Hello,
I've been struggling with severe chronic headaches for the past 13 years. Have tried everything migraine, cluster,tension headache meds there are, both prescription and OTC. Even went off ALL meds for 3 months in case they were due to rebound headaches. Been to multiple Drs and no one could figure out where they are coming from. Went through that for about 8 years. 4-5 years ago I was referred to pain management. They started me out with injections..facet, branch block, trigger point, epidural, Botox...so on and so fourth. Nothing helped. They eventually started me on narcotic pain meds and for the last 2-3 years I have been on 20mg oxycontin 1x day, 15mg oxycodone 4x day, flexeril 1x day and cambia as needed (insurance only allowed 9 a month). Oh, forgot to mention I was in a car accident in 2003. Some issues with my c4-c6. Docs assumed this is where the headaches were coming from.
Due to my husband's job, we had to move overseas. Of course my biggest fear was having to switch docs since I've been managing pretty well for the last few years. I was lucky to get an Appt with the PM Dr fairly quickly in our new country. He told me that his goal is to get me off ALL medication. Um ok, this was 5 mins after meeting me. Told me he was going to change my script a bit. Ok. Ended up giving me 10mg oxycontin 3x day, flexeril 2x, cambia (pill form) up to 2x a day and 5mg oxycodone 1-2 3-4 times a day. Made me nervous, but I went with it. Like when I was taking the 15mg, which I would break in half a lot of the time, I spread the 5mg out and with taking the oxycontin 3x a day, I was ok. Barely felt any change. I go in about 2 weeks ago for a refill and everything was the same except now the 5mg oxycodone was 1-2 a day. The following day I immediately felt a difference. I was told to talk to the pharmacist. I guess she is some sort of inbetween. I explained to her that I was miserable and I feel like I am where I was 10 years ago. I also asked her for something to relieve the pain that was a non narcotic. She basically told me to hang in there.
Yesterday, they had me scheduled for yet another injection. This time it was a new doc. He asked me if any injections worked in the past and when I told him no, he skipped the injection. Again, I asked for something non narcotic so I could function, as I've barely moved from the couch in the last 2 weeks. Tells me to join his pain management support group and come back in a month. I asked about my meds and he tells me to go talk to the pharmacist.
Today, I met with the pharmacist again. And again I explained that I am in a ton of pain and if they are going to keep lowering my meds, can I please have something non narcotic to help. I was pretty much ignored and all she kept saying I'd they don't want you to be on any narcotics. FINE. FOR THE LAST TIME CAN I PLEASE HAVE SOMETHING NON NARCOTIC TO HELP WITH THE PAIN. Again, nothing.
This has been a very long journey for me and I was very happy with my Dr back home. We had no choice but to move here.
I guess my question is:
I am NOT ASKING FOR NARCOTIC. I am simply asking for something to make me feel better. Are they allowed to just allow me to suffer? I've explained to them every time I see one of them that I am a huge question mark. Nothing they will do will be anything different from what's already been done. Should I talk to patient advocacy? I'm lost here. I just want to feel better.
Thanks.