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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 14:51:16
Iv'e been severely depressed for years desperate for
help, suicide seems a pleasant option.
I have extensive degenerative disc disease, always in
excruciating pain, I take pain meds, Norco, Oxycontin,
xanax, ambien, tried paxil once, slept for 3 days straight
while first on it, gave it up after a month.
My pain docs could really give a shit.
My family doc is really compassionate,he has helped
me with my pain, The surgeons all say Im inoperable
too far gone, they don't want to sign my medical papers
so I can retire, I worked for a large school system in
Florida for 23 years, all i need is for 2 doctors to sign my
paperwork stating how bad I am, Yeah Really trying to
pull teeth with an icepick. Being shuffled from place
to place, all with the same answer, You are inoperable.
Well can you sign my paperwork and let me retire medically,
Oh I can't do that You have to see so & so.
Well I go and the same answer I cant sign your medical
papers.
What the HELL do I do now.???
Iv'e been on leave of abscence for 9 months now, still
in pain but not working, or with any income.
Depression is so bad, Its like another world with me
trying to look into it. I hate the feeling of all these meds
but I have so much pain I cant stand it much longer.
I told one doc that suicide is always on my mind, do you
think they care. Just Go Away.
I need some help, for pain ,retirement, depression,before I
truly go nuts. I have sat on my porch with my gun many
times and was to scared to do it, but one day I will just
do it. Can someone out there help me.??
papy@bellsouth.net
Posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:09:46
In reply to Severely depressed for years, posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 14:51:16
Michael, your story is nothing short of heartbreaking. You said your pain doctor doesn't care. Can you get one who does?
I cannot imagine what it is like to live with than kind of pain.
You tried paxil, but there are a lot of other antidepressants. It is definitely worth looking for another medication for your depression. The search for a way to ease the physical pain requires that you feel well enough emotionally to feel some hope. The reverse is probably true, too. You need a doctor who will help you find the right antidepressant for you, and to work with a pain specialist who cares, to adjust your meds so you don't have to live with such pain.
Is there an organization for this degenerative disc disease you have?
Posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:31:54
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:09:46
Michael, I did a quick search to learn more about DDD, and most of the sites weren't that helpful--just basic info. This one was interesting--a poster session at a medical conference, on the role of substance P in what the authors call painful DDD.
http://www.spine.org/conf_abstracts_10_20_96/p036-Adelman.html
Posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:41:45
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:31:54
Michael, I went to:
http://www.spine.org
which led me to the American Pain Society's resource page for pain patients:
http://www.ampainsoc.org/links/patient.htm
Posted by Cam W. on January 29, 2000, at 15:56:44
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 15:41:45
> Michael, I went to:
>
> http://www.spine.org
>
> which led me to the American Pain Society's resource page for pain patients:
>
> http://www.ampainsoc.org/links/patient.htmMichael - Noa is right, don't give up on antidepressants yet. It sounds like you could really use some counseling for the depression. Drugs alone will not help with a severe major depressive disorder. Please think about seeing a counsellor or therapist trained in helping people with depression. It will do you a world of good. It has helped me through 3 major depressive episodes. Also, Noa's advise about contacting the association is a tremendous idea. They should be able to help you with suggestions on how to deal with the pain. Good luck - Cam W.
Posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 16:50:36
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Cam W. on January 29, 2000, at 15:56:44
I agree with Cam. You need someone to talk to, to do some problem solving with, someone who will listen and try to understand what life is like for you. This person might also be able to help you access the resources you need, and to help you coordinate your care with the other doctors.
You haven't been working, and I don't know if you have medical insurance. You might try the Family Service Association in your area. Or, perhaps the county has social services or mental health services or services for people with disabilities or counseling services. Or at least they can refer you to a local non profit that offers services on a sliding scale.
Posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 17:53:18
In reply to Severely depressed for years, posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 14:51:16
>Yes I have excellent insurance, But if you have never experienced
trying to obtain some type of help with pain you are in for a rude
awakening. It seems if you take pain meds you are labled a drug addict
just wanting a high, Iv'e been through it all.
excuse after excuse why I cannot have pain meds.
