Pain Relief and POTS

[auntissie]

What does anyone take for chronic pain issues?  Also, what do you take when it's a severe pain--like a broken foot/leg that will be painful for a long time.  The pain meds are making my POTS allot worse.  I've tried Demoral with Phenagan and Tramadol.  Tramadol is the least problematic, but is causing bad POTS issues.  I tried not using anything, but can't take the pain.  I broke  all the bones and my ankles off. Have 10 screws and a plate.  Had to have all the ligaments and tendons reattached.  Basically, broke my foot off my leg.  Now, the blood vessels and nerves have to regenerate into my foot.  If I put my foot down it fills with blood and it won't go back up until I elevate my leg.  I don't know how long it will take for them to reform.  I already had severe circulation issues with the POTS.  Compression stockings were definitally my friend.  I'm wrapping the broke leg with ace bandages, but they aren't as effective.  Anyone got suggestions?

[auntissie]

Thank You all for your comments!!!!  I finally found a combination that is working for me.  I have no idea why it's working, but it is.  I'm using Tramadol with a Bentyl.  Tramadol is for pain and Bentyl is a muscle relaxer.  The combination seems to be helping the POTS too.  My pulse rate is staying somewhat normal and I'm hardly having the high tachy.  I'm down to using them only twice a day.  My foot is healing.  It's not as painful as it was.  I'm starting to move it a little and put a little weight on it on a bath scale.  I'm trying to get into a physical therapy, because they have to work with the nerves to get them to come back.  I have allot of damage there, lots of numb spots.  The doctors said that balance is going to be an issue too.  Thank to all of you for responding and caring.

[tonyad]

    Hello I do not think we have chatted yet. Welcome to the Forum :)
So sorry to hear that you are going through so much pain. That is very depressing and dicouraging not to be able to find some kind of relief.

    you certainly need to talk w/ your doctor / Sugeon and let him know that this medication is creating problems w/ your AD and is not working.
As Kav31675 had mentioned above.....You may also want to speak to the doc that is following you w/ the POTS as they may be able to suggest something for your surgeon to try for you.

    And I would be cautious about mixing a bunch of medication until you have spoke w/ BOTH doctors....I sure do hope you can find some relief very soon. No one should have to live in pain.  Now I do take Amitryptyline (Elavil) at nigh time for Chronic Pain and sleep.  I have NCS and Multiple Sclerosis.  it may make you very drowsy during the daytime but after a while you will get adjusted to it :)  it's been around for ages and a good rx..In my opinion.

PLease keep us posted
Hugs to you,
~Tonya
ps: please excuse any and all spelling and grammer errors as I am having cog fog and my fingers and brain do not wnat to play nice together....

[Kavbear]

I was recently diagnosed with POTS and take strong opiates for chronic pain. I am trying to taper off them. What I do know is Tramadol and Demerol work differently then opiates such as morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone etc.
I would talk to the surgeon and ask for something else, if so I would bring the unused pain meds to show you arent taking them.
Pain itself will add to your stress level and due to my situation the Doctors who Dx'ed me at the Mayo/ Minn. spent some time explaing this at length, they also said surgery can cause it to happen so I assume it can effect someone with POTS worse.
Have you talked to the doctor who is treating your POTS for help?

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

My son takes Advil (600 mg) and Tramadol.  Sorry I can't add anything new to what you have already tried.  When he has been in the emergency room with migraines that wouldn't stop, they would give him Toredol+Reglan+Benedryl.  This combination never seemed to bother him either.