Pain Medication

Hi, I have 3 ruptured disc L-4,5 S-1, and severe tail-bone pain. I was taking "Norco" (hydrocodone 10 mg.) and now am on "Methadone" for severe pain. My doctor is in Hawaii and gives me a couple of months supply at a time, but I cannot keep traveling back and forth from Shenzhen like this! Does anyone know of any doctors who could prescribe these kind of strong narcotics to me in Shenzhen? I can provide any medical documentation as well as ask my doctor in Hawaii to contact a doctor here in China if they can speak English! I don't even know if they use these medications in China! Thank you very much!!

Hurting in Shenzhen

As nobody else has answered I'll try. Carrying medications across the border is frowned on, BUT taking narcotics in large quantities can get you more than dissapproval. Contact Lynne at the Matilda, see a Pain management doctor. Take a copy of your records and prescriptions from the US. They can advise you, dont try any short-cuts.

Thank you so much Dr. Moreton! I realize the "stigma" that goes along with the taking of strong narcotics. I have been in a pain management program for over 6 years and have found that although most people don't understand people in cronic pain, I have been able to get the quality of my life back by taking my medication "responsibly". I will contact Lynne!

Thanks again, best wishes!

Tudor

No stigma if it is all real. Best of luck.

Tudor, Cymraig?

I had slipped disc 3 years ago, and my MRI readings showed a hairline crack in one of my discs. I was having the same pains as you have, in exactly the same points--L4/L5 and S-1, plus pain radiating from my butt to my leg.


In the beginning I was taking painkillers, then went to Rehab Medicine for pain management, but the problem did not go away. Only when I consulted a chiropractor and had spinal adjustments, coupled with Myotherapy and spinal injections was I able to not feel the pain anymore.


I suggest you seek other professional/medical advice to get to the problem. Taking pain killers long term will eventually damage your kidneys.

Yes thank you,I have had many epidural steriod injections in Seattle and also saw a chiropractor for over 20 treatments. I had a discogram that revealed the damaged disc' and was told about disc replacement but unfortunatly my workers comp. will not pay for this as it it still a new procedure. (under 10 years)

I will research Myotherapy, thank you for your time and advice!

Tudor

Personally I wouldn't let anyone but a neurosurgeon touch a ruptured disc where nerves were involved! I've seen many botched treatments with the results of such chronic, unremitting nerve pain. In terms of treating the disc, you might find that three different doctors have three different approaches, so it doesn't hurt to get second, third, fourth opinions. (You can carry your records with you and let them evaluate you based on previous MRI, discogram etc.) Eventually you may see a common pattern or consensus about how to treat it. If you see a consensus of medical opinion that a disc replacement is the best option, I'd also recommend consulting with a worker's comp plaintiff's specialist about what w comp can and can not be made to pay for, if they are stonewalling you. IMO, it should not be the insurance company's decision to deny medically appropriate treatment, even though they may try to bully you that way. The logistics of pushing the issue may be tough if you no longer live in the state where the w.c. claim originates, but do you travel there on business? I'd at least try to get a telephone consult, the biggest challenge being to find out who the really good plaintiff's lawyers are. This next is also a question, but maybe when you talk with Matilda, ask them if you should pro-actively declare your meds when you go through customs and show them your prescriptions? On the one hand, why raise a red flag, but on the other hand I'd want it to be completely clear that you are above board and legal.