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Concern with Daughter's Pain Medicines
My daughter has been taking Vicodine for a couple of months for back pain. We have been to spine and pain mgt, gastro, and neurologist doctors. All the tests the doctors have performed are showing nothing for the cause of the pain. My daughter insists the back pain is so bad that she can't tolerate it without pain medicine. It starts in the middle of her back (above where a girls bra strap would be) and wraps around to the front -- sometimes shoots pains down her back into buttocks. When all this started, the pain mgt doctor gave her vicodine and that didn't stop the pain so he also gave her a fentinal patch. The neurologist has also added a large dose of gabepatin for nerve pain.
She hasn't been able to work for two months (she wants to be a chef and cooks in a fine dining restaurant -- so she is on her feet for long hours) and even with all this rest -- the pain/discomfort in her back isn't any better. It doesn't matter if she lays down, sits or walks -- it always hurts. The gastro doctor was just sure it was her gallbladder (the pain wraps around to the front and she gets nauseaus and throws up when the pain gets bad) -- but after 5 different tests -- nothing came back as a concern with her gallbladder. The spine doctor did MRI's if her middle and lower back and it showed nothing. We also saw a neurologist and she did an MRI of her head/neck and had a special nerve test done -- nothing showed up. Can't believe she is feeling so bad at only 24 years old. We're not sure what to do next -- any suggestions.
She hasn't been able to work for two months (she wants to be a chef and cooks in a fine dining restaurant -- so she is on her feet for long hours) and even with all this rest -- the pain/discomfort in her back isn't any better. It doesn't matter if she lays down, sits or walks -- it always hurts. The gastro doctor was just sure it was her gallbladder (the pain wraps around to the front and she gets nauseaus and throws up when the pain gets bad) -- but after 5 different tests -- nothing came back as a concern with her gallbladder. The spine doctor did MRI's if her middle and lower back and it showed nothing. We also saw a neurologist and she did an MRI of her head/neck and had a special nerve test done -- nothing showed up. Can't believe she is feeling so bad at only 24 years old. We're not sure what to do next -- any suggestions.
It's wonderful that your daughter has you ! Also, your husband. I too was undiagnosed for some time .Like some of the others here have said give your daughter the benefit of a doubt.Hopefully she will have a definitive diagnosis soon and that will open more treatment options.I say also take care of yourself as well .Your family needs you at your best so take good care of you too. I wish I had better advice .I do wish you and your family all the best and will keep you in my prayers .God bless, Melissa
Jessica, it's been proven that less then 4% of chronic pain patients become addicted to their pain medicine. I too, take my meds as prescribed, but they do not make me feel better(good) as you stated in your previous post. My pain meds make me feel ill and horrible, but they do help with the pain. I have never taken more then prescribed, even when the pain has been out of control. My mother treats me like a drug addict because I take pain medicine even though she has no clue which ones. I would never in a million years discuss this with her, it's not her business. It's completely not fair to be judged like this. There is a HUGE difference between dependance and addiction. Like I said before, my pain meds make me feel ill. I feel run down and sick to my stomach when I take them. I wouldn't take them if they didn't take the edge off of my pain. I have a spinal injury with two herniated discs in my neck. There is no way I could live without the pain medicine available to me. I've tried and the pain was off the charts above a 10 and would cause frequent panic attacks. I'm physically unable to do anything and I'm trapped in this body.
I am so sorry about your daugher and your husband you do have alot of your plate. If your daughters pain gets that bad to the point that she vomits I don't see how she can fake that, I have been in so much pain that I also vomit. My tests have showed little to no reason for my pain but I know the pain is real cause I feel it and I can see it in my face. I hope they find out what is going on with your daugher and I also hope your husband gets better.
Best of luck to you,
Jamie
Best of luck to you,
Jamie
I, too, am sorry for all you're going through and feel like you've been given great advice. It's so discouraging when there's nothing definitive to pinpoint what the problem is. I also think it's a good idea to get other opinions. Just because a doctor cannot find what the problem is doesn't mean there isn't one. Many illnesses and diseases were thought to be in someone's "head" when a doc couldn't find the cause. Things like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and Lyme disease are things that were once considered to be in someone's head.
I had a very good friend who complained about abdominal pain for years. She was given very few tests and was essentially told she should find a good psychiatrist. She saw a primary care, an orthopedic, a surgeon and a OB-GYN. They told her she was a "stressed out mom with young kids."
