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Too much oxy !!!! No Help.....
I have been taking oxycontin for 3.5 years now, gradually increasing the dose, up to the last 2 years of 320 to 480 mg~s per day, everyday, 24/7 X 365 X 3.5. It now controls me I do not control it.Without it I face being stuck in bed for the pain ( excessively chronic ) will almost knock me out.I need to have a total of 4 discs totally replaced ( pro-disc ) in my spine.Even with all the oxy~s, I cannot escape the pain, WHAT CAN O DO ,ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED...thanks Mark from AUSTRALIA......................
Hello Mark,
Thanks for the update. As you can see private emails will not go through our system. However we do encourage chats through PMs (Private Messages) on your MedHelp Profile/Home Page.
You're right, unless one has experienced Chronic Pain and the challenges that accompany it, ppl just don't get it. I am not certain they ever can truly can understand. You're also right that ppl who sincerely love you usually do try and most do reach some level of understanding. After dealing with Chronic Pain for 20 years I have found that the ones that don't get it, don't get it.... and they simply don't matter in the big picture.
As you said, others are busy with their own lives, responsibilities, challenges and so forth. So don't be too hard of them as this is a difficult condition to understand. And I am very glad that many of my beloved family has no clue as to what Chronic Pain really means.
We do have several social networks on MedHelp that you may find helpful, although you are always welcome on this site. To locate our social sites go to the top, left hand side of this page and in the MedHelp blue banner you will see the word Forums. Click on Forums and it will take to to our Forum list. You might find a social forum that would interest you.
I wish you the very best.
~Tuck
Thanks for the update. As you can see private emails will not go through our system. However we do encourage chats through PMs (Private Messages) on your MedHelp Profile/Home Page.
You're right, unless one has experienced Chronic Pain and the challenges that accompany it, ppl just don't get it. I am not certain they ever can truly can understand. You're also right that ppl who sincerely love you usually do try and most do reach some level of understanding. After dealing with Chronic Pain for 20 years I have found that the ones that don't get it, don't get it.... and they simply don't matter in the big picture.
As you said, others are busy with their own lives, responsibilities, challenges and so forth. So don't be too hard of them as this is a difficult condition to understand. And I am very glad that many of my beloved family has no clue as to what Chronic Pain really means.
We do have several social networks on MedHelp that you may find helpful, although you are always welcome on this site. To locate our social sites go to the top, left hand side of this page and in the MedHelp blue banner you will see the word Forums. Click on Forums and it will take to to our Forum list. You might find a social forum that would interest you.
I wish you the very best.
~Tuck
I sincerely wish that you all had a most wonderfull Christmas and we all have an eventfull and successful New Year. Patience my friends, unfortunately , that is all we have in reality.....The only bad news i have is that i now take more Oxycontin and use about 50 X 5 mg`s of Valium and 4-6 X 5mg`s of Endone for the space filler.
Thank God for the net and some Doctors that are a bit flexible and prepared to go the xtra mile to help you, even at their own peril !!!!!
The thing is, I had my last consultation to my surgeon, just before Christmas,and as he said to me , not to get my hopes up too high, as whilst the risk of the operations are small, they are still there and are Not going away !!!
My goal for 2012 ( aside from all the doom and gloom )is ti be able to reduce my drug intake by around at least 30-50 percent !
Those that are in the same situation know full well that after 3-4 years of this heavy and extreme drug taking, just does not go away overnight.
Sadly, many, many people ( including even our own families ) do NOT understand what we are going through.And to be fair to them, How can they.However, if they love you, then they should make every effort to learn and try to understand us,am I right ???????
If some of you have the time, I would really love to hear your stories and problems that people are going through each and every day.!!!
Sadly, a lot of people ( especially family ) want to try to understand , but are that busy with their own life and their "problems", they say that they do not have the time to read up on our plight and that`s another wall that is put up. I am only speaking for myself here, as each and everyone of us have many,many different stories to tell, each unique to that person.
