Skin and bone symptoms and conditions

I'm 47 yrs old now, & have been on Methadone since 92'. My journey with pain started at age 11 yrs, when i had a disease that totally screwed me up. From 11 yrs to 24 yrs, I was prescribed everything from Tyl #3 to Fentanyl patches. I don't know how many of you were around back then, but the 70's & 80's for pain patients wasn't easy. Lots of us put bullets into our brains because the Government made Doctors afraid to treat us "humanely" (so to speak). I was one of the lucky ones because I had outward physical signs of being in pain, so Doctors treated those outward pain symptoms. If i had not had those signs, I know I would wouldn't be here typing this now. I'm relaying this history, before my methadone side effects, because its important pain patients know something.

When I was 21 yrs old, got married & had a child. He didn't live very long, and it was at that point i started using my pills to stifle my feelings. At first I didn't realize what I was doing.. but.. it didn't take to long, and I realized it. Up to that point.. after losing both limbs, skin, and bone grafts, ulcer surgeries up the wazoo, fusions, countless medical procedures, hospitalizations, and operations.. to many to remember.. I had three surgeons, and a internist. All of them knew about one another, but it was up to me to keep each informed as to what they were prescribing.. and I didn't do it. Cut to the chase... About two years after my child dying, my internist retired, so I had to have my records transferred to another Doctor, at another Clinic. Everything with the Dr/ Patient relationship went well, up to about a month. One day.. Something in my head told me I should go to the clinic office, and read my records (i.e. Chart). So.. for the first time in my life, I listened to my head, and went into the clinic, told them what I wanted.. they directed me to medical records.. I told the lady there what I wanted.. she took me to a private room.. handed me a waiver to sign.. kind of stupid waiver, since I was reading my own file.. but.. none the less, signed it.. she handed me my three volume chart. It didn't take long for me to see why, and I'm sure most veteran pain patients will know why too. Right there in Bold Red on the very first piece of paper was "Drug Seeker! Abuses Opiates". Now.. I'm not saying I'm not deserving of that title, but what I am saying is.. "They don't let you know you've been labeled, they let everyone else know, but you." So.. If you are a pain patient.. read your chart once in a while, because once you get that title.. life gets much harder, & you have no idea how judgmental people (even Doctors) are. To most M.D.'s your too big of a liability, & a "criminal" Lastly.. be very careful with these medicines because, it's not that far of a jump from, you controlling them, to them controlling you." Once it happens, its not easy to turn it around again. From age 24 yrs to 27 yrs.. it was hell. I came close many times. Loaded my 30-06 three times, & My 45 twice that I remember. My wife came home early from work on that second time, and found one live round that had fallen on the floor, bent down to pick it up, then found the revolver under the couch.. took me to the hospital.. the E.R. doc admitted me for the pain, and actually treated it with Methadone. With the first dose, I noticed a relief, as I had never felt it before. Not all pain was gone, but after a could days of upping the dose.. it was. When my pain was controlled, it was time for discharge. The doctor that took over my care during admission sent me home with a week supply, & wanted to see me in a week. When I went to his clinic, he had read my previous doctors notes, & now wanted me to come off, & go back to something else. He told me, "that people like me, have to go to Methadone clinics to get methadone." I had been conservative with hiss discharge meds, so I left his office, went home, looked up the nearest methadone clinic, and stayed there for over 7 years (ME BEING STUPID AGAIN!). During those 7 years, I met 4 "pain patients" who were only guilty of being in pain, & having a doctor that didn't want to deal with them, so (like my doc) they mention the only real place, they can get it without bothering them (Methadone clinic). What I didn't realize until the day I walked out, and never went back (and never will), is that Methadone Patients are treated like criminals.. not patients.. AND by being a methadone criminal, you give your state permission to be part of your treatment (And believe me.. you may not see or hear from them,, but they know you by name). I found out after my pain doctor at the time got authorized to prescribe to me, supplemental Methadone at bedtime. After about a month, I get called into my councilors office, & she tells me "the State Methadone Authority says, I have to go back to Phase I because, apparently the pain doctor had been prescribing to other methadone patients without their permission, and that all of us patients had to go back to Phase I". There was no way I was going back to driving 90 miles a day 6 days a week, for something I had nothing to do with. I'm guessing the State was thinking I spread the news about my good fortune with this new pain doctor.. but everyone at the Clinic knew, I came there, sat & waited for my turn, & left. I might say Hi as i passed someone.. AND.. none of the 4 pain patients I mentioned above, were the patients being punished by the State.

The Country says, "its doing better when it comes to treating chronic pain patients." and to a point, I'd say its better.. but there are still miles to go.

METHADONE SIDE EFFECTS:

Someone here mentioned that by taking methadone, he doesn't feel the need for any other opiate. Thats very true. I felt it, & its why they use it for heroin addics. THe first month, I felt really sedated after about 20 minutes of taking it.. But that went away, & now all i get is pain relief.

Constipation-

When I have a operation, I stop taking them about two days before. Three if its possible, because its also true.. after the operation the pain increases, but you get little pain relief from anything.

I can't think of anything else.. except.. soon my only doctor since being on methadone is leaving to another State 3000 miles away, so soon, I'll be back to unthinkable thinking again, I'm sure. Who's going to take a past "drug Seeker-Methadone clinic patient? No Body that doesn't know me.. thats for sure.

I'm sorry this is so long. Good-Luck All

In 2003 I received a single injection of Kenalog in my left elbow for treatment of tennis elbow. Following the injection, the area became red and itched. I called the doctor who told me I was having an allergic reaction and told me to take a Benadryl. For weeks I continued to react with redness and itching. Within months I noticed changes in the areas that were itching. A dent was forming and spreading. My GP was concerned about possible nerve damage so I had several tests to established there was no permanent nerve damage. The dent continued to spread for about 2 years after my single injection. It's about 4 inches long with a diameter of 3 inches. My elbow is severely deformed as a result; it's basically nothing but skin and bone which I have to keep covered for protection. The skin is thin and tends to break open if bumped or turns black from blood vessels breaking if any pressure is applied to the area. Occasionally, the itching will return like it still spreading down my arm. Hard to believe that is the case after five years but who knows with this drug.

Since my experience with this injection, I have refused any treatment involving the use of any steroid. One look at my elbow is all it takes. Kenalog has changed my life and it certainly has not been for the better.

A few months ago I had a Kenalog injection into a painful s/i joint. Now I have a huge painful crater at the site of the injection. There is no tissue left between the skin and bone. I have twice as much pain, and it feels cold on the inside and like the skin in pulling.

I was also unaware of any side effects when I recieved an injection of "steroids" for some scar tissue on my forehead. Within a week the scar and surrounding tissue started to atrophy. The plastic surgeon (who is a true idiot, though surprisingly board certified) suggested Radiesse injections, which she overinjected and charged ME for. She did not admit that it was the Kenalog that cause the atrophy in the first place. Almost a year later, the Radiesse has worn off and now I'm left with a dent in my forehead, it's just skin and bone. I don't know what to do anymore. Some doctors are butchers, and we have to live with the results. And because it was considered a cosmetic procedure, I have no recourse.

I have had asthma and allergies since I was born. I am 38. I have been on medication since I could remember. I always took Tedril and inhalers as a child. When I was 15 they put me on Prednisone for a lung infection. I was taking 90mg perday and this was almost 100% of my body weight. I got really fat and my family didn't recognize me, had skin and bone aching, really bad acne on face and back, hair on my face, ravinous appetite, the list goes on. I was so depressed, I was suicidal. I swore to myself that I would never take another medication that contained a steroid. I went away to Georgia to school. I changed my diet and ate fruit, grains, nuts and seeds only. I was off all medication for the 1st time in my life. After living away from home for 8 years or so and after living in Florida for 2 years I returned to NJ permanently. I had been visiting home every so often to visit family. I noticed when I came home to NJ that I would always get sick with asthma symptoms, but brushed it off. I was still eating the same...fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I now have been home to NJ for 3 weeks. I took the train and noticed when I got off the train in Virginia and drove to NJ I got asthma systems worse and worse as I approached NJ. When I got home I was so depressed because I realized that the NJ climate has everything to do with my asthma. I realize it is also my diet and I have to stay off animal products and dairy because when i eat these things in georgia or florida I get a flair up. It is both things. I am back on singulair 10mg, albuterol and allegra D, because I don't know what else to do. I can't breathe if I don't take it. I am miserable and can't breathe without the meds. I have been taking it for 3 wks. I feel great on it...but I know it has its side affects and have to get off it. I eat healthy, work out and hate all drugs. I can only work out if I am on singulair. I know if I move back to Florida and continue my healthy life style that I can get off the meds. But, my family will not be there. This should be a no brainer for me....but its not. Consider moving out of the tristate area.