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arikara

(5,562 posts)

43. I don't know what you consider to be woo medicine

Sat Aug 23, 2014, 10:00 AM

Aug 2014

but I had excruciating chronic back pain for 15+ years and attributed it to my back being worn out from the extreme heavy, awkward lifting from my job as a paramedic. Regular doctors did nothing for me beyond prescribing pain killers. The only short term relief I got was from chiropractic and massage. That is until I started seeing a doctor of Chinese medicine and having acupuncture and taking herbs. He diagnosed my back pain as gall bladder and magically relieved it in a few minutes and when it flares up now I take some herbs.

Woo? I think not. If an allopathic doctor had managed to diagnose it as gall bladder they would have removed it, not treated it at all. Now my main medical treatment is always TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and I use allopathy only for emergencies which is where they excel. Pharmaceuticals are the absolute last resort and I just don't take them at all.

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Big change to make it harder for patients to get pain killers like Vicodin [View all] bananas Aug 2014 OP

ASCP Reacts to Rescheduling of Hydrocodone Combination Products bananas Aug 2014 #1

Now all people will have to see a doc riversedge Aug 2014 #3

I understand your concern but the reasons behind these new restrictions are well totodeinhere Aug 2014 #18

Exactly. My grandson is addicted to pain meds and this should have been done years ago. It has been jwirr Aug 2014 #31

Many families are facing similar problems. I wish your grandson the very best. n/t totodeinhere Aug 2014 #35

Thank you. jwirr Aug 2014 #41

This doesn't make it harder to get...just makes doctors richer. nt kelliekat44 Sep 2014 #194

We all know which roads are paved by good intentions. 1monster Aug 2014 #56

You are right. This is a riversedge Aug 2014 #143

I disagree. Laelth Aug 2014 #157

Well, addiction and dependence are different animals. Warpy Aug 2014 #178

"Now all people will have to see a doc" mpcamb Aug 2014 #135

For those patients who need refills... mwooldri Aug 2014 #149

I was in the ER with food poisoning a few weeks ago. Bette Noir Aug 2014 #163

A lot of geriatric GPs have visiting PAs and NPs. For chronic conditions, this can be a lifesaver. politicat Sep 2014 #184

I've been on hydrocodone twice for several weeks following major knee surjury. I admit abusing brewens Aug 2014 #58

I also enjoy hydrocodone DisgustipatedinCA Aug 2014 #86

law of diminishing returns greiner3 Aug 2014 #121

hydrocodone shanti Aug 2014 #95

Hydrocodone is the narcotic ingredient. Norco and Vocodin are Hydrocodone plus Acetaminophen 24601 Aug 2014 #181

I took a different road to avoid abuse. phylny Aug 2014 #133

Good pscot Aug 2014 #2

Try living with chronic back pain for 20 years FrodosPet Aug 2014 #7

The US uses 90% of the world's supply of hydrocodone derivatives Recursion Aug 2014 #12

That is a good question! FrodosPet Aug 2014 #19

I meant it honestly: what do they do elsewhere? Recursion Aug 2014 #20

If you are sincerely interested, I will let you know what I find FrodosPet Aug 2014 #24

Well most likely UglyGreed Aug 2014 #106

Hydromorphone Sgent Aug 2014 #169

Here (UK), hydrocodone is rarely prescribed Prophet 451 Aug 2014 #176

I don't know what you consider to be woo medicine arikara Aug 2014 #43

Out of curiosity Ruby the Liberal Aug 2014 #60

Do you mean my TCM Dr? arikara Aug 2014 #138

Sorry - that question wasn't clear Ruby the Liberal Aug 2014 #158

I would research this country by country; here's some starting points. Divernan Aug 2014 #51

I don't know about the rest of the world Betty88 Aug 2014 #21

Isn't hyperaesthesia a side effect of hydrocodone? (nt) Recursion Aug 2014 #30

I think most of my side effects come from chemo Betty88 Aug 2014 #38

Hyperalgesia is a side effect of long-term opiate use generally Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #130

Interesting. Granny M Aug 2014 #146

One of the other effects of opiates... Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #147

Suffering builds character pscot Aug 2014 #37

As we know most other developed countries have universal health care. So residents totodeinhere Aug 2014 #25

Yup. christx30 Aug 2014 #48

Gall bladder surgery on an outpatient basis? SheilaT Aug 2014 #83

I was in otherwise really good health. christx30 Aug 2014 #97

no,they do by riversedge Aug 2014 #116

It's an outpatient surgery now. NutmegYankee Aug 2014 #144

I get by by living on a heating pad -sometimes 24/6 Ms. Toad Aug 2014 #46

While this report looks enlightenment Aug 2014 #47

Codeine/morphine. Feral Child Aug 2014 #57

"The Real Reason Pot Is Still Illegal" Strelnikov_ Aug 2014 #90

Do you suggest that American "altruism" Feral Child Aug 2014 #173

But pot doesn't work for everyone Prophet 451 Aug 2014 #177

You are an exception Feral Child Sep 2014 #188

Don't misunderstand me Prophet 451 Sep 2014 #190

Copy that. Feral Child Sep 2014 #192

when I have needed a painkiller I always tell the doc to prescribe hydocodone instead of CTyankee Aug 2014 #182

