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November 21, 2009 - 3:19pm
How to properly discuss your pain medications with your doctor
I'm sure some you read my thread in the PM board about the current issue I'm having with my PM doc. I thought this was a better place to discuss the meds issue.
I'm currently on Percocet 10/325 and allowed to take no more than 3 a day. While it does help with pain, it only lasts for a short period of time. As soon as the 2 hrs of pain releif wears off, I'm waiting in pain until I can take the next dose. My PM doctor seemed kind of leary to even prescribe this med to me in the first place, so I feel scared to say something to him. It works, but I wish it lasted longer. I hate that the relief wears off after a couple hours and I'm stuck in pain for next 6 hours until I can take the next dose. I don't know how to communicate with him. I'm not trying to get more medication, but I think either a different dose or something that lasts longer would solve a bit of the problem. Another issue is that I am only 23, and I think that doctors tend to think that you can't be in that much pain at that young of an age. I am really comfortable talking with my PCP doctor about anything, and that includes pain medications and dosages, and options. But unfortunately she's not the one who gives me my monthly scripts.
What do you say to your doctor, or how do you communicate with your doctor that you would like discuss your pain medication options?
_____________
Lower back injury June 2009
Discectomy/Laminectomy August 2009
4 sets of injections in October/November 2009
Current meds: Kadian, Norco, Flexeril, Naproxen
I'm a 23 year old mother to 3 yr old twin girls and WAY to young for back pain!
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Howdy lilmama,
Actually what you said in here..."Is there a different medication you can give me that lasts longer? This only lasts a couple of hours, and I am in pain waiting for the proper time to take the next dose." Right there is a good no..excellent way to start that conversation. Doctors know that we all respond differently to different drugs. I hate when I see on here (and it's common) "Oh, sorry, you're in your 20's way to young to have this much pain." Big huueeeey to that! Sorry you are getting those comments from him. I am 47+, so a little bit of a "different boat" if you will.
Just be straight and talk with him pretty much as you have in this post lilmama, and you should be fine.
Let us know how it goes. Good luck, and take care.
Brenda
ACDF C5/6 2/08 - C6/7 8/09 - Neuropathy right arm and both legs - Cervical Myelopathy
10-11-11 PCF C4-T2 - C4-C7 Lamies; Surgery #2 Emergent removal large Hematoma!
L2/3/4 & L5/S1 fusions and Laminectomy on hold till neck fused.
For the full "Cliff Notes" please click my name!
"Life can knock us down, but we can choose whether or not to get up!!"
gave you a good lead in. Since the percocet works okay for those two hours, you can simply tell him that it works okay but it doesn't last long enough to give you any extended relief and ask if there is something else that he can prescribe that might last longer. There is by the way, it is oxycodoneER- it has no tylenol in it and comes in an extended release formulation. You probably know it as oxycontin or generic form- I mentioned above.
It is always tough but I have found over the years that a direct discussion is the only way to talk to a PM.
Sandi
I am not a physician nor a medical professional. All opinions expressed by me are of my own making and thus should be considered with that in mind.
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