I have numerous renal cysts (Bosniac Cat.2F) that have been the cause of my chronic pain for the last 4 years. These renal cysts came about as a result of repeated kidney procedures to remove cystine kidney stones. I have had in the order of 150 laser cystoscopy's as well as 9 PCNL's (Percutaneous Nephro Lithotripsy), all on my left side. My kidney stone problem began when I was 19 y/o and persists to this day (I'm now 38). I recently underwent a laparoscopic renal cyst-decortication to remove the 2 largest clusters of cysts, but many cysts remain. My urologist theorized that my pain was caused by my renal cysts, so in an attempt to reduce my pain level, opted for the decortication. The incisions have healed and it's been 6-7 weeks since the procedure, and the pain remains, so it appears that, a) the renal cysts aren't the cause of my pain, or b) too many cysts remain and the few that were decorticated had no effect on my pain level.
I started seeing a pain-management doctor recommended me by my urologist approximately 2 years ago. The course of treatment the PMdoc had me on went awry (by my own ignorance & negligence, and I became addicted/hooked on the opiates he prescribed (120-140 Opana 10mg + 80-100 Dilaudid 8mg per month). I knew I was using the medication incorrectly, but there was nothing I could do to stop myself. One day I ramped up my doses during a particularly bad episode of both stones and cyst-pain, and I never ramped down. It started taking more and more and more to get the same pain-killing effect, and I ended up in an inpatient rehab facility to detox off the opiates. I informed that PM, while I was in rehab, that I'd not be seeing him anymore.
I'm now left with my chronic pain and kidney stones. The kidney stones I can deal with, as if it gets bad enough and the stone is big enough, I head to the ER of my home hospital, and I get taken care of under the watchful eye of my urologist (who is fully aware of my past addiction & subsequent stint in rehab). A kidney stone and IV Dilaudid to take care of it until it passes, administered by ER staff/nurses/doctors, does not a relapse make.
My question is: for my chronic pain caused by the renal cysts, is there a non-narcotic, long-term option/pain-killer, available? My GP (who just happens to be the lead physician at the rehab facility I went to) recommended a PMdoc that does not resort to narcotic pain-killers as a first resort, but I don't start seeing her until next week. I'd like to go in with a few options to throw at her (I don't want to go in blind).
Does anyone have any experience with non-narcotic pain-killers that actually work for chronic pain? My pain level is a constant 3-4, spiking to a 5 about twice a day (at random times and not caused by anything in particular). I deal with the pain as best I can and bury it in the back of my head, but it's a daily battle dealing with it.
Anyone got anything for me?