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Before you get too mad at your pain doctor in NM, realize that both State and Federal governments are making his(her) life hell. Several agencies review files (possibly yours, without your awareness or consent) and they end up defending what they're doing for you.
NM is terrible shape for prescription drug overdoses and problems, and, as is the nature of things, the good guys will get punished for what the bad guys do.
I know my doc was late for an appointment one day because he spent 3 hours justifying to the feds the narcotic load he had prescribed to a 85 year-old with 3 active cancers.
I really appreciate the information posted here on pain doctors. Since I was looking for one that would certify me for the medical cannabis program, I used a local referral and went to see Dr. Anthony Reeve. While he's not the warmest doctor, the process was relatively painless. It was expensive, but his office prepared a multi-page report, which I submitted to the Department of Health and was subsequently accepted into the program.
I can't tell you how great it is not to be under the thumb of a pain doctor anymore, or chained to prescription medications. Considering my daily pain levels average about a 7, I was worried that medical cannabis would not be strong enough. And while it's true that it is very difficult to find a strain that's strong enough for chronic pain, I have found that replacing the bucket full of prescription medications I used to take every day with cannabis has been a VAST improvement.
I wish I was able to supplement with something like Vicodin during the times when my pain levels go over a 7, but all-in-all, I'm very glad I was able to make the switch. If you're a chronic pain patient, I would highly recommend that you at least try it. And good luck!
I loved reading your article. I suffer from chronic pain big time! I have been chronically ill now for 27 years with fibromyalgia and several other illnesses like degenerative disc disease. I am thinking I will probably fly to Houston to see my doctor I have seen for over 23 yrs. I have been through so much medical abuse in several different ways and one of them is DOCTORS NOT BELIEVING THAT I'M EVEN ILL. I just can't endure anymore of this sort of bull from doctors, I have had enough of it. I am suffering everyday from pain starting from the time I wake up if I'm even able to sleep till the time I fall asleep. I have full body pain that starts from the base of my skull all the way to the bottom of my feet. That is no lie I am in pain in so many different areas of my body and also in different types of pain too. Fibromyalgia is a life stealing illness that a lot of people can't take. There have been numerous suicides from people who suffer from this illness so to have a doctor not believe you are suffering is just more than I can take anymore. I need a pain management doctor that I can build a relationship with as I have with my Internist. Please anything you can tell me I would so love! MOVING TO ALBUQUERQUE .
that I move to another climate too...I posted on here a lot a while back when I was considering moving from St. Louis to ABQ. I have chronic migraines and have had to go on disability in my early 30s, although I'm itching to return to work...but I can't seem to get the headaches under control. The rainy, up-and-down weather here doesn't seem to help at all.
I visited ABQ and loved it, but in some awful twist, the bright sunlight at that altitude triggered a flare of my lupus, which previously had been under good control! I then saw my rheumatologist, and she said to hold off on a move, although one was probably possible. I had to go back on lupus medication (I'd been able to get off), and I'm still in St. Louis now with the storms and the migraines!
But I saw my neurologist not long ago, and she again suggested moving out. She also asked if I'd ever tried marijuana (I haven't), and said that it might be worth doing if I had the (legal) chance. I was surprised, as it's not mentioned often here in Missouri! So I guess the chance of having a medical marijuana prescription is a possible positive, although I've never tried it to know if it would help.
So I'm still debating...I did love ABQ, but what a mess that it helps one of my medical problems but makes the other worse!
Carolynandrandy: I'm so sorry that you have to put up with doctors who don't believe you're in pain. Unfortunately, that kind of discrimination is something all chronic pain patients face at some time or another, but it has gotten a lot worse in the last couple of years (for a variety of reasons).
I gave up on doctors and pain specialists a few years ago, saved and scrimped, and moved from Houston to Albuquerque to enter their medical cannabis program. I must say that I really love Albuquerque (and I have the photos to prove it!), but I was unable to renew when my card expired and am no longer legally able to medicate with cannabis. After a year in the program (and after a lot of research and analysis), I decided the best thing for this intractable pain patient was to move to a state with a program that I can afford, both now and in the future. Unfortunately, I cannot save up to move and pay for medication at the same time. But this has always been about a long-term solution for treatment, and since I've found the right medicine, I just need to find a place where I can afford it.
