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Dr. Refuses ANY pain medication.....in distress

Wed, May 20, 2009 10:08 PM

I was diagnosed with crohns in 1999, I have very agressive disease. I have had numerous hospitilizations in the past 10 years including a recission of 2 feet of my bowl after a near death perforation and sepsis in 2004. After the surgery I was good for about a year before the symptons resurfaced. Now I go through bouts of incredible pain along with the occasional blockages.....and cycles of prednisone (sigh). My problem now is that I am without any medical coverage due to economic reasons, and there is no way that I can afford remicade or any other drugs that may or may not work for me. Regardless of the medical coverage, is it normal for crohns drs to not believe in pain medication? I originally had a tylenol 3 perscription with him but he decided to stop refilling it years ago. My original dr prescribed me viccodin, which does take the edge off.

I am now at the point where I have to buy viccodin from drug dealers and get left over pain prescription from friends and family just to get through the pain and try to live a somewhat normal life. I am NOT addicted, I have NEVER NEEDED a pill to get through my day unless I was in pain......but I am coming to wits end. I really need some advice on how to talk to my dr, the same dr that saved my life once and is currently seeing me free of charge, or if I should just see another dr. Please help.

joe777cool
Joined May 20, 2009

Fri, June 05, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for joe777cool.

Remicade, Humira, and Cimzia may have programs to help you afford the medi.

territ
Joined Jun 5, 2009

Tue, June 02, 2009 2:54 PM

Reply posted for bethlaurie.

Thank you so much for all you kind words and suggestions. I called my gi doctor and asked him for pain medication and instead he put me on 30mg prednisone. I have been ok for a few days now except for the worst diarrhea I have ever had in my life and insomnia. 10 years into this illness and it seems its always something new that keeps you down - 2 weeks and I have been to work for a total of 2 days....so discouraging. I will have to call my primary doctor next time I am in pain.

Thanks again!

joe777cool
Joined May 20, 2009

Tue, June 02, 2009 2:08 PM

Reply posted for joe777cool.

My GI does not prescribe any pain meds, he leaves that to my primary care. She has been great in prescribing for me. I am lucky I have insurance, but if it weren't for the pain meds, I could not work. Good luck to you.

bethlaurie
Joined Apr 1, 2009

Fri, May 29, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for joe777cool.

I agree that you should go to another Doctor for that. I got my pain prescription from a doctor in the emergency room. You shouldn't have to deal with that!

traciet
Joined May 28, 2009

Thu, May 21, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for joe777cool.

You may be able to just go to a primary care doctor and ask them for something. My internal medicine doctor prescribed me oxycodone w/ apap 5/325 taps and they work to take the edge off and for the pain. Good Luck. I hope you get something.

ashley22
Joined May 18, 2009

Thu, May 21, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for joe777cool.

Last week I asked my Dr if he would consider amitriptyline for the pain. He said yes & started me on a low dose (10mg each night). It's supposed to block pain signals reaching the brain. It's early days yet but I'm hopeful. There's no harm in asking. My Dr hadn't offered any pain relief until I raised the issue myself. I feel that if you are unhappy with the treatment you're receiving, you should seek a second opinion.

marzipan
Joined Feb 16, 2009

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