what to do???

[sadinmichigan]

Well...not sure what I need but i do know i am in alot of pain and I decided to take some of my husbands Norco..I only have taken 4 in the last 2 days but i feel so frickin guilty..I am truly in pain..I mean really intense pain..I just was able to stand long enough to take a shower since Sunday..(no joke)..Anyway..I don't have a rx and i don't want one. But i need a little bit of relief from this..My other alternative is having a few drinks, which at this point I don't think is such a good idea because I am really angry at my "dead limb". (husband) . I know how much pain I am in..so do I need to suffer through it? or can I take a few to try and get a little relief.? I did go to the e.r. and got a few shots the other day..but I can't just keep going there..what the hell do I do..I can't handle much more of this..I have been laying on heating pads,ice,frozen veggies..I have taken motrin,skelaxin,flexoril,advil,nuproxin..nothing is helping..I had an MRI @ 6mo.ago so i know what the problem is..usually though it gets better after 3-4 days...what to do???

[lonelyinCA]

Have you looked into DLPA?  It may help.  Also - Vit. C could help too.  Check this out: http://www.doctoryourself.com/pain.html

I just ordered mine this morning - so I can't really speak to the success. But the studies do suggest both of these help with chronic pain.  

Here's also a great story about what DLPA did for an aging dog: http://devinefarm.net/rp/rpdlpa.htm

[confused456]

What happened at the ER?? Did they give you a prescription? It seems like if you got shots and what not that they should have given you a script for a few pain pills to get you through this. If they did, then I say, they gave them for a reason and take ONLY what you need, and if they did not think it was necessary, then I would try to tough it out but I know pain sucks, so I guess it's a personal choice. Good luck, hope you stop hurting soon, pain sucks!! ♥

[corey411]

Moist heat? Hope you feel better and don't need those things. I had a root canal done lastnight and got up in pain. My dentist said to call the office or his cell if I needed a script. I didn't. Yea

[cocobeanlisa]

Please Please do not do this,

I understand REAL PAIN.. I have a spine that looks like a S and I have lost both breats and sufferfrom never damage due to surgery.  I am in pain very day.  Some days it's at a LEVEL 10.

Please, I do not know what kind of pain you have, Spine, Legs, nerve damage, but I can share what I have to do..

At first I would always give into the pills because like you said the pain was so bad and no one ubderstood how bad.  The ER got tried of seeing me and they stopped giving me shots and my insurance was going to cut me off.  I finally found a good Ortho Doctor who
does not use Pain pills, They treat with message and other things, Toradol (non narcotic)

Please try to find a good doctor who doesn't use pills, they are out there. Until I did I was always running to the Norco, and I don't know if you know my story put IU was up to 40 or 50 pills a day and $70,000.00 in debt.

Pleaase I know it's hard but you can do it, I have read your post and the other day when my pain was so bad you helped me until I could get to my doctor.

Please please please, your to good to get caught in the circle again
cocobean

[Sajonna]

I just spoke with my brother who has major back problems; had 2 surgeries over 20 years and he said he had an epideral shot - the shot wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.  He said this shot made him feel like he was 20 years old again.  He couldn't believe how great he feels.  He hasn't touched one pain med since.  He was taking a strong anti-infammatory med + muscle relaxers.  He went back to get his second shot and he didn't need it because he still feels good.

But for now, with your pain, I would call the doctor and get something until you get back in for an office visit.  If you are abusing the pain meds, then ask someone to hold them for you.  

You mentioned being mad at your husband:  Remember, stress aggravates pain.

[poetrygirl1960]

Honey I'm so sorry.  You have really been through it this past week.  My personal opinion is that it would be better to take only what you need of the norco.  Just enough to get you through this, because there is no doubt in my mind your pain is not only real but continuing because of the extremely high stress you have right now.  If you're taking it for pain DO NOT feel guilty, you want and need to feel you can function now.  I would rather see you do this than have a drink, but this is just my opinion.  Good luck hun.

[poetrygirl1960]

By the way, I have looked high and low for this DLPA, can't find it anywhere!  I found 5-HTP and all the other aminos but no one even knows what I'm talking about (doctor, pharmacist etc...)  So if anyone can tell me please give me a heads up.  Sorry Lisa for taking up your time here, but it might be a really great thing for you to know too.?

[lonelyinCA]

I too couldn't find it anywhere.  I went to three health stores and when I was at GNC, they said "What does it do?" When I told them it was for helping with pain - they said "Oh yea, we use to carry it. But we stopped. Probably because it doesn't need a script"

I purchased 300 today (online) for $20. You can find it here: http://www.**.com/NSI-DL-Phenylalanine

That same online store also has a 50 or 60 quantity from Twin Labs for $7.68

Hope that helps.

