I have herniated discs at L5&4 and degenerative disc disease

[Mikeysbrat]

I have been in multiple motor vehicles accidents the first one a very serious motorcycle accident where i was a passenger on a bike that rear ended a truck. I have a herniated disc(s) at L5and L4, protuding discs and degenerative disc disease. Its gotten worse in the 16 yrs since the first accident occured and for about 10 yrs now minus my 3 pregnancies with my children I have either been on Vicodin or Percocet for the pain. Im 36 now and with my youngest being almost 4 its nearly impossible to live like a normal person as my pain interferes with everything. I'm given 10mg Percocets 5x a day for about 6 mths now after they finally moved me up from Norcos 10mg 4x a day.I have 2 questions...one, I know your body builds up a tolerance after a while and the meds arent as effective but when Ive tried meds without acetiminophen it doesnt help as well with the pain  and I need to be active and able to chase after a 3 yr old. What would be the next step up after a Percocet 10mg that still would contain some sort of antiinflammatory such as acetiminophen be? Also, is it really true that there isnt any surgery or anything they can do other then pain meds to treat my degenerative disc disease? Im too young to feel like this and its horrible that my meds arent more helpful. My body tends to build up a tolerance quickly and meds stop working as well. Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

[sandee1818]

Welcome to the community we are very glad you have joined and want to be part of our community:)

[den207]

It is so nice to see some one indorse us as not being junkies.  I rely on meds to barely live my life day to day.  I just joined and posted for the first time on the sight.  I told everyone a little about myself but I would like to add on.  Besides being 33 I am married with a beautiful 10 year old daughter.  I use to ride sport bikes as a stunt driver.  As a matter of fact, my friends and I produced a video and put in on the market at a few of our local bike dealers.  Since my accident, and all of the surgeries I have not been able to pick up my daughter and play let alone think about getting back on a bike!!!  I have  
asked what the consences is on a baclofen pump since I have to take such a high
does if oxycodine and morphine my docs don't even want to write scripts for me anymore.  It is so hard to feel like society looks at us as loosers.  We are not!! We just want to live a some what normal life.  If it take meds than it take meds.  I really don't think until they walk in our shoes they will understand what it is like to live in agony every day of your life.  Thank God I have my wife and daughter because I would have ended it long ago.

den207

[sandee1818]

Please do not feel as if your a junkie or an addict because you have to rely on meds for pain relief. it's no different than anyone who has to take medications for a medical problem:)

[Mikeysbrat]

Thank you for all your advice guys. I absolutely take them reguarly. Im ashamed to say but if I didnt I would go through terrible withdrawls and the pain is too much. I have tried just taking tylenol, motrin, etc so I wouldnt always feel like im addicted to the meds but they are my only pain relief. It does make sense to take the tylenol seperately and  I will talk to my doctor about a time released pill that is stronger. That may work great for my needs. Thank you so much for the input. Its so nice to share this subject with people who have been through it. It makes you feel less alone and not so down on yourself because I need pain meds to function. That is the reality for me but it still huirts to say. Ive done all the chiropractic, physical therapy that I could do. I go for epidural injections every few months but have had no relief but I am attempting facet joint blocks for the first time this month so maybe that will help. Hopefully they are more effective then just a steroid injection with the 2 protuding discs. Thank you again

[nick30]

it is always possible to take the anti-inflammitories separately, there's no real need (apart from convenience) to take them as one pill. you may even be able to lessen the amount of narcotics you take (if thats a goal of yours).

you don't say if you take your meds on a regular basis or when needed. it makes a big difference. taking them 'as needed' reduces thier effectiveness and allows tolerance to build up quicker. this happens because it takes much higher doses to kill pain if you take them after the pain has started. if you take them routinely they tend to hold pain off more effectively.

just my 2 cents.

Nick

[sandee1818]

I would talk to the dotor about your medication issues. I can tell you thoough I do not know of a sronger medication with tylenol in it unless you have one compounded.
I think you may do better with a long acting time release medicine such as oxycontin and then if you need a break thru med add the ones your taking now.
As far as DDD your doctor would know what is available to you as far as options availiable to you. I have no idea how advanced your DDD is so I can't tell you what you would have as far as options.
If your well advanced then you may have surgery as an option but thats up to you and your doctor.
I hope things get better for you, I have a 5 and 6 year old so I know where your coming from. I home school them and they also go to Sylvan and speech therapy too. I am soooooo busy with work and their education and appointments it is unreal sometimes.