Running Low on Hope

On Thursday (2/4/16), I had a D&C and endometrial biopsy.  Thankfully the biopsy came back clean-no cancer. Sadly, this procedure has caused my chronic pelvic pain to increase dramatically.

I made some judgement errors in trying to take the next step in trying to solve this new chronic pain issue (I say new because I have been dealing with fibromyalgia for several years whereas this pelvic pain has only been a problem for about 8 months).

I knew my surgeon was going to discharge me because there is nothing more surgically she can do. Her plan was to refer me to a pain clinic in UNC-Chapel Hill (which is about 2 hours from us). In an attempt to save us time and money (and not really understanding the difference between the types of pain clinics), I found a closer pain clinic in our local area. And I made the mistake of signing the "contract" with him.

For those of you who are not familiar with "pain contracts" it basically says you will only get your meds from that doctor and no one else can prescribe, not even an ER, without the pain doctor's permission.

So after my surgical procedure, my surgeon prescribed a couple of weeks worth of pain medication, but I could not fill it because the pain doctor would not allow it until the 25th.

So in 2 days we have spend $600 on ER visits trying to get pain relief. One doctor gave me an IM (intramuscular) injection of dilaudid which gave me about 5 hours of relief. Tonight I managed to get a prescription for 15 percocet 5 mg which should get me through about 2 days.

I am not a drug addict. I am a pain sufferer. There is a very significant difference, but federal regulations have doctors terrified to prescribe the meds that pain sufferers, both chronic and acute, really need.

I am frustrated. I have been seeking answers for these issues for many months. I have been told by 3 physicians that "it's all in my head" and there is nothing wrong with me. I have been to more ERs, doctors, hospitals, and clinics than I thought I visit in a lifetime. 

I have been treated terribly at times, but many times I have been treated well. Usually there is at least one caregiver (typically a nurse-props to all my nurse friends out there) that is kind and caring.

Now I am going to ask you to do something. Please pray for me and my family, this chronic illness effects all of us. Pray that we find answers at Chapel Hill. Pray my pain is at least bearable until I can get it correctly managed.

Blessings,

Meri