What would you think? FF?

[z's playa]

Hello everyone! I'm not a nurse yet but will be in about 3 years time. I have a huge question regarding the so called term, "frequent flyer". I've suffered from migraines for the past 2 years. I started off with aprox. 8 a month. I could usually handle them with Imitrex, however, 2 per month needed to be treated with i.v steroids and/or narcotics. Prophylactics brought the frequency of my attacks down to 3 a month with only one visit to the ER around my period:o My doctor wrote me a letter (as requested by the last ER doctor) that lists all my medication....propranolol, Naprosyn, Imitrex, states that I follow up every 3 months as requested by him, and ok's the use of the occasional narcotic. I have not been to the hospital for migraine in 4 months but I feel like I may need to go considering I've exhausted all my rescue meds and i had to wear.. to write this. Would you label me a drug seeker or a frequent flyer, judging by the # of times seen in the past 2 years, keeping the letter in mind and the 4 month break? Each time I go I feel like I'm walking The Green Mile. Humiliation at a hospital shouldn't be part of an already awful day, dont'cha think?

PS could someone define a FF?

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry about the labeling....it shouldn't happen, I know, because there are a lot of people out there like you who have legitimate pain issues that need to be addressed compassionately and swiftly. But we also see plenty of the other types, the "gomers" (translation: Get Out of My Emergency Room) who show up every week or month or so, complaining about pain which happens to respond ONLY to Demerol (and only in amounts that would kill a horse).....or they come in with acute ETOH withdrawal symptoms.....or they can't breathe (because they just finished off a pack of cigarettes). We do get a little jaded after seeing this sort of thing, with the same patients, over and over.

Again, sorry that this is happening to you. Good luck with your migraines.

[moia]

I would urge you to wander over to the Brain Talk forums for some great support and some help in accepting the chronic pain role.

I still see that comment about taking enough meds to knock out a horse and laugh because 6 months ago I would have had the same comment. I am now a chronic pain patient who in fact does take enough pain medication to knock out a horse but sadly only makes my pain bearable..oh to be a horse because I would love to be knocked out when the pain gets really bad.

Ignore the cynism at the Er, ignore the comments and ignore the judgements. You have pain that is recognized and is being treated . If you need to go to the ER go and never let it cross your mind. As a chronic pain patient you have a lot more to worry about than some cynical nurse or doctor..as long as they give you whatever you need to survive the flare who cares? When you feel better you may want to put together a presentation for your nursing class about chronic pain and make them realize that pain is NOT something to be endured, pain does not make you stronger or wiser. Educate a new generation about pain as the 5th vital sign. Educate the cynical and show them despite pain you can still be a great nurse.