let down by docs

[freespirit7]

hello fellow sufferers

diagnosed with fibro a few years ago , through trial and error on different meds , i had 3 or 4 different pain meds , able to get on with life .then my doc wanted me to go to a pain clinic , the worst thing i agreed to . the clinic informed my doctor to stop giving me opioids meds ( the only kind that helps with pain ) i am left with a small dosage of tramodol to take . because i keep asking for some thing else to fill in the gaps between the med i have ,and take me of the tramodol as my body has got to used to it that it does not work as well as it used to. i have been told to ween my self off tramodol . and have no meds . have been labeled in my file as a opiate addict , and not to be given any pain meds . even thou they are the ones who prescribed it all in the first place , what hypocrites , now in pain all the time . i feel i need to report the doctor for labeling me a addict . feel so down , if i didn't have my pets ,i would not be here anymore . will appreciate any advice or feed back . thank you . wishing you all pain free days . and thanks for reading .im nearly 70.

[CM1EDSUK]

Hello freespirit7 - it seems our Drs are more wary in prescribing opioids due to what has happened in the USA; however there has been the odd unfortunate death due to opioid usage here in the UK which has also tempered viewpoints. That being said the understanding seems to be that opioids are helpful for acute pain, but not for chronic pain such as can occur with fibro. There are other meds that may help that aren't opioids.

I speak a little from my personal experience, as I also suffer from chronic pain, & was prescribed Fentanyl patches (opioids) for about 7 years. I made the conscious decision to wean myself of these very gradually. I expected to have worse pain, but instead found there was negligible difference. I do take meds, but not opioids.

This just illustrates, as you say, that it's 'trial & error' to find out what may work. I appreciate your upset as there's a difference to being dependent on a drug or addicted. However, as I'm trying to say, your Drs aren't hypocrites, it's just their understanding of medicine will keep on changing/updating, & they have to follow the National Institute of Health & Care Excellence's guidelines.

What sort of pets do you have? I have a very mischievous cat who rules the house!

[CheetieCat]

Aw freespirit7 what an awful situation you're in. I know guidelines have changed regarding medication for chronic pain but to remove everything is so unfair.

We are all so different and medication works so differently for all of us. To change it across the board for everyone and not on the individual person in my opinion is a nonsense.

My advice would be to have another talk with your GP. Explain how you were coping reasonably well, good days & bad days but coping to how you are now obviously not coping at all.

Ask for his/her advice on going forward, how you can manage your pain with their help. Hopefully GP will be able to offer some alternative treatments.

I know it must be galling when you know what works best for you but in this case you really don't have an option other than trying to work with your GP rather than against 🫤

[fmlife]

Is it possible to get your doc to refer you to a fibro friendly rhummy? would say you need your fibro re evaluation asap

am guessing you have gone through cold turkey, you could talk to a pharmacist to see what the options are.

are you sleeping? again talk to pharmacist, talk to gp and try to work through this problem.

A gp can only prescribe certain class meds if a consultant tells them to.

gentle hugs