Doctor wouldn't give me pain med

[faith4jesus]

I've had a flare up for almost 2wks. It has been awful a few times where I stayed in bed for a few days.

I finally had an appointment today and the urologist was going to give me rescue solution but well my husband didn't want me to to that day due to cost. I had the potassium test almost a month ago plus after that they did the rescue solution. I had an awful flare up for a week so I didn't think it worked. Plus my husband told me we had to pay $400 out of pocket for that one visit.

Anyway, due to the fact that the rescue solution cost a lot my doctor suggested we try the antihistamine route. So he put me on Zyrtec and Singular. I start those tonight. I talked to people up front and they said with the insuance I have we'd have to pay around $160 for each rescue solution. So this is why I didn't do that today.

I had mentioned to the urologist about the possibility of him giving me some pain meds to help manage my pain during this flare up. He said he realy doesn't do that becaue it can be highly addictive.

I understand that. Believe me I do.

Have you guys med this kind of reaction too from your doctors? I have read on the boards that some of you are given pain meds for bad flare ups and stuff like that.

The pain I am having now isn't awful screaming pain, but well I have an ice pack between my legs now and in bed. (Thank the Lord for laptops. lol)

I was just wondering what your doctors have said to you when you ask for something for the pain? I have a bottle of Urised. But it hasn't been helping this time around with this flare up.

Ashley

[kari1980]

Ashley,
I feel your pain and yes, doctors, especially Uro's are so hesitant in giving us pain meds. It's so crazy. My primay doctor though has been great about giving them to me for years, but I've recently moved to another state and my doctor here won't give them to me, so I don't know what I'm going to do because the only thing that helps me when I'm in a flare is Percocet, nothing else touches the pain. So if you have a good, long standing relationship with another doctor try him/her and see what they say. Wishing the best for you,

Kari

[jen74]

I had three instills done so far, and they are charging me over $300 for each one. I wont be able to afford to keep doing it. I even have insurance, but our deductible is high and I have to pay alot out of pocket.
Jen

[jen74]

Oh, and my urogyne said she will absolutely never give out any narcotics. She said that people who take pain meds will end up in rehab.
I am no doctor, but as far as I know, I thought the definition of a drug addict is someone who takes pain meds, but has NO pain. A person who is taking pain meds for pain, is NOT an addict and will not become an addict.
You should ask him to refer you to a pain specialist who knows about pain meds and is not afraid to help you.
Jen

[kari1980]

Exactly Jen, when my doctor diagnosed me 14 years ago and wanted to give me Percocet I was hesitant at first. He explained to me that I don't need to worry about taking them because when you are truly in pain and take them for that reason, it only will help your pain, it doesn't give you a "buzz" or a high, but if your taking them when you don't have pain then you will get that "buzz" or high that the drug users are seeking, so he told me not to worry about it and I haven't. They have helped me so much over the years. It just drives me crazy the way that some doctors think, they just don't get it....

Kari

[jen74]

Hi Kari.
That is what gets my goat. I mean they are doctors for Frickin sakes, they should know this. I can bet you anything that if one of these doctors came down with IC, they would be on all sorts of pain meds, I guarantee you that!!!!!

I personally dont like taking any meds, as I dont trust meds all that much, as they have sooooo many bad side effects. But when we are in this much pain, we need some relief. Also, I find it ironic that when a doctor says they will not give pain meds in fear that they are bad for our bodies, well if these so called smart doctors did their homework, they would also know that leaving a person in chronic pain with no help is actually hurting the patient worse. It is a known fact that chronic pain ( especially severe) with no relief will cause a person to become very depressed, and in turn the immune system goes down and leaves a person suseptible to a whole host of things.
Then our bodies do not function right. Not to mention when a person is in alot of pain, they dont eat right( at least I dont, I get bad nausea from all the pain), and that sets a person up for other health issues.
I dont know, but this is the reason I am so afraid and skeptical whenever I go to see a new doctor. There are times when my hubby and I leave the office wondering how on earth some of doctors managed to get a medical liscense at all. It is scary. Like they say, there are tons of bad mechanics out there, and then there are some good ones,yet they all went through the same training. It is the same with doctors. There are ALOT of crappy ones out there. I mean, we watched a thing on TV awhile back and they said that there were more medical mistakes laying in the cemetary than there were from people in car wrecks. That is pretty scary.
Jen

[Sarojini]

It's true, many doctors will not prescribe narcotics these days -- you're not alone in experiencing that either. I've come across a few of those in my day, but luckily I have also had some docs who understand IC well and prescribe the medications.

