Not doing to well

[greenilady]

Hi,

I posted awhile back about changing doctors within the same practice. I saw the other doctor today in that practice. I told him that I had been taking pain medications prescribed by my primary physician. I'm having moderate to severe pain on a daily basis.

He said, and I quote, "taboo on narcotics for pain". He claims that if I take narcotics for the pain not only will I get addicted but then he won't known if any of the other treatments he might precribe for me are working. He did a pelvic exam which left me in extreme pain and wanted me to schedule a hospital hydrodistention. He also prescribed me Vesicare and Ultracet. I told him that I've taken Ultracet before and not only doesn't it help with pain it gives me really bad heartburn.

To say the least I'm not going back to him. I have the other appointment with a doctor in a outside area from where I live.

I am not going to fill either precriptions because I did sign a pain contract with my primary. I'm worried he will tell my physician not to precribe pain meds to me anymore.

Has anyone else heard their urologist say that pain meds are "taboo" for treating IC?

Thanks for any input you may have.

[dancemomof2]

Hugs and I agree with not going back. "taboo" thats a new one. Hope you find a super new Dr that makes you feel better then ever.

[Bessie]

I had a urologist that said he was not comfortable prescribing pain medication so I went to see a pain management doctor. I am sorry this new doctor treated you this way. I hope you find a doctor that will help you.

[hdb1982]

I once had a dr tell me he don't think narcotics are the "right way to treat IC" I told him I agree that they don't TREAT IC but they do TREAT THE SYMPTOMS. He didn't say anything back but I thought it was a valid point. I wasn't using them to treat IC but they made the symptoms bearable.

[Agape]

I agree with you. I told my urologist that I needed pain meds in order to work. You're right, they aren't healing the problem, but they sure help with the symptoms. I was taking Ultram and was told that it had very little chance of causing addiction. However, the last time I asked for a refill, they really didn't want to do it. Hopefully I won't be needing them much longer and the Elmiron will finally do what it is supposed to do and I will be fine. I know I don't watch my diet like I should and that is probably part of my problem with certain symptoms. Why do drs have to be so cruel when we can be in so much pain????

[leelee88]

I have been to 3 differant Doctors and they never used the phrase taboo, But they all did give me the spill on how they would not give me narcotics for my pain because they are addicting and bla, bla, bla ..

I know for a fact If I would not of been able to get my pain under control I would of went insane. I am just one of the lucky ones that the combo of meds I am on has brought my pain level down to just minimal pain.

I think it would be wise to go see another URO, but please be open to try other meds also. I hope you start feeling better soon..(((hugs)))

[Claredale]

I would definitely start finding a doctor that specializes in IC. Another avenue is a uro/gyno. That is the type of doctor I go to. I have severe IC and luckily just had one doctor (uro) that wasn't familiar with IC. At least he didn't use the word familiar, but admitted that I needed to find a specialist.

Hope that you find one soon!

Tracey

[Sally939]

I am so sorry you feel bad. My uro does not prescibe pain meds either. I am happy that I have found a way to be out of pain with out traditional pain meds. I am afrraid that if I would have found relief with them I might not of been as determinded to find relief with other options. BUT IC is not fun. In the beginning I felt I had lost my "life". If the pain meds help you live then take them and live! I have been told that it is hard to break the pain cycle when taking narcotics. I will say it will get easier. Keep looking for the best options for you. Good luck.

[Claredale]

My doctor doesn't even consider taking pain meds as anything more than the usual meds to make your life as normal as possible. Like he said, if I had a heart condition or diabetes, he would give me the meds I needed, so he treats IC as a disease that require meds to make your life as normal as he can. I have been on them quite a long time and have never felt high or drugged up. I have always been clear headed. Now when I was on some of the nerve meds, I couldn't function or think, so I quit taking them especially when they weren't doing what they were prescribed to do.

Yes, I have been concerned about addiction, but I only take them when I am in pain, which I am down to 1 to 2 a day now and that is after years of needing them every up to every 4 hours for years. My doctor and I have worked every month on the right med combo to get me to where I am today. I would love to be totally med free, even though my doctor doesn't see with as damaged as my bladder was that I will, but he didn't ever think I would be able to return to work again full-time either. They have allowed me to function as normal as possible. It really and truly aggravates me when doctors say that patients with IC are drug addicts. I have never had a reason to escape from my life. I had a wonderful life before IC and it took me a long time to get where I am today, but without former doctor and the doctor I have now, I would not have ever been able to work, be active in my church and with my kids's youth group and now able to return back to work full-time without being under the care of 2 such wonderful and caring doctors. I know there are more out there. My uro/gyno had just returned from a seminar about chronic pain and IC, so the word is getting out there. My former doctor just talked to a class of future doctors regarding chronic pain last week! It is good to know that even though it's slower than we want, the message is getting out there.

[greenilady]

Hi,

Thanks for everyone's support. Sorry it took so long to reply but for some reason pelvice exams really set me back pain wise. Didn't have good day yesterday.

Just wanted to add that I'm also taking Elmiron and hydroxzine as well as modifying my diet.

I would really like one of these urologists to spend one day inside our bodies and feel our pain before they judge the extent of it.

Anyways I'm going to stay positive and hopefully the doctor I see on the 29th will be someone I can work with to get my symptoms under control.

Thanks again and hugs!