I have been a nurse for over 20 years and I have seen nursing change over the last 20 years for sure. I obviously am very aware of the rampant drug problem that we are facing.
I too have been concerned about if I am a glorified drug pusher until I had a huge reality check. I went from being the nurse to the patient and what a change that is.
I was diagnosed with CRPS or RSD, to my left arm that eventually spread to my left knee ( due to a fall at work) and I also have fibromyalgia. CRPS has been around since the civil war and now servicemen and women coming home from war are also suffering from this terrible disease.
I look normal sitting in a bed.
The McGill pain index shows that (CRPS) Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome is the most painful condition on the planet, worse then natural childbirth ( and I can attest to that). I know that when my med list is reviewed, I can see the change in a nurse or doctors attitude. Questions about why I take this, who orders that. All of which I understand.
I like many chronic pain patients have a very regimented schedule and going into the hospital changes the times to all my medications. I can't shower in the hospital due to my cold intolerance. Sometimes I can only wear the one thing I brought due to the sensitivity to material, seems and even lung sounds on the left cause me intense pain. My limbs are different temperatures, and sometimes my left leg will swell and my toes get red. But a majority of they one my disease is invisible. I have been treated so badly by nurses and doctors. When I try to explain my medication schedule or when I ask for meds and I say my pain is an 8 or 9, I have been asked "really, you look fine to me" I have even had nurses not give me tylenlol with my maintence med because they didn't feel comfortable giving them together??? I have heard "we go for the lower med first and if it doesn't work..," which is fine for a post op day 2 hip, but I have chronic pain for 12 years. I follow all the rules. Never accept any narcotics from another doctor, urine tests, go to a pain clinic, have had over 50 procedures including a spinal cord stimulator.
When I attempt to explain my situation and my meds and why I take them or arrange my day in the way I do, like eating or showering, " I'm anxious, pushy, or the PIA patient" all of which I have heard. Then people find out I'm a nurse and I never have anyone help me with my bed, or rarely come in my room. The worst part is I can count on one hand the number of nurses who have read about CRPS and asked me questions or tried to understand. Patients can eat, watch tv and talk on the phone in pain. I hate to ring the buzzer asking for meds and ask for water or juice and get directed to the kitchen.
Pain is subjective, and if patients like myself get off our schedule it is very difficult to get relief. A 5 is a good day for me. I only post this to ask that despite you feeling like a patient can't be in pain or that we call because we are drug seeking, just take a minute and image your mother, sister, brother or best friend in that bed. Suffering.
I CRPS makes your affected area feel like it's on fire. The. The fibro ( yes it's real) makes you ache everywhere else. Pain in my legs so bad, I use a wheelchair for long distances. Migraines, stomach issues, chest pain ( with negative markers) because CRPS can affect your organs. We would much rather be at home. If you knew the things that we miss out on, Holidays or dates because we are mentally and physically exhausted from pain. Imagine having the worst migraine and toothache ever, the sounds make you nauseous and all you want is a quiet dark room. I put a pillow on my head because I am extremely sensitive to sound and light. Imagine that toothache and migraine last for 10 years. They never go away- ever.
Please think about how humiliating and difficult it is to ask for everything you need. The uncertainty of asking for meds by name and amounts to assist the nurse in making more then one trip vs sounding like a "seeker". We know what everyone thinks. We feel it. It's just one more worry that we deal with.
Please take the time to understand the condition your medicating for, or why this patient is non compliant. Go out of your way and change the times on a patients meds to accommodate their schedule, it validates me and may cut down on my prn meds. Understand that I have had a change in my condition and stress increases my pain and anxiety, along with no sleep.
Its easy to get frustrated and assume, I've done it before. I lost a lot due to my illnesses. I am a shell of a person that I was. I cringe just knowing I have to go to the ER to be picked apart and judged. I waited 7 hours for an ekg. Don't judge what you can't see. I'm not asking for any special anything, just try to understand.
