HELP!

[USAF Medic]

I am a disabled vet. My right leg amputated. I suffer incredibly severe phantom pain. Now the system has made it next to imposible to get pain medication from my primary care docs. They want me, in incredible pain,
drive to Corvalis to a pain specialist!
Almost all with chronic pain are treated this way.

So, as a last roesort I want to have vetrans or anyone join me in
a protest here in Lincoln city. I hope to bring awareness of this problem to
the masses. The World Health Organization says that not treating pain is the same as torture! I am others are being tortured by the system! Please help!
MSgt Don Mosley, USAF

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[Certaindeaf]

I hear what you're saying and that sucks and of course thank you for your service. However, I've been through plenty of pain in my life but have always chosen the pain over drugs/maskers.
Good luck.

 

[U201494]

I've been through plenty of pain in my life but have always chosen the pain over drugs/maskers.

What is your point?
Everyone is different and this poor fellow needs the meds, not someone trying to start a debate on the real need for pain medicine.

 

[redmud]

Unfortunately prescription drug abuse has had alot of primary care doctors under scrutiny.

My wife has Decorvains tentionitis in her left wrist, its like Carpul tunnel of the thumb tendon. Her insurance will not cover corrective surgery. So she has to rely on anti inflammation pills and pain killers.

Her primary care provider cut her off of prescription pain relievers so she called her insurance to inquire about it. They were outraged and called the medical board who sent a letter to the clinic and called the doctor about it . The Dr called 3 days later to tell her the prescription was waiting for her at her pharmacy to pick up.

I figure it must be cheaper to keep her relieved of pain than do surgery.

Good luck I hope you get the help you need

 

[deadeye]

If you cant be supportive/helpful please move on.

 

[USAF Medic]

Unfortunately prescription drug abuse has had alot of primary care doctors under scrutiny.

My wife has Decorvains tentionitis in her left wrist, its like Carpul tunnel of the thumb tendon. Her insurance will not cover corrective surgery. So she has to rely on anti inflammation pills and pain killers.

Her primary care provider cut her off of prescription pain relievers so she called her insurance to inquire about it. They were outraged and called the medical board who sent a letter to the clinic and called the doctor about it . The Dr called 3 days later to tell her the prescription was waiting for her at her pharmacy to pick up.

I figure it must be cheaper to keep her relieved of pain than do surgery.

Good luck I hope you get the help you need

I understand about about the perscription drug abuse.
That is like banning guns because someone has abused the
right to bear arms.
Makes a lot os

Unfortunately prescription drug abuse has had alot of primary care doctors under scrutiny.

My wife has Decorvains tentionitis in her left wrist, its like Carpul tunnel of the thumb tendon. Her insurance will not cover corrective surgery. So she has to rely on anti inflammation pills and pain killers.

Her primary care provider cut her off of prescription pain relievers so she called her insurance to inquire about it. They were outraged and called the medical board who sent a letter to the clinic and called the doctor about it . The Dr called 3 days later to tell her the prescription was waiting for her at her pharmacy to pick up.

I figure it must be cheaper to keep her relieved of pain than do surgery.

Good luck I hope you get the help you need

of sence huh?

 

[USAF Medic]

I will contact the medical board. Not sure it will do any good, but can't hurt I guess.

 

[USAF Medic]

For anyone who thinks it is best to tough it out,
Stop by and I will demonstrate on you just what kind of pain I am talking about.

 

[3MTA3]

Check to see if there any way you can "see" the pain specialist via telephone, or perhaps in a conference call with your primary doctor.

Which VA are you part of? Portland or Roseburg?

Also, does your pain hurt more when you are in a car than at other times? The drive from Lincoln City to Corvallis is about an hour and a half. It might be best to just see the pain specialist and find out what your options are.

Also, maybe contact the Vet Centers to see what they can do, and also you may contact your Senator or Congressman if you feel they aren't meeting their commitment to your service.

 

[USAF Medic]

For anyone who thinks it is best to tough it out,
Stop by and I will demonstrate on you just what kind of pain I am talking about.

Check to see if there any way you can "see" the pain specialist via telephone, or perhaps in a conference call with your primary doctor.

Which VA are you part of? Portland or Roseburg?

