More whingeing...

[Thinkimjob]

Going to scream. Fair enough, the doctor won't give me any steroids. Apparently the small risk of bursting my aneurysm is too great. And it's too late, now anyway.

Given that I have felt like death warmed up for a month, I think that should have been my choice to make, my risk to take.

What really drives me mad is she has offered me nothing to help, at all. I know it's not her fault because there isn't much she can offer.

But, oooh, how about some painkillers, or some Neurontin, or some Valium, or some counselling, or some PT, or some bloody thing.

I'm so sick of her sad labrador eyes, and paying her $130 a throw.

She's obsessed with my blood pressure, which is now just hunky dory, because it's something she can fix.

[tommylee]

But, oooh, how about some painkillers, or some Neurontin, or some Valium, or some counselling, or some PT, or some bloody thing.

I'm so sick of her sad labrador eyes, and paying her $130 a throw.

Why not some Valium? Did you ask her for some? I have been taking them as needed for years. I don't like taking them because they make me tired but when life sucks I just take them and sleep a lot.

[mercadies25]

Well so sorry for your pain. Whine all you want, that maybe some sort of therapy.

I don't even bother to call the docs anymore because their really isn't much about this disease that they understand. They can't figure it out so they don't know what to do with it. I HATE, HATE, HATE being in so much pain but I can't get it it across to them. One shot of torodol in the office and off I go. OK that only last about 2 hours then what?

Sorry you have to deal with it. I have no advice exept to whine and complain all you want here.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!!!!

[KatieAgain]

Awwww Think...my heart goes out to you. I know exactly what you are going through all too well.

These flares seem to last longer as time goes on don't they? You are right, it is doubtful steroids will help now.

There is no good reason for anyone to be in pain, so I am not certain why your doc won't issue you some pain medication. Most pain meds will make you sleep as well. At least get her on the phone and tell her you need some help pain wise and a referral for counseling.

I will be keeping you in my thoughts.

[Windwalker]

If you want pain meds and valium you need to ask for them.
I'm fortunate in that I have a PCP who understands MS very well and has always prescribed Norco, and Valium. 2 Norco a day and 1 valium...big deal for a guy with PPMS.

Doctors here are very skittish about prescribing these type of meds. Even my guy is getting weird about it.

Point being...you should have this stuff around, available when needed. Ask for it. Explain you have severe discomfort and pain and need this, want this.

[Fed Up]

Thinkimjob;


fed

[Goldfinch]

Nuts!

ThinkI'mJob ( I GET you with that screen name!)

It is a rotten feeling being dependent on someone to help you out when you know they're not feeling what you feel. Sorry for your situation, really, it's the one scenario that really honks me off just thinking about it. I have only felt the helplessness/irritation/rage to a small degree, because I've been fortunate in both the responsiveness of my MS to treatment, and I have always had good insurance.

Here in the states though, insurance is changing. Where in Oz are you? My sister lives very near Melbourne and has had some experience with Australian health care. She has had to wait for procedures for as long as a year before getting relief for conditions not deemed life-threatening (she does not have MS).

Does the health care system there cover things like physical therapy or massage? If it's any cheaper maybe it would be easier to get approved then drug therapy. Are the doctors there under pressure to ration prescriptions for such things due to cost?

[Thinkimjob]

We have Medicare, which covers everyone. It's 2.5% on top of your tax. You're covered, but not necessarily quickly, or with the doctor/ specialist of your choice.

If you're on the disability pension, everything medical is pretty cheap. I'm not on the pension, though I should be/ could be.

A box of Copaxone costs me $36; if I was on the DSP, it might only be $8. Apparently one in six people of taxpaying age are on the DSP, and change is in the air.

I've always had private health insurance, which means you can see the doctor of your choice, and have a MRI next week, instead of next year.

it is expensive, because you have to pay "the gap", which I can't explain properly, so I won't try.

Medicare's not like the British NHS, where there does seem to be rationing.

[odd duck]

Whining

Job, I totally understand. No platitudes, I really do. And what's up with doctors not giving us pan meds? We are in excruciating pain and we are just supposed to live in it when there is medication available to block the pain signals? What about the "living a full life" the tell us to do. I ask them to try to live a full life when it hurts too much to move. Do they think we are going to sell our pain meds on the street? When I get mine I guard them like gold and don't tell a soul I have them. They are MINE, I need them too much to contemplate parting with them.

I often feel like Job myself but I know like Job a reward is in store as long as I keep him as my example.