I'm going to be frank about pain

Marg64

I was on painkillers for far worse things than the upcoming double mx. For months. This allowed me to regain range of motion and to, uh, work starting seven years ago. That's the whole point. I'm so angry at the addicts who made this more complicated. No gabapentin, no tricyclics, no f effexor. Personal experience.

It affects me personally. Wanna get this over with and due to everyone medicating like everyone's addicted, well I'm really angry.

kareenie

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/110/topic...

See sas-schatzi's thread....

Marg64

Fortunately I spoke with the surgeon about this and got a clear understanding that I'm getting real pain meds for when I'm in pain through pt.

Addicts suck. I hate that they even made this conversation necessary.

Sjacobs146

Marg, docs have to be careful because some folks who are not addicts become one following the use of pain meds. Many people who currently abuse opioids started with pain meds for a legit issue and then found that they could not live without it. I was nervous about taking them myself

Marg64

It's frustrating to me because I want pain meds until the pain goes away. I'm at higher risk for this frozen shoulder thing post mx and have a low pain tolerance. I need to start pt asap, I'm gonna be on pain meds for it and if there are adhesions, that'll be a while. "Weaning" myself through any super-painful PT would just make the PT not work and put me on permanent disability. Not interested in wean down to Tylenol super quickly as a sign of moral strength or medical pressure. It's a worrying trend, I've explained it to my doc. Hopefully no surprises ensue.

ChiSandy

The thing about pain is that it is far easier to stay ahead of it and prevent it than it is to alleviate it. Learned that in the two patient education sessions before my knee replacement surgeries, as well as real-life experience both in the hospital post-op and in post-surgical orthopedic rehab facility. We have to be absolute pests about getting our pain meds. BUT not many patients get addicted to them provided they wean down the dosage rather than attempt to quit abruptly.

Marg64

I had my bmx/diep. I went home and five days later was readmitted for pleurisy. It felt like Day 2 post-op.

What saved me was Toradol. It is an NSAID and not a controlled substance. You can only take it very short term.

shannondunlop

Hello.  "Addicts suck" is a very harsh and judgmental comment. I am a recovering addict and going through breast cancer treatment and I do not suck.

owlwatcher

I have known many addicts and I feel it is not their choice to become addicts. It is a complicated issue.I personally don't think that addicts once addicted want to be addicted. Some of us need more painkillers than others. Just my 2 cents.

corky60

Thanks for this thread, Marg64.

I suffer from fibromyalgia and pelvic pain. Due to vag atrophy I've had many UTIs. My PCP says that the atrophy is responsible for the pelvic pain and UTIs but she can't prescribe Vagifem due to my ER+ status. Instead she referred me to a urologist, a gyn and a pain center. I told her that my pain is often a 7 out of 10 and she recommended Tylenol. I've been at this level of pain for months with no relief. She will not prescribe opioids.

I go to the pain center in a couple of days after a month wait. The paperwork for the center includes an Opioid Treatment Agreement. I will have to sign a contract with them that says I agree to random drug screening tests and periodic random pill counts. I will not sell the medication or ask for early refills. And so on and so forth.

It used to be that a person's family doctor was able to treat severe pain. The pendulum has swung so far to the other side that those like myself can't get pain relief when we need it. Instead we're made to wait for weeks and weeks to go to a pain center. Our suffering is being ignored until the system can fit us into its schedule. And then we're being treated as addicts or potential addicts.

This is the new reality.

Warrior_Woman

I am with shannondunlap and owlwatcher. Addiction is a medical condition and so is breast cancer. No one wants breast cancer. No one wants to be substance dependent. The approach to treatment for many years has been one of pain management and in the course of treatment many people became dependent on their prescription medications. The problem with the opiates is that the withdrawal increases the subjective experience of pain. EVERYONE who takes them develops a certain tolerance. Tolerance occurs with every substance. It's easy to see how a vicious cycle can begin. The pendulum has not swung in the opposite direction as the treatment protocols have not changed. Many doctors are more cautious given the alarming incidence of death by overdose. My docs will still hand them to me like candy and this is frightening. I've had 9 surgeries for BC and was loaded down with pain killers each time. They assume because I am high functioning that I won't develop a dependence. Anyone can become an addict. I've addressed this with them directly and the response is that they doubt I will. If I do I should alert them and me medically managed for the withdrawal. I've known more people who've died from addiction in recent years than BC. None of them sucked! Glad you got what you wanted, Marg. Proceed with caution.

61neeser

I agree with you completely..i went to a pain center signed the contract, did all the UAs and passed, did the pill counts and then i got the flu and they called for a random...i could not get there...they dropped me! i have fibromyalgia, parkinson, now triple negative invasive stage 3c cancer and what am i suppose to do? really what am i suppose to do???? i would rather not go through any of this treatment and let god take me when he is ready than spend another 30-40 yrs in pain...just my opinion

Pammac47

61neeser,

I am so sorry you had that experience while here I've been asked if I want. I know at some point I will maybe. sometimes the new laws hurt people that it is not meant to. Talk to your pc about how best to handle that situation, but please don't give up. I wish you the best truly

corky60

61neeser, please don't give up. Tell your PCP, your oncologist, or your neurologist about your pain. Be persistent and pro-active. That you can be left to suffer is unacceptable. Be open and frank. Emphasize how much you hurt and that you need relief. We care. Please reach out and get help.

Anneyrae1234

I have had 16 surgeries, the last six were because of breast cancer. I have lived with pain, tried physical therapy 3 x's per week because of it post due to mastectomy. . The therapist then read surgeons report and told me intercostal brachial nerve was severed. I had 29 lypmph nodes removed with both chemo and radiation. I spoke to my oncologist and he said I would most likely have pain the rest of my life. It was so bad at times I was in fetal position in bed. Oncologist sent me to pain management dr that prescribed narcotics for four years my quality of life was good. I could funtion normally. Then I moved to another state and no pain management doctor would see me. I even had a family physician tell me to quit my pain meds cold turkey. Not good advice for a patient who also suffers with bipolar. I am still in search mode for good doctors in my area.

boyzbeebs

I pray that anyone with pain will get some form of pain relief. Me included. Anneyrae123 I pray you find a pain management Dr. who will help you

with your pain. I'm in alot of pain and can not function on pain meds. Although during chemo I was taking Percocet every 4 hours. Thank

God I didn't become addicted and believe that addicts including alcoholics can not help that they are addicted, just like people who suffer

from depression can not help that they are depressed. Life isn't easy, but we deal with the card we are dealt to the best of our ability.