u/Darmathius

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I've been dealing with chronic pain for years due to back problems, including nerve pain that radiates down my leg. Some days it's manageable. Other days even basic tasks can feel like a challenge.

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Over the years I've gone through multiple doctors. What frustrated me most wasn't necessarily that they wouldn't prescribe certain medications. It was that so much of the conversation seemed to revolve around how dangerous opioids are, how careful we need to be, and why they should be avoided.

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Don't get me wrong — I understand the risks. I've understood them for years.

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What I needed was someone who was at least as interested in discussing my pain as they were in discussing the dangers of treating it.

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Today I had my first appointment with a new primary care physician.

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For the first time in a very long time, I left a doctor's office feeling hopeful.

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He listened. He asked questions. He examined me. He seemed genuinely interested in understanding what I've been living with rather than immediately focusing on what medications I shouldn't be taking.

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Nothing miraculous happened. My pain is still there. I didn't walk out with a magic solution. But for the first time in years I felt like I was being treated as a person with a complex problem, not as someone who needed a lecture.

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He started me on a low dose of amitriptyline for nerve pain and scheduled a follow-up in two weeks.

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That may not sound like much, but after years of chronic pain, feeling dismissed, and bouncing between doctors, it meant a lot.

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I know many people in this community have had difficult experiences with healthcare. I just wanted to share a small win.

I was supposed to get my prescription renewed before the weekend so I could pick it up on Saturday. Thursday came and went — no prescription. I called them on Friday, explained the situation, waited all day, and still nothing. Then the office was closed on Monday because of Whit Monday.

Today, my girlfriend had to physically go to the doctor’s office and explain that I’d been without my medication for two days, and ask why the hell it still hadn’t been renewed. The receptionists were understanding and seemed to take it seriously. They said they were going to speak to the doctor as soon as he finished with his current patient.

Did I get the prescription quickly after that? Of course not. I finally got it a couple of hours ago — no apology, no explanation, nothing.

I’ve been lying here in massive pain for two days, while also dealing with withdrawals from suddenly being without my medication. I’m beyond frustrated with the healthcare system in this country. And sadly, this isn’t even the first time something like this has happened to me.

I just needed to vent. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this.