I moved to FL in March of this year from CA. My TN pain is very bad at the moment and my neuro here will not prescribe anything, not even tegretol since I have a history of bad reactions to certain meds in that class.
The ER will not administer pain meds.
I have a referral to Mayo Clinic but that is not until Oct.
I don't even like narcotics, but my pain is so severe and I know based on successful med trials while in CA that dilaudad helps for immediate relief so I can at least sleep.
However, the narc laws here in Florida are so strict- not even some trauma patients are being given meds in some instances...
SO, what options do I have if any???
I have called other Medical centers and professors have agreed to review my case if I personally send all of my records to them, but that doesn't help the pain today, or tomorrow, or next week... My positive side is fried... I literally see no options.
I'm growing desperate. I need advice, please...
I just want one shot of a strong med and some sleep, oh I long for sleep... :(
I am on baclofen, not helping right now... cannot take ultram and have allergy to lidocane... benadryl causes akathisia in me... so screwed in many ways when it comes to meds, it is very frustrating... I would switch docs tomorrow, yet I have to rely on this one for the referral i need to mayo, a bad chain of events. Maybe I will go into the office and demand something in person...
I know how desperate you feel, I have been in the same situation. I waited 3 months for an appointment with a neurologist, I have lupus disease also and on my visit to the hospital for a check up I broke down in the surgery, I just couldn't stop sobbing my heart out, I don't think they knew what to do with me so they contacted the neurologist and got me an emergency appointment.
I have a friend who had a head injury and each time he went to the hospital they sent him home, 4 times in total, on the last visit he refused to leave until they gave him a brain scan. Within half an hour he was rushed to another hospital and underwent surgery. His brain had been bleeding for days and had he not kicked up a fuss he would have died.
I would try to give them no option but to do something to treat the pain you are in.
Hope this helps and I too have bilateral TN and am allergic to tegratol and other meds but try not to panic, with the right meds you will be OK. I take pregabolin, tramadol and amitriptylene.
I’m so sorry you’re in this position right now. I’ve been there before. The last i was treated like some drug addict at the er. Can you call your current neuro’s office and ask them what to do or have him call the er when you head to the er to direct them to admisistir either a strong narcotic or something else that will knock you out? This must be horrible and I’m sorry you’re going through this. I wish there was more i could do or say for you on this. Keep us updated and Im send all the positive thoughts I can your way.
I am so shocked and upset by this, it's inhuman to let you suffer like this. I looked it up as I was so worried for you, I found this link, I have no idea if it will help but apparently some hospitals do have plans to help people like yourself. You will have to forgive my ignorance of US and Florida laws etc as I am from the UK. I have several chronic pain friends here and have asked them if they ever have problems with pain management and they all seem so puzzled and say " No of course not". It does seem a growing trend in the US and I worry for you, you should not suffer like this, I wish you some relief soon.
Will your primary doctor give you ambien to try and help you sleep? Maybe they can give you a migraine medicine like Midrin to lower your level of pain. Neither of those would be completely out of the realm of a primary to give as they are non-narcotic. I have read somewhere (and anyone please correct me if I am wrong) that the nerves will try to repair themselves as you are sleeping so that might be a first step your Primary may be willing to take umtil you see your specialist.
I am so sorry? What part of Florida are you in? I have had good success with Dr.'s at USF and would try there. I am actually having MvD surgery in two weeks and look forward to a successful one so I can be pain free. Hopefully you will get relief soon.
Oh, I'm so sorry. You must feel so weary and discouraged. Wish there was something we could do to help with your pain. I'm hoping there's another doctor in your area who would be willing to give you a prescription. When I'm in severe pain, not even morphine will help. The only thing that takes the pain away is an IV of Solumedrol (steroids). And after that, Neurontin and Baclofen help keep the severe pain away. Do you think your doctor would be open to trying these medications...they're not considered narcotics.
If you ever need to talk, feel free to send me a message and I'd be happy to give you my phone number. You're not alone. Saying prayers for you today! Hugs!!!
You might try seeing a physiatrist (NOT psychiatrist). A physiatrist is a doctor who treats pain (not a pain clinic). The following will give you an explanation if you a not familiar http://www.aapmr.org/patients/aboutpmr/pages/physiatrist.aspx. I also live in Florida, south Florida. So if you need doctor recommendations from my area let me know.