Kathi49
07-03-2008, 08:47 AM
And it was a good one! :)
I met with the PM, Lora, who handles the meds to go over everything from A-Z. But first I wanted to understand how this new clinic works. I still of course LOVE my regular PM but it was really nice to sit and chat with her. So, she basically explained she collaborates with him and his patients. I REALLY like her; super friendly, great sense of humor and just takes all the time in the world.
Anyway, here goes and I might get yelled at :eek::). But this is is what she had to say. First, she thought I looked good and thought I had a good handle on things which was nice. But I told her at first I didn't think I did because various meds just do not sit well with me at all. But she said, "No, actually you do have a good handle on it." And I asked her about CYP450 and WHAT THE HECK IS SO WRONG with me that I can't tolerate the nerve meds as an example. She said it is not so much a defiency but that some people are low and some people are high. In any case, the nerve meds and the anti-depressants are out. And I actually breathed a sigh of relief since they affect me so badly. Oh, forgot, I had asked about Keppra and she thought it would be just as bad; probably would turn me into a zombie. And I also asked about the opiates. I will apologize ahead of time because I know so many people need them and I do take Vicodin. But I also believe they can do more harm than good in the long run. But that is just my opinion and why I wanted to talk with her about it. I asked about a long acting med but she is hesistant; not because of a fear of prescribing something stronger, but simply because using the Duragesic was proof positive that something longer acting and stronger will just knock me out. And at this point in time that is just not acceptable to me. If I were worse or really couldn't get out and about I would reconsider.
I told her that my other PM is a little surprised because I am not tolerant of Vicodin but she said it is because I take so very little. And the plain and simple truth is just one maybe at times, even two a day is just fine. It just seems the lower I am the better off I am.
What she really wanted to know was how the Limbrel was working. I was honest and told her I had stopped it when my Gastro doc did my upper endoscopy simply because I wanted his input on it. And he is one that is all for it (and actually knew all about it) if it works rather than a traditional NSAID. But then I followed up by saying I had started it again and I swear I can feel difference. The only thing is is that sometimes I might get a slight headache or slight stomach upset. But it is not bad enough, not yet anyway, to stop it.
Anyway, my whole goal to be honest is NOT to be painfree because that will probably never happen. I just want to retain functionality and keep my cognitive abilities. The more I read and the more I question plus the more I hear, I would like to come off of Vicodin altogether and even Klonopin if possible.
But in the meantime she is saying just stay with the injections, stay on the Vicodin and Klonopin and to stay on the Limbrel and Lovaza. I swear that Lovaza is helping too. :)
And like just about every other doc I have, she is saying to stay active. So, I told her we are having a pool put in since aqua therapy also helps a great deal. Of course it is not an in ground which I would love but still. :) And then SHE brought up the fact that you can take that as a tax deduction and that it is well documented in my chart that aqua therapy is something I definitely need. So, I have been reading up on the IRS laws, etc. Because the MAIN goal of that pool IS to help manage the pain. Of course I can't go out in the winter but I have already been looking for some exercise things to put in it; same as what I used in aqua therapy. And, after all, my husband is the one that wanted to get one to help us both manage our pains. Anyway, in the long run she just said if I need a letter of medical necessity, another script or whatever, she would be happy to write it all up. :) And I know there was a post here sometime back about all of that. But now I can't find it. So, I guess I will just go to the IRS website and read up some more. Anyway, maybe I can or can't...just don't know. But it is definitely something that helps.
Okay, so there it all is in a nutshell and I am not sure I even spelled it out very well. But the bottom line is...I just want to manage all of this in other ways if possible.
I met with the PM, Lora, who handles the meds to go over everything from A-Z. But first I wanted to understand how this new clinic works. I still of course LOVE my regular PM but it was really nice to sit and chat with her. So, she basically explained she collaborates with him and his patients. I REALLY like her; super friendly, great sense of humor and just takes all the time in the world.
Anyway, here goes and I might get yelled at :eek::). But this is is what she had to say. First, she thought I looked good and thought I had a good handle on things which was nice. But I told her at first I didn't think I did because various meds just do not sit well with me at all. But she said, "No, actually you do have a good handle on it." And I asked her about CYP450 and WHAT THE HECK IS SO WRONG with me that I can't tolerate the nerve meds as an example. She said it is not so much a defiency but that some people are low and some people are high. In any case, the nerve meds and the anti-depressants are out. And I actually breathed a sigh of relief since they affect me so badly. Oh, forgot, I had asked about Keppra and she thought it would be just as bad; probably would turn me into a zombie. And I also asked about the opiates. I will apologize ahead of time because I know so many people need them and I do take Vicodin. But I also believe they can do more harm than good in the long run. But that is just my opinion and why I wanted to talk with her about it. I asked about a long acting med but she is hesistant; not because of a fear of prescribing something stronger, but simply because using the Duragesic was proof positive that something longer acting and stronger will just knock me out. And at this point in time that is just not acceptable to me. If I were worse or really couldn't get out and about I would reconsider.
I told her that my other PM is a little surprised because I am not tolerant of Vicodin but she said it is because I take so very little. And the plain and simple truth is just one maybe at times, even two a day is just fine. It just seems the lower I am the better off I am.
What she really wanted to know was how the Limbrel was working. I was honest and told her I had stopped it when my Gastro doc did my upper endoscopy simply because I wanted his input on it. And he is one that is all for it (and actually knew all about it) if it works rather than a traditional NSAID. But then I followed up by saying I had started it again and I swear I can feel difference. The only thing is is that sometimes I might get a slight headache or slight stomach upset. But it is not bad enough, not yet anyway, to stop it.
Anyway, my whole goal to be honest is NOT to be painfree because that will probably never happen. I just want to retain functionality and keep my cognitive abilities. The more I read and the more I question plus the more I hear, I would like to come off of Vicodin altogether and even Klonopin if possible.
But in the meantime she is saying just stay with the injections, stay on the Vicodin and Klonopin and to stay on the Limbrel and Lovaza. I swear that Lovaza is helping too. :)
And like just about every other doc I have, she is saying to stay active. So, I told her we are having a pool put in since aqua therapy also helps a great deal. Of course it is not an in ground which I would love but still. :) And then SHE brought up the fact that you can take that as a tax deduction and that it is well documented in my chart that aqua therapy is something I definitely need. So, I have been reading up on the IRS laws, etc. Because the MAIN goal of that pool IS to help manage the pain. Of course I can't go out in the winter but I have already been looking for some exercise things to put in it; same as what I used in aqua therapy. And, after all, my husband is the one that wanted to get one to help us both manage our pains. Anyway, in the long run she just said if I need a letter of medical necessity, another script or whatever, she would be happy to write it all up. :) And I know there was a post here sometime back about all of that. But now I can't find it. So, I guess I will just go to the IRS website and read up some more. Anyway, maybe I can or can't...just don't know. But it is definitely something that helps.
Okay, so there it all is in a nutshell and I am not sure I even spelled it out very well. But the bottom line is...I just want to manage all of this in other ways if possible.