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Pain meds and psych meds.

I am Bipolar 1 taking 1250 Depakote and 200 Trazadone. Had spine surgery and now on pain meds. Hydrocodone 10, Fentanyl patch 50 mg, Amrix 10 and a muscle relaxer Baclofen 20 mg. Been seeing a pdoc for almost 10 years. Now he wont see me because I am on the pain meds. Said it makes you depressed which I agree. But thats why I need him. I don't know what to do now.
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Avatar universal
Yes you are correct. I really do need a Psycologist. I for the longest thought that the Pdoc was supposed to be some one that I could spend time talking with. I can see a VA Psycologist but at this time I have a work conflict and it is very difficult to get the time off. After spine surgery I was offered a position 8-5 pm M-F. I am the only one in this position at this point so I have no relief. I have found a group that meets at 7pm. Its not a Psycologist but at this point its better that not meeting with anyone at all. The new Pdoc did put me back on a medication that I had taken before so I am hoping that I will be feeling better soon.

Coming here to talk also helps. Thanks for the reply.
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1551327 tn?1514045867
Yes indeed...
Ignorance is bliss!!! :) and I miss it as well.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the advice. Yes I just couldn't understand why my Pdoc could even think that I would come off of them now after just having spine surgery. Well I recently found a new Pdoc that I will start seeing Monday who is aware of the situation and is accepting me. I was able to get a referral from Tricare. I recently started to use the VA. But the appointments are to far apart. I have to wait almost 4 months to see my Pdoc there.I'm retired military so I have both options.
It was rough for me after surgery. The ball was dropped by the surgeons staff and I guess him also.
No pain meds or physical therapy were prescribed for over 3 months.. The only thing that saved me was that I called my primary care doctor and she prescribed something for me right away which was still not enough but better than nothing. I literally wanted to die those 3 months. And if I could have moved enough to find a way to do it I probably would have.
I did make that known and was admitted to a psych unit 3 times in the 3 months.
Eventually my primary care doc  got me into pain management and I felt 100% better the next day.

I am so glad that there are sites like this. Those close to me have no clue what I'm going through. They say they understand to be comforting and I understand that. But it sure is nice to be among those who truly understand.

Sure wish I was one of those who didn't understand.
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
I'm glad you found a new pdoc.
See if you can get a Psycologist too.
Pura Vida from Costa Rica!
Helpful - 0
1551327 tn?1514045867
I am sorry that you are going through this and I can understand the severity of the situation you are in.  I see that you go to the VA so you are a veteran like me... I assume.
Yes the pain pills only serve to complicate issues when you are bipolar but being in severe pain is not what you want earlier.
Here is what I would suggest:
Take the medicines exactly as prescribed
Eat as healthy as possible
Work as hard as possible in your physical therapy
Take the first opportunity you get to come off of the pain meds.
Reality dictates that you must stay on the medicine for now.  Consequence dictates that you are going to have a difficult road ahead but no person is an island.
You can find support here and I hope that you have plenty more.  You can get through this with help and I have had to come off of pain pills many times while being bipolar 1.  It is doable when that time comes.  For now just take them.... they happen to be the lesser of two evils in this situation... pain being the most evil.
Let us know if there is anything else we can do to help.
Helpful - 0
6726276 tn?1421126668
Hi. How long is your pain med regiment due to last. Sometimes you'll need to wean off. Taper down till your free of those drugs.
Maybe if you and your prescribing Dr have a plan, and then you write it all down, your Pdoc will understand.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I am looking at another year or 2. I am having another surgery within that time. Since I posted I did call around and was able to find a Pdoc that will see me.

I have a VA Pdoc but the wait time is crazy. Appointments every 3 or 4 months. My other insurance will cover my new one up to 2 visits a months so hopefully I can get the help I need.

Thank you so much for your reply.
Maybe I didnt mention that I just had spine surgery so there is no way I can come off of them at this point.
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