Messed up the first question

That was some good info.  I checked on the internet at GNC for some of the amino acids you were talking about and I could not find them.  I bought some stuff called formula 50 that is amino acid.  Have you heard of that?

I have been on hydrocodone for about 3 or 4 years years and then was switched to the fentanyl patches and then to opana er.  The patches and the opana ER was just too strong for me to handle and work too.  When he changed me to the patches i was way out in left field and then the opana er was to much for me too.  So I told my dr in early Feb that I wanted to come off all of it for a little while and see how I would do.  He was real good about giving me advice and some colodine but no valium to help me sleep.  I have not taken anything in about a week except 3 ultrams that he said would be ok.  After reading all the things about ultram i am scared to take it now too, and have not taken it in 2 days.  It really did not help my pain, and i had a very restless speep.  I can't seem to get passed 3:30AM.  No matter what time i go to sleep i wake up at 3:30 AM and that is getting old quick.  

I had cancer surgery about 30 years ago and almost died when i was 24, the same thing as Lance Armstrong.  I was only given a 20% chance of living a year but after alot of surgery from my chest to my waist here i am 30 years later and 2 heart attacks later in 96 and 97 and 2 stints last year, and i am doing ok except for a severe back problem.  I had a mylogram and the orto told me there was nothing that could be done.  That my facet joints were covered in bone spurs and scar tissue from all the surgery i had 30 years ago. He gave me the ultram and i didn't think it helped so my GP gave me the hydrocodone and I was fine with it until he thought he might get in trouble unless he tried me on some other things.  I just don't like the extended release stuff.  I like to feel normal every once in a while, and that stuff seemed to stay in my system for so long.

I am trying to schedule an appontment with a nuro surgeon for him to review my tests.  I was doing ok on the hydrocodone and never took over 3 a day, but i took them for about 3 or 4 years.  It stoped the pain and allowed me to go on with my work wheather it was cutting the yard or just going about my daily life.  I think my doc was scarred he was going to get in trouble with the DEA if he was to keep giving me the hydro.  I do have a ringing in my ears and i think it's from the drugs that i have been taking.

Have you ever heard of that and is there anything that can be done to help that?  I just hope i can get through the next couple of weeks and start feeling better.  I am lucky that i am working from home so when the pain gets real bad i can go lay down for a little while and my kids are off at college so it's just me and my wife who has been with me for 35 years.  Keep me in your prayers that i can not take any of the prescriptions i have here at the house.  I have 2 prescriptions of the opana er and some liquid hydrocodone from where i had the flu about a month ago and a bunch of the ultrams but, i am scarred of the ultrams because they are extended release too and stay with me too long.  Kind of like this post is.  Sorry for being so long winded but i just got to typing and could not stop.  It has been reassuring to see others going through some of the things i am.  It's just tough when you are in pain and the docs realize that but are scarred to give you what really helps.  Let me know you thoughts about how long i can expect to feel so bad and not have the energy i am used to having and not being in pain.

Mike in TN

[Mike_B_]

I took the ultram er 200 for 3 days thinking it may help with the pain stopping on tuesday.  Now i am right back where i was last week trying to deal with the pain of my back and the wd.  I am trying to schedule an appointment with a neur surgeon at a pain clinic.  It is hard to get in with these guys.

I just really feel bad and don't want to take the ultram or the opana er.  I haven't taken the opana in about 6 weeks, but i have the ultram on and off.  I think the ultram er is even worse than the hydrododone.

Mike