Is there another choice of medication

[IdaMay]

I am a forty six year old women who after suffering terrible leg pains for years finally had back surgery, which ended up being two, I developed a hemotoma and the surgeon had to reoperate.After the second surgery I was home a day and was rushed to the hospital suffering a heart attack.I had a blood clot.Any way I was told that I suffered minor heart damage, which now I am out of breath, legs feel figgity , I can,t sleep. I am on metoprol 50mg 1/2 a day. asprin, and ramipril 2.5 once a day.The good thing if there is one after all this is the angiogram found that my artiries to my right leg is totally blocked, and the left one is also somewhat blocked so much for my back surgery.My legs are hurting me more than ever, I am out of breath just getting into bed.It has been five weeks since my back surgery and four since my heart attack, what can I do or take to feel better?

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear IdaMay,
The choice of pain medication would depend on the cause of the pain, how you respond to medications and what other medical problems you have.  In general, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a safe choice for most types of pain but I would check with your doctor first.

[pikamom]

I doubt acetaminophen is going to help your breathlessness, or even do much for your leg pain. What was your back surgery...disc? I'm 36 and had two hemilaminectomies at L5-S1, still have pain down my legs into my feet, I walk with a cane because the numbness in my feet and ankles makes my balance terrible. I take neurontin 800 mg 4X a day plus ultram for pain and a myriad of other meds from my urologist, psychiatrist, and cardiologist. It could be a combination of your heart attack and deconditioning making you feel out of breath just getting to bed. I'm guessing with all the leg pain that you aren't moving around too much. Maybe your doctor can get you into physical therapy.

[spola]

I am posting a comment here because when I entered a diagnosis that my mom is suffering from described as "erythromelagia" in the search area, the heart forum came up and I am confused.  erythromelagia is supposed to be a condition of the palms and soles that caused redness, burning and itching.  I don't know what this has to do with the heart.  If anyone reads this and has a comment please post.  Thanks

[Smeltzy]

Hi Terry,, Your the first person I have ever heard that had the back surgery and are still in pain,, I had the surgery for the same, back in 99,, I have numbness in left leg and foot and sever pain often, after surgery I also have a numb spot above right knee,,  If you have time I would like to talk to you further,, my email is ***@****    Amy