Two years later she had emergency surgery in the middle of the night. The case was a tumor that had grown so large in her colon that it burst through the colon. She fought cancer for the next 8 years until she passed away at 40 leaving two young kids.
The point of that sad story is that we have to listen and know our own bodies, and if we don't get the answers we need, to keep searching.
Best of luck to your daughter, your husband and you. Don't forget to take care of you. Being a caretaker can take it's toll on your own health.
I had a very good friend who complained about abdominal pain for years. She was given very few tests and was essentially told she should find a good psychiatrist. She saw a primary care, an orthopedic, a surgeon and a OB-GYN. They told her she was a "stressed out mom with young kids."
Two years later she had emergency surgery in the middle of the night. The case was a tumor that had grown so large in her colon that it burst through the colon. She fought cancer for the next 8 years until she passed away at 40 leaving two young kids.
The point of that sad story is that we have to listen and know our own bodies, and if we don't get the answers we need, to keep searching.
Best of luck to your daughter, your husband and you. Don't forget to take care of you. Being a caretaker can take it's toll on your own health.
I forgot to mention that I am in treatment for my addiction and have so been for a year. I havent touched a percocet,morphine,lortab, oxycodone, in over a year.
My whole life has changed. I am the same person I was before drugs. I think my treatment for saving my life.
Good Luck
Jessica
My whole life has changed. I am the same person I was before drugs. I think my treatment for saving my life.
Good Luck
Jessica
You've said she had almost every test done and they still find nothing. Only she knows how she feels and if she feels something is wrong it is. I say don't give up get another opinion. Dr's are wrong all the time. If there is something wrong a Dr somewhere should be able to find it.
I had suffered from shooting pain, shoulder pain, back pain and headaches for years. I had seen over a dozen Dr's before I finally got a correct diagnosis of Chiari malformation. This was almost 9 years ago. I had the surgery to correct it and it relieved 90%of my pain. I still suffer from some pain because I have an extra cervical rib that will have to be operated on sometime in the future.
I became addicted to my pain meds even though I took them as prescribed. I liked the way they made me feel, the energy they gave me, they made me more sociable. I was at a point I couldn't function without them. Narcotics will make you have no threshold for any kind of pain. A simple headache will feel like a migraine and you will feel like you need to take extra meds to kill the pain. When in fact it makes you pain worse in the long run.
I'm not saying your daughter is addicted in any way. It could be a possibility. especially if you see mood changes in her, drug seeking behavior and such. Addiction is a disease the same as high blood pressure and heart disease. They all must be treated. It is nothing to be ashamed of. All sick people need help.
I wish you and your daughter good luck
I had suffered from shooting pain, shoulder pain, back pain and headaches for years. I had seen over a dozen Dr's before I finally got a correct diagnosis of Chiari malformation. This was almost 9 years ago. I had the surgery to correct it and it relieved 90%of my pain. I still suffer from some pain because I have an extra cervical rib that will have to be operated on sometime in the future.
I became addicted to my pain meds even though I took them as prescribed. I liked the way they made me feel, the energy they gave me, they made me more sociable. I was at a point I couldn't function without them. Narcotics will make you have no threshold for any kind of pain. A simple headache will feel like a migraine and you will feel like you need to take extra meds to kill the pain. When in fact it makes you pain worse in the long run.
I'm not saying your daughter is addicted in any way. It could be a possibility. especially if you see mood changes in her, drug seeking behavior and such. Addiction is a disease the same as high blood pressure and heart disease. They all must be treated. It is nothing to be ashamed of. All sick people need help.
I wish you and your daughter good luck
Everyone here has said everything that I would say regarding her pain situation. It's awful to be in pain and awful to see someone you love in pain. My husband has chronic pain issues and doesn't take any prescription meds so I hate to see him suffer when it flares up and feel like there's nothing I can do.
My suggestion is to post on the Neck and Back Forum here on MedHelp. There are people who have all manner of condition and pain and her symptoms may be familiar to someone there.
Your daughter and husband are blessed to have someone who cares so much for them and it's wonderful that you are so supportive of your daughter's pain issues. Many of us have family members who don't understand the pain we suffer through daily. You are a refreshingly good person.
My suggestion is to post on the Neck and Back Forum here on MedHelp. There are people who have all manner of condition and pain and her symptoms may be familiar to someone there.
Your daughter and husband are blessed to have someone who cares so much for them and it's wonderful that you are so supportive of your daughter's pain issues. Many of us have family members who don't understand the pain we suffer through daily. You are a refreshingly good person.