[confused456]

I found the DLPA at "Health Hut"....it was VERY hard to find but if you have a "Health store" near you, they should have it!!!

[cocobeanlisa]

Hey GIrl,

How ya doing ? I hope your hanging in there.  I know that when I am in pain
I post on here to share how I'm feeling and it helps.

I did not mean to be mean or anything I just know that for ME I can never take pain meds
that are narcotic even if I am in a lot of pain.

I just do not want to see you get hurt in any way, and yes if you must take them
give it some one to dole out to you as RXed.

cocobean

P.S. I only say it out of concern and respect

[Sajonna]

I had never heard of this DLPA stuff.  I will definitley ask my doc about this.  I did try Glucosomine for my joint and muscle pain but it had no effect.  Of course I was taking the Norco's with it. I tried the Glucosomine for 2 months and saw zero results.

One thing I did read on a website about this is:
Be sure you're getting DL-phenylalanine and not L-phenylalanine.

Thanks for posting this.

[Rose703]

Oh honey please try to keep the Norco's down to a minimum because they're very addictive, as you know. Have you soaked in a hot bath? Close the bathroom door and run the water as hot as you can stand. This will create steam along with the hot water and it helps me with my fibromyalgia. I also use a heating pad with alternating cold veggie packs. One of the best OTC pain relievers that I've found is Aleve. The recommended doseage is 2 but I always take 3 and it seems to be a big help. If I can think of anything else I will send you a PM and let you know. Also someone mentioned an epidural shot and I've actually heard very good things about having those for back related problems. If you can get a good muscle relaxer that would be great. In my experience Flexeril never did a thing for me, but Soma works wonders. I take it 3 times per day and with pretty good results.
Stay strong sweetie and this will get better with time. Make sure you rest as much as possible because you need to let this heal instead of aggravating it with too much physical activity AND STRESS is a big trigger to making that pain alot worse. I will be praying for you!!

[sadinmichigan]

Hi everyone...I went to the frickin e.r. again because I tripped over my f'in dog..I got 4 shots of dilaudid(spelling) and a shot of morphine w/valium..in an iv..anyway..they offered me again..10 vicodin 500..and 10 soma...and my dr called in valium...I am not getting the hydros filled but I did get the valium filled because honestly I think that is helping more than anything..(i have had valium in the past for my back) not sure about the soma. I am not going to take the norcos or anything else because truthfully..it didn't help near enough for me to go through hell again...and the stupid thing is..I am actually in sever pain ,which I haven't been in for awhile..and they didn't really help..made me sick to my stomach and made me feel just bad..so..I am going to try every other thing i can..I honestly don't want to be in any position of getting back on ANYTHING..I am of course feeling a bit better after the shots, but...to have 4 shots of something stronger than hydros..and I still feel the pain  doesn't make sense,,The nurse said that those dilaudid shots just make you not "care"..I guess...thankyou all for responding..Alll kidding aside..I do not want pain meds..It actually scared me to death earlier and I haven't felt like that for awhile..I did take 2 norcos yesterday and 2 today..then..my dang dog..arghhhh..if I'm not making sense..sorry..I just got home . please just pray this will go away..Normally when this has happened it would have subsided by now..and it's just not..even taking a deep breath hurts..going to the bathroom is a major ordeal..lol  just sux..but to all..the pain meds DON"T help as much as they hurt...

[addict3]

What rose said. is there a heated pool or a hot tub available to you? float if you can find enough warm/hot water. PLEASE do not drink! only you can decide about taking the pills . Prayer sent. Sorry I cant help more , you have helped me so much!

[sadinmichigan]

I am not going to drink..I thought earlier it may relax my back..It feels like incredible pressure w/ the shooting pain in the left side by my hip..When i'm standing it feels like my lower back is going to fold in half..anyway...no to drinking..no to pain meds...thankyou for your prayers..I'll take those for sure..

[VicUser]

If you are having shooting pain down your leg caused by L4, L5 and/or S1 it might be time to talk to a neurosurgeon ASAP. I had surgery in 95 for a herniated disk at L5/S1 and it was the best decision I could have made. I had total pain relief for 5 yrs, since 2000 I have had pain due to scar tissue and took 3 5/500 vics per day until this past Nov. I was good until a few weeks ago and have been taking them again as needed. If you are having disk problems and do nothing, you are risking permanent nerve damage that may cause pain the rest of your life. At least this is what several Dr have told me.

