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chronic back pain.
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whyamistillworking posted:
I am 46 soon to be 47. I have worked most .
of my adult life as a Certified Nurses Assistant. This is a constant strain on the back. I have had x-rays, seen Neurologist. Been placed on the "rack" to be stretched. I have had the shots that were suppose to kill the nerves, they lasted about a week or two. I am still working, just not as a CNA
I do not have insurance and my current Dr. insist that I go to a pain management clinic, I cannot afford this. My Dr. refuses to write pain medication any longer. I have been taking Loratab for several years and most of the time they work and allow me to continue to work. I just don't understand what the problem is. I have never failed a drug screening at the Dr. office or anywhere else.
Do any of you have any answers or suggestions.Thanks, I am at my wits end.
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Peter Abaci, MD responded:
Unfortunately, I have seen many hard working CNAs over the years in my own practice who have injured their backs or necks from lifting or moving patients. This is probably frustrating for you, especially when you are trying to get help without being offered insurance coverage to help with the costs.

I think this might be a time to take a step back and re-evaluate how you want to go forward in managing your chronic back pain problem. Think about developing a long-term plan on how you will live the life you want and deserve for the upcoming years and decades.For example, where will the Lortab fit into that plan and how long did you plan on using Lortab as a primary means of managing your pain?

Approach your back pain as if it is a chronic medical problem, like diabetes or hypertension, that needs to be managed well. Chronic pain is more complex in that it effects so many different things including physical activity, sleep, mood, relationships, and work performance. As a result, you want to develop a program for yourself that will help you with all of these different but related areas of need. Try to learn some tools and activities that you can use daily or weekly to better take care of your back and how you feel.

Certainly, you can make the decision of whether or not you would like to find a physician who can re-start the Lortab for you, but at the same time recognize that there can be a lot more to successfully managing chronic pain than just using medications. This might be a good time to see what other healthy alternatives are out there that might benefit you.
 
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annette030 responded:
Your doctor may feel that by prescribing Lortab to you, he is allowing you to continue doing work that does not allow your back to get well. Is there any kind of non-physical work that you can do? Is that what you are currently doing?

Doctors are sometimes not aware of the financial realities of working, as far as supporting oneself, and providing oneself with health insurance.

What reason does he give you for not prescribing pain meds any more?

Take care, Annette


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