Chronic Pain Thoughts: Volume 22

 

Dear Reader,

I am still reeling from my appointment yesterday. I saw a rheumatologist, who treats arthritic, which I have. I was told there is no treatment, I'm still confused, frustrated and in pain.

I was going through my save web pages and came across the Pain News Network (link below)

I found an article titled “Pain Patients Feel Abandoned by U.S. Healthcare System” and it couldn't more correct.

The article states 3,000 pain patients or their caregivers participated in PNNs Online Survey in the final weeks of 2023. Here are the staggering facts:

One in Five Patients couldn't find a doctor to treat their pain. Many were abandoned by a physician or had a doctor retire from clinical practice.

20% Unable to find a doctor willing to treat pain.

14% Doctor retired or left their practice.

12% Abandoned or discharged by a doctor.

27% Tapered to a lower dose or taken off opioids.

3% Received a referral for addiction treatment.

.6% Stopped Opioids & pain and quality of life improved.

These stats are even worse.

29% Considered Suicide

32% Hoarded opioid medications.

30% Used cannabis for pain relief.

14% Used alcohol for pain relief.

11% Used kratom for pain relief

11% Obtained prescription opioids from friend, family or black market

4% Used heroin, illicit fentanyl or illegal substances for pain relief.

This is what I was talking about yesterday, I truly believe the surge of illicit fentanyl and heroin has come from the Opioid Epidemic. People have been forced to go elsewhere.

I know personally my quality of life is struggling. I continue to get up every day before I have to, I have to eat, live and take care of my kids but there are days that I almost can't. It's so frustrating.

Pain News Network

Pain Patients Feel Abandoned by U.S. Healthcare System — Pain News Network

Wax; Swanky November Pre-Order

Vendor; Swanky

Web; www.swankycandlecompany.com

Facebook; www.facebook.com/groups/swankyscentgroup

Owner; Jeannie Jeffrey

Soufflé cups

Sultry Sirens - Beachwood Vetiver Saltwater Mermaid Emerald Agave

Pink Powdered Donuts - Pink Frosted Cake Sweet Strawberries Powdered Donuts

Moonflower Chocolate Orchid Let Them Eat Cake Vanilla Bean

April Fresh Baby Clean - A super strong April Fresh Downy type blended with Baby Wash and Baby Wipes! A clean fresh laundry aroma

Rose Loaf

Falling in Love - Strawberry Pound Cake Birthday Cake Sugar Cookies

Regula Loaf

Yoga - A healing scent of Marshmallow Musk Cocoa Butter and Warm Amber.

My Darling Vanilla Sample

-My Darling Vanilla Blackberry Jam Butter Cookie

-My Darling Vanilla Strawberry Pound Cake

-My Darling Vanilla Raspberry Cream

-My Darling Vanilla Lemon Cream

-My Darling Vanilla Blueberry

-My Darling Vanilla Creamy Zucchini

-My Darling Vanilla Debonair (creamy white cake)

-My Darling Vanilla Twisted Candy Cane

Linen & Cotton Sample

-Bergamot Linen - Slight citrus bergamot and soft linen

-Eucalyptus and Cotton - Fresh clean eucalyptus and pure organic cotton

-Winter Linen - A fancy linen! A favorite of all!

-Luxe Lavender Linen - Lavender Winter Linen

- Summer Linen & Yellow Downy type - Bold and Beautifully Unique!

-Clean Cotton Lavender Vanilla and soft Musk

-Tea Towels - Linen Soft Musk. A lighter scent that fills a room. Heavenly!

- Island Fresh Gain Oak Vanilla - A warm but bold laundry blend Clean and Woodsy

Extra “Love” Received

Ghost Flower Bubble Bath - A freshwater floral scent that captivates you the moment you smell it. Sweet Pea type, soft fruits, white violet, freesia, and sweet lychee.

Summer Dreams

Biolage Fresh Pear

Overall Order Thoughts:

I placed this order on 11/10/2023 and received it on 1/29/2024. It took a ridiculously long time to get it.

I was hoping to skip out on any zucchini scents. I didn't get any as samples and admittedly didn't pay attention to the scents in the samplers. I did only get one thankfully!

As usual everything smells amazing.

Chronic Pain Thoughts; Volume 21

 Dear Reader,

You know that locally owned and operated clinic that advertises on TV? The promise that they care, patient-centered care? I was referred to one of those places for their Rheumatology doctors. I finally had my appointment today, after waiting for 2 months.

I found it to be a waste of my time and energy. The staff wasn't very nice. I was treated and actually asked by the doctor “Why are you here?” It's crazy to leave a place where you had hope they would listen in tears because they did just the opposite.

I was again told: “I have to process the trauma in my life” “Get a good night sleep” and “This is your normal”. These things aren't reassuring to me. I don't have any trauma, I sleep as much as I can and I've done all the things that have been thrown at me, suggested and otherwise. Where do I go from here?

