I WANT MY LIFE BACK

[sunshine2008]

I am a seventeen year old female and I was  involved in a car accident in March 2007. I was at a complete stop and and two cars rear-ended me( the 1st car that hit me.....their car was totaled and the one behind was messed up)..No matter what i do the pain is always there, most of my pain is in the center of my spine and the left side of my upperback and middleback area.The left side of that area gets numb and tingly. I've had 8 MRI'S(3 cervical, 3thoracic, 1 lumbar, 1 sacral). I was told I have 3 cervical bulging disks.I was given a variety of pain meds,muscles relaxers, and anti-inflammatories(Nothing worked). I went to physical therapy for 2-3 months but was discharged because they told me they couldn't help me any longer. I did ultrasound therapy,traction,exercises,stretching,tens units, 1 adjustment and massages.I recieves 3 trigger point injections in May.I then started seeing a neurologist and had an EMG and NCV study and both came back normal. I then recieved 4 cortisone injections and it didnt work. After my orthopedic said he couldn't help me anymore he referred me to pain management. I recieved an cervical epidural on Septmber 21st...... and that didnt work either(that doctor told me after the 3rd epidural that i would need surgery).I did not go through with anymore epidurals because my parents wanted another opinion.I have seen more than 8 doctors and the most i've gotten is "bulging disks and myofascial pain syndrome" I cant doing anytthing because of the pain.One of my lasts resorts is Comprehensive Pain Care in Miami in an outpatient program for 3 weeks. After that its surgery.I was told from the very begining that the cervival disks are nothing to worry about. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.THIS MY SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL, i need some relief.

[jcverive]

Get an appointment with an addictionologist near you, and ask about the possibility of using Suboxone. It is a combination of two drugs: buprenorphine and naloxone. The buprenorphine is a narcotic pain killer that activates the kappa-opioid receptors, but is unique in that it does not fully activate them; however, it occupies them preferentially (other narcotics will not be effective because the buprenorphine attaches to the receptors and doesn't allow other narcotics to attach). The naloxone activates delta-opioid receptors, blocking the psychological craving for more narcotics.  For some reason, buprenorphine is not approved by the FDA for humans as a pain-killer per se, but doctors are allowed to use it "off-label" for pain.

Years of hi-dosage oxycodone nearly killed me five months ago. I am getting more pain relief now from Suboxone than five month ago on 180 mg/day oxycodone and 100 ug/hr fentanyl patches. I was bed ridden in intense pain, but am living a nearly normal life now.

I am also taking Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Keppra, all of which I was also using before switching to Suboxone.

Even if it doesn't help you at all, I think it's worth investigating.  Best of luck!

[crash0427]

Dont give up. Be informed.  Get tons of opinions.
Be well,
crash0427

[sunshine2008]

Thanks for replying :) I really  do appreciate your advice but i rather not take ANY pain meds. The risk of dependecy is not worth it to me. The last thing i need is to be put in rehab for drug dependecy. I was taking codiene and valium (not together) like 4-5 months ago....... lets just say i was getting TOO use to it. When I saw that happening I pulled myself completely off.......as of right now I have taken any pains in about 4-5 months.
                  

[DjBenway]

   I Think often time pain clinics like to play Dr. when in fact they are not. First thing is first  Get copys of medical reports from all doctors since accident, as well as what medication you take.  Pain clinics often time, like to play doctor.  Tell them you are finished with the shots, ask them for Pain medication.  People forget, you pay them for a service, dont be nice when they tell you, "I want to try something else." Tell them NO!!! and ask Pain Medication, It sucks when your last resort is an Narcotic based managment put you have every right, to not live a life of pain.  Look at what pain meds you have been on in the past show that to your clinic and tell them this is what worked this is what I want.  Looking at your histroy you have all the records requried for this sort of treatment with this clinic or another.  If he says no say goodbye, call another clinic or ask for a refferal.  With records you can even obtain a counsltation online go to PharmacyWatchers.com they have all the answers you need.  YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE TREATED FOR YOUR PAIN, DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER