? For my fellow CP sufferers!

[backtomyselfoneday]

Hey guys. I'm starting to see a new PM doctor for the first time in 2 days. I'm excited, and nervous at the same time.
Long story short, I have at least 2 herniated disks, and DDD, and 2 or 3 bulging disks in the lumbar area. I've had every Dr, physical therapy, epidurals, etc. After all of this, and 4 years later, I'm in more pain than ever and having sciatica too. Can't sit/ stand for more than a few minutes. Finally I'm seeing a PM doctor and wondering what he will do to help.
I've tried about every med out there... Relafen, neurontin, tramadol, and vicodin. The vicodin was taking the edge off some at first, but soon after they werent doing anything for my pain. I was taking 2 pills, 3 times a day. If I missed a dose, or couldn't get to them, I could never catch up.
So my question is, I'm thinking that an extended release pill may work better for me than the short term pills. Any suggestions? From people that have been thru this? Thanks!!

[mellie4]

I just met with the pain clinic yesterday and we're changing my meds since the oxycodone wasn't doing it.  It would only work a couple of hours or so.  Now we're putting me on oxycontin three times a day with varying choices of oxycodone for breakthrough pain.  I'm also on Cymbalta 120 mg./day for nerve pain, Clonidine 1 mg a day for nerve pain/ Ibuprofen 800 mg. 3 times a day, a compounding cream (which does seem to help some types of the pain.)

It's really hard to get the right combination of meds to control the pain but still allow you to function.  Good luck.

[tanglewood]

I can relate to a lot of your issues because I have them, too. I have a spinal cord stimulator in my back to help with the ddd in my neck. I couldn't live without the scs; when it goes out for any reason (both times something I did) I go nuts until they can get me back on the operating schedule and get it fixed. You might ask about it, but with so many problems (like me) it will only target one area of nerves - I have ddd in neck and low back and I chose to target my neck. Also, I take Lyrica and it helps with the neurapathy. If your new PM is a good one he'll have a suggestion for meds and dealing with opiates. Good luck.

[backtomyselfoneday]

Thanks again guys for your input. After being over a month off of the Vicodin, and seeing a counselor, I have realized that I wasn't a true "addict". My body became so dependent on them after 4 years of them, and one day I just decided to stop taking them CT. Not my brightest move, but they hadn't been working for me for some time, and I was needing more and more of them to do anything at all for the pain. I thought I would get off the narcotics, and see how I would do without them. My question to myself was, do I really need a narcotic to control my back pain, or can I try living without them for a bit to see how I function. Well, I haven't had them since April 10th, and many days I just can't leave the house due to pain. I have bruises and scratches on my shins from where I tried to get into my shower, but hit my leg because I couldn't raise my leg up that far.
If my PCP had really listened to me, he wouldve had me on the right meds, therefore not having to take 15 vics a day. My stomach felt like crap with all that aspirin in it too. My PCP knew my pain was legit, and when I told him I didn't think the vics were working for me, he made me give him a pee test, which I passed. He said that was all he could do for me, so I just left it alone. When I stopped taking them CT, my body didn't like it, but I dealt with it. I thought there were people in the forums going thru the withdrawals, and I might find some help there, which I did. My counselor believes I can control my opiates, provided I'm on a correct dosage.
Like I said though, I want to fix my problem, not be forced to stay on pain meds forever. I'm hoping this new PM doctor can help. Thanks for all of your advice. Oh, I'm 29 by the way.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Backtomyselfoneday,

I am so sorry to hear about your uncontrolled chronic pain. We can relate.

I am a bit late to your discussion as I have been reading your posts since you joined MedHelp. I see that you began in the Substance Abuse Forum and stated your had been an addict for some time and were in the process of detox. So please help me understand as I am a bit confused.

Some ppl beleive because they require narcotics to control their chronic pain they are addicts when indeed they are not. All of us become physically dependant upon opiates after we take them for an extended period of time. We still experience withdrawal symptoms just like an addict but we have no exhibit no real drug seeking behaviors.

So my concern for you is if you are an addict as you have stated you were than getting back into narcotic pain therapy may not be a good idea. Addiction is a disease that has no cure. Be sure to discuss this with your new PMP. Don't get yourself back in the same merry-go-round if you have issues with opiates.