I am so glad that you like our forum.
My goodness I didn't know your husband has multiple myeloma. Your plate is not only full, it is overflowing. My heart goes out to you and your family.
It's my suspicion as you said that the vomiting is most likely related to her high pain level. The poor dear. Your support is so important to her right now and she is blessed to have it. But don't forget to take care of yourself too.
If she has seen a gastrointestinal physician I assume they have ruled our esophageal spasms. They are said to be more painful than kidney stones. I've had them both and I think it's a toss up. They present with severe spams and often one can tell when they are "coming on." Of course that may not account for the back pain but it could account for severe epigastric type pain. Your daughter may have more than one medical issue occurring which could add to the confusion or the difficultly in reaching a diagnosis.
I am sorry that the PMP is having any doubts about her pain. It's important to have a good trusting relationship with your physician.
A second opinion may be a good idea. If they are unable to find a solution I would look elsewhere.
Yes your daughter is always welcome here and so are you.
~Tuck
My goodness I didn't know your husband has multiple myeloma. Your plate is not only full, it is overflowing. My heart goes out to you and your family.
It's my suspicion as you said that the vomiting is most likely related to her high pain level. The poor dear. Your support is so important to her right now and she is blessed to have it. But don't forget to take care of yourself too.
If she has seen a gastrointestinal physician I assume they have ruled our esophageal spasms. They are said to be more painful than kidney stones. I've had them both and I think it's a toss up. They present with severe spams and often one can tell when they are "coming on." Of course that may not account for the back pain but it could account for severe epigastric type pain. Your daughter may have more than one medical issue occurring which could add to the confusion or the difficultly in reaching a diagnosis.
I am sorry that the PMP is having any doubts about her pain. It's important to have a good trusting relationship with your physician.
A second opinion may be a good idea. If they are unable to find a solution I would look elsewhere.
Yes your daughter is always welcome here and so are you.
~Tuck
Thanks - my plate is full -- but I'm truly blessed. Just some trials and tribulations we have to get through!
I must have been posting at the same time you were. Your plate is too full! I can only imagine the stress this is causing you. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. (My prayer list is getting longer every day!)
There are some excellent communities on the MedHelp site. You might like to explore some of the ones that pertain to your situation. Best of luck to you.
There are some excellent communities on the MedHelp site. You might like to explore some of the ones that pertain to your situation. Best of luck to you.
The pain mgt doctor has done two shots in her back for blocking the pain. The first one helped a little and only for a day or so. The second one helped more -- but it seemed like it diverted the pain (instead of wraping around to the front of her body -- the pain shot down her back more for a few days). She is suppose to go see the pain mgt doctor next Friday for another "block." My husband and I are both going to go with her and talk to the doctor. She feels like all the doctors are treating her like she is only seeking pain management -- so we've been trying to go with her to support her. I've seen her when her pain gets bad -- she ends up on the floor writhing in pain and throwing up (they're almost like attacks -- she can feel them coming on and they just take her to the ground). The last time this happened -- she had taken her pain meds in the morning and had a fentanyl patch on and came over to our house. She stayed longer than I guess she intended to and the pain medicine wore off and she didn't bring any with her. It was horrible -- took about 45 minutes for it to somewhat subside so she could get home.
I have very little of value to add to Tuck's excellent as always post,
I'm very sorry that your daughter is having such severe pain issues at her young age. May I ask what if any procedures the pain management doctor has performed? If you're uncomfortable with her treatment, perhaps a second opinion from another pain management doctor would be in order. This would be for opinion only! Not more meds.
Your daughter would be welcomed to our community. We all suffer from chronic pain issues and would welcome her here. I hope she finds the source of her pain soon.
I'm very sorry that your daughter is having such severe pain issues at her young age. May I ask what if any procedures the pain management doctor has performed? If you're uncomfortable with her treatment, perhaps a second opinion from another pain management doctor would be in order. This would be for opinion only! Not more meds.
Your daughter would be welcomed to our community. We all suffer from chronic pain issues and would welcome her here. I hope she finds the source of her pain soon.
Thanks for your feedback -- this is so stressful -- you always want your children to be well!
I believe the gastro doc did do a HIDA scan. I know he did an ultrasound, a CT scan with dye and a barium type test, a bile test (took needle and withdrew some bile from her gallbladder), plus he sent her to a specialist who did another CT scan that looked specifically at the bile ducts. The gastro doc said her pancreas, appendix and liver showed nothing on all these tests. (UGH).