Not sure we're on the same page. Feral Child Sep 2014 #187

I agree with you on the points you have made. CTyankee Sep 2014 #189

Addiction isn't subjective. Feral Child Sep 2014 #193

Codeine is available over the counter. grahamhgreen Aug 2014 #78

But if you're downing more than one or two pscot Aug 2014 #114

Nope, codeine requires a prescription Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #131

I meant outside the US. grahamhgreen Aug 2014 #137

Hydrocodone is 6x more potent than codeine (n/t) Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #139

I really don't understand why you can't grow your own poppies grahamhgreen Aug 2014 #140

You can, you just can't extract anything from them. Spider Jerusalem Aug 2014 #141

They suffer. Comrade Grumpy Aug 2014 #98

Forty years and counting pscot Aug 2014 #29

And blood pressure. Ms. Toad Aug 2014 #40

Naproxen is my friend LynneSin Aug 2014 #49

What side effects are you referring to? BobbyBoring Aug 2014 #33

People who don't have chronic back pain just don't understand Beaverhausen Aug 2014 #92

I hear you, 25 years here UglyGreed Aug 2014 #107

Next time you have a visit to a primary care provider, ask him or her about treatment with tricyclic Aristus Aug 2014 #134

Tcas, especially amitriptyline, have a narrow therapeutic window. politicat Sep 2014 #185

I've had chronic back pain and my right should since I was 17 snooper2 Aug 2014 #150

there are seriously good (non-addictive) options that are not approved JCMach1 Sep 2014 #195

"delays to pain relief will increase for post-acute and long-term care patient" is "good"??? WinkyDink Aug 2014 #8

Why is this good? Betty88 Aug 2014 #9

Because prescription drugs are killing an absurd amount of people in the US? Recursion Aug 2014 #15

So your answer is make it harder Betty88 Aug 2014 #23

As a user of a schedule II drug, there is a simple workaround. mwooldri Aug 2014 #148

The stuff is highly addictive pscot Aug 2014 #32

higher doses are not a sign of addiction UglyGreed Aug 2014 #108

Painful withdrawal symptoms pscot Aug 2014 #113

Well when I UglyGreed Aug 2014 #115

had fentanyl in hosp after major operation & no high at all wordpix Sep 2014 #191

I'll let my 90-year-old mother know. WinkyDink Aug 2014 #151

how is this good? stonecutter357 Aug 2014 #16

Post removed Post removed Aug 2014 #17

Obviously you have not lived with chronic - or even longer than expected acute - pain Ms. Toad Aug 2014 #34

I could trot out my medical history here pscot Aug 2014 #71

You grin and bear my sorefeet Aug 2014 #75

Neuropathy? Check. pscot Aug 2014 #85

Pain pills did zero sorefeet Aug 2014 #88

I take small doses of gabapentin pscot Aug 2014 #91

Gabapentin Did not do a thing for my neuropathy from MS Mojorabbit Aug 2014 #145

I use Neurotin for my Neuropathy Marrah_G Aug 2014 #119

Unless you are treating them Ms. Toad Aug 2014 #103

Great. Hydrocodone is exactly my 90-yr-old mother's pain prescription. But her Dr. already said he WinkyDink Aug 2014 #4

Over-reactive and enlightenment Aug 2014 #5

SOS, and then they fuel the black market. n/t RKP5637 Aug 2014 #13

haven't you heard? heaven05 Aug 2014 #22

Another stupid drug law Betty88 Aug 2014 #6

I'm no longer sure why there should even be a DEA any more... TreasonousBastard Aug 2014 #10

I have chronic back pain SnakeEyes Aug 2014 #11

Me too. This really sucks hard. 99th_Monkey Aug 2014 #72

No doubt ctsnowman Aug 2014 #14

Big Pharma is getting rich off of hydrocodone addiction LynneSin Aug 2014 #50

It cost$ ctsnowman Aug 2014 #62

$ is right 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #127

How Sgent Aug 2014 #170

Great and mom who's recovering from back surgery PatrynXX Aug 2014 #26

Good! I know and have known too many Faux pas Aug 2014 #27

says the guy with a pot avatar Doctor_J Aug 2014 #45

Except pot isn't addicted and shouldn't be illegal LynneSin Aug 2014 #52

So you and the previous poster support the war on some drugs Doctor_J Aug 2014 #59

I don't trust what man makes. I do trust Faux pas Aug 2014 #63

so you're for prohibition on distilled alcohol then Doctor_J Aug 2014 #125

Yes I am. I survived a house full of alcoholics and guns, thank you very much. Faux pas Aug 2014 #154

Many synthetic opioids have now been found in nature. NutmegYankee Aug 2014 #142

Sorry for your pain, I can relate. Faux pas Aug 2014 #155

By your logic... rexcat Sep 2014 #186

Absolutely agree with Doctor_J. SoapBox Aug 2014 #69

Lousy change. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Aug 2014 #28

Really is lousy. gvstn Aug 2014 #80

This is a bad decision. deathrind Aug 2014 #36

It has the potential to add up costs to the entire 'system' riversedge Aug 2014 #117

