What are folks like myself supposed to do about chronic pain?

SSgt Jeff Kummerow — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:33:52 -0400

Since 1991 I’ve tried everything, the docs at TBI clinic had it under control, then due to opioid crisis, I suddenly became branded a junkie. Now they’ve even taken away the anti depressant. Are they trying to kill me? I don’t have a primary care doctor, he uses threats and intimidation for me to just go away. If I try and talk to a therapist, anything I say to her gets broadcasted to the whole v a . Why won’t they make the distinction between me, with all the proof of damage, and a damn junkie. Suicide would be a great escape, but god won’t let me. What am I supposed to do. I’ve never been so alone before in my life. Help me somebody, just don’t call me a loser junkie..?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2020 1:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:40:07 -0400

SSG Carlos Madden SFC James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" Maybe we can point this veteran in the correct direction if you have connections

Response by PO3 William Riley made Jul 21 at 2020 1:43 PM

PO3 William Riley — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:43:44 -0400

Same sorta thing w/me. "Addict".

Response by PO3 Torrance Little made Jul 21 at 2020 2:04 PM

PO3 Torrance Little — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:04:02 -0400

Understand, and just try and suffer thru it because if you do not they will stall your requests, claims, and medications. I sat in class listening to the "crackhead chronicles" to get into a program (Psychotherapy) that I had been in and making progress for 5 straight years. Went in for an appointment in 2015 and all the receptionist were different except 1. Then they claimed that not only didn't I have said appointment, but I wasn't even being seen by Mental Health; TWILIGHT ZONE for real!! I explained that I have been seen by Mental health since 2010 and was prescribed medications (that I was paying for even though I had a PTSD/Anxiety/Depression due to sexual assault diagnosis. Needless to say this sent me back into anxiety and rage.... later that night I was charged with Assault on a officer, DUI, Concealed Carrying, Disorderly Conduct, and resisting arrest. A week later I recieved a "red flag" arguing with the head of Patient Advocacy for lying to me about looking into why I was just removed from Psychotherapy and being assigned to all these AA and Drug Abuse type classes.
Finally I just suffered thru and finally after all this and a years time passed I was FINALLY placed into Psychotherapy; by then I had another DUI;maiming charge and was facing up to 10 years in prison...so they kinda fed me with a long handled spoon. Just hang in there and try to do what they require

Response by PO3 William Riley made Jul 21 at 2020 2:06 PM

PO3 William Riley — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:06:39 -0400

I have been told because I'm old
no more anxiety meds, "taper off".

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 21 at 2020 3:48 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:48:07 -0400

You need to see the patient advocate at the VA you go to. You also need to ask to see the hospital leadership. They have a newly approved drug in the VA system that is used to combat eduction, while treating pain. Anti depressants are issued routinely. I am not a physician, rather another Vet who uses the VA quite successfully. You have to have a primary physician, if they are the problem, you need to ask for another. The two medications you mention are generally issued by a specialist in whatever field your illnesses are in. Go in respectfully demanding to be properly cared for, but I recommend you tone down your temperament. The fly honey thing is true. If your medical issues are valid and you are not being treated properly, contact your local congressman.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 21 at 2020 4:36 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:36:02 -0400

If you can possibly afford it, get out of the VA system. Find a general practitioner who will provide your overall medical care. That Dr can refer you to a pain management clinic. Wide range of civilian pain management clinics. Some just push pills. Write prescriptions for FDA allowed amount of narcotics and come back next month. Other better clinics offer multi discipline approach. Psychology, physical therapy, acupuncture, non-prescription drugs, and narcotics. It may be a hassle to make the change, but the long term results may be better for your health.
BTW you may be physically or mentally addicted to narcotics. That’s almost inevitable if you have chronic pain. It’s a legal addiction. Not something you should be ashamed of.

