JLN1129

I appreciate everyone's candor and advice. I know I need to get into pain management, unfortunately, being a worker's comp case, there's the question of what is "reasonable care". What I think is reasonable..ie getting me out of pain, is not what they think is reasonable...ie throwing medication at the problem. the ER is my last ditch resort for those really really bad days...the days where I would drink dirty ditch water if it would make me feel better. My PCP tends to lean towards the side of caution as well. He only sees me every 6 weeks, and occassionally...those appointments where I'm crying in the waiting room...he gives me 15 soma...which don't help the pain. They just make me sleep. I really just needed to vent. It's good to feel like someone out there is on my side. No one in the healthcare industry really seems to be. As far as nursing as a career for me...it may kill me...it may put me in traction one day soon...but if I can do it at all, I'm going to do it. There has never been a question in my mind about what I wanted to do with my life. I decided this when I was 6. When the boys played war, I played Army Nurse. But, I have considered having a "back up" plan. I may not be hireable. Who knows what the future will hold, but again, thanks to everyone.

Okay, here's the problem. I recently began nursing school. I previously was a waitress, and severly injured my back. This was (is) a worker's comp. injury, and the proper tests were not done to determine the extent of the injury. Although my doctor has told me this will never heal, and I will most likely be in some form of pain, moderate to severe, for my entire life, he has classified this injury as a sprain. I can not get relief for this pain. I am on diclofenac 75mg and skelaxen 400mg, along with an untold amount of Motrin. I have been to the emergency room several times, complaining of the same problem. They, of course, have labelled me as "drug-seeking", and each time I leave the ER with a rx for Naprosyn. Is there any possible way to change the ER staff's opinion of me? Although, yes, I am a drug-seeking patient, I am seeking these medications for a legitimate reason... I am so frustrated. I don't work at all right now, and I am so depressed by all of this that I find it difficult to just go to classes, let alone do the huge amount of work required of me. I desprately need help here.