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1324871 tn?1288981706

A pain in the neck

Hi all !! I am sorry I haven't been on much this week but like several of our members I have been having a rough time of it .My pain has been out of control this week .My neck and back have been hurting so much that I have been in tears .I can't find a few minutes comfort from anything .My meds have not been working at all .I am pretty much bedridden now .This is the worst it has been for some time . I  wish my neurosurgeon would change his mind about not doing  surgery  right now .I am going out of my mind with pain and I am at the end of my rope . I don't know where things are going from here I just know I can't take much more of this .For those of you that don't know I have severe stenosis , 4 bone spurs . and all my discs in my neck are bulging . I am going to call my PM today but i don't hold much hope for her doing anything to help me out .My next appt with her isn't til Sept and I still have refills on my meds so I just don't see her giving me anything else .I almost went to the ER last night but after the way they treated me last time I am not up for that . I am sorry for whining and moaning but this has really got me down and I know you all understand .Thanks for listening

Melissa
16 Responses
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1324871 tn?1288981706
Thanks to all of you for responding .You have a good point Tuck the only thing is I am afraid to change Drs . The first PM I had would not do anything for me except injections so I was glad to find this Dr .Here in Ky it is hard to find someone who will treat you for pain .I am seriously going to look into it tho .There has to be a better way than this .I appreciate all of you taking the time to respond .The kindness and caring you all have shown me means the world to me .I am feeling a little bit better today .I am taking it easy and just letting it all go for awhile .My hubby and son have both just been awesome to me .I don't know what I would do without them .Also, my friends here you all have been so wonderful to me .Thanks for being here .Big hugs  to all of you .

Thanks ,Melissa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm so sorry you ladies are all going through this too!  In a way, misery loves company, and it's nice to know I'm not the only one with a PMP that won't actually MANAGE the pain.  What the heck else are they there for, to dole out pills?  It really pisses me off sometimes.  
I have been in tears as well, Melissa, and having to take my klonopin just to keep from absolutely losing my mind.  I have thought about the ER, but it's so true that they can be so awful to us when we are in pain, when we need help the most.  I have left emergency rooms in tears because of how awful the doctors have been.
I will pray for you all that your pain levels will go down.  Please pray for me, too.  I firmly believe in the power of prayer and the other night after the bad one, I had asked my MIL specifically to pray for me and I really felt all the prayers of her, my FIL, and my friends.
My weather has been bad here, too.  I wonder if that is what's giving us terrible flare-ups.  Perhaps we should put in a prayer request for better weather as well.  I know part of mine is caused by a UTI I have brewing, so hopefully after I get that treated, I will feel better.
I hope you all feel better and have comfort in knowing you're not alone!
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
You can count me in on the increase in pain levels. However don't think my pain is as extreme as any of yours. I am better managed.

I can't help but think that your pain is not adequately treated. I may have not thought that several months ago. I was not on a long acting opiate. My PCP tried several with me that produced various problems so I stuck with my hydrocodone. When several months ago I experienced a permanent injury (long story). I was hospitalized and a long acting opiate was added. Granted I have new, more intense pain but all of my pain is more controlled.

Life is too short to live in in agonizing pain. I am, going to play a little devils advocate here. If you are in excruciating pain does it compensate to have a "nice"  PMP?  I doubt it would matter to me how nice my PCP was if she refused to adequately manage my pain. I am not so foolish as to think I will ever be pain free or that I won't or don't have some nasty flares. But day after day would not be acceptable to me and I'd be looking for better pain management. However that is just my opinion.

I am so very sorry that you all are having high pain levels. Even with better control my levels have been up and I can empathize with you all.

:Let's hope that you'll all soon be having less pain! :)

My Best to You,
~Tuck
Helpful - 0
1275919 tn?1279836004
I'm so sorry all of you are in so much pain. I think it must be going around. Everyone's pain level going up is making us all go back to being blue. I think the two are so closely correlated that it's a given extra pain leads to depression. Once you think you have it under control you start to feel better mentally because your body feels better. When the pain hits severe again it makes you depressed because it's unexpected. I wish there were better control methods out there. I really do. When this crap happens we're basically alone. Our pain docs can't or won't in many cases do anything because they already are treating us with a maintenance program. And forget the ER sometimes that's worse than staying home. My husband will usually end up forcing the ER on me about 5 times a year. And everytime I hate it. I'm so sorry for all of you. I truly am and believe me when I say we all feel each others pain. I feel ya'lls. I hope tomorrow brings a new day that is better for us all but until then I do have to admit that this forum helps. It does help to know you're not the only one in the world. But it's more than knowing becuase here we actually get to connect with others that know the exact struggles we have. What a blessing. So thank you guys, all of you for your support for me and I hope that you all start feeling better SOON
Helpful - 0
1301089 tn?1290666571
Melissa:  That is a pretty low dose considering the amount of pain you are in. I'm on 4 lortab a day same dosage.  And it's barely enough.  Call your PMP and tell them you can worked in but you need to be seen TODAY!  I know you don't feel up to going.  I wouldn't.  But I think you definitely need to go in.  Good luck.  I'm sure you are already using heat but if not, try a heating pad or ThermaCares.  

