ok went to the ER

[mel1980]

ok well today my hand so was unbearable that i have to type this with one hand i can barely move it there is no feeling so yea we went to the er they could care less about my pain sent me home with prednisone and soma 350 which i had already taken and did nothing well off to call the dr tomorrow my neck is killing me and i cant sleep as far as my hand goes i have no feeling in it is it fare for them to tell me that these meds should work and i sholdnt be in pain come on im dying here

[chrischris]

Doctors and Hospitals have strict guidelines about administering narcotic medications, especially if a red flag is apparant.

Ask yourself, how did you approach the request for "stronger" medication? Many here have given you suggestions on medications and most of the suggestions you say you have already tried and they don't work for you. That would be a "red flag" to a doctor or hospital, so they give you what they can ethically and legally until they are presented with some objective evidence that you really need the "stronger" medications.

From the guidelines in California, opiates are not a firstline therapy until non-opiates have failed. Also, a biggie is if the patient is displaying possible mental illness such as depression, anxiety, panic, or bipolar disorder, opiates will not be given without a psychiatric evaluation. The last one I want to mention is that if a suspected substance abuse is suspected, the doctor or ER will administer a urine test to assess the presence of illegal drugs prior to prescribing any opiods. This is not a complete list, but just a few of the guidelines.

Maybe you should ask your Doctor if he would consider referring you to a Pain Management Specialist. They can work wonders if the patient is a willing participant.

I am really sorry you are in so much pain. I remember at the onset of my injury, I thought the pain would never end. My neck all the way down to my hand hurt beyond description. My doctor gave me Soma at first, and told me to take Advil every two hours. I did this for two weeks before the pain started to subside. Along with constant heating pads and ice packs alternating, lots of hot bathes and showers, soft music helped, and quiet solitude so I could cry in private. You may or may not completely recover, but if you are like me, the bad pain will subside, and then you can deal with the root cause of the problem.

Take care of yourself and I wish you a full recovery.

[rholmes]

Mel,

There is no magic answer on how you can get stronger pain meds. Seems you are stuck in panic mode, everyone here has tried to help you the best way they can but nothing seems to help. Dear we all are in some kind of pain and we all are suffering from the same cruel system. I can tell by your posts (have read most of them) you are all tensed up depressed and anxious. You need to try and calm down take the advice of some of the people on here relax, take your meds like the doctor said and . This w/c system is a horrible road to travel please don't make it worst on you then it already is.

Please don't think that I am taking light of your pain, my left shoulder was my first injury 15 years ago. I was healthy! had no problems and then one day POW!! adjusting to my injury was the biggest step I cried and cried I had never been in pain that long I hurt so bad my head had tilted to the left and I didn't know why I couldn't use my hand it was awful. So trust me when i say I know but you need to call a lawyer and let someone else deal with the adjuster. I know for a fact ER wil treat you even if it is w/c My back went out on me one day and I had to be transported I was in so much pain that after lying there and the first injection didn't work the doctor finally gave me a shot of moripin. So I can't understand how no one will help ease your pain. hope you feel better and good luck to you.

[sparkey]

I was the same way. I started out with vicodin and prednisone. Then only when i went to pain management did they try the percocet with the cymbalta. Whenever you are in pain for a period of time, you could develope depression almost 99% of the time. That is where the cymbalta or another type of anti depression med comes in. They do not want you to become in chronic pain.

Those did not work also and i ended up in bed with such severe shoulder pain/neck pain and hand pain. Dominant hand. So i got put on percocet to try to relieve the pain. When that did not work as i was so so bad i had to try methadone 20mg. I had a severe reaction to the methadone and because it is a longer acting pain killer and they wanted to try something else, i was just last week put on Oxycontin. I never wanted to be on narcotics, but that is what gets me up and able to start my new job this am without laying in bed all day crying. It really took a toll on my life with the pain so i know how you feel exactly!!!!

I was so bad i did not go out of my house and associate with even my best friend on the phone or in person or my family outside my home. All this stuff we are mentioning has to follow in order. They will do one thing at a time like Pooh said. You will get relief, but try not to let your pain get you to the point of staying in bed crying all day. Do everything you can to relieve the pain till the doctors can get something to work for you. I wish you the best.

[Lilly]

Hi Mel,
This may sound ridiculous....but, I found that if I paced the floor back & forth, it kinda soothed or hypnotized me into lessening of pain....or was a diversion of the mind. No, it is not a pain killer, but my way of trying to cope for the moment. You must try & get your emotions together and in control, ya gotta suck it up.....or you ARE gonna have a breakdown. Dwelling in a panic stricken state is definitely doing you no good. I know you are in pain....I feel so bad for you & wish there was an instant fix (other than narcs) but you must give the meds they gave you time to work! Some of them take up to a couple of weeks to kick in. I pray you have strength to cope, and don't take this post as uncaring or mean....because I AM worried about you...we ALL are. But at this point we are as helpless as you are.
Take care, many prayers for you, Lilly

[capricorn]

Mel...Prednisone and Soma would pretty much be standard meds for the pain you're having. I know you don't want to here this but steroids relieve inflammation faster and better than anything else. Take the meds, please and give them a chance.This way when you see the Dr. on Thursday he has a clearer idea of what's going on.


CAP

[mel1980]

ok i guess that is what im gonna have to do so you dont suggest calling my dr today and trying yo get an appt....

[jayne]

sure you need the appt. but if you are not taking what he told ya how he told ya he isnt gonna be happy

[mel1980]

well no i went to the er and they gave me news meds prednisone and soma 350 which i have been given before and didnt help i will be filling them later what i am saying is i have an appt with my wc dr on thursday i guess i should just keep that appt or call today and let them know how much pain i am in

[capricorn]

Mel...please keep your appt. on Thursday but try the prednisone first. I will be really surprised if it doesn't help somewhat. Plus it will be easier for your Dr. to go further with something else if you have taken the standard treatment for this pain. One step at a time , Mel. I know you hurt but nothing rushes in the WC system and trying will only make you crazy. Try to be calm. Stress and getting overly anxious aggravates the pain. Have you put an ice bag anywhere yet???


CAP