It is impossible to go from paying a $10 co-pay for a 30-day supply of pain medication, to paying $15/gram -- which is about the equivalent (if you're lucky enough to find quality cannabis) of one or two pills. Without insurance coverage, the viability of medicating with cannabis, especially for chronic pain patients, is, at this time, uncertain. Since New Mexico's program is one of the most restrictive in the U.S., it is also one of the more expensive -- and for those on disability, paying for medication can run as much (or more) than rent.
I don't want to frighten pain patients away from medical cannabis, but since I was not prepared for the expense of this treatment, I would really like others to know before they make the same mistakes I did. In my opinion, the one and only downside to medicating with cannabis is cost.
As a 25-year intractable pain patient, I consider myself an expert, and I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions you may have.
I'm sorry this is so long, but I just want to add, Carolynandrandy, that throughout the last quarter of a century, I have felt like giving up on more than one occasion. Instead of fighting those kinds of feelings, I allow myself to wallow in a little self-pity once in awhile, but never for long. If you'll just give those feelings time to pass, try to distract yourself from those kinds of thoughts, maybe things will look better with the rising of the sun.
Havecamerawilltravel: I know what you mean about the sunlight in Albuquerque -- it's quite bright. And since I am also sensitive to light, I was concerned when I first moved here; but, as it turns out, the sunlight has not been a problem. I also wondered if my allergies would be better or worse in New Mexico, but they seem to be a little bit better, if anything. And I was really, really (can't say really enough) happy to get away from the humidity in Houston.
I did a little research on what's happening in Missouri on this issue, and it looks like your state, and all the states surrounding you, are going to take some time to create medical cannabis programs. I'm thinking it may be years and years. So if you decide to try cannabis, it looks like you will have to move to do so.
I understand that Lupus is treated with drugs that weaken your immune system, so I understand your ambivalence about moving to Albuquerque. Is your Lupus more painful than your migraines? I guess that would be my first question. But since cannabis works as both an anti-inflammatory and an anti-anxiety, I think it could help both of your conditions. And you'd be surprised at the number of different delivery methods that are currently available.
I'm not familiar with Lupus, but a lot of MS patients use the high-CBD strains of cannabis for treatment, which would be the ones that have very little, if any, psychoactivity. Something to look into if you decide to try it.
I have had severe chronic pain for ten years an had a great doctor Thomas McIntosh. How ever he retired an my new doctor Alice hulebeck just cold turkey me off all pain medication an is unwilling help with relief of this pain. Does anyone have a good doctor in Albuquerque who has a heart an isn't afraid to perceive liget pain medication
Pain medication shouldn't be controversial unless there are clear warning signs that it's not actual pain that's being treated but a dependence that has formed. That does sometimes happen, though we don't know anything about you, so can't say if it's the case with you or not.
That said, some doctors are just bad doctors. I'd pick one or two more at random and schedule an appointment with them. If that new doctor is indeed bad, others should get you back on track. If the old one was just a Dr. Feelgood, you may have a long uncomfortable recovery ahead.
Bear in mind as you approach a new doctor that there are a lot of shoppers out there who have addiction problems and the more overt and subtle things you can do to show that you're not one of those people will get them to take your pain situation seriously.
Annette2martinz, This is a very old thread, and City-Data is probably not the best place to seek medical referrals. Are you an NM Angie's List member? There are quite a few physician reviews there, and I've found them to be pretty reliable. Alternately, ask your friends for the name of a doctor, any doctor, whom they think is really great and get a referral from that doctor. Good MD's tend to know good MD's. Since my health insurance plan got considerably worse, I've started going to Oak Street Clinic. They are a no-frills medical practice, but they have a pretty holistic attitude and are very kind. You might try calling them as well. Good luck.
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My doctor actually suggested
