medical personel

I have been on pain managment since 2003 for damaged nerves at the L-3,4,and 5 level in my back, fibromialgia, and lung disease. I am always suprised at the negative attitude that I get from, not the everyday person, but from medical personel...even doctors.  I am currently taking methadone and oxycodone and when the personel find out that fact you would think I had the plague. I was even in a position having to battle with ambulance people to take me to the hospital when I was having, what I thought was an asthma attack but turned out to be my heart. As soon as they found out that I was taking methadone, that is when their attitude changed from professionalizism to cruelty and dismissivenes. What is wrong with these people???? With all their education a person would think that they would know and understand the usage of different pain meds for pain management instead of assuming that one is a drug abuser. It really burns me up to have to face this kind of pregidous (sp?) from the medical profession of all people. Does/has anyone else faced this problem?

Hi Annie May

I just started pain managmaent(for several spurs on my spin and 2 bulging disc,R.A. & fibromyalga) but even the Dr.s and nurses there treat you like you are just there for the drugs even after seeing the medical reports. This really upsets me because I'v never taken drugs in my life. It looks like professionals would know better then to act like this. I sympothyize(sp?) with you.

I, too suffer from fybromyalia and very painful hand problems (I've had for surgeries to correct). I've been given just about everything to deal with my pain. Had severe reactions to Lyrica/Cymbalta combo. They even had me using fenytyl patches. Took oxycodone for a while. Made me sleepy and forget things. I now take Hydrododone 7.5 six times a day, use heating pads.  I sometimes need more than those six doses because I've gotten used to them and it doesn't work as well.  What I did do that was a big help was to go through a "behavioral therapy and pain management program" that my local hospital offered.  It taught me to deal with and avoid stress (a trigger) and breathing and physical excercises designed just for me.  The doctor held group sessions in which we would discuss and learn how to get "on top" of our pain.  I am lucky I found the right group of doctors that understand just what is wrong with me and encourage me to accept it, which I still have a hard time doing.  I don't know if this helps anyone, but check to see if there is such a program out there for you.  It's not all about the meds.  You have to change/alter your way of life and do it positively.  I have many bad days, just went through 2 of them where I was home bound, but I keep on trying and I'm aware of what will flare things up and I try to identify these things before I go and do them.  I decide if it's worth going through the extra pain for a day or two then.  Good luck with finding relief and the right people to help you with it.

I have been misdiagnosed for over 3 years with early onset menopause and fibromyalgia while I was slipping into thyroid disease. I have dealt with medical personnel in both clinical settings and as professors in my PhD program who simply dismiss fibromyalgia. One professor is a director at the National Institute of Health. This professor had me in tears on several occassions as I tried to examine fibro for the course research. When I asked the instructor for his/her hypothesis regarding the condition and how Lyrica worked I was not given an answer.  It was suggested that I have my doctor look closer at Lyme Disease.

Then there were the lovely personnel and family members who were certain I was menopausal. This was very difficult to swallow, especially when hormone treatements did not alleviate the difficulties.

Finally hypothyroidism showed up on my lab work. I have had all of the symptoms, but my docs were hesitant to treat me without the lab work. I have been on synthroid 50mg for 1 1/2 weeks and do have slightly more energy and the sweats/chills do seem to be calming down some. I am praying that this is an explanation for the pain in my limbs, as well.

Someone mentioned that they had a reaction to the Lyrica/Cymbalta combination. I became extremely depressed while taking Cymbalta/Pamelor/Strattera. I will never take Cymbalta or Pamelor again.

i am totally relate to you anneymay, everytime i go to the doctors he nevers gives me anything stronger then vicoden 5mg, i have been on this curtain pill for over a year, which i have been on stronger to me anyways, percocet, thats the only other thing lol. i hate that fact that just because we go see the doctor and bug them for something to actually help the pain they think we are abusing the drugs which isn't the case, i would like to see a doctor that i have seen actually go thou with the pain i have. then lets see how they feel.

i am starting to hate doctors since i have had my youngest son thats when this all happen, doctors just dont understand. ARENT THERE ANY DOCTORS ON THIS EARTH THAT ACTUALLY CARES?