opiod relief

I'll make this brief: had anterior discotomety/fusion C5-6, and shortly after surgery C4-5 herniated as did L 6-7. I have tried physical therapy for years, numerous meds, nerve root blocks, blah,blah,blah. Intense chronic pain w/insomnia, episode of clinical depression. The only relief I get is from opiods (Oxycodone 60mg a day). Even this is not adequate  ; half the day is still affected by severe pain. Now I have a physical dependence to opiods, but what choice do i have? I did take Methadone for a year and felt the best I have in six years, but the doctor prescribing stopped practicing. Why are American doctors so suspicious and reluctant to prescribe opiods -that's why the drugs exist after all! I'm aware of the deception of some patients and the fact that doctors are monitored. How can I find a doctor who understands the devastation chronic pain causes to one's entire life? I live south of Boston, Massachusetts.

[fosstang]

I to had ACDF of C4-C7 on May 29 of this year.  Have been through PT and numerous meds and now just last week did the nerve root block!  No one understands what I go through saying well the pain etc shouldn't be from the surgery BS!!  I am glad to see that other people are having the same issues and that it is not just me. (not glad that there are having the issues but glad to compare)  I also wish I can find a Dr to understand.
They said if the nerve block doesn't help they will have to check other things....Like what???   I hurt above and below my infusion and the PT has already warned me that these maybe going.  Why do they not here what we are telling them and how we feel.........  Sometimes I just want to give up... only been over 6 months and I am just tired of being tossed around!   The cold weather up here in MN does not seem to help anything here either.

[crazymae]

Iknow, I know, I know. PT can just make things worse sometimes-my doc said so. It's not the cure-all many health pros think it is. I'm in Massachusetts, and it's freaking cold here too. Makes pain worse. Are they giving you any meds to help? I also know what you mean about giving up. I'll tell you, if my Mom wasn't still around.........
   I LOVE when they say, "Well, you shouldn't have post-surgical pain... But you DO! As do many, many people. You've got to go into detail about how the pain is affecting all aspects of your life: sleep, appetite, relationships, finances, and ADL (Activities of Daily Living).  Men (if you are one) tend to under-complain statistically,. It's not being weak to express your pain symptoms. Of course, as a woman I've actually been told it's all in my head-despite MRIs and CTs that say differently. What's worse than being in pain constantly? Being in pain constantly and being broke!

[fosstang]

Well let's see ... I am on Propranolol for tremors, Etodolac,Tramadol and clyclobenzaprine for pain. And now the new one added is Mirtazpine to help my mood!
Who with all of this would not be depressed.

Some days I wish I wouldn't have done the surgery. As I am no better off.  I feel so bad that I can not do much. I try to do a load of laundry, load of dishes or vacuum and it ends up killing me.  Now tell me is that right from having surgery.  I use to be such a go getter... none stop and a very much a tidy freak LOL.  Now I look at the stuff that has to get done and only get more depressed.  I just feel like no one wants to help.
What tops the cake is my insurance I had though work just sent me a letter that it ended Nov 24th (since I have been off of work for over 26 weeks).  Now they are offereing me insurance for $840.00 a month.  I can't afford that and now don't know what to do.  I have cancelled all PT and other appts that I had.  DEPRESSING!   (I didn't get the letter that I was cancelled until Nov 28th!

[kayakka]

Crazymae, I can relate to that big time. I'm not a person who is used to asking ppl to do things for me, proudly independent and active. Now I'm a basket case who can't lift my baby daughter into the cot or high-chair without screaming. we don't have a grisly amputation that everyone can see and empathise with. We've just got a 'neck problem' and 'everyone gets those'.  I used to be so proud of not being on any medication....apart from the odd migraine, and had really no concept of pain. Now I'm like "what have you got? I'll take it!"

Fosstang, as a man, I do underreport pain, but I know plenty of women who staunchly do the same. This forum is a pain relief for me, knowing that I am not alone and there are people out there who are suffering like me and understand what it feels like. Its not just the physical pain that hurts. The pain I feel when my wife tells me I'm lazy and am letting the family down hurts....

[crazymae]

Hey, as far as your wife goes, I can imagine how deeply hurtful those remarks are. I'm not married anymore, but I have family members say,"Don't you think you'd feel better if you DID something?" and things like that. I want to say, "You know what, you're right! I'll go for a bike ride or mow the lawn. Silly me!" when I can't sleep or eat, and the pain has me in tears. In their defense, though, no one can truly know what it's like to live w/pain 24/7 for months and years until they've been through it. You can be the toughest person in the world and it erodes your spirit like water dripping on a stone. This is pain that cannot be ignored. I guaran-freaking-ty if more docs went through this, they'd be a lot more compassionate.
   The insurance issue is huge-been there. Can you get assistance from your state?
  

[kayakka]

Am pursuing the home help from ACC (accident compensation) I believe its similar to WC over there, except not just for work related. Its a state (national) vehicle so you get the usual c**p associated with government agencies. If they think your condition is not due to an 'accident', then you're in deep shtook cos they wll fold their arms and say good luck.....then its welfare. I really appreciate the empathy here as I stated before and you're right about wanting the docs and the bureaucrats to walk in our shoes even for an hour. We have a head injured son who needs basically supervision rather than full care, and his compensation payments are keeping us afloat as the business slowly sinks. But I don't want to be a whinger or a bludger so I keep smiling. We gotta be strong ay