If you confused addiction with dependancy that is understandable. It happens. Just be honest with yourself and your PMP. We want only the best for you. As you know, Chronic pain is a very difficult journey that bring huge, often daily challenges.

I wish you the very best and will look forward to hearing from you soon.

Peace,
~Tuck

[BP88]

If I were you I'd try to stay on the Vicodin and see if your new doctor will put you on something for relief around the clock.  Stay away from fentanyl as it will raise your opiate tolerance very quickly thus making the Vicodin less effective when you need it.  Trust me, the fentanyl is no good in the long run because over time you will need to take much more medication in order to achieve the same pain relief.  Not only that the withdrawals were worse than any other pain medication I've tried to come off of since it's so potent and fast-acting.

I'm currently taking MS Contin (morphine ER) and it's been great.  The only problem with morphine is it can make you feel a little sleepy whereas Vicodin made me a little more energetic.  You can also try methadone for long-term relief but it's harder to come off of if and when the time comes.  See if your doctor will prescribe you MS Contin with the Vicodin for breakthrough pain.  The combination works fantastic for me.

[namnam46]

I'm truly sorry for the pain that you find yourself in. How old are you? (If you don't mind me asking? )  :) I can understand why they wouldn't want to do surgery on a person that is very young. The surgery may stop the pain on the surface but so often it causes problems down the road. In my case removing my ruptured disks caused the side-effect of osteoarthritis and Facet arthritis and increased my DDD. That may help explain why they don't want to so surgery on a young person. When I had my surgery I was in my early 40's. Within 10 years I had all the repercussions from the surgery!!! I don't think that you really want to take a chance on that happening so soon with you. :)

I do think that if you stick with the opiates that you should try a extended relief med. Just be very careful with the BT meds. You need to let the Dr. tell you what he thinks you should have AFTER you've told him your background as this could have a baring on what he recommends. Of course tell him that you'd like to try an extended relief med., just let him make the decisions of what you should try.

Good luck, I know that everything will go great!!....Sherry

Please let us know how the PM appt. goes......Sherry

[backtomyselfoneday]

Thank you for your responses, Sherry. It truly means a lot to me! What it boils down to for me, is that I'm sick of putting "band-aids" on my problem! I don't mind getting some pain meds that will actually help some. Just like many of you, I've accepted that I may not be able to be pain free, I just want to (as comfortable as possible. Especially sinc I've already gone thru 4 years of this! In idition to everything else, now my right buttock and legs are giving me pain too.
I've always been shunned away from surgery, as being too young. Well part of me is glad that we didn't rush into surgery, but now I'm wishing this was looked at and fixed! I don't want to be on pain meds forever, if I can helo it. The past 4 years they have given me little to no help, and they certainly dpnt keep me asleep all nite. In fact, when I do wake up, and roll outta bed, I feel like most 90 year olds do!
My sincere hope for the appt with the PM doctor on Wedneseday, is for him to hear me out, and not automatically dismiss me due to my age, etc. I've heard good things about him so far, which gives me hope. As long as we have. Comprehensive plan of action, I'm on board. I'm certainly not going to ask for specific meds, but possibly suggest zsomething extended relief? Anyone's thoughts on that?!
Thanks again!  

[namnam46]

I forgot to add one thing that is VERY important!! More than likely you will be filling out a PM Contract. It will ask you about your use of drugs in the past, INCLUDING street drugs. If you are not honest with them and they find out about your past they will DROP YOU and you will be RED FLAGGED and it will be VERY hare for you to find another PM Dr., if not impossible!!! Just be up front and honest and explain eveything to them. It's your best bet.

Good Luck....Sherry

[namnam46]

I'm sorry for everything that you have had to endure.

I've read your older posts and you've been thru so much. I commend you for being able to get over your dependency on your own!!

You need to be COMPLETELY up front with your Dr. about what you have been thru with the Opiates so that you won't have any problems with them again. If he knows everything then he can help you control this pain safely!! Will you be able to handle the Opiates or should you try some of the new NSAIDS out on the market. I'm sure that you and he together will have the best ideas as to controlling your pain. I would also think that an extended relief might be the best.  However, you still need the BT meds to go with them though. You will just need to TAKE THEM AS PRESCRIBED.

I wish you the best of luck in controlling your pain. Please keep us posted on how your appointment goes.....Sherry