What do I do if they refuse to give me pain meds?

[ICLori]

I've been suffering on my own through 4 1/2 years of IC now. I would say I'm in pain at least about 1/2 the time. I do have some times of remission, especially since I've been on Elmiron, but my flares last anywhere from a month to six months. This one is going on two months now.

My uro very reluctantly gave me one script for 25 percocet, to last me two months until my pain management clinic appointment.

I have heard that pain management clinics never give you any meds the first appointment so that means I probably won't get meds for at least another 4 months.

What can we do when our doctors refuse to believe we are in pain and won't let us have the painkillers we need?

If the pain management clinic won't help me, I'd be willing to pay out of pocket for a civilian doctor, but I wouldn't even know which one to go to, who could help me.

All the traditional treatments have failed me, nothing works but Percocet of all that I have been given.

What do you do when you are in so much pain, peeing 40-50 times per day/night, not getting any decent sleep at all, and they tell you just to live with it?

Thank you,
Blessings, Lori

[ICNDonna]

A word of caution: One of the things I learned working in a major hospital is how to recognize an addict is that the addict usually has a physical need for a specific medication --- so if a patient comes to the ER stating they are in pain and need one specific medication --- it immediately is a red flag and there is little likelihood of the patient being given the requested medication.

A better way to approach it is to make a list of the things you have tried and what the result was. By all means include percocet as a drug that has offered you relief in the past --- and it may be what you end up taking under the supervision of the pain specialist --- but you will need to be open to other options as well.

I hope the first visit goes well for you and that you get some help.

Sending gentle hugs,
Donna

[ICLori]

Hi, ICN Donna, thank you!

That's a good tip - I probably would have gone in there asking for Percocet because that is what works for me, I am a non-responder to morphine and codeine as well as being allergic to both of those.

I will make up a sheet of all that I have tried, with the results.

If they do not read it carefully, and prescribe me morphine in spite of my allergy to it, should I speak up and mention my allergy or will doing that make them think I am an addict?

It's in my records that I am allergic to morphine and codeine...I don't mean to be close-minded about those but I feel I have to be with the allergy and all. Anything else, including nerve blocks, tens, bladder removal, etc. I am willing and happy to try. Just not meds I am allergic to or that I have already tried that have made my condition worse (like Elavil.)

Blessings, Lori

[IBNPAIN]

If you figure it out let me know. I can't get any doctor to prescribe me pain medication of any kind. I even asked my pharmacist to call and ask for refill of Urimax, not even a narcotic or anything close to it and they called back today and said the doctors office refused it and I had to go in and see him. I was just there yesterday for an instillation and told his nurse that I was in pain and needed some, after the instillation I just came home and cried my eyes out. I have all but given up hope on ever feeling better again. I just want my life, or any signs of my life back again.

[ICNDonna]

When you list your medication allergies, they will very probably ask how you react. I'm allergic to penicillin and sulfonomodes and I'm always asked. I get a severe skin rash from either of the two and that's basically all they need to know.

I also am certain to tell any new medical professional about the fact that some medications make me nauseated.

So far I've never had a physician suggest I take anything I am allergic to.

Sending warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[ICLori]

Hi, ICN Donna!

I am not going to request any particular medication, but it looks like (according to this source below) the habit of calling someone an addict if they request a specific medication (one that works for them) is not warranted - as you can see, requesting a specific medication is not predictive of abuse or addiction. Hopefully doctors will learn more and not be so ignorant someday:

Table 2. Behavioral Assessment of Drug
Abuse or Addiction

Predictive Behaviors

Selling prescription drugs

Obtaining prescription drugs from a nonmedical source

Stealing or borrowing drugs from others

Using illicit drugs or abusing alcohol

Injecting oral formulations

Escalating dosage or otherwise not complying with
therapy despite repeated warnings

Seeking prescriptions from other physicians without
informing the prescriber or after being warned to stop

Demonstrating functional deterioration related to drug use

Resisting changes in therapy repeatedly despite adverse
drug effects


Nonpredictive Behaviors

Complaining aggressively about the need for more medicine

Hoarding drugs during periods of reduced symptoms

Requesting specific medications

Escalating dosage or otherwise not complying with
therapy on only one or two occasions

Using medication to treat unrelated symptoms

Reporting psychic effects not intended by the physician


Adapted from Portenoy, 1994

[kate118]

It is very irritating to me to ask a doctor for pain medicine and be looked at like a drug addict.....HELLOOO!!! If I was a drug addict I would just buy the stuff ANYWHERE on the street instead of seeking medical attention. :shake: