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From: Ruthie.Hoffman@f223.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ruthie Hoffman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: medication
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Date: 16 Nov 90 15:02:14 GMT
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Index Number: 11728

[This is from the Chronic Pain Conference on Fidonet]

 > My wife has 2 herniated disks and so I know about pain
 > medicines.
 > The biggest problem with all of them is that they are physically
 > and psychologically addicting. The more you take, the more you
 > need to take to kill the pain. It becomes a vicious cycle. You

Yes....how true.  I have not consistantly taken anything for pain for 
more than a month or so.  I am too aware of this vicious cycle and am 
trying to avoid it beginning.  Right now we are trying something to 
relieve the inflamation.  The first drug for this worked well, but the 
side affects were terrible.  So yesterday he gave me samples of 
something else and told me not to dispare, that there are several more 
that we can try if this one doesn't work, or the side affects are 
awful.  Hearing that helped alot.   BTW.....I had one disk herniate 
(between L4-L5) and the one between L5-S1 is showing some signs of 
deterioration.  NOW....L4-L5 is "bulging" a bit and that is why the 
pain has returned, but not as bad as it was when I herniated last yr 
and had to have surgery.  I empathsize with your wife! 

 > Try to stick with one doc who knows you and your problem and is
 > willing to stay there for the long haul. If you go from one to
 > the other, they will all start at square one and you have to
 > start all over, every time.

Currently I have had to go back to the nuerosurgeon, but he is aware 
of my GP's involvement and it is working well together at this point. 
However, I was rather apprehensive when we moved this past Feb.  I 
would be 100 mi. round trip from my old GP and at first didn't want to 
switch to the local GP.  But I finally did last summer and he is 
wonderful!!!  I had no problems whatsoever with him or the folks in 
his office.  The changeover has been quite smooth.  He is 
understanding of my needs and pain. 

 > would be ok; no one should die in chronic pain. But if you are
 > otherwise healthy; its a heck of a way to live...If you find a
 > panacea, let the rest of us know.

Believe me, if I do, I'll shout it from the mountaintops...and 
announce it on all the echos   :)

Ruthie

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