Help Chronic Pain

Question:

Hi all, Long time reader, first time poster.  This group has been great for me, the support is fantastic. Now about my problem.  I am 43, a computer programmer (sitting at desk all day) and have advanced degenerative disk disease(DDD) and spasams. This has been going on for about 2 years.  Sports, that I did earlier in life, caused many back injuries.  According to one doc the DDD was worsened by the back injuries in my teens and early twentys.  He said the level of degeneration in my back is what you would expect in a 60 year old. My current doctor allows me one(1) Norco a day, 50mg Elavil, and 3 Somas with the usual assortment of NAISD’s.  The problem is that with only one Norco a day I find I am bearing the pain, and finding it hard to concentrate on my work, until I can take the Norco in the afternoon.  It is interfering with my work because of the lost concentration and focus.  Yes, I am doing counciling to try and mentally deal with the pain (meditation, light exercise, Dr. John Sarno’s books etc…  the usual stuff)   I have talked with my current doctor about upping the dose to two Norcos a day.  I feel if I could have one in the morning and one in the afternoon I could deal with the pain much better.  However, my doc does not want me to increase the dosage of the Norco for fear of addiction.  Right now I could care less about the addiction I just want to stop hurting and be more productive.  Does anyone know of a doctor in the San Antonio area that might be more understanding?  I don’t really have the time right now to "shop" around for a Dr.  If I have to, I will. Any help, of any sort, would be greatly appreciated. I feel  I’m at the end of my rope. Thanks, Henry

Response:

Henry, sounds to me like it’s time to shop pat

Response:

Get to a doctor who specializes in chronic pain, and your problem will no

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Henry, sounds to me like it’s time to shop pat

Response:

Henry,      You are probably going to keep getting the same response. A doctor who is prescribing one moderate pain reliever and talks about addiction if you move to two is never going to help you. The following is a provision from the Texas Pain Statute 5. No physician may be subject to disciplinary action by the board for prescribing or administering dangerous drugs or controlled substances in the course of treatment of a person for intractable pain. Since the Dr. is protected from action for doing his job, he is most likely anti-opiate. I would ask him for a referral to a doctor who is a pain specialist.  Just tell him with his kind of doctoring you will soon lose your job. Also find out if he has to prescribe you the same amount for the time it takes to get approved by a pain doctor. Find this out before you dump him. Peace, Richard

Response:

Richard, I e-mailed him the links to find the right kind of doctor. — Ruada Appropriate, adequate, and ongoing pain relief for all who suffer–even in the Last Frontier of Alaska.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Henry,      You are probably going to keep getting the same response. A doctor who is prescribing one moderate pain reliever and talks about addiction if you move to two is never going to help you. The following is a provision from the Texas Pain Statute 5. No physician may be subject to disciplinary action by the board for prescribing or administering dangerous drugs or controlled substances in the course of treatment of a person for intractable pain. Since the Dr. is protected from action for doing his job, he is most likely anti-opiate. I would ask him for a referral to a doctor who is a pain specialist.  Just tell him with his kind of doctoring you will soon lose your job. Also find out if he has to prescribe you the same amount for the time it takes to get approved by a pain doctor. Find this out before you dump him. Peace, Richard

Response:

Hi again all, Thanks to everyone who posted.  I feel a little more calm now that I have some direction and goals.  Also,  seeing light at the end of the tunnel is a BIG help. Thanks again to everyone who helped with their suggestions. Henry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all, Long time reader, first time poster.  This group has been great for me, the support is fantastic.

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