Non-Narcotic Alternatives to Morphine Sulfate

[FIXM]

I have been taking between 90mg and 120mg of morphine sulfate a day for the last 6 years to manage lower back pain and I would like to find an effective non-narcotic alternative. Auy Suggestions?

[troubleinohio]

hi and welcome...what exactly is wrong in your back? and are you planning on tapering off the morphine? Are you addicted or just dependant on it? I would try to taper if I were you, 6 years is a long time to be on morphine and could be a rough WD.  Had your DR given you other meds to try along the way though? I would think youve been tried on other stuff before your dr  put you on the morphine.. I have a bad back too and right now the only thing i take for it ibuprofin at high doses.  It doesnt help much and I have some very bad pain days in my back, knees and shoulders but I cant control myself when i have narcotics so i must stick with just ibu...  good luck to you..

[FIXM]

When I was injured I ruptured every disc between L1 & S1 and because of work comp it was approximately 2 years before I actually got to see a doctor that knew what he was talking about. I now have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis between L1 & L2, and a slight curvature of my spine.
My Dr and I have discussed a spinal fusion - what he calls a Level 4 fusion that involves two 12" titanium rods and twelve 2" titanium screws. I would never be able to tie my own shoes of bend forward more than 5 degrees - I'll live with the pain thank you. I am taking only enough MS to keep the edge off the pain and according to my Dr should be taking between 2 and 3 times as much. We have even discussed implanting a morphine pump, but I would rather not. On a scale of 1 to 10 I stay between a 6 to 7. I have tried tapering off and got down to 45mg a day, but the pain was too intense and left me unable to function at all with my mobility severely restricted. I am addicted to the drug and would like to find a non-narcotic that can take the place of the morphine if such an animal exists.

[Susan252]

I don't know if there is a non narcotic but I am also in chronic pain.  I had a 12" inch steel rod inserted in my spine when I was 15 years old, my scoliosis was 115 degrees, very severe, I was one of the first patients they did that surgery on.  If they had not done that I would be in a wheelchair today.  However, if your scoliosis is not getting any worse and it is only mild then I would leave it alone.  I also have degenerative disc disease throughout my spine, spinal stenosis, and all the things you have.  I am so sorry for you cause you are so young.  I am now 52 and am in chronic pain, been in pain for years but I can bend to tie my shoes, I have danced and functioned even with the rod.  Have you tried a chiropractor?  I went to several for years, and they helped.  Also massage and hot baths.  The pills, well I take hydrocodone, however, I am getting ready to have what they call radiofrequency ablation treatments on my lower back to help with the pain.  Maybe check into that.  It may help with the pain.  I relate to you when you say that when you tried weaning, the pain would come back and be worse.  That is why I am doing the injections so that when the pills wear off, the pain does not come back and maybe an ibuprofen will do it.  I've only been on these pills for 4 years and have tried to cut back and go through withdrawl and pain so my dr. says after the treatments that he will wean me slowly, thank God there is another alternative to pain than pills.  Looking forward to a clear head.  This is a great website and you'll find lots of support here.  Good luck to you, susan

[Susan252]

I'm sorry when I must have looked at the wrong profile, i thought you were a teenage girl.  I still empathize with you on the pain aspect though, and the pills for me I know have eventually got to go.  I used to like them and now I hate them but am only taking them till the treatments.  Then we have to deal with the neck problems.  By the way, the treatments I will be getting are an alternative for fusions, they are supposed to last 7 months to a year and then have them redone.  I hope you find what you are looking for.