Hey Everyone

I just joined DB today and I'm so glad I found you guys! I'm a rancher from N.Calif. I've "physically" worked on a ranch my entire life (I'm 57), I'm not complaining at all, I wouldn't trade it for anything-I love it. My husband had a "real job" as a drywall installer to help keep the ranch going but 3 years ago he was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. due to the dust. We were able to keep our health insurance with Kaiser until March which was actually a pretty long time. But we're still fighting Social Security for his disability-our wonderful govt.-but that's another story...

I've been on a horse since I could walk and when you've ridden that long chances are you've come off a few of them along the way. At first it doesn't hurt that much then later... that darn ground sure seems harder than it was 10 years ago. Anyway I've broken a lot of myself over the years and its been catching up with me these past couple. I've been through pain management classes, kept diaries (which really helped), etc. and of course used meds. I haven't had my meds since our insurance was taken - 3 months now and I'm hurting pretty good. The horses, cattle, chickens, etc. don't care, they still want to eat and break fences and get out and drive me nuts gathering them back up again. As I sit here at my computer it feels like knives are being run through my back, neck, and shoulders and they in turn are screaming at me "HELP!" So here I am asking for some.

We live in a small rural town and I don't want people thinking the worst-you know the people who have no idea what its like to live with chronic pain every day. I thought I'd ask you folks if you could point me in the right direction for some relief ASAP. I'm a tough gal but I'm needing some help. I just need to know where the safest site is to get a Dr. consult or a F2F - I don't care. How long does it take? I think I might have waited a little too long - but I thought I could make it without the meds and some days I can. But at this time in my life I should be able to take a pill if I need it. So if anyone has any suggestions I would be very appreciative.

Thanks in advance!
Ponygirl916

I see you've been waiting on an answer since the 9th and no response. I have similar problems as you and I posted a few nights ago and no response only views to my posts. So maybe they dont respond to strangers here...but I thought these were people like us...

I'm so sorry no one has helped you. I am in pain management so I don't use the services on here. If you go to the U.S. Doctors, Pharmacies and Referall Services Forum, you will find lots of information about F2F services. Good luck finding the help you need.
Khilee

Dazzled I replied to your post.

Pony,
welcome to the club. I am sorry that i did not see your post until now. I can tell you that you need to be evaluated by a REAL orthopaedic specialist before you go down the road of self medicating. with the type of injury(s) that you have, and I am familiar with falling off of things and animals, you are flirting with some serious back issues that MIGHT not be that hard to correct if treated now. Masking the pain sometimes is doing just that, hiding a symptom that could be a warning sign and not just an annoyance.

The one thing that most of these web based pain clinic sites has in common is that they do not diagnose injuries. they ALL want records and a previous diagnosis with MRI reports, CT scans, X-rays, blood work, you name it. No legit clinic will prescribe without these test to support the diagnosis.
Find an Osteopath in your area. Thats a doctor with an advanced degree in physiology and they practice the medical arts, surgery and use the same skills that a chiropractor would use to treat injuries of the muscle/skeletal system. An osteopath is also able to see the possible issues with medications and long term treatment. I have never met one that was not pretty concerned with his patients comfort and well being.

You could have anything from a blown out disc to a serious stenosis (pinched off cord) from a damaged vertebre. is a quick fix worth your future?
I know how frustrating it is to be in pain and know that a pill would help get you thru the day, but its not the long term solution for everyone. its also a road that once traveled, has no return route....its a one way road.

Look into the Osteopath. Most will work out payment arrangements and get you started on some kind of treatment which will include meds. As long as you are being properly diagnosed and some testing has been done, then its safer to go ahead when you at least have some idea of where the pain comes from and why.
Believe me, I understand your frustration and the small town issues. the one lesson that took me a long time to learn was that it does not matter much what other people want to believe about you. people that make judgement are typically hiding their own sins by creating a smoke screen from someone elses problems. Would they talk about someone that had to have insulin? if so, consider the ignorance involved. Take care of yourself first. worry about the talk later when you fall off a barstool. falling off a horse has its side effects.....

Hi Pony were able to get any help medically yet? I FINALLY have but it's going to get worse before it gets better I go into surgery next week.

