check on everything, before we go to Germany.

So, I watched TV, called my Mom. Then my sister called me, and later my son called me too. Anyway, my sister had talked to our Mom, who mentioned that I had been talking about asking her (my sister) to go to Germany with me. Well, I had been talking about it, but only if my boyfriend wasn't able to be there the entire time (but he is going to be there). But, she said she wanted to be there for me, and would find a way if I wanted her to be there.

I suggested that she come stay with me, after I get home from Germany. So, that is what she is planning (she needs to work out some details). But, I can't tell you how happy I am that she is going to come spend a week with me, and help out. She started talking about cooking meals for me, to freeze in portions, so I could just reheat them after she is gone. I can't tell you how much of a help that is going to be. Plus, just having someone at home to help with every little thing, and talk to. My sister and I are exactly one year apart - to the day - and we are such good friends too.

Michelle (and Jess), I also have a very good relationship with my pain management doctor. I have been seeing her for a year and a half, and she trusts me. When she had me sign the "pain contract", I felt like it was only a formality, and she has only ever asked me to do a urine test that first day (to prove I was only taking what she has prescribed). When I told her I was going for surgery, and that I was concerned about the pain, and anxiety and all kinds of other things, she only wanted to help. Every concern I had, she addressed (with meds). But she also said she wanted to see me when I got back, within a week of returning, or sooner if I needed her. I'm sure she wants to make sure my pain is being managed adequately.

I think it is imperative that we have a doctor who trust us, who don't make us feel like drug addicts, and want to control our pain. I know that finding that kind of doctor can be next to impossible in some areas. But, if your doctor is not meeting your needs, try to find one who will.

My anxiety of late last week hasn't come back. This morning I made a partial payment for my surgery. And everything went smoothly. Although, I made the mistake of not checking my bank account before I set up the transactions. I did not think my cash advance would be posted to my checking account, so I only made the partial payment with the money I knew was there, when I could have paid in full. But, I will pay the rest later this week. But I tell you, I was really worried when they started talking about rescheduling my surgery, if I couldn't arrange payment before I arrived. Luckily that is all going to work out. Phew.

[Eastex]

I want to thank every one that posted on this. I too am suffering from depression and it was nice to read these comments. I can see that everyone goes through these feelings. I was in severe pain for years, had surgery, then my wife left, and I am still in pain. All of my guns are at a relatives house now. I have had really bad thoughts and I am tired of the meds now. I know I have to take them, to get through this. My Pain doc is working with me and there is a counselor that I see. I can't stand to listen to country music. It is so depressing. I listen to rock mostly. But, it is strange for a Texan not to listen to country! I know it will get better. Time heals all wounds.