I cried; the provider had zero sympathy for me. I wasn't asked questions; I wasn't talked to about what I've tried. I was basically talked to like I was lying about the whole thing.

It's very important to not feel like a drug seeker, I'm not. I'm a relief seeker. According to the CDC everyone has the right to safe and effective pain treatment. My question is what does that look like?

Have you ever seen the movie Doctor Strange? Doctor Steven Strange uses his newly found magic powers to be able to use his hands again after his accident. Mind over Matter. That's what I was talked about today. Doctor Strange was able to do this because of movie magic. I'm not a magician nor am I a magically person. I can give myself pep talks all day long but that doesn't help my pain.

Although I would never do this, I understand why people buy pain medications off the street, why it's been such a problem. The CDC stepped in thanks for people like the Sakler's and stopped the prescribing of pain medication. People had to go elsewhere to get relief effectively creating a huge illegal drug problem. Those of us who could benefit from these types of medications can't get them for fear we will become addicted or sell it. I could see myself being addicted to not being in pain all the time.

Book & Show: Pieces of Her (Karin Slaughter) Caution; Spoiler Alerts

 Pieces of Her

Author; Karin Slaughter

See all books at www.karinslaughter.com

Synopsis;

Mother. Hero. Liar. Killer?

How can you tell, when all you have is Pieces of Her? 

Andrea Cooper knows everything about her mother Laura. She’s knows she’s spent her whole life in the small beachside town of Belle Isle; she knows she’s never wanted anything more than to live a quiet life as a pillar of the community; she knows she’s never kept a secret in her life. Because we all know our mothers, don’t we?

But all that changes when a Saturday afternoon trip to the mall explodes into violence and Andrea suddenly sees a completely different side to Laura. Because it turns out that before Laura was Laura, she was someone completely different. For nearly thirty years she’s been hiding from her previous identity, lying low in the hope that no one will ever find her. But now she’s been exposed, and nothing will ever be the same again.

Twenty-four hours later Laura is in the hospital, shot by an intruder who’s spent thirty years trying to track her down and discover what she knows. Andrea is on a desperate journey following the breadcrumbs of her mother’s past. And if she can’t uncover the secrets hidden there, there may be no future for either one of them. . . .

Thoughts;

This book started slowly but quickly went forward.

It took me a minute to put it all together. It was such a good book and they made a Netflix show out of it. I watched it (review below) and it was different but still really good.

Normally I don't get too invested in what the character is doing, I trust the book and the story, but Andy really irritated me. She did everything opposite of what she was told, which in the grand scheme of things made for a great story.

Pieces of Her

Came out; 2022

Time; TV Series

Watched: Netflix

Rated: TV-MA

IMDB Rating; 6.3/10

Caution; Spoiler Alert

Staring;

Toni Collette as Laura Oliver

Bella Heathcote as Andy Oliver

Jessica Barden as Jane

Joe Dempsie as Nick

Omari Hardwick as Gordon Oliver

David Wenham as Jasper Queller

Terry O'Quinn as Martin Queller

Gil Birmingham as Charlie Bass

Catherine McClements as Grace Juno

Jacob Scipio as Michael Vargas

Nicholas Burton as Andrew Queller

Story Line;

When a Saturday afternoon trip to the mall with her mother suddenly explodes into violence, an adrift young woman's perception of her mother is forever changed. As figures from her mother's past start to resurface, she is forced to go on the run and on that journey, begins to piece together the truth of her mother's previous identity and uncovers secrets of her childhood

Thoughts:

I watched this while reading the book. There are marked differences between the two on the story line.

What was nice about watching this is that they went into more detail about the past. What got everyone to where they were now.

Honestly it was just as good as the book. I couldn't put the book down and I couldn't wait to continue watching this.

Chronic Pain Thoughts: Volume 20

 Dear Reader,

In my time with chronic pain, I've been told:

*Lose Weight (At the time at 5 feet tall I weighed 120 pounds)

*Get a good night sleep (In a cycle where I'm tired but in pain and can't get comfortable)

*Swimming Helps (Nope, I hate everything about swimming plus once I get cold, I'm in more pain)

*Change your diet (What should I get? Grass?!)

I'm not one to believe in alternative medicine but I've tried:

*Acupuncture (I hated this and got no relief)

*Cupping (This one still doesn't make sense to me)

*Chiropractor (Made everything worse)

*Traction (Felt like I was on the rack being stretched out)

*Physical Therapy (What was this? A huge waste of my time really)

*Tart Cherry Pills (What was this supposed to do?!)