Designergyrl:  I am so sorry you have to go to work!  If only you could stay home.  Do check in with us when you can.  This has got to be awful.

Flower:  I'm with you. I'd love to vent but everyone else is in such pain, I hate to crash the party.  We've had bad weather here as well.  My hands, neck and abdomen are screaming!  I guess it's just one of those weeks.  Hang in there!

Sara
Helpful - 0
1324871 tn?1288981706
Thanks flower .I don't understand it either .I knew before I called what the outcome was going to be but I had to try .The PM Dr i had before this one would only do cervical epidurals no meds so I am grateful to have anything .It just isn't right tho . I hope my next appt she will listen to me and try something else but I am not going to stand on one leg and hold my breath for that .Maybe she will though .I hope you get to feeling better too .A lot of our members are suffering lately and my heart goes out to all of you .Thanks for responding flower I really appreciate it .

Melissa
Helpful - 0
1324871 tn?1288981706
I am sorry you had to come home from work because of your pain .You know my meds usually help some but I might as well be taking jelly beans .I am also so tired of feeling like this .I am usually a positive person but these last few days have taken a toll on me .All I want is for my pain to be controlled so I can live somewhat of a normal life .I don't think that's too much to ask .You sound like you are in the same boat as me .Or in the same desolate wasteland of pain .We shall overcome someday .I keep telling myself it will get better .It will .It will ......

Take care sweetie and I hope we all feel better soon
Melissa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi. I've also been having higher pain, but I don't want to complain because everyone seems to be going through it. It feels like someone took a hammer and smashed me in the back.

Melissa, I can't believe that your doctor isn't going to do anything. I'm surprised that you're on a such a low dose (in my opinion). I'm so sorry that you're going through this.

Flower
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Melissa,

I just had to come home from work because my neck, back, shoulder and arm are hurting so bad.  The vicodin, and then I actually took some extra ibuprofen and nothing is helping.  I'm in the same boat.  I take vicodin and I'm horribly allergic to percocet it makes me vomit everywhere, I just don't know how people take percocet let alone get addicted.  I'm so tired of feeling this way, all I want to do is to lay down and try to get a comfortable spot but there is none.  I know I'll get an epidural shot on the 13th and that will help but still it's a week or so away.  I've tried heating pads, showers, massages, and just about everything that I can think of and still miserable.  I can't turn my neck without it hurting miserably.  It's weird that there are several of us with neck issues this week, it just goes to show it is the weather that does cause problems with us!  You are not whining Melissa, because if you are, then I am too!
Helpful - 0
1322157 tn?1279656681
WHAT??!!   We are in a DESOLATE WASTELAND??!!  No one told me!

Get me the heck out of here, too! Grab my arm!!!!!!!!
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1324871 tn?1288981706
Thank you so much mum. Yes ,I do think the humidity and storms are a big contributing factor to my pain .I know you are going through the same thing I am with PM .I cannot understand why they will not help us .She is a very nice Dr .She always makes me feel like I have all the time in the world when I see her .I guess with all the abuse here in Ky they are scared .In my local paper yesterday there was a story of a prescription drug ring where they were falsifying scripts and getting hundreds of pills a month til they got caught .All that kind of stuff is going to do is make it much harder for folks like us .You are right we will muddle through this together .But ,it shouldn't be this way .I also am a young 45 yr old woman .I never thought in a hundred yrs that I would end up like this .I sure do appreciate you and all of my friends here .When it gets so bad having this support system is priceless .I am determined to make it through this and I am not going to give up .I hope you get to feeling better too .You are such a sweet person and I have come to think the world of you .You really did help me pull myself up out of this desolate wasteland .Thank you
Melissa
Helpful - 0
1322157 tn?1279656681
Hey there... thanks for the note. I, too, have been in so much pain. The neck was hurting so much more than usual and the sharp electrical pain in my back and legs are like the lightning we have had outside! I can barely move (really! I am walking all hunched over grabbing from one thing to another..lol). Maybe it's the weather here Melissa? You got the storms, too.. right? The humidity has been sooooo high - I swear it has something to do with it. I can also attribute it to my growing mamoth list of things I have to do. Between my volunteer positions, football teams, school beginning in a week, my sister wedding, etc.. I just can't get everything done. So add some stress - and wham! My next appointment isn't until October. I keep thinking I will never make it - but I still get through the day somehow. I rarely leave the house and I am dreading I have to take the boys shopping for something to wear to the wedding. They will have to get over their embarassment of my cane because that is the only way I will be able to navigate the store. And I hope to only go to 2 stores. Khols for clothing and Target for school supplies. I just don't think I could do more.

