Pain Medication

[dustybrown]

I recently weaned myself off of narcotics, but I suffer from a lot of different types of pain. I have numbness in my foot from some nerve dysfunction sourced from my lower spine. I also have arthritis in my lumbar spine and shoulder. I suffer from tendonitis in my shoulder and arm as well. I have pain that lingers around my body from joint to joint too. one day it will be in my knee, the next day it will be in my hip. I have sciatica. I also have a lot of pain in my neck and upper back and I suffer from constant migraines. Plus I've been diagnosed with the dreaded Fibromyassa.

I find that chronic use of opiates makes my pain worse, and really intensifies my pain so to speak. They make my muscles ache more and I have to keep taking more and more for them to be effective. I do not like this. The initial effect is helpful, but the commitment and payback is not efficient. Plus doctors are goofy about them and I don't like do offer control that kind of control to another human being. Like will they or will they not decide to refill my darn prescription??? I don't like to give them the opportunity to play god with me- that's just not right.

I currently take an NSAID Voltaren, which is very helpful for my arthritis and tendonitis for the inflammation, but of little use for pain. I also take Topamax for the headaches and migraines, but find the same issue with the anti seizure meds as I do with the opiates- as your body gets used to the dose, one needs to keep increasing and increasing on them, plus the side effects can sometimes be a bother.

Does anyone out there have some other good ideas for some good pain relief? I feel like I've tried just about everything out there. I see my doctor on Thursday and wouldn't mind having some new ideas. Thanks.

[sandee1818]

I agree that you do need to find a treatment plan that works for you. As far as medications it is a trial and error game of sorts. You will have to try a few different one to see what works for you as everyone is different and responds to different medicines differently.
The holistic approach is not for everyone but I suggest you give it a try and if it works then that's really great and if not it is time to go on to medications to control your pain.
Talk to your doctor and see what options he is willing to give you.
Let us know how your doing and if you have more questions feel free to ask us:)

[dustybrown]

I have heard of biofeedback and condsidered trying it because I do think it does hold some scientific merit, but really? I don't think any amount of mind power tricks, therapies, herbs,  pressure point needles, are going to take away the the pain I deal with.  I am guessing I am just either on the wrong medication or the wrong dose. Or perhaps I've just been completely misdiagnosed? and I nees to just bite the bullet and get myself on some real pain meds because this ring around the rosies game I play with my doctor is making me sick.

[sandee1818]

If analgesic tablets or prescription painkillers aren't helping you manage your discomfort, it may be time to explore a more natural type of pain relief.

There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine
(used in addition to traditional Western therapies)
or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies),
and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as
major as cancer.

Studies suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to stave off aches and pains. In addition, certain anti-inflammatory spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cilantro, may have therapeutic effects
and play an important role in chronic pain management.


The National Pain Foundation endorses a comprehensive list of nontraditional remedies, below. See which ones work for you:

Acupuncture.
This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting long, thin needles into various points on the body. The idea behind this is that optimal health is achieved when energy flows freely through
the body, and the needles remove any blockages of this energy.
Acupuncture has been used successfully to alleviate pain from musculoskeletal issues as well as headaches.

Massage.
Not just a perk for wealthy spa-goers, massage has in recent years come to be recognized as important to overall health.
It reduces muscle tension and stress, can relieve soreness, and may
even boost your immune system.

Biofeedback.
This teaches you to focus on your body's response to pain and stress via a monitoring system that gives off sounds or visual cues whenever your muscles tense.
Eventually you become able to use nothing more t
than conscious thought to change your physiological response to a particular type of stress on your body.

Hypnosis.
Popular as a cure for smoking as well as overeating, hypnosis can also be used to manage pain.
A trained clinician induces an altered state of consciousness, making you more receptive to suggestions of behavioral changes that can reduce your pain.
For instance, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain,
under hypnosis you might be taught to visualize your back muscles opening up. Some people can even learn to hypnotize themselves.

Guided imagery.
This involves imagining yourself in a peaceful setting.
The more detailed the scene, the more your mind can truly transport you out of your discomfort and into the soothing scene.


Health-food stores are full of herbal supplements purported to reduce pain, but be careful.
The FDA does not regulate these supplements, and some of them have negative side effects, particularly when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.

Also you can try a TENS unit.
I hope this will at least give you some ideas. There are non narcotic pain medications you can try as well. Many doctors that use anti seizure medicines for pain relief too.
Please let us know how things go and how your doing:)