Write a Comment
9 Comments
Even doctors abuse PAIN MEDS. Do not put blame on persons with just HIV,alot of persons abuse pain meds. It's bulls*&t how Doctors treat those with pain and HIV. I was in the hospital after a stroke, the HIV specialist came in and said nothing was wrong with me at all, I was paralyzed on my left side of my body drooling and in extreme pain..I am still having issues, I have seen some of the top HIV doctors in the world and I still get treated like i am some addict.
I was at the gym 6 days a week, then on crutches from using orthodics. I have been bedridden for 3 years now and facing a diagnosis of RSD. The pain is so severe that there are thoughts of ending my life. Is anyone out there going through this kind of pain? I've stopped my meds because I wonder if they have contributed to this. I've been told over and over how Neuro-toxic they are. Can anyone help me?
I tested positive in 1985. I went on meds in 1997 and became disabled in 2001. HIV damaged my central nervous system for over 20 years and HIV meds have accelerated it. 2007 to 2009 where HELL.Through trial and error,I manage PAIN by rest twice a day and using .5mg Clonazepam and 10 mg Hydrocodone 4 times a day. I've had to change my daily activities,but my doctor has found a way to keep PAIN under strict control. He is the reason why my friends say I look 10 years younger now !!
For post herpatic neuropathy - I was just prescribed Foltx - I get the generic - it's made a **huge** difference in my foot pain. It's megadoses of 3 different B vitamins. The podiatrist prescribed it - I'm going to tell my HIV doc about it next time I see him.
I realize a lot of people abuse the need for pain meds. But there are those of us who actually do suffer with severe, cronic pain. Pain that makes a wonderful life not worth living. I have just received my 4th lidocane infusion but with VERY LITLE to no relief. I thought it would be the answer to my prayers but have been disappointed. My pride forces me not to talk about it or let it show, but it's SO HARD! I would never have believed that I could or would suffer from this kind of pain at 54.
As a long term survivor of HIV/AIDS and living with chronic pain I was beginning to question the logic of continuing to take my HIV medications. Needless to say, the last sentence ‘Don’t get desperate and let it be the be all, end all in your life’ was a timely godsend. The article left me wanting more, however. We need more research and discussion as we need more funding and advocacy for non-medication based pain treatments as well as better pain management medicines accessible via ADAP.
Don't forget the centuries-old natural analgesic effects of cannabinoids. Marijuana in all forms has been the best pain reducer I've used for my burning peripheral neuropathy. It's legal in many states for medicinal uses and will soon be taxed and regulated for all adults in California.
Raymond Pullicar
I have been living with pain and weakness in my muscles (especially my legs) for almost three years. I now rely on a mobility dog to help provide locomotion, tramadol and baclofen during the day and morphine and clonozepam at night. No one knows for sure what's causing my muscle weakness and pain. Even after a muscle biopsy only fat intrusion was indicated. Any ideas if what we are dealing with is similar? When you said your legs "buckled", that's what I experience. Now I wear leg braces..
July 31, 2013 • Cathedral City