What has happened to us..LOL!  I am a young 45 and I can't do anything! Your PM sounds a lot like mine (here in KY). They just want to keep us on the lowest doses. I don't have anything for the nerve pain anymore since my lips swelled up from the neurontin and Insurance denied Lyrica. I also don't have a muscle relaxer. So it's just the hydrocodone right now. I swear the PM's here in KY are more scared than other areas about losing their licenses. They are sooooo timid to prescribe.

I wish I could have the surgery to fix me. I wish there was a cure for scar tissue in the spinal canal. I think my biggest fear is that I could end up losing the use of my legs because of the Arachnoiditis. ... what the heck? How did I get off subject and make this about me...LOL!!!

You and I will muddle together... in the humid KY weather.... We will make it through each and every day (as will everyone else here!)... some days better than others. Please drop me a note ANYTIME you need to. I will do the same.

I have been thinking of you, too.... and I hope our pains subside soon.

Mum
Helpful - 0
1324871 tn?1288981706
Well ,I called my PM and she is not going to do anything .It's pretty much what I expected .I am just going to deal with this the best i can . I reread my post and I feel so ashamed at how weak and pitiful I sounded .I hope you don't think any less  of me for that .I am going to get through this somehow .I am not going to let this pain ruin my life. I thank all of you here that I have gotten to know .I can't tell you how much the support and love I get here means to me . This forum is like a life saver to a drowning person .
Melissa
Helpful - 0
655875 tn?1295695107
I'm so very sorry your in so much pain.  You are not given very much medication for your injury.  Wow.  I have a really hard time too with the percocet and oxycontin.  They make me very ill and nauseas, but if I slowly build them up in my system, they normally take the edge off of the pain.  I know what it's like to be bedridden.  I'm pretty much the same and it hurts to do any activity.  Is there a different ER you can go to?  Maybe you can bring in your MRI or the report and that will show the amount of pain you are in.  I hope the doctor will help you when you call them.  Maybe you could try the percocet again and cut them in half to build it up in your system.  I feel awful for you.  I hope you are able to obtain relief soon.
Helpful - 0
1324871 tn?1288981706
I don't think she will change my meds .Mary .I take 3 lortab 10/500 a day .I also take Neurontin and Flexeril .I spoke with her the last visit I had earlier this month and she is pretty adamant about keeping me on this .She usually will alternate with a different med every 2 mos but when she gave me Percocet 7.5 s they made me so ill I could not take them  so I have not alternated .I know what you mean about it could be so much worse .I feel like I am being a big baby but I can't seem to put the brakes on my state of mind .I feel like I am losing my mind .I have tears just rolling down my cheeks .I can't seem to stop crying .I have been alternating between ice and heat and even tho I am not sleeping I am propped up in bed and staying still.My son went and got me some Thermacare heat patches earlier tonight and I have one on but it is not giving me any relief .The pain seems to be increasing more and more .I am so close to going to the ER but the last time I was there they treated me so shabby .Once they heard I was in PM they thought I was a drug seeker .I am just waiting for my PM's office to open at 9 .I pray to God she can do something for me .This is truly the worst my neck has been in 6-7 mos .I have been praying so hard  for some relief. I am sorry to go on and on .Thanks for replying .I really appreciate it

Melissa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you think there's a possibility your PM will change your medication?  I'm not sure what you're on, but sometimes mine changes the dosage and I can take more.  Or a different one.   So sorry for how you're feeling.  I've been really teary the past few days, too.  I keep trying to tell myself how it could be so much worse.  I lost a great friend in April 09 to lung cancer.  She fought hard and left 3 kids and a devastated husband.  But the truth is, everything is hard to handle.  CP affects all our lives in so many ways.  Are you doing anything like ice, heat, etc.?  My BF has the herniated disks in the neck.  It's bad.  He gets pain into his arm a lot but not so much the back.  I got him an aromatherapy neck wrap that has wheat in it that you can freeze or heat.  He likes ice and used it and said it helped a bit.  He also, like me, uses the lidoderm patches.  Hope to hear PM has some suggestion for you.
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