ER yesterday bc of pain today Tylenol every 4 hours

It is horrible what you are going through.

I remember the days of not eating out of fear of making the pain worse or creating another issue. My pain caused fainting or vomiting as well as bowel issues, and when I worked it was easier not to eat to keep from ending up in the bathroom for hours.

Have you had any success in finding a new PM doctor? Have you talked to your PCP about this also? When do you return to work?

Hope you get some relief soon.
Mindy

Hi,

Couldn't read and run.  Just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're suffering so.  I had colitis as a teen (now have a jpouch) and know the stomach pains.  It's awful.  Doesn't seem right though that your dr is just leaving you with no pain meds or treatment.  I'm with others...find yourself another dr who will help you.  No one should have to suffer so. 

Lucy, your story is awful and to me the new PM clinic rules make no sense at all.

The max on Tylenol is 4000 mg a day - if you don't take more than that your liver should be fine. I have talked to my PCP about this, as I usually take close to the max dose every day when my pain is flaring.

I would look up the name of the HMO's medical director and write him a letter. State which pain clinic you go to, what you have been told the new policy is, and how this has affected your pain and your quality of life. Ask if this is truly what was intended when they implemented this policy, and if you have any other options to get the care you need. I feel this couldn't possibly be the intended effect of the policy.

There are recent studies showing that in some people, narcotics induced more pain (narcotic induced hyperalgesia), but sometimes narcotics ARE the most appropriate method to manage pain. The holistic stuff helps chronic pain, but it's not the whole answer.

Lucy I felt so sorry for you after reading your plight. Please try to ask your pharmacist about another pain clinic or doctor that you can go to.

Keep us updated on your progress.

I will pray for you

Lucy,

Have you talked recently to another GI doctor? The reason that I am asking is there have to be other options available to you for treating your condition rather than toughing it out by taking more and more tylenol to get through the day.
I was told that the maximum daily intake of tylenol for someone taking it daily was no more than 3 grains or 3,000 mgs and it was strongly recommended that they take even less if at all possible.
I took tylenol and motrin by the handfuls before my first back surgery-and got chewed out by the physiatrist about it.......so I would do as someone above me suggested, write a letter to your HMO CEO and ask them what the new policy is, and what they intend to suggest you do to get better pain relief since they removed the one option that was helping.......
Sandi