Comp & Pen And Pain Killers...

[hedgey]

I know this might belong in the C&P forum, but the question involves painkillers and that seems to be a hot topic these days, so I figured it might be more general...

I have a C&P this week, a two parter, and one is for an increase to my rating for the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy in my feet. When I got rated back in 2009 for an increase and to make it bilateral, the examiner asked me how far I could walk and I replied not very far without having to stop... She said, "oh but you could walk a quarter mile, right? Just down the track at a school, right?" So I said, yeah, but I wouldn't enjoy it...

So of course in my paperwork she said I could walke more than 1/4 mile unassisted. Well, anyway, I was just really grateful that they SC'd my 'other' foot as secondary to my original one foot injury, so I let it go. A quarter mile without stopping? Not in years, my dears.

ANYWAY, I see a private podiatrist and private Primary Care. My podiatrist gives me shots occasionally, but she advised me to see my PC for oxycodene to help when the pain was very bad. She has experience with the VA and told me not to bother asking them for pain reliever beyond OTC stuff.

So yes, my PC was more than willing to prescribe Percoset, first with 5/.325acetominiphen then with 7.25/.325. I only take it when the burning and pain is so bad I really can't take it. I've managed to make a script for 120 tablets last from January 14th until last week (going in today for new script).

I did tell my VA Primary that I had the prescription, and it's in my records (at the lower dose).

My question is this: Should I make a point of telling the C&P examiner that I'm taking Percoset to manage the pain? It seems like this should support the level of severity of the pain I'm living with, but the VA is quirky. I'm a bit afraid they might go all "the Vet is getting DRUGS from a private doctor!!! DRUGS!!!" Yeah, drugs that actually work, and that I take so sparingly that I still suffer (believe me, it's awful).

What do you all think? Is doctor prescribed Percoset going to help my cause or should I just not mention it (unless asked, of course).

Also, I use a cane every day, but have no callus to 'prove' it. Handwashing is one of my OCD compulsions, but then so is applying hand lotion. My paws are clean and softy-soft!!

Well, wait, there is a small callus below my pinky ....

I have to go wash my hands now.

[jbasser]

The examiner will know if you are on Narcotic meds anyway with the matching system.

Dont hide it. Let them know. The Tylenol in these drugs worries me. This stuff can really crash a liver.

Basser

[brokensoldier244th]

I always approach my C&Ps for pain issue as if it was the 'worst' day, and answer my questions as such. All my private docs stuff gets given to, or uploaded to VA as part of a claim so they are all on the same page-ish.

[john999]

If pain is part of our claim I would be going to the VA pain clinic. I would have the VA prescribe my pain meds for me. I get pain meds from the VA every month. This involves them having me fill out a questionnaire rating my pain from 1-10. I rate my pain at between 7 and 8 every month without the pain meds. With the pain meds it is a 3, so they are doing me a world of good. I am documenting my benefit from pain meds because I say that they improve every function of my life.

[Notorious Kelly]

That is the catch, Hedgey, is we don't know what they're putting in records until after it's done.

I am dismayed at the inaccuracies and selective entries still being made. They are doing what is best for them and not the veteran.

[hedgey]

My VA primary care has never offered to send me to the pain clinic and when I asked about it, she blew me off. This was after telling her about getting percoset from my private primary. However, the nearest pain clinic is at the VAMC, in the city 75 miles from here. My VA primary knows about my PTSD and how much I try to avoid the VAMC, so maybe she thinks she's helping me.

I really don't want to go to the VAMC, ever. It's making me physically sick knowing I have to go down there on Thursday to my Comp & Pen. :(

Thanks for the advice. I'll tell the examiner about the percoset. It really makes sense. Besides, if I didn't it would be dishonest, and that's not what I want.

I hate being afraid all the time.

thanks for your help!

[john999]

The VA has a duty to address and treat your pain!!!! They started me on morphine about 8 years ago. Now the VA says "I" have an opiate dependence problem. I say they have a drug pusher problem since they are they ones who have had me on morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and oxycodone for years. If you are P&T what are you going to the VA for a C&P for anyway? You have a new or worse problem no doubt? I had a C&P for worsening DMII a few months ago. The doctor told me Vietnam vets get fat on purpose to get compensation for DMII. That is a Nazi way of thinking that there is no cure for except termination.

John