painkillers

[MSTKing]

I have written about the problems precooked are encountering with pain meds. That was a while ago but I think it does need another piece. I’m RFHunt1 on Twitter- anyone who wants to be involved - get in touch there. It’s something I’ve experienced with my new GP who freaked out re: MST and despite an obvious injury wouldn’t give a short term PRN rise.

[Hidden]

Precooked?? MST?? PRN?? I find your post very confusing. Could you explain what you mean please.

[MSTKing in reply to Hidden]

I missed the ‘precooked’ damn predictive text. What I was saying is that is I have previously written a piece about the problems patients were having accessing the right painkillers but it was some time ago and that it is a topic worth revisiting. I write for the press so was wondering if anyone wanted to contact me via Twitter to contribute to this.

[Hidden in reply to MSTKing]

Aaah, I see. Yeah predictive text can be terrible sometimes. Thanks for clarifying that. I was concerned that you personally were having trouble being prescribed pain medication. I think it is definitely worth revisiting because I see posts here where people are asking for advice about what pain meds are good or struggling to get any pain cover at all so I wouldn't be surprised if some people do contact you. I've been lucky so far!

[MSTKing]

Thanks - I hope so as it does seem to be a growing problem with those in pain losing out, yet again.

[Hidden]

I don't know how it is in the UK or elsewhere but in the US there are pain specialists. I would be hard pressed to get any opioid pain meds from my GP or any other type of doctor other than a pain doctor. Unless you have surgery or a procedure and then they will give you the 3 day max allowable. I have had bad back pain most of my life and my daily morning meds used to include a hefty dose of Ibuprofen. After getting kidney disease, I cannot take NSAIDS any longer so I searched out and found a wonderful female pain doctor who had her fellowship at Stanford. She had me get an X-ray and MRI, and tested my urine for other controlled substances to make sure I was not just drug hunting. As it turned out, I have some fairly serious back issues that do not require surgery but cause considerable pain at times. At first, she prescribed a 90 day supply of Hydrocodone every 6 hours. I have been seeing her about every 4 months for several years now. I've told them at my appointments that I usually take one in the morning when I am at my worst and most days that's all I need. Depending on how much activity I have during the day, I may need another in the afternoon. Because of that, she cut my prescription to one every 12 hours. I was told at their office that there is a national database of every person that is legally given opioid pain medication, how much, and how often. I will add that I have had a handful of steroid injections in my lower back and last Fall, they did a procedure called RFA (radio frequency ablation) which deadens the sciatica nerves for about 9 months.

[MSTKing]

it’s getting harder and harder here. The problem is rather than separating out the two groups as per NICE guidelines on pain - everyone is getting bundled in together so people with very real problems and very real pain are getting denied their meds with not a reasonable alternative often on offer.

[Blackknight1989]

Just recently the CDC (US equivalent of NHS) once again rewrote guidelines for physicians and their recommendations for prescribing opioids. I personally don’t feel as if they do an Ada quote job managing my pain. In fairness, I did (finally) become addicted after 20 plus orthopedic surgeries (my very last TKA in 2014 after bilateral TKAs, bilateral hips and bilateral ankle arthrodesis( fusion). They are a huge problem here just as in your country but what little I’ve read on the NHS show y’all are just starting the process. Plus your folks are on or threatening a Island wide strike??? I understand but wow, has to be tough fighting that system. Many similarities though and as a veteran I am TREMENDOUSLY blessed with a VA GP who is the best. I’d expect your issues in country to continue to deteriorate as it passes through the “demonization of all things pain related. I get by with ice, heat and massage now and feel better. As always my best to you!

[MSTKing]

Yes, it’s becoming more problematic here probably in response to the US. It’s difficult because it now depends on getting an understanding doctor. That means it’s unfair as some get access to appropriate help (doesn’t have to be opiates) while others don’t. Those who have the funds to access help revive it - those without funds don’t. So, very unfair.

[Blackknight1989 in reply to MSTKing]

Spot-on. Finding an understanding doctor to prescribe pain meds longer than the 3 day limit to avoid addiction is nearly impossible post US Federal and State Governments and other governments suing successfully the makers of most opioid and the fentanyl crisis (at least in the US due to lack of southern border control) is impossible. Most docs, GP, orthopedic, rheumatologist, or pain-management are more concerned with themselves and protecting their practices they usually look at patients requesting help with medication management to ease pain symptoms sideways and immediately classify them as “drug seekers.” The pill factories that provided OxyContin and other opioids “in mass” really made most docs suspicious of all patients seeking any kind of prescription medication to manage pain. Plus most docs don’t want to put in the extra time monitoring, seeing the patient monthly and keeping well written notes justifying the treatment to help patients with medication that’s “controlled”. The systems both in the US and especially in the UK force docs to spend far less time seeing and talking to patients, too much time notating the visits due to the government paperwork requirements force docs to see more patients daily and to only care about themselves not the patients. It can be a long search for an understanding doc and it may be fruitless in todays world of “all opioids are bad, all patients who request them are drug seeking”. It is a new world of pain management post opioid crisis that usually results in diminishing patient care and no relief for patients who need it. It is a world of selfish docs only protecting themselves not being understanding and caring for patients. Not good! Good luck in your search and as always your journey in finding effective relief for your pain!

[MSTKing]

That is exactly right. Thank you!

Hoping to hear soon if I have a new GP practice!

[Blackknight1989 in reply to MSTKing]

I wish you the best of luck. Hope my post wasn’t offensive to you as apparently it was to another member. Not my intention to be political or to debate issues only to make an observation on patient care changing post Opioid crisis in the US and these often make the journey across the pond to Britain if not most of Western Europe. If you are willing keep us informed and as a fellow sufferer of pain daily I hope you find relief for the suffering! Take care!

[MSTKing]

no, that wasn’t offensive!

Thank you!