*CBD Gummies and Lotions (Had to be really careful with these, heaven forbid they contain any THC)

*Massage (Please don't touch me)

The latest advice I've received was:

*Inversion Table (I tried this, hanging upside down for any period of time isn't my cup of tea)

*Strengthen my Core (I've been trying this for years)

*Read this book on understanding pain (Ok, I'll read the book but help me)

I am just sick to death of being told to try all these things over and over again that aren't working. I've looked up (and documented here) everything I've been diagnosed with over the past 10 years, and it just keeps getting worse. I just don't understand how I'm not being taken seriously. I'm to the point where I don't know what to do anymore!

Inversion Therapy for Back Pain Relief: Effectiveness & Risks (webmd.com)

Chronic Pain Thoughts: Provider Call Out

 Dear Reader,

This is my own personal experience. Someone else may have a better visit or communication.

Being in constant pain sucks. It's literally the worse and per my records I've been dealing with this since 2015. I was at a pain clinic that wasn't listening. Left and Right I was running into roadblocks with my care. Injection after injection and nothing was helping. The office was rude and kept basically telling me I was out of options except for an experimental treatment that I couldn't afford or take a chance on.

I can speak up now about this provider since they have dropped me as a patient.

I reached out to Prevea Spine & Pain with a short history and questions. Dr. Koch stated he had other things he could offer so I switched clinics. My first visit went great, he offered a few suggestions, refilled my medication and scheduled my next appointment.

While at this clinic I was talked into 3 more injections. 2 of which I followed through with. The first one landed me in the ER the next day with complications, when I reported this and advised them, they didn't even bat an eye. The second injection went better but still offered no relief.

Appointments are few and far between. This provider has no availability, they don't answer questions and make you feel like you are doing everything wrong. I ran into an issue where they said I was short on my medication, after contacting the pharmacy and going back and forth I still didn't get a refill. I was forced to go through a long holiday weekend without anything for my pain.

I have found this provider and their office staff to be less than compassionate. They don't listen, they don't answer questions and are extremely rude when you reach out to them. It's a horrible feeling, to feel stuck in your pain because the provider you are trusting with your care doesn't in fact care!

All of this is the exact definition of medical gas lighting.

I would never recommend this provider to anyone. When dealing with chronic pain patients, when there are test results on file that show where it's coming from, it's important to work with the patient and offer compassion. I will call them out for what has happened.

Helping patients to understand their specific diagnosis and providing optimal care for patients are important goals for me.  I work to individualize each patient's treatment plan while listening to his or her unique needs and goals to facilitate maximum recovery."

Key Services

• Evaluation and management of:

  • Back pain

  • Neck pain

  • Sciatica

  • Musculoskeletal pain

  • Work injuries

• Spinal injection treatments and radiofrequency neurotomy

• Electrodiagnostic studies for nerve-related conditions

• Electromyography (EMG)

• Steroid injections for extremity pain

• Ultrasound guided procedures

Education and Affiliations

Medical school: University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison

Residency: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University Medical Center

Fellowships: Spine/Musculoskeletal/EMG, University of Michigan Health System

ABMS Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Have you been referred to a provider? Google them, check them out on www.healthgrades.com, Web MD and even the reviews on the provider's web site. Don't be afraid to leave one!

Book: False Witness (Karin Slaughter) Caution Spoiler Alert

 False Witness

Author; Karin Slaughter

See all books at www.karinslaughter.com

Synopsis.

He saw what you did.

He knows who you are…

AN ORDINARY LIFE…

Leigh Collier has worked hard to build what looks like a normal life.  She’s an up-and-coming defense attorney at a prestigious law firm in Atlanta, would do anything for her sixteen-year-old daughter Maddy, and is managing to successfully coparent through a pandemic after an amicable separation from her husband Walter.

HIDES A DEVASTATING PAST...

But Leigh’s ordinary life masks a childhood no one should have to endure … a childhood tarnished by secrets, broken by betrayal, and ultimately destroyed by a brutal act of violence.

BUT NOW THE PAST IS CATCHING UP…

On a Sunday night at her daughter’s school play, she gets a call from one of the firm's partners who wants Leigh to come on board to defend a wealthy man accused of multiple counts of rape. Though wary of the case, it becomes apparent she doesn't have much choice if she wants to keep her job. They're scheduled to go to trial in one week. When she meets the accused face-to-face, she realizes that it’s no coincidence that he’s specifically asked for her to represent him.  She knows him.  And he knows her.  More to the point, he may know what happened over twenty years ago, and why Leigh has spent two decades avoiding her past.  

AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Suddenly she has a lot more to lose than this case.  The only person who can help is her younger, estranged sister Callie—the last person Leigh would ever want to drag into this after all they’ve been through.  But with the life-shattering truth in danger of being revealed, she has no choice... 

Thoughts.

This author knows how to write! You feel yourself in the story, like you're there watching the whole thing play out!

This is another one that I just couldn't put down! I was reading pieces every chance I had!