Good luck with your surgery dazzled. I hope all goes well and you have a speedy recovery. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Let us know how it went, as soon as you are able

Khilee

Hi all.....I too am a newbie who is in need of some help....hope I'm posting correctly. I have some injuries from a fall 12 years ago and now that I'm approaching 40, of course and as expected, the injuries are rearing their ugly faces. I have been having a lot of pain for the past 3 years. I am a veteran and the VA only offers Methadone, percocet and morphine, all of which have done basically no good. I am looking for a doctor in Melbourne, Florida or surrounding areas that won't give me a hard time getting the meds I want. I can't seem to get the VA to help me other than I just got a new MRI. I am currently taking meds, so wondering about a drug screen, urine. I have no street drugs, no illegal stuff, just narcotics and I really need to get in with a pain doctor. Also, one that won't basically leave me out on the street by taking all my monies. I have seen the average at $150 and up. Is there ANYONE who can offer some assistance? I'm hoping to get opana and oxycodone -- no acetaminaphin. (I know that Percocet is oxycodone)
Anyone??? Anyone?? Don't really want to drive all the way down to Miami if I don't have to.
Along with this info, could someone offer an address and/or phone # to a doc they know of.....please???

thanks so much,
hurting at the beach

Thanks khilee and I will be back on asap to let u know! Lildmg05 if it is severe enough that you have been given drugs that strong is surgery an option? You don't say if it is your back or not but have you tried spinal injections and physical therapy? when that fails such as it has with me surgery is my last option but the drugs may provide some temporary relief but will not fix your injuries. I started with a chiropractor then my family doc then a neurosurgeon who has two seperate orthro surgeons do injections and discograms final result two disc are being removed and replaced with bmp with spinal fusion. So this is my story and my suggestions and I hope you get some help soon. I have done all of this with very little meds. Now after surgery maybe a different story on that one. I do take a very small amount of valium to relax my back once in awhile but not often. My concern for is that you need to be aggressive about your treatment and tell them to fix it and stop messing around. My family is worried sick about my surgery but it's been a long time that they've all been saying maybe someone will finally do something that's going to help her. It maybe a unrealistic but I hope to soon be shooting hoops with my son again..pm docs are just give meds and that isn't going to make anything go away.

I reread my post to lildmg05 and I have seemed a bit harsh not meaning to and I apologize 4 that but you see I have sister that has gone to pm docs for as long as they've been around she has become a pusher and has been an addict for over 30 yrs and these pm docs just keep feeding her addiction. She has NEVER had anything wrong with her. I could tell you so many stories she has told us and if any were true she'd be dead by now and lord knows she has someone watching over her. I have seen her in such stupors since I was a kid that she didn't even know who she was or who I was. So I just feel these pm docs are dangerous and are there to mask the pain with the end result of fixing nothing while I realize somethings cannot be fixed I just get very concerned everytime I read on the board about some of you with these pm docs. I have am bitter towards them my once beautiful sis now looks like a crack whore and I know that's harsh it's painful for me to say but it's something I hear all to often. I don't visit with her any longer nor does any of my family but we hear rumors so please be very careful going to pm docs..try your best to find a doc that will help you fix your problems at the very least until you can tolerate your pain..

Hey there Dazzled, good luck with your surgery this week. Gotcha on your sister's issues, I apologize that you and your family are having to go thru that. I am not looking to get high, the amount of meds I currently take, would knock some folks down, but since I have been taking them, as prescribed by a doc, my tolerance has increased, as expected. Anyhow, no pusher here, not looking to get high, not into any street drugs either.

I am just honestly looking for some relief. Injections have worked just a little bit, in the past, and I am pushing for more now with the VA. Chiro -- don't have insurance other than the VA, and they do not offer it here. I completely understand your feelings about docs just writing to mask. Sometimes though, that's all they can do. Surgery -- in my case, is not an option, waiting for a second opinion right now.

I thank you for your concern and I am trying all avenues. Trust me, being on pain meds is not enjoyable. Can't go to the bathroom, still live in pain because can never get enough to get me out of pain and I don't take over what is needed, just to where I can tolerate, which still sucks.

again, good luck in surgery
peace
dawn

That is awful that the VA will not help you better than this. Yes I am becoming somewhat of an advocate about that in my state. My father needs two shoulder replacements and can't get them because the VA won't approve them. I think in the long run with visits, meds, tests,etc the cost would probably mount to just having the surgery. In any case welcome and I hope I wasn't to harsh it wasn't meant that way it was more concern. As soon as I can get on my feet I am going to start pusing for benefits. Our veterns deserve better treatment than you, my father and so many are getting. We have been speaking with our state reps and if I come up with anything I will definitely let you know. Good luck and I hope things get better for you.

I agree with you dazzle...the vets in this country are treated like garbage at times...especially at the VA....fighting for our freedom and this is how they are repayed...just a disgrace....I hope this new administration puts a light on this because they all need help.

www.eclinicmd.com has a Doctor in Sacromento CA. if you've got records good enough for disability you should have no problem. Give them a call

most of the services use the same group of docs

At least 3 F2F companies are Owned by the same Person!!...Or should I say Company /Corp.!!!!

i thought they just had to pay a fee to that "co" or person anytime that someone consults with one of the docs?

but im not surprised

difficult you are correct, the Doctors operate as indepedent contractors thus allowing them to be contracted to several services at once.