I have had a open wound on my left leg just above my ankle to mid-calf. Over the six years it has gone from a small surgical site (2” long) to its current size, 18cm x 20cm. I had several follow up procedures and in 2018, five skin grafts that all failed. Then in 2019, I went through 6 months of (2x) weekly bariatric chamber treatments again no success. After all this and magot therapy, various patch’s, muds, clays, films, gels and many other treatments, I finally started asking for something to treat the pain, which is at a 5-6/10, 10-15hrs a day.
Here’s the response I received from my doctor of 18-20 years, who know my history, knows I’m not a pill hog as I don’t ask for them and usually deny them when offered. This came after sending him a request for something to help with the pain and pictures of my leg and all the information to the doctor in wound therapy who stated, “We can not by new policy prescribe medication. You need to contact you GP.” They work at one of the top hospital groups on the west coast.
Doctors Response: “Hi Richard, We are limited for chronic pain controlled with either Cymbalta or Pamelor. I sent a prescription for Cymbalta to the pharmacy. Give it a try. It will take about 3-4 weeks to be effective. Keep me inform. Have a great day!
Dr. B.”
Cymbalta is a “Nerve pain medication and antidepressant”(1) and Pamelor is a “Nerve pain medication and antidepressant.”(2) Both are available in only a very small dose. I have been on both in the past with no success, their no better then ibuprofen, Tylenol or Advil.
This is where our pain control has gone due to a group of people sitting at the CDC who most likely do not have or know someone with chronic pain. Pain from a broken limb, a surgery known as, Acute Pain is a type of pain that typically lasts less than 3 to 6 months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage such as a sprained ankle or a paper cut.(3) is one thing and is temporary. Chronic pain is defined as is “pain that is ongoing and usually lasts longer than six months. This type of pain can continue even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed or gone away. Pain signals remain active in the nervous system for weeks, months, or years.(4). With my leg injury I am only on year six. Yet, with my back injury I am starting year 27 and I still can only get one of the over the counter pain medications mentioned above.
Does anyone else see the difference?
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References:
(1) https://www.google.com/search?q=cymbalta&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
(2) https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&ei=RagrXtv3K_TF0PEPheSMmAU&q=pamelor&oq=pame&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.1.0.41j0i273l2j0i131j46i131j46j0i67j46.38753.41362..42483…0.2..0.95.855.11……0….1…….8..0i71j41i273j0j0i131i67.pvTBtjGPOuo
(3) https://www.spine-health.com/glossary/acute-pain
(4) https://www.google.com/search?q=chronic+pain&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
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