Va Cutting My Medications

[19K30]

Well guys my life has been a roller coaster of hell since the va has cut my pain medication along with benzo. My body and mind are going haywire and I'm not to sure what to do. I feel like I've been betrayed by my country in many aspects. Anyone else on here members chime in I need some help.

 

[Grizzly]

Sorry to here that. I know that they have been cutting down on pain meds of specific types. What reason was given?

 

[19K30]

Nothing specific just va guidelines and federal mandates. They are punishing those that need the medicine for legitimate reasons such as myself I have a cervical spinal cord stimulator and the pain is still not controlled.

 

[Deleted member 43454]

What state do you live in ? Can't believe they just cut you off like that. I would straight up change to medicinal cannabis. Screw that mess. I know it helped me come off of SSRI's, but I have no understanding of Benzo's. However, some of the other members here have experience coming off of them. Plus pot would help with the pain to an extent as well. Negligent as hell on the VA's part.

Keep yourself well rested and hydrated. And give at least a month of recovery/detox time w/ the ganja. Would be about the only advice I could recommend.

 

[vikingr24]

The DEA recently made some opiate derivative drugs (Vicodin -- hydrocodone, Oxycontin, etc.) Schedule II drugs which puts them on the heavy monitor list. The DEA then keeps a list of the doctor, the patient, and the frequency of the med. The list is then sent to the doctor for justification. So a lot doctors are worried about patients that are on high usage of pain killers. You won't see long term Rx's of those pain killers much anymore.

Benzos are often as addicting as opiates. I have been there. And the problem is they require increased dosages as time progresses with use. And if they are for panic attacks, often learning a breathing technique borrowed from meditation, will help as well as benzos. I recommend that technique highly. Lower your shoulders, breath in and out evenly, 8 counts in, 8 counts out (or whatever count you feel comfortable with) and empty your mind. Tell yourself you are OK. It's just a panic attack and no one is shooting.

Watch coming down from these drugs. You will often experience anxiety and depression, worse than the affliction itself. Panic attacks can be worse. Stay well nourished and hydrated (and exercised) and let the docs know if you are having heavy withdrawal problems. You might/will lose sleep. You might need meds for that, and most are fairly safe to use. Social anxiety (avoidance of crowds, not getting out, driving in high traffic) are common issues. Don't force them until you stabilize -- and you will. Don't give up.

Definitely seek a psych out. Not easy finding someone you are OK with. Talking things out relieves a lot of anxiety during a critical time.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[Bfitz12b]

Have the same thing going on with my doctor in the VA, he doesn't have a plan just tells me he's cutting my meds down to nothing. I have seen neurosurgeons, pain clinics, everyone under the sun. I have arthritic damage and arthritis in my spine, 6-8 pinched nerves in my neck to feet, herniated, and bulged discs. I take maybe 2 pain pills a day max and I split them up. Without them and sometime of plan to monitor my pain as well as being able to function is insane to me. I'm 26 and shouldn't feel so far from my age that I can't even do regular things I was able to before duty. I switched doctors and now hoping I can reason with them to keep me on my 2 a day until we find a plan that truly works.

 

[vikingr24]

A lot of guys are going to pain clinics. You sign a waiver and affirm that you will not abuse the drugs. That seems to make them happy. But you pay the man....Sucks.

 

[Grizzly]

Here is some clarity maybe. The Feds cracked down on it all. And rightly so, there is a lot of abuse of narcotic pain killers. And unfortunately the people who are compliant pay the price.

As for the VA... Well, they can't deal with basic meds and patients. Let alone trying to manage narcotic pain meds. Maybe it's for the best. As usual.

I go to a pain clinic. It's non VA for an injury to my cervical spine that happened at work a few years ago. I take Tramadol and They piss test me every 2 weeks. Supposedly this is a requirement by law now. So I'm betting the VA said F-this the costs to do all that will be astronomical "what about our pensions?" "They are just vets, they can deal with a little chronic pain"

Anyway...I'm f*cking rambling. Sorry for the issues you are having. It really bites a dick!