[GoingToMakeIt]

Lisa, I am so proud of you. You are trying so hard to do the right thing. I am sure all this stress is amplifying the pain. Look into the alternatives as much as you can. You are probably right, using the valium. I find that a muscle relaxer loosens up the tension and the pain then subsides. Good luck to you girl I am here for you if you need to chat.  

[sadinmichigan]

thanks guys...I really am trying to deal with this..I will make an appointment Monday and at least get another MRI..I had one about a year ago..I thought it was more recent but I guess things can change..Like I said..usually when this happens it is better after 3-4 days..This is not getting better other than the majority of the pain is in my left hip..it's a pretty constant dull pain with those occasional..ooops you moved wrong pains that take your breath away..I can't laugh,cough,or breath deep at all without that extra pain..there is alot of pressure and the other pain is a dull and sometimes shooting pain down the back of my thigh..(never had that before)..even if I move my head to look down pulls something down there..I'm actually more comfortable right now by sitting in just the right way..laying down hurts and getting up hurts more..So..I am going to keep switching ice and moist heat..I did take some more valium and that does seem to be loosening it up a bit..The pain meds really didn't help at all so I have no reason to take them right now..it's kinda funny that they can give you 4  shots of dilaudid.i shot of morphine/valium and then send you home with 10 500 vicodin..It kinda made me laugh..i wouldn't even waste my $ on those..And I am sure stress is not helping much..I have done my best where thats concerned..trying to let some things go..but dang...( i really think my dog feels bad..LOL) she is a huge rott..wants to be right next to me every second of the day..LOL....What is the point of the somas? I know they are muscle relaxers...but I am leary of them because i used to mix them w/ the pain meds..Are they better than valium??

[CadillacJack]

Thanks for answering my post, Lisa. Knowing, by what you've shared with us, the trials that you have dealt with recently, makes me ashamed of my self sympathy. You've kept yours together, and I will too.

cj

[worried878]

Have u tried icing the pain area?...probably a stupid suggestion as i am sure u know all the therapies to try...u r in my prayers

[sadinmichigan]

You are welcome..please know that I am very sorry because I do know how your feeling..I haven't always held it together..I do try real hard..but I couldn't even post for the first time last week..felt like i was gone from here for a month..lol  I find much comfort here from many people including you..so many of us have much to deal with in our lives..and i always try to put things in perspective..(eventually) and tell myself ..it can ALWAYS be worse and many many people are suffering worse than me..please don't feel ashamed of how your feeling..I struggled with a strong sense of loss about 3 weeks after I quit my drugs..A loss of time that i couldn't replace, all of the things i couldn't change..and it made me so very sad..i was on top of the world the first 2-3 weeks and then WHAM..the realization of all the time I wasted hit me and it hurt..but..like worried said..you can't dwell on what you can't change..I don't think it's wrong to give it some attention to understand why things happened and know that you don't want it to happen again..but then you have to forgive yourself and move forward..Guilt is a highly unproductive emotion..It is all easy to say..but it is true..I am here for you and I am sticking it out with you..ok my friend..we can do this..good things have to be waiting ahead..right?  ((HUGS)) to you my friend..Lisa

[sadinmichigan]

hi sweetheart..thankyou..yeah i am using frozen veggies right now..LOL  but hey..they are cold..I am wondering about trying the chiopractor when i'm not in so much pain but wondering if anyone knows if there is a time when you shouldn't go to one..right now i am afraid for anyone to even touch me...maybe I should wait to see what another MRI shows..Thankyou for your prayers..You are in mine as well

[triedeverymed]

Hey sweetie, can you call the ER and tell them you were just in for your back and didn't get an RX for pain and see if they can call something in? It's a stretch but you don't want to go back but it sounds like you may have to. Do you have Urgent Care? There is nothing worse than a bad back and on top of all you're dealing with right now. I hope you feel better. Can you get to a regular doc tomorrow?
Erin

[Flutterby111]

Hey babe,
I go to this AWESOME drug free surgery neck and back clinic called Physicians Neck and Back Clinic.  WWW.pnbconline.com  check it out.  I don't know if they're only in Minnesota, but maybe there are clinics LIKE those in Michigan.  Great place.  They help strengthen and don't believe in MRI's, and think most surgeries are unnecessary.  I've had chronic back and neck pain for over 10 years, and in 11 visits, I've felt improvement.  They are so kind, I reached my limit of "physical therapy" visits covered by my insurance and they are letting me come 3-5 more times NO CHARGE just to keep me on track!  WOrth checking into if there is anything like it in your area.  Get better sister.  

♥ flutter.  (don't you do ♥'s anymore?  or did you get sick to your stomach of me posting them everywhere?!?!?!  Can't help it!!!! I ♥ them! )