Bipolars Only Online Support Group

Hello everyone,

I have an appointment with my primary care physician this morning to discuss pain management for my back (injury w/ 3 bulging discs, aggrivated by a stint on Risperdol and a car accident). I'm frustrated because whenever doctors see my list of psych medications, they get really worried and never prescribe me anything, even when they view my MRI! I'm not drug-seeking I swear, I'm just really, really sick of being in pain. It has been shown that pain can even cause and definately exacerbate depression! I'm 35 years old and feel like I'm being seen as some deviant teenager looking to score.

This frustrates me to no end! I have always made it a point to be absolutely honest with my providers, but lately I'm feeling like I need to start lying about the list of psych meds I take, especially those that can be addictive like Ritalin and Librium.

My appointment is this morning. I'm in no mood to be humiliated. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm tired of pain and I've done the physical therapy, etc.

Thanks,

Z

I have had the same problem in the past. I live with a really messed up back and knee, and while I don't need pain medicine everyday, from time to time, it is necessity.

I was frustrated to say the least, when I went to the 4th doctor in as many months, trying to find some type of relief, and being given, "the look", and told to take advil. These were doctors who had seen my x-rays, Mri's and the various other test I had performed and plainly stated that, yes there is a huge problem here.

After looking around for some time for a doctor who would understand and not shove me away, I was very lucky to find my current Dr. who took the time to talk to me, and see for herself that I was not "drug seeking", and the compassion to realize that I live with enough mental and emotional pain and misery and did not need to add to that with physical pain as well.

Now, appx. every 2-3 months, or more, I visit her to talk about my back and knee and she gives me a prescription for enough pain meds to see me through a couple months, not many maybe 20 for two months, but that's enough.

Good luck at your Dr. today, and if this one won't listen, keep looking their is one out there who will.

I have had that issue in the past, but I sought out another provider who, like with WInterscythe, was willing to get to know me and understood my pain and that I wasn't looking for pain meds just to have them. I hope your appointment goes well and if you can't get what you need, I would recommend you seek out another doctor.

I knew it!!! %*¥£€>&$&@& !!!!!!!

The meds aren't good for me with all my psych meds, just take ibuprophen and go to physical therapy (again!) boy am I pissed! No wonder the online pharmacy business is booming!

I came back from Costa Rica (legally) with Tylenol w/ codeine and Oxe Forte (Diclofenac -- an NSAID -- and codeine) -- but once it's gone it's gone! I actually need a muscle relaxer most of the time to prevent muscle cramps, and these meds only after I have a really bad cramp (sometimes it's so bad I can't walk for a few days). Flexoril is non-habit-forming and it's the weakest of all muscle relaxers, yet she won't even prescribe this because she's concerned I'll be on too much medication (they even sell flexoril over the counter in Mexico!). My doctor gave me this look like I was collecting medications on purpose. She seemed worried and judgemental, so I told her I would be going off the imipramine soon since I started the Prozac, and she asked me: What does your psychiatrist think about you shifting around these meds? I'm not kidding, she really said that. I told her that I was doing this with my psychiatrist, that I wouldn't be able to do this without him. I'm having muscle cramps not just in the back, but everywhere such as my knee, arm, foot, etc. She's sending me back to physical therapy to cure . . . every muscle in my body I guess.

Yes, I'm feeling cheated for being bipolar. It's not fair. I called my therapist and she suggested that I get my psychiatrist to write my doctor a letter, but I don't think it would be well-received. Having all this pain makes me feel helpless, it really does. My doctor took blood to check my electrolytes (obviously suspecting that I'm still active with my eating disorder -- that stopped 4 years ago and yes, low patassium can cause cramps), and she tested for some kind of degenerative muscle illness that she didn't want to talk about.

Yeah, I'll probably have to search the Internet for flexoril, spending $100+ for a 30-day supply when it's sold for less than $10 in Mexico (not Costa Rica, I checked).

I feel defeated, and what's up with this degenerative muscle illness?

I'm gonna look for a new doctor too.

Z

This is my first post, so don't kill me...when my thyroid is off my legs cramp.

Hi, welcome! My dr appointment wasn't a complete waste I guess -- I had her do a full work-up re: thyroid, liver, kidneys, lithium level, etc. I'm always dragging my feet when it comes to getting this stuff done!

Z

I'm so smart LOLLLL -- the day before I saw my primary care physician who denied me of my meds I ordered a refill for flexoril from the other doctor I'd seen in her office, and it got filled!!! This is the last flexoril I'll get, but lollllll! Sometimes, occasionally, I'm so smart lol!

I have 5 degenerated discs in my lower back. I am in pain every day and just getting up out of bed is a pain. I cannot lift much weight. I cannot bend over to do something for any length of time; maybe 30 seconds. The dr has a MRI that shows the discs. He knows I am in pain. There is a framed notice in the waiting room that says: There will be no narcotics Rx'd from this clinic. Just great, huh?

I can't believe they have that hanging there!

I have 3 degenerated discs that bulge into the surrounding nerves. I get sciatica. If I so much as stoop down to clean something off the ground, it will set off pain that won't stop. And that's just my back -- ever since I took Risperdol, I've had mysterious muscle spasms all over my body, sometimes up to 3x a day. It happens a lot in and around my knee, making it hard to walk for 1-3 days afterwards.

But since I'm bipolar and obviously collecting meds, I have to just get over it and take 600 mg ibuprophen 3x a day.

It makes me angry, I'm feeling cheated, and it's humiliating to be refused medication.

So now I get to shop online for a medication made of foreign crap, for $300+.

I watch "Intervention" -- how are these addicts able to get meds from 3-4 doctors when I can't even get it from my one doctor?!? Not even after I get an MRI, after I've consulted with a neuro-surgeon?!? (I refused cortisone shots because such steroids make me manic).

I've been in pain for 5 YEARS and I'm sick of it!!!

Doctors, look it up: Extreme pain can cause depression!!!

So frustrated.

Z