You know what would be really nice... logosoco Aug 2014 #39

Because most doctors are spineless sorefeet Aug 2014 #70

I think that pain doctors thatgemguy Aug 2014 #81

I had one doctor tell me sorefeet Aug 2014 #84

Great! So, because some people abuse a drug, people who don't have to suffer? Stonepounder Aug 2014 #42

I don't get it. Treant Aug 2014 #44

If you take opiate drugs you will become addicted to them. hollowdweller Aug 2014 #53

I have to disagree with that assertion. blue neen Aug 2014 #77

I'm sorry you are right. hollowdweller Aug 2014 #96

Yes, Fiorinal (with aspirin) or Fioricet ( with acetaminophen) can be very addicting. blue neen Aug 2014 #105

This message was self-deleted by its author otohara Aug 2014 #110

Some docs get a reputation for handing out Rxs much too freely. Divernan Aug 2014 #54

We ARE required to go in monthly for that 2 minute visit... SoapBox Aug 2014 #65

I think they just hand out too many at one time. hollowdweller Aug 2014 #99

These people selling these drugs to others ... happynewyear Aug 2014 #153

Can you work? hollowdweller Aug 2014 #168

No I can no longer work happynewyear Aug 2014 #172

Sure they know sorefeet Aug 2014 #76

If you are treated by other doctors they may not know csziggy Aug 2014 #79

Anyone had experience with hypnosis and/or acupuncture? Divernan Aug 2014 #55

Unfortunately SoapBox Aug 2014 #66

Thats a Buzz Kill. Rhinodawg Aug 2014 #61

Those that are not in constant and chronic pain have no clue SoapBox Aug 2014 #64

X 1000 ctsnowman Aug 2014 #68

Drug Testing a 93 Year Old? otohara Aug 2014 #118

Thank you Soapbox... kag Aug 2014 #128

This is sad. alarimer Aug 2014 #167

More money for doctors roody Aug 2014 #67

Untreated sleep apnea makes your body fight the effects of hydrocodone and opiates. McCamy Taylor Aug 2014 #73

More will be given pot instead, stopping the creation of addicts who'll do anything to get the pills TheNutcracker Aug 2014 #74

But pot cant mask pain the way opiates can, pot can help but for pain opiates are the best BaggersRDumb Aug 2014 #82

i tried medical pot and it made my pain worse. DesertFlower Aug 2014 #132

Well that sucks. TransitJohn Aug 2014 #87

Asked my wife re this, Benton D Struckcheon Aug 2014 #89

yes, of course, Benton lululu Aug 2014 #175

rush limpballs must be upset at this news wordpix Aug 2014 #93

Hah! Right! mpcamb Aug 2014 #136

Stupid idea that'll fuel christx30 Aug 2014 #94

I totally agree with you...I am a senior and if I get a debilitating disease onecent Aug 2014 #104

I'm having a very hard time getting Vicodin.... Skarbrowe Aug 2014 #100

So sorry to read of your situation - hope your doc comes through for you Divernan Aug 2014 #102

Thank-you...Oops Skarbrowe Aug 2014 #159

Thank you...oops Skarbrowe Aug 2014 #160

{{Skarbrowe}} WinkyDink Aug 2014 #152

Thank you, WinkyDink.... Skarbrowe Aug 2014 #161

You're welcome. As a Boomer, I was quite taken with the TV character WinkyDink, the first inter- WinkyDink Aug 2014 #166

I had a former girlfriend that died from liver failure caused by long time abuse of Vicodin. olddad56 Aug 2014 #101

Sorry for your loss UglyGreed Aug 2014 #109

thanks olddad56 Aug 2014 #122

People NEED painkillers! bravenak Aug 2014 #111

If only we were sophisticated enough as a society ... GeorgeGist Aug 2014 #112

I'd heard that when patients cannot get it from their doctors (after becoming addicted)... C Moon Aug 2014 #120

the issue is money and political donations quadrature Aug 2014 #123

For those cheerleading leaving millions in agony A.T.E.T.Y.D.T.T.T.C.B.T.Yx3 kickysnana Aug 2014 #124

Not exactly a surprise. These are the head "drug warriors" after all. NaturalHigh Aug 2014 #126

it doesn't say anything about refills. DesertFlower Aug 2014 #129

I expect better from a Democratic administration. Laelth Aug 2014 #156

you won't get it from O admin. I've been dealing with fed health agencies for months wordpix Aug 2014 #164

Damn it, This crap is disgusting. steelsmith Aug 2014 #162

I'm dismayed at this. yes, this can be be addictive deafskeptic Aug 2014 #165

Here comes another big wave of heroin overdoses SoFlaJet Aug 2014 #171

bad news for people with pain issues lululu Aug 2014 #174

I find this questionable at best Prophet 451 Aug 2014 #179

Dh take one a day. MissB Aug 2014 #180

yeah, it's amazing lululu Aug 2014 #183