Medication for herniated discs

My physician initially put me on Kadian and Oxycodone and I've had two spinal cortisone injections. My pain is less but stil debilitating.
Another doctor has precripton Neutotin and Flexil.
Which is preferred by most physicians and how long can I expect to be in pain.


This discussion is related to Re-Herniated L4-5 disc & Neurontin.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Herniated discs can cause moderate to severe pain due to nerve roots impingement by the disc matter exiting at that level. The therapeutic options for this are NSAIDs, epidural injections  of steroids, physiotherapy and surgical decompression like discectomy and bone grafting. you need to consult a neurosurgeon for evaluation. You have been prescribed drugs like flexeril, muscle relaxant, gabapentin, anti convulsant used for neuropathic pain, opioids, etc. You need to put faith whichever combination of medications you are using. Do not mix up drugs or try all. Follow one doctor’s advice and consult the doctor again if not much relief. Check with a physiotherapist and if still in pain, consider undergoing surgery. Hope this helps. Take care.

[curiousygiorgio]

Hey, sorry you're in so much pain. What has helped me the most is Celebrex (celecoxib); It is an anti-inflammatory and unlike over the counter ibuprofen it is safer for your stomach. You want to target reducing inflammation, instead of killing the pain (such as with Narcotics). If you simply kill the pain, you will revert to habits like poor seating position or movement patterns that can exacerbate the injury -- deadly cycle. Ice does this, as well.

Next, I did two epidural steroid injections with the Ortho Surgeon whom I first saw. Surgeons do these, but injections are really the specialty of interventional pain management specialists. If you have one nearby, I would consult one. Basically, my first 2 were OK, helped with the pain, but when it didn't go away Ortho Surgeon suggested surgery. Pain specialist did the injection slightly differently and it made all the difference in the world.