Thanks so much! It has been tough. Two years at a methadone clinic sucks especially when you're in withdrawal for a year and a half. The doctor at the clinic told me many months ago that I should go to a pain management doctor! I'm like no shit, help me find one! You'd think that these places would know understanding doctors but they don't care! My counselor told me long ago that hey you're dependent not an addict! I knew that all along but it doesn't help getting a pain doctor. I'm so glad you have an advocate! You seem to know how lucky you are! It's tough having pain that they don't have a clue about! Good luck with your mastectomy pain. A lot of my pain is from surgical nerve damage and scar tissue! You won't believe how long and how many injections before we found out that scar tissue was one problem! I got lucky one day getting an epidural injection and my doctor said I'm in some scar tissue and he injected there and my pain eased up tremendously! That was the first and only injection that ever brought any instant and lasting relief. I do have one suggestion and that is you can become hyper sensitive when taking opiates long term!. I feel that my body is dealing with my pain better now than when I was taking a lot of pain meds. But I have also done almost nothing physical for two years because I couldn't handle my normal pain without meds! I think getting off the opiates might be easier than you think since marijuana works for you. But don't worry if you continue to need opiates. You obviously know that uncontrolled pain is a horror and we need what we need to try to live as close to normal as possible. I've got to find a pain management doctor soon or I'll go crazy. My last doctor who I kinda feel like saved my life also did some things that weren't right! At the time I was grateful but when he dropped me and I started researching I found some things he shouldn't have done. Another thing is the crappy service pain patients will accept, just to have a doctor who can help with the pain! You just go through the motions of the doctor visits and never complain or else! Good luck with your pain and living as well as possible.

Thanks,
Ashley

Ashley,, you have every right to "rant". You are a VICTIM of the opioid hysteria sweeping the country. Unfortunately our doctors have forgotten their Hippocratic oath and now dance to the tune of the insurance companies, the government and its agencies such as the CDC and FDA. Sadly there is no more CARE in HEALTHCARE because our doctors are more concerned about themselves than their patients. For years I was a quiet, compliant patient until I received a gift of marijuana for Christmas one-year. I had forgotten how it felt to be almost completely pain free. I live in California where marijuana is legal and my doctor would prescribe it for me but I would have to withdraw from my opiates and that frightens me because I have been using them for years. I luckily do not have an addiction problem but my body is dependant. I wish I had some positive input but I really don't know what you can do except declare war and start filing complaints against all those who have abused you by denying you needed medical treatment. I have a Complex Case Manager provided by my insurance company. She is a R.N. and acts as my advocate helping me to get the treatment I want and need. She also helps me compose my thoughts on issues I want to present to my doctor. She is also able to give me contact information for local resources. She is the best thing that ever happened to me and has been a great motivator. One suggestion I do have to make, please NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR YOUR PAIN or how you are treated, you are not alone. I feel your frustration but at least I am getting some care. One of the problems I have is Post Mastectomy Pain Syndrome and my pain doctor doesn't even have a clue so I am in the process of getting a referral to see another doctor,this is after three years of no action, no exam an almost no treatment. I had a bone density test and my lumbar/sacral area was too messed up to be able to read. Did my doctor order a different test to see that area? No, despite the fact that I am in terrible pain 24/7 and walking, sitting, standing, sleeping are torture. I demanded a CT from my insurance company and had no trouble getting it. This is called SELFCARE. My heart bleeds for you and I pray you get the help you need. Remember, don't apologize, you have legitimate problems that have not been properly addressed. Good Luck Ashley

Well I saw the doctor that the PA works for and he didn't have a clue as to what the PA was talking about. The lying bastard just did it so I wouldn't ask about pain meds. I knew it was fishy when no one on the internet had heard of it.

Thanks Pam. Yeah I've felt like it was fishy. I've tried to find it online and I asked my primary care physician if he had ever heard of it. He hadn't heard of it. It's either really new or the PA was full of crap. Thanks again.

Thanks. That’s not exactly how it works but thanks anyway. This was from 2 years ago and I’ve been through the ringer. Since then I’ve seen a PM Doctor and had another ablation. That was a little over a year ago. Not a lot of help but that’s nothing new. I was supposed to let the doctor know how the ablation went a month or so after having it done. With 2 kids in college and my wife getting colon cancer. I had to put my problems on the back burner for obvious reasons plus financial. Thanks again.