Just wondering if it is normal for a Lyme patient to go to a pain clinic or are they for people with like discs out or cancer and stuff like that. I had previously got pain meds from my PCP, but want them to be more carefully monitored and such. But don't want to go in there looking like a fool for only being someone who has Lyme disease.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I think at least on this board, it is common.
Posted by searching4truth (Member # 28481) on :
I think a pain management doctor is a must for Lyme patients with pain as a major symptom. I am lucky that my LLMD is also a pain management doctor.
There are two types of pain clinics. There are the ones that just pump out prescription painkillers like there is no tomorrow. And then there are the ones that are run by a true pain management specialists, who have many different methods to help alleviate your pain.
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
Well I think I need to find one then. My PCP was giving me pain meds left and right and that got scary for me as I found myself taking them on a daily basis, whether I was in SUPER pain or not. That's when I quit taking them for fear that I was getting or going to get addicted to them. My LLMD does not prescribe anything other than abx. I just didn't want to get laughed at if I went to one of those places for not having something MAJOR in the medical world. Although lyme is MAJOR to us "lymies"... I want to see a dr that will manage my pain, not just toss me a script everytime i say my back hurts and tells me to let him know when i need more. I've seen to many people fall victim to addiction for that reason. thank you all for ur input.
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
I think if you need narcotic pain relief, the only option is pain clinics anymore. Pcp's are reluctant to give out narcotics due to abuse issues. I have been going to pain clinic now for at least 6 years, maybe more...it's a 50 mile drive for me but I go to get my meds. Having 24 hour a day nerve pain in my feet and legs keeps me going there. I got a referral there from my rheum., who was referred by ID doc, and Neuro. after my MS dx was debunked...ha! whatever, if you're in pain it can help you to keep functioning better to have some relief, although they've never made me pain free that's for sure..
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
I searched for pain doctors on my insurance website to try and find one in network, I am SHOCKED there aren't more. There are 2 in a 20 mile radius. Then a bunch in eastern OH, which I try to stay clear from this particular city, it's not very nice that way. UGH
On another note, twicebitten... I have been noticing lately that the bottoms of my feet hurt tremendously throughout the day, even in my best sneakers. And this is sitting all day. What is that all about!? Thanks
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Yeah, I think it's hard to find doctors who will prescribe pain meds. It was pretty much impossible to find a doctor when I was living in SC to prescribe them. Maybe it's different in the NW? Even in NJ - it's hard to find anyone who will deal with opiates.
I have tried almost every non-drug way to alleviate pain & sometimes you really need to take a pain medicine to be able to function.
Alot of people with chronic pain are undermedicated - so, maybe it was good you had someone who was willing to help you. I can understand why you wouldn't want to take them alot. I hope you can find some help. Chronic pain is no joke no matter why you have it.
I don't think Lyme is understood in regards to the severity & how it can devistate people's lives.
Posted by average joe (Member # 26091) on :
Danielle, Having gone down the path of alternatives such as nsaids, cymbalta, neurontin ect., I ended up on good old opiates. This is the only thing that will reduce the pain enough for me to function.
Interesting thing about pain meds is the fact that if you are in enough pain to really need them, addiction usually is not an issue.
While everyones pain threshhold differs, there are some that THINK they are in pain and pop pills like candy. Those are usually the the folks that end up addicted.
The newer drugs or what I refer to as designer drugs can present a whole host issues themselves and also can be addictive. Withdrawal from Lyrica is said to be worse than a heroin withdrawal. I know a few individuals that tried Lyrica and it turned them into monsters. At the same time some people swear by it.
My point here is that no cookie cutter treatment exists for any of it whether it be pain, the lyme bugs, babs, bart or whatever. So to rule anything out without having given it a chance is imo is not advisable.
Opiates have been around since the beginning of time and thus have a proven safety record that can't be matched by any of the designer solutions. If the opiates help you then please don't be afraid to use them.
I realize there is also a stigma attached to opiates but I quickly got over that being a concern. I was one that though pain meds were for sissy's even through back surgery ect. That was until I started playing host to the little critters that we are all so fond of.
I hope you find the relief you need whichever vehicle you choose but for your own benefit please keep an open mind.
Good Luck Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
Sparkle- i have found today that its pretty i,possible to even find a pain clinic. We have a couple more in my area i found and called and as soon as i said lyme disease they didn't even want to talk to me. Ridiculous. I ended up very frustrated.
I now realize maybe i should just stick with my pcp... He at least is so willing to listen to me and give me what i need. Also, i forgot to mention that he once had lyme disease so knows everything thats associated with it.
Your rightaverage joe, thank u. I just seen so many people addicted to pills, but do think im too smart for that. And sinc i ran out about 2 weeks ago and didnt refill, have been having the hardest time just functioning without wanting to cry from the pain.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Yes, it's tough. It's bad because the people who abuse it make it hard for people who really could benefit from it. Then, there gets to be a witch hunt atmosphere about getting pain meds.
There are plenty of real scientific studies about pain & opiates. I completely agree with average joe. I posted alot of stuff about it here in the past.
It seems that there are alot of people who are undermedicated when it comes to pain - which is bad. There's no reason to be suffering when there are medications that can help.
It's just a weird remnant of the "war on drugs"... I think some of the over the counter stuff can be worse than an opiate medication in terms of liver damage, etc. You just have to be careful & take the smallest possible dose to get back to feeling "normal" as opposed to stoned.
I can get a big effect on my pain from taking 1/2 or 1/4 of a 5mg pill. You don't need to take alot in many cases. They say not to cut the pill but it works fine for me. I start off with a 1/4 pill - If it's not enough - I take another 1/4.
I've been taking them for years & I've never built up a tolerance. I only take them when I need them. Everyone is different & we all have different needs. This has been what has worked for me.
Medicating your pain shouldn't be a crime. Don't feel guilty or unworthy just because your arm isn't falling off from a train wreck or something. No one deserves to be in chronic pain. It like a form of torture if you think about it.
Posted by DanielleMC (Member # 22997) on :
I like how u sid "medicating your pain shouldnt be a crime" your right. I just feel like this area im in, which is prob like most of the US is so filled with "pill seekers" that these doctors dont want to give pain meds to anyone! Its terrible.
Im going to see my pcp, who understands my pain and have a deep conversation with him about it,
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