Response by CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman made Jul 21 at 2020 7:53 PM

CH (CPT) James L. Machado Workman — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:53:47 -0400

Jesus guys this sucks. If you are in NC and need therapy reach out to me at [login to see] and I will try to set you up with pro bono therapy via teletherapy using my doxy.me platform. If I can’t fit you in then I will try to get you set up with someone pro bono. If you are not in NC I’ll do my very best to try to get you set up somewhere in some way. I realize I am making a big offer here that might mean I get an overwhelming response. I will just ask for your patience as I attempt to reply to your email. Thank you.-Jim Workman

Response by SGT Ronald P Thurber made Jul 23 at 2020 4:46 AM

SGT Ronald P Thurber — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 04:46:50 -0400

You're not a junkie bc you have pain that only an opiate can help. It depends on the pain and the doctors knowledge. My grandpa had stage 4 lung cancer and oxycontin wasn't even helping his pain, he needed direct morphine. Was he a junkie? People need to stop judging and let others get the help they need. Just make sure to not let that help get our of control. Take care.

Response by Core Civ made Jul 23 at 2020 12:26 PM

Core Civ — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 12:26:38 -0400

Have you tried alternative medicine? Hope you get the help you need.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Jul 23 at 2020 4:25 PM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 16:25:18 -0400

Go to sick call and get a consult for pain management. It’s an actual clinic in the hospital.

Response by LCpl Brad Gross made Jul 23 at 2020 5:49 PM

LCpl Brad Gross — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 17:49:04 -0400

Patient advocate and their are new ways with anxiety medication and acupuncture physical therapy pool therapy or you could got to the Tampa pain clinic

Response by SGT Luke Fadell made Jul 23 at 2020 6:29 PM

SGT Luke Fadell — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 18:29:07 -0400

Jeff if you’re in Arizona contact me at [login to see] . I am the Veteran Navigator at the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona. We have resources to help. If you’re outside Arizona, I can get information on the Brain Injury Alliance in your state.
Regards,
Luke Fadell

Response by LTC Alea Morningstar made Nov 16 at 2023 3:04 PM

LTC Alea Morningstar — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:04:56 -0500

OK. Pain is a biggie. you have not said why or where the pain is. From an injury, amputation or is it exacerbated with depression and anxiety? Emotions can CREATE horrid pain and make bearable pain worse--it is NOT in your head, the chemicals released from these emotions make it worse. There are many alternative treatments that work and are covered; chiropractic, acupuncture, etc. and there are arnica and other OTC things to try. Opioids are short term meds that are highly addicting and change your brain to have more receptors FOR opioids...so that when you stop, your brain says MORE and you have more pain too. Getting off them is HARD; you sound like you are addicted but not looking at it because you ARE in pain. Frustration and anger make it worse. I tell my Marine friends to go sit underwater in waist deep water back to back w/a buddy, lock arms, and take a good breath and SCREAM it out underwater. silence atop. Scream/breathe/scream. No one is ALLOWED to vent anymore so we have so much more anxiety, guilt, survivors guilt etc and all we do is what ...medicate and TALK? Until you get these EMOTIONS out of you, talking is useless. Pain persists because of the chemical storms from these emotions exacerbate it. SCIENCE proven. We end up taking it out on spouses, friends etc until we end up alone. Please try the emotional releases, punch a punching bag, etc. and try alternative things for pain too. IF you are unable to be without opioids, then check into a facility and get off them. It is NOT calling you a junkie--it is what HAPPENS with long term use. Depending on the injury, there are a multitude of treatments available for pain besides opioids. And the V.A. MUST send you to a rehab facility! If you live outside the distance for the V.A., you an get outside coverage through TriEast/TriWest V.A. paid for coverage. Talk to a patient Advocate. Your PCP sounds like many other overworked, underpaid V.A. docs, unfortunately. I'm an Iraq vet/medically retired/wounded doc. So I know the system. Hope this helps a little. Do not give up! And do not push your loved ones away. TELL them how you feel and ask them not to give up on you either. Aloha from Hawaii.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2024 4:56 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 16:56:29 -0400

I've had my own long story with chronic back pain. It all started years ago, and the pain just kept getting worse as time went on. I tried so many things to get rid of it, visiting lots of doctors and trying different treatments, but nothing seemed to work. It was super lonely and frustrating, feeling like no one really understood or could help.

That changed when I gave physiotherapy a try, specifically for back pain treatment. I worked with a physio named Navjot Hehar. She was great because she actually listened to me and came up with a plan just for my pain. We did different exercises and treatments that were meant to help my back. It wasn't quick, but slowly, things started to get better. The pain wasn't as intense, and I began to feel like I wasn't so trapped by it anymore. For more details you can look here: https://revitalizephysioclinic.ca/surrey/.

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