Yesterday I had an appointment with my pain specialist.
We discussed several topics, including my lessened pelvic pain but increased arthritic pain, medical cannabis use, then chit-chatted about life in general. He has been my doctor for 14 years or so and we have gotten to know each other pretty well.
He asked how I am doing on the lowered dose of my medication. This is a tough question. I realize why they are pushing to reduce medications and I am prepared to jump through some hoops for the greater good, regardless of my opinion on the matter. The fact is that I have stabbing shooting pains all through my hips when I walk, not to mention the other inflamed joints. With the lowered pain meds I am taking a hell of a lot more Tylenol each day, but trying to make sure I do not exceed a certain amount for fear of disrupting my liver functions.
He asked me if I would want to try and decrease the amount again... I told him absolutely not, and he said that that was fine and he did not "want to torture" me. So I am staying at my current dose for a few more months. It does sound like there is a major push from the College of Physicians to wean patients completely off of these medications, however, which is frightening. Now he did also mention that the College has not been on his case about me in particular, which is good news. I am assuming that, given my long list of painful illnesses, specialists, and the fact that I have tried nearly every therapy out there prior to starting these medications (as well as my extensive list of medication allergies), I have passed their qualifications. I mean, I was placed on short-term disability before pain meds, but then advanced to long-term disability even after taking pain medication... Not much else we can do.
When I arrived at the pharmacy, they had to ask me several questions regarding why these medications are being prescribed. The moment I mentioned Ankylosing Spondylitis, they were immediately understanding and I became a low priority on their radar. Then when I mentioned the Crohn's, Chronic Pelvic Pain, and Chronic Migraines, she wrote it all down in my file - more proof of the legitimacy of being on such heavy medication. I even completely forgot to mention my two herniated discs...
Hopefully, with this latest appointment and encounter with my pharmacist, I am hoping that my dosage will not be abruptly reduced again - or at all for that matter - but I think this movement will get much worse before anyone realizes that it is unlikely to make any difference in the opioid crisis.
But here is the big question:
If I am removed completely from these medications, would I look for relief by other means?
As much as the temptation might be there to try something else, the risk is far too great. I do not wish to play Russian Roulette with my life, nor am I willing to break any laws or look elsewhere. I have witnessed how that kind of lifestyle ruins lives, completely takes over, and destroys relationships.
The truth is that the pain will be astronomical - but I have handled that much pain before. It would be extremely tough, it would mean being virtually bedridden for a while, and any activity I am capable of doing now would be significantly diminished, if not lost entirely. I would be using my walker much more often and my cane the rest of the time, and we would more-than-likely invest in a wheelchair (we had been pricing out wheelchairs before going on these medications). It would be extremely difficult, there is no denying that. Heaven knows I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to do the stairs in my own home every few days and even walking on the treadmill every few weeks, and losing that all over again would be frustrating.
But I also know me.
And I know I have a great support system.
I hope it never comes to that, but if it does, I am willing to fight tooth and nail and rely on adaptive strength to get me through the difficulties and agony of every day life with chronic pain.
With that being said, if they truly are pushing to remove all chronic pain patients off of opioid treatment, don't be surprised when this movement results in higher rates of illicit drug use and drug abuse.
The more people that you force to experience greater amounts of pain while also reducing the accessibility of legal pain relief, the more people will resort to finding whatever means necessary to help their pain.
This is all going to get worse before it gets better with the way it is currently being approached.