Also, does your pain hurt more when you are in a car than at other times? The drive from Lincoln City to Corvallis is about an hour and a half. It might be best to just see the pain specialist and find out what your options are.

Also, maybe contact the Vet Centers to see what they can do, and also you may contact your Senator or Congressman if you feel they aren't meeting their commitment to your service.

Hi,
My VA Doc is in Linn Ville. I also use the Portland VA
Hospital for some things.
The irony is, my VA Doctor will not treat my pain as long as I have a Civilian doctor here in Lincoln City. I guess
just part of the same, let's torture chronic pain sufferers
system. Corvalis or Portland VA pain specialist are options. Just seems like a load of crap, when any MD
should be able to write a script for vicodin. I'm just venting my frustration with the whole deal.

 

[3MTA3]

Where the heck is Linn Ville? I'm just curious as I don't recall it during any of my travels.

I hope you get relief soon. The big disadvantage of a large bureaucracy is having to deal with sweeping impersonal decisions and, as always, lack of speed. Nobody at the VA personally wants to torture you - the VA is heavily staffed with ex-servicemen - it's just the d@mn bureaucracy.

I hope that the changes due to the Lose Your Insurance and Have to Pay Thousands More for Worse Coverage Act don't put all of us in your situation.

Again, I wish you a speedy success.

 

[rocky3]

the VA really sucks and even Washington has now figured Oregon VA is one of those that sucks. Years ago I would use the VA for primary care...no more. Thank the lord for Medicare. Once a year I use the VA to stay eligible and get best blood tests. For an operation the practice of OHSU really is going back to be a Butcher Shop, as they once were.
Best of luck and I hope you can hold out to 65 when you are eligible for Medicare.

 

[Rocky C]

I too cannot locate Linn Ville.
MSgt when do want to stage the protest?

 

[Bigbaddude]

I think he means West Linn

 

[Mbeef61]

I would recommend trying the pain specialist. I too hate the bureaucracy but primary care physicians aren't the best at everything. They may be passing the torch to someone else or may in fact be trying to help you. The specialist will have more info about mitigating pain and also have less scrutiny writing the scripts.

 

[USAF Medic]

I think he means West Linn

You are correct.

 

[PiratePast40]

My experience with pain care specialists and clinics is that they don't issue any prescriptions, that's up to your primary care physician. The treatment they give is on site only and under controlled circumstances, i.e., an operating theater environment. My experience is with spinal injections and nerve ablations. It involved a series of treatments to see what was effective for long term relief.

I know some people who have had relief with medical marijuana after narcotics have lost their effectiveness or are no longer tolerated. You might want to think of that as an option. Just be aware that some physicians will only allow one or the other.

 

[Three Bars]

I too deal with chronic pain, and like yourself. I'm having problems with my primary provider.

Apparently pain management using opiates is being frowned on by the current administration, and consequently my Dr. is not addressing my needs.
Actually, I'm shopping for a new Dr. after I have my Aorta Valve replaced next month. Pain issues are not the only ailments he's not properly treating, so it's time to find someone who will.

People who have not lived with constant pain have no idea of how debilitating chronic pain can be. There are good days, and there are bad days when it is a monumental task just to get out of bed.

I wish you luck in pursuing relief from your condition, and I support your protest. I regret not being able join you in Lincoln City.

 

[Oregonhunter5]

I'm very experienced in Working with pain docs. To say they won't provide pain killers, and they will send you to a primary for that, is not true always. In fact, it's only true about 30% of the time. I will tell you one big piece of advice. Your in pain I'm sure. Phantom pain is real deal stuff. Besides pain killers, look into a spinal cord stimulator. Sounds nuts, but I helped implant many of them for this issue. It works. Look up Patrick rask in philomath. Or Greg Phillips in Eugene. Rask is closest to you, and I did a few of these with Phillips. And the big piece if advise. Be the judge. Just because a doc throws you meds, doesn't mean your hooked to that answer for life. These drugs are bad, and will destroy your life. Good luck!

 

[PiratePast40]

^^^ Good to hear that my experience and those in my family were not typical regarding pain doctors not issuing prescriptions. Thanks for the correction.

I too am aware of how debilitating chronic pain can be. For me, pain killers didn't take all the pain away, but at least they lift the fog somewhat and allow some normal activities. Ben, I truly hope you can find resolution and relief from this.