I'm a runner too -- that's how I keep my sanity. Not only is my daughter not doing well - my husband is also a cancer patient (has multiple myeloma - a cancer of the platelets). Fortunately, he's doing pretty good right now but we're looking at a third bone marrow transplant for him in a few months --
I keep praying we can get our daughter on her feet again before we have to tackle the transplant.
I believe the gastro doc did do a HIDA scan. I know he did an ultrasound, a CT scan with dye and a barium type test, a bile test (took needle and withdrew some bile from her gallbladder), plus he sent her to a specialist who did another CT scan that looked specifically at the bile ducts. The gastro doc said her pancreas, appendix and liver showed nothing on all these tests. (UGH).
I'm a runner too -- that's how I keep my sanity. Not only is my daughter not doing well - my husband is also a cancer patient (has multiple myeloma - a cancer of the platelets). Fortunately, he's doing pretty good right now but we're looking at a third bone marrow transplant for him in a few months --
I keep praying we can get our daughter on her feet again before we have to tackle the transplant.
Did the gastro do a HIDA scan? My gallbladder completely stopped working and they did test after test for 3 months. Finally I was sent to a surgeon and he ordered a HIDA scan. It showed my gallbladder had stopped working. I had no gallstones. I had surgery and the pain went away(well it took a few months). I was wrapped up in a ball on the couch and couldn't even take care of my kids. If your daughter is in that much pain, she will need the medicine. She is very lucky to receive them with nothing on film and no proof. Very lucky. I hope your daughter does not give up and they find out what is wrong. Could it be her pancreas, appendix or liver? I sure hope they find out what is wrong! I wish her the best of luck.
Hello Greentree,
Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and are sharing your concern regarding your daughter. She is fortunate to have your love and concern.
I can't begin to tell you what may be the source of your daughter's pain. Nor would I try to guess if her pain is real. What I do know is that ppl can and do have true chronic pain without a definitive diagnosis. You don't have to have something show up on an MRI or another imaging to have chronic pain.
I had undiagnosed pain for years. Nothing of substance could be found with the usual and customary testing. So the thought was, if you couldn't see it, it didn't exist and I was not treated for my pain. Finally a physician discovered that I had SIJ Dysfunction, a source for debilitating, severe pain. It does not show up on imaging. However now that it is so extreme (from lack of treatment) it will show up as something "unusual" on an x-ray. There are many more stories like mine.
Chronic pain is often questioned by those that do not have it. How can you truly understand something that you have never experienced? Some ppl just can't.
Again I don't know if your daughter has chronic pain or not. But I do think that she deserves the benefit of the doubt as well as support until proven otherwise. If she takes her meds as prescribed and has not added illegal substances this can be a clue. If she does not display addictive behavior this will also be a clue. There is a big difference between addiction and dependancy. I encourage you to do some research on the subject. There are so good articles available.
I wish you the best and hope that your daughter will find some resolution to her painful symptoms. Some of our members may be able to offer additional suggestions. Please feel free to post again or ask additional questions. We welcome your questions and concerns.
Peace,
~Tuck
Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and are sharing your concern regarding your daughter. She is fortunate to have your love and concern.
I can't begin to tell you what may be the source of your daughter's pain. Nor would I try to guess if her pain is real. What I do know is that ppl can and do have true chronic pain without a definitive diagnosis. You don't have to have something show up on an MRI or another imaging to have chronic pain.
I had undiagnosed pain for years. Nothing of substance could be found with the usual and customary testing. So the thought was, if you couldn't see it, it didn't exist and I was not treated for my pain. Finally a physician discovered that I had SIJ Dysfunction, a source for debilitating, severe pain. It does not show up on imaging. However now that it is so extreme (from lack of treatment) it will show up as something "unusual" on an x-ray. There are many more stories like mine.
Chronic pain is often questioned by those that do not have it. How can you truly understand something that you have never experienced? Some ppl just can't.
Again I don't know if your daughter has chronic pain or not. But I do think that she deserves the benefit of the doubt as well as support until proven otherwise. If she takes her meds as prescribed and has not added illegal substances this can be a clue. If she does not display addictive behavior this will also be a clue. There is a big difference between addiction and dependancy. I encourage you to do some research on the subject. There are so good articles available.
I wish you the best and hope that your daughter will find some resolution to her painful symptoms. Some of our members may be able to offer additional suggestions. Please feel free to post again or ask additional questions. We welcome your questions and concerns.
Peace,
~Tuck
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