My current urologist prescribes them, but I go to a special pain clinic anyway -- my urologist's office is at least 45 minutes away, and with narcotics, you need to pick up a new paper prescription each month (they can't usually be called in to the pharmacy). My urologist found me the pain clinic so that I wouldn't have to drive so far each month to get my meds.

Speaking of pain clinics, if you find that your pain is significantly interfering with your life, you may want to ask for a referral to one. The doctors there are specialists in pain management -- they are usually anesthesiologists who have decided to deal with pain control in patients who are awake They will often be able to prescribe a regimen of meds (some narcotic, some not) that will work well for you, and they are also experienced in techniques like nerve blocks and trigger point injections should you ever need services like that. Usually a good clinic will also have contacts in the physical therapy world and will also have a pain psychologist on staff -- the psychologist is there to help you talk out any issues you might have regarding pain and pain treatment, and can help you learn some self-care things as well.

[punkewe]

Zyrtec and Singulair

Do you have health/prescription insurance coverage? If not, Zyrtec and Singuair are going to cost you quite a bit out-of-pocket. We DO have insurance and those two medicines alone cost $100.

And I am very sorry that your Uro has that view concerning pain meds. At sometime or another we have probably all been refused adequate pain management. Please consider seeking a second opinion, even third or fourth. No one is going to care for you like you do, trust me.

I hope your pain subsides soon! ((Hugs))

[DaniBelle]

We are superwomen to be able to deal with....

a 2 week flare. When I first started having the IC really bad, I would wake up several times per night thinking I was being used as some sort of horrific medical project...to see how much one person could stand without going out of her mind. I know we've all been 'there' in that place. It is inexcusable that the medical community lets us suffer like we do. I believe exactly as one the the previous posts said "the definition of a drug addict is someone who takes pain meds, but has NO pain. A person who is taking pain meds for pain, is NOT an addict and will not become an addict." There is a big difference. When I was in between my gyn problems and would still have a twinge here and there, I would take one of my left over pain pills. I would feel that high, euphoric feeling. That quickly changed when my IC pain and Fibromyalgia was so bad, the pain medication barely touched the pain. I am taking strong medications now and never feel 'high' at any time. That's how I know the difference. The pain medication is going directly to dull the pain receptors and doesn't have time to give me that 'boost' of energy, or 'happy' feeling. They do take most of the pain away. If I hadn't started on pain medication for this chronic pain, I would be in the ER every other day....seriously. Focus on finding the right medications to help you feel better. The medications for the IC (Elmiron, etc.), the IC diet (very important), and the pain meds from a pain mgmt. doctor will help you feel better. I get so upset everytime I read about someone needlessly suffering with the pain of IC. Even with pain meds, the pain never goes away completely, but it certainly makes everyday life much better. These medications are there to help you, find a reputable pain mgmt. doctor (you'll need a referral from your Uro or Gyn) and get on track. I don't let those naysayers bother me anymore. I still have 'friends' and relatives telling me "it can't be that bad". I just ask them how they would feel if someone pulled all the skin off their hand and poured alcohol on it all day and night. Then imagine it being your bladder and not being able to reach it to put medication on it, etc.. Sometimes,they 'understand', but more often, they just shrug it off. But for the grace of God, go They!!!!


I hope you feel better,

Dani

I've had a flare up for almost 2wks. It has been awful a few times where I stayed in bed for a few days.

I finally had an appointment today and the urologist was going to give me rescue solution but well my husband didn't want me to to that day due to cost. I had the potassium test almost a month ago plus after that they did the rescue solution. I had an awful flare up for a week so I didn't think it worked. Plus my husband told me we had to pay $400 out of pocket for that one visit.