If it weren't for my family doc who is a friend
of the family I would not have any medication at all.
Believe it or not.
I am an educator from a large school system, this
system has policies on the types of meds you can take or have
on your person and has drug testing all the time
even with my doctors letters I am labled a drug addict, This is OUTRAGEOUS.
Pain management doctors are under scrutiny and must
submit all names of patients who are on pain meds.
ESP, Class 2 narcotics. I have been denied my pain meds fron the pharmacy
because they thought I am taking excessive amounts.
I have had the police come to my home and want to search
for illegal substances, including my meds which I of course
have prescriptions for. Still I must go through HELL just to obtain my meds.
I have been to Partners against pain they have a website also,I have been
to court ordered counseling just because i am a person who has class 2 meds
around children. Life is pure HELL.
I had my disibility for at least 10 years, If there is anyone out there
who has ever had pain and could not get relief you know what I'm saying is true.
I have been to every kind of doctor in my state Im looking
to find some kind of refrences for other states.
Most of you who read this post will not understand how this kind
thing goes on with people with chronic pain, Follow up and you will see how difficult
it is. NUFF SAID FOR NOW.
papy@bellsouth.net
Posted by Noa on January 29, 2000, at 18:08:01
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 17:53:18
I think it is a good idea to find the best pain doctor you can, one who is brave and able to help you, in or out of state. It seems like the whole field of pain management is changing, and many doctors are not as up to date as the leaders are. Good luck.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 30, 2000, at 3:27:40
In reply to Severely depressed for years, posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 14:51:16
> Iv'e been severely depressed for years desperate for
> help, suicide seems a pleasant option.
> I have extensive degenerative disc disease, always in
> excruciating pain, I take pain meds, Norco, Oxycontin,
> xanax, ambien, tried paxil once, slept for 3 days straight
> while first on it, gave it up after a month...Antidepressants can help with not only depression, but also chronic pain:
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Antidepressants-for-chroni.html
Sometimes gabapentin can be useful, too. Good luck,
Bob
Posted by Sigolene on January 30, 2000, at 14:01:44
In reply to Severely depressed for years, posted by Michael on January 29, 2000, at 14:51:16
Hi Michael,
I just looked up in my book to find which antidepressant were given in case of chronic pain.
I fing that the best ones are Anafranil (clomipramine) and an other one which name I ignore but the substance in it is "amitriptyline".
I'm sure someone on psycho babble could give the brand name in US.
I think you should really really get one of these medications and wait at least 3 weeks until it works.
Courage.Sigolene.
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2000, at 14:15:20
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Sigolene on January 30, 2000, at 14:01:44
Amytriptaline, a TCA, I think it its brand name is Elavil, but it comes in generic, too, because it has been around a long time.
Posted by Phil on January 30, 2000, at 14:20:12
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years, posted by Noa on January 30, 2000, at 14:15:20
Not to change the subject but uh, Noa? Noa, bout got that cleaning business SQUARED AWAY?
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2000, at 14:22:48
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years...ahem..Noa?, posted by Phil on January 30, 2000, at 14:20:12
> Not to change the subject but uh, Noa? Noa, bout got that cleaning business SQUARED AWAY?
It sure feels good to know you're lookin out for me.
Posted by Michael on January 30, 2000, at 16:27:52
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years...ahem..Noa?, posted by Phil on January 30, 2000, at 14:20:12
>RE: AHEM.!??
Do you have a cleaning business?
Yes, I know U too.
Posted by Michael on January 31, 2000, at 18:21:44
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years...ahem..Noa?, posted by Phil on January 30, 2000, at 14:20:12
I always look out for my friends, AHEM AHEM
COUGH COUGH, GIGGLE HACK HACK.
Watchman, What of the NIGHT.!!
Posted by Michael on January 31, 2000, at 18:23:53
In reply to Re: Severely depressed for years...ahem..Noa?, posted by Phil on January 30, 2000, at 14:20:12
Hey.!! FILL, How U Doing.??
This is the end of the thread.
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