Opiates...

[MSTKing]

With spinal cord injuries, an amputated right leg, Kyphosis and osteoporosis, my old GP was happy to give me MST and when pain wasn't able to be managed, additional faster acting morphine for this breakthrough pain.

He has now left the surgery and when I phoned up about my breakthrough pain (I might call them two or three times a year) the GP refused to give me what I usually took (Severol) and instead, after a lot of pleading, a low dose of Oramorph.

Is anyone else experiencing this recently? Seems to be the American situation is crossing the Atlantic...

[Ricardo70]

This is a problem caused by the doctors themselves. They won't admit that there liberal prescribing of powerful opioids has caused this situation. Now instead of a measured response they are now attempting to vastly reduce prescribing opioids stating that it's not the answer for long term pain. Unfortunately the real genuine cases like ourselves are left pleading for help and suffering with pain. I've tried every alternative non opioid pain medication, pain management programs and have been told there's nothing left to try. Thousands of chronic pain sufferers now feel like drug addicts begging for more and hitting a brick wall. Volunteer to try the alternatives one of them might work for you. You will have to go through all the hoops of pain management but nobody should have to suffer in pain. Be strong and keep fighting on bud.👍

[MSTKing in reply to Ricardo70]

Thanks - that's good advice.

[Madlegs1]

Check out the NICE recommendations for your particular situation. Doctors must abide by these or you can report them.

Good luck.

[MSTKing in reply to Madlegs1]

Oh, I will check that out - thank you.

[cyberbarn in reply to MSTKing]

It is also worth checking out not just the British Formulary,

bnf.nice.org.uk

But also your local CCG formulary. They will control the drugs used locally as well. It might not offer you an alternative, but it will help you understand that even if you lovely GP had now left, he too would probably have to change what you take too. As pointed out, the GPs have their hands tied on this, they don't have much of a choice.

[MSTKing in reply to cyberbarn]

Thank you!

[Queeniz]

I really feel for you babe it’s out of order that ppl like us are paying for this s**t

[MSTKing in reply to Queeniz]

Thanks!

[Teanna]

Hi,

I was in the same position as yourself but having multiple pain problems, I was quite on a lot of opiates. But now its proved that they are so addictive that they have looked across the board & most cases they have cut most opiates if you have taken them for a long time.

I did suffer from Liver failure due to the opiates & I was seen by the pain management team (at the hospital)..,, What they put me on was paracetamol, that was no good to me. I was in hospital at that time ( 4 weeks), they had put me on steroids, but because I was in ICU, then the rest in an high independency ward they had weed me of all opiates & left me the worse time of my life. I had an allergic reaction to any anti inflammatory meds also gabapentin & pregabalin, both I reacted too. Luckily they ended up putting me on low dosage of Oramorph & paracetamol, that took a slight edge away, but I still was climbing the walls with pain.... I called my GP literally in tears, I could not go on anymore..... Again luckily, they have a pain management team there, & put me on these patches (they last for a week), I’ll have to look up the name as my carer does my meds for me..... also 2 x 500mg paracetamol x 3 times a day... & Oramorph 3.5ml every 4 hourly, I try cut out the afternoon dose so that I can get more relief at night.... amongst other meds like relaxers etc, it works..... So that’s is why they are trying to get most long time users off the opiates (unless it’s terminal). My Liver is damaged but due to all my different consultants that I’m under did not have no consultations between themselves & they left me with a lot of other problems.

You should have been weened of the opiates slowly.

So see if you can see your pain management team.

I hope you can understand this, and please keep me posted.

Teanna

[MSTKing in reply to Teanna]

Thank you. About a year ago, my new GP came to my house (because I very rarely see the GP) and did a blood test. She phoned up with the results and there was some sort of concern over my liver results. She proceeded to ask me whether I drank alcohol in a rather accusingly manner. I don't drink because I don't like the taste. I said - could it be the opiates and she didn't sound convince. I was meant to have a scan or something like that, but I didn't phone the hospital to book it.

[MSTKing in reply to Teanna]

Sorry typing without my glasses!

[Teanna]

Hi,

Make that appointment because you could end up like myself.... I don’t drink it was the opiates. Part of my Liver is dead, but I can lead a normalish life, but NO opiates. I did have a scan (But in a in health clinic) & it showed a fatty Liver, but because i never got any reply, my results was lost. It did not come to light until my Liver levels went up... then my Liver filled up with water, I could not see, I bloated so much that no-one recognised me, I was on death bed.... Now I have to be careful.... I could not remember nothing for 2 weeks, but the hospital did admit that it was the lack of communication between consultants... Now I have telephone consultations, & I have a lot of appointments in the next couple of months.... But I must say, throughout the lockdown, all of my consultants phoned me.

So please, get to have a scan....

Regards Teanna

[MSTKing]

Thanks - I will get back in touch with the GP.

[Queenielot]

I have to ring my doctor tomorrow because I asked for naproxen and surgery rang me and said doctor wants to talk with you about your medication but yeah it seems to be going that way I wonder what would they feel like if they had the pain that we have x

[MSTKing in reply to Queenielot]

I hope it went well.

[Queenielot in reply to MSTKing]

hi the doctor did ring me and said that I could have them but sods law felt OK these past 2 days

[Mollycooper11]

I've had the same problem here when my GP was away. The Dr I saw said I was an addict ( I'm not) and he refused to write me a script. I had to get my rheumatologist to prescribe for me. My GP has just left due to ill health so I'm dreading what will come.

[MSTKing in reply to Mollycooper11]

It's awful, isn't it? Wishing you all the best.

[Mollycooper11 in reply to MSTKing]

It really is and I'm wishing you all the best too x

[MSTKing in reply to Mollycooper11]

Thank you, and you too. x