Anyway, due to the fact that the rescue solution cost a lot my doctor suggested we try the antihistamine route. So he put me on Zyrtec and Singular. I start those tonight. I talked to people up front and they said with the insuance I have we'd have to pay around $160 for each rescue solution. So this is why I didn't do that today.

I had mentioned to the urologist about the possibility of him giving me some pain meds to help manage my pain during this flare up. He said he realy doesn't do that becaue it can be highly addictive.

I understand that. Believe me I do.

Have you guys med this kind of reaction too from your doctors? I have read on the boards that some of you are given pain meds for bad flare ups and stuff like that.

The pain I am having now isn't awful screaming pain, but well I have an ice pack between my legs now and in bed. (Thank the Lord for laptops. lol)

I was just wondering what your doctors have said to you when you ask for something for the pain? I have a bottle of Urised. But it hasn't been helping this time around with this flare up.

Ashley

[DaniBelle]

P.s.

I forgot to mention that my pain mgmt. doctor is also a psychiatrist, so I'm able to talk to him about how the pain affects me emotionally and spiritually. I'm very thankful for him. This doctor grew up watching his mother and sister suffer with endometriosis. He UNDERSTANDS! I know you are in Georgia...I wish you could go to the clinic and center I go to. It would be worth it if you aren't too far away. Even if you came once per month, it would be great for you. Let me know if you want any more info. Feel better soon!

Dani

[HGC]

I read these posts and it really upsets me that so many of you have to suffer in pain because you have Dr.'s who are unwilling to prescribe pain medication. Maybe I am not the norm but my Dr. (my Urologist) always gives me pain medication. I don't have to beg for it and I never have to worry about being in pain due to lack of medication and I am not addicted to it. I take it only when I am in pain. People who are in pain do not feel euphoric when they take pain medication - they feel normal.

[littlemyrn]

I had a UROGYNO that would not prescribe anything but Naproxen (sp?) which caused flares for me, found new URO who I have posted about and who I love, will prescribe within a limit pain meds. I am going with ihurtoo (Amy) to her pain clinic meeting Monday and if I choose to go there, I believe my URO will refer me or my primary doctor. Also why didn't your dr. prescribe hydroxyine it is much much cheaper and that is the standard for IC patients. Good Luck

[Claredale]

My Uro/gyno has no problem providing me with pain meds. He knows that I have been on them for years. I take Lortab and whenever he prescribed anything stronger, I go back to the Lortab. It always seems to work best for me. I am also using the B & O suppositories which are supposed to allow me to use less Lortab, but again, the Lortab seems to resolve the pain better than anything. The only thing that I can tell that the b & O supp help me with is when I have that burning bladder thing going on.

I hope that you can find a doctor that will give you your pain relief. Please don't let any doctors tell you that being on pain meds to allow you to live a normal a life as possible will cause you to be in rehab. That just really makes me angry that doctors allow some of us to suffer needlessly when all they have to do is some research!

Please let us know what happens!

Hugs,
T83

[Kara Isabel]

My urogyn RELUCTANTLY would give me 30 vicodins a month, but that wasn't even putting a dent in the pain, so I got a referral to a pain clinic. If you think you will need pain pills on a regular basis, finding a pain clinic is your best bet! They are more willing to put you on long acting pain meds. I take morphine and I don't get "high" from it at ALL, I just feel "normal" when I take it,

I think if you take these meds when you aren't in pain, you get all sorts of side effects like drowsiness, that "high" feeling, etc. But if you have true pain (which you do with IC) They just make you feel *normal*.....atleast that's my experience.

Feel better,
Hugs,
Kara

[MerryBerryMoose]

My Uro refused to give me narcotics for pain but was open to other things. I tried Ibuprophen and Toridol with no result. Then he gave me Tramadol which, for me, worked fine. I went on vacation about 2 weeks ago and he DID give me a script for Darvocet N for thr trip (which SHOCKED me). With my Uro I sort of had to proove myself that I was responsible with the Tramadol before he would write a script for 40 pills in stead of 20 and so on.