When do we ask for pain management

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone;

I am wondering at which point you ask your treating physician for

pain management of chronic pancreatitis.

I have been in hospital 4 times in the last year (maybe once more if

I go in before November 7th). I'm teetering on it (Dick's Pancreas)

flipping out again.

I have been noticing that sharp pain to the front and about 1 " left

and lower from the sternum. It's the pancreas, I know it. I just

don't have the hot belly yet, which is my signal to start rolling to

the hospital.

I have modified my diet accordingly and am trying to not set 'er off

again. You all know its like a firecracker, once the fuse is lit it

has to run its course (resulting in hospitilization).

At which point is asking for pain meds acceptable and not viewed

as " drug seeking " behaviour or asking the doctor to practice " bad

medicine " because the pain meds cover up the signals of an immenient

attack?

Thank you,

Dick

[Guest guest]

Dick,

If you are in pain that is not sufficiently managed by your present

medications, you should ask to see a pain doctor. You cannot control whether

a doctor " thinks " you are a drug seeker. Probably everyone here, who has had

pancreatitis over the long term, has been called a drug seeker at one time

or another. At some point, you will probably be called one too. Calling you

a drug seeker is a good indication that the physician calling you such names

is a bombastic, self-absorbed creep. Run away and find another when that

happens.

There is no reason for you to suffer in pain. It will not make you a better

person, or get you into heaven. If you have pain, you owe it to yourself to

seek relief so that you can live as normal a life as possible.

Best Regards,

Jerry/NC

************************************************

>

> Hi everyone;

>

> I am wondering at which point you ask your treating physician for

> pain management of chronic pancreatitis.

>

> I have been in hospital 4 times in the last year (maybe once more if

> I go in before November 7th). I'm teetering on it (Dick's Pancreas)

> flipping out again.

>

> I have been noticing that sharp pain to the front and about 1 " left

> and lower from the sternum. It's the pancreas, I know it. I just

> don't have the hot belly yet, which is my signal to start rolling to

> the hospital.

>

> I have modified my diet accordingly and am trying to not set 'er off

> again. You all know its like a firecracker, once the fuse is lit it

> has to run its course (resulting in hospitilization).

>

> At which point is asking for pain meds acceptable and not viewed

> as " drug seeking " behaviour or asking the doctor to practice " bad

> medicine " because the pain meds cover up the signals of an immenient

> attack?

>

> Thank you,

> Dick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jerry;

Thanks for the thoughts. Here is the kicker... I have had a

seriously painful back problem for the last ten years. For the first

few years an occasional vicodin was all that was needed, but as time

passed and I got older (dunno why that happens) my need for stronger

vicodin increased due in part to the back problem worsening and the

inevitable tolerance to the pain medication.

I have been on Lortab (vicodin 10/325's) for the past 5 years at a

dosage of four of those pills daily. I have been shying away from

the surgery for a long time, but I think I will succumb in the spring.

Which medication should I ask to be added to, or layered over, my

current Lortab regime to address the pancreas pain? And how do I

rationalize this (more and different pain medications) to my doctor

without having him look at me with a jaundiced eye?

I realize that I can go up to 3 grams (or 3,000 mg) of acetaminophen

a day, so at my present rate of 1.3 grams of acetaminophen I could

still increase the Lortabs. But I'd prefer not to push my luck with

the 'ol liver.

Liver function tests show no problem with the liver being able to

handle the acetaminophen.

Here is the predicament...If four 10/325mg Lortabs aren't cutting the

pancreas pain, I wonder if more of the same will? Hence, the

question about another pain medication to address the pancreas pain

while staying on the Lortabs for the good 'ol, back.

Thanks again,

Dick

P.S.

I just learned that aside from medications to lower triglycerides,

one can take fish oil caplets with the omega 3 fatty acids which

lower triglycerides and the bad cholesterol. I also learned that

eating say fresh tuna/salmon 4x + a week will help bring down the

triglycerides. So, as of yesterday, I have begun to have fish 4x a

week, take those fish oil capsules, and switch away from lots of

cheese and other fats. I now tend to go with a very flavorful cheese

so only a little but is needed and to go with proscuitto (Italian

cured ham) as it is very flavorful so only a little bit is needed.

They, at the hospital, recommended that I only have 6oz of meat a day.

>

> Dick,

>

> If you are in pain that is not sufficiently managed by your present

> medications, you should ask to see a pain doctor. You cannot

control whether

> a doctor " thinks " you are a drug seeker. Probably everyone here,

who has had

> pancreatitis over the long term, has been called a drug seeker at

one time

[Guest guest]

> Here is the predicament...If four 10/325mg Lortabs aren't cutting

the pancreas pain, I wonder if more of the same will? Hence, the

question about another pain medication to address the pancreas pain

while staying on the Lortabs for the good 'ol, back.

Dick,

The optimal solution would be to find an analgesic that would handle

both! You might find that with a different dosage and a different

narcotic; oxycodone, hydrocodone or dilaudid, as examples, that would

be sufficient to handle the pain of both your back and pancreas.

Sessions with a good pain management doctor would really be beneficial

for you. He or she could try the different dosages and analgesics

until they found the one that fits.

I think that if you asked your present doctor for a referral to a PM

clinic, he'd realize that you were looking for a sensible way to

handle the new, and old pain, and not just a drug seeker. IMO, this

would be better than just asking for more and more of the same.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

SC & SE Regional Rep.

PAI

Note: All comments or advice is based on personal experience or

opinion only, and should not be substituted for professional medical

consultation.