Enough talking, hey, I wish all of you staff, everyone, all the best wishes and health for 2012, dont worry too much about all the guff on the end of the world, I did for a while, but remember this , individually, we can do NOTHING , collectivelly, yes, we can, but all of us have enough to worry about than speculation, right ?? How many times, have how many religuos organisations got in wrong ?? its truelly unbeleivable, take each day as it comes, and that s it.Hvae a great evening or day, depending where in the world you guys are.Luvs yas, your friend and fellow pain amigo, Painmaster or Mark from Sydney AUSTRALIA cheers for now, if you want to have a private chat, or perhaps become a pen/computer friend, my e-mail is ***@**** for now.......
Thank God for the net and some Doctors that are a bit flexible and prepared to go the xtra mile to help you, even at their own peril !!!!!
The thing is, I had my last consultation to my surgeon, just before Christmas,and as he said to me , not to get my hopes up too high, as whilst the risk of the operations are small, they are still there and are Not going away !!!
My goal for 2012 ( aside from all the doom and gloom )is ti be able to reduce my drug intake by around at least 30-50 percent !
Those that are in the same situation know full well that after 3-4 years of this heavy and extreme drug taking, just does not go away overnight.
Sadly, many, many people ( including even our own families ) do NOT understand what we are going through.And to be fair to them, How can they.However, if they love you, then they should make every effort to learn and try to understand us,am I right ???????
If some of you have the time, I would really love to hear your stories and problems that people are going through each and every day.!!!
Sadly, a lot of people ( especially family ) want to try to understand , but are that busy with their own life and their "problems", they say that they do not have the time to read up on our plight and that`s another wall that is put up. I am only speaking for myself here, as each and everyone of us have many,many different stories to tell, each unique to that person.
Enough talking, hey, I wish all of you staff, everyone, all the best wishes and health for 2012, dont worry too much about all the guff on the end of the world, I did for a while, but remember this , individually, we can do NOTHING , collectivelly, yes, we can, but all of us have enough to worry about than speculation, right ?? How many times, have how many religuos organisations got in wrong ?? its truelly unbeleivable, take each day as it comes, and that s it.Hvae a great evening or day, depending where in the world you guys are.Luvs yas, your friend and fellow pain amigo, Painmaster or Mark from Sydney AUSTRALIA cheers for now, if you want to have a private chat, or perhaps become a pen/computer friend, my e-mail is ***@**** for now.......
I've had many debates with myself over ending up in a wheel chair. I know it will happen one day. I'm only 28 now, and things are not going to get that much better. So if my pain is this great now, what's it going to be like when I'm 50? I try not to focus on that so much. I take it one day at a time and consider it a victory when I'm able to get through a day with little pain.
Just keep fighting for yourself and do the best you can!
Just keep fighting for yourself and do the best you can!
Hi all, I hope you are all happy and in a greart mood, it is nice sometimes to dress up nicely in a fovourite suit and go to a nice restaurant. One piece of good news for a change, I went to see my attorney yesterday, he has put together a plan for my insurance company and everything looks great and there is a high possibility I could be lucky enough to get my neck and back operatiuons I have been waiting so long for ( 3 and one half years !! )of course, whilst I am so very happy, on one hand,on the other, I am very nervous and scared of the possible outcome !!! Funny isn`t it, I have been waiting so long, but now the possibilities of ending up in a wheel chair gives me the shivers. believe it or not, I am Not trying to be negative, but practical at the same time. Sorry to muddle on with my ramblings, but all of this is na huge thing for me, please all of you , cross your fingers and toes for me.Thanks one and all for your continued support and wonnderfull friendship. I wish you all well and sincerely hope you all reach your drerams and get what you need in life./.
Thanks again, there is a light at the end of the tunnel afterall......bye for now.. catch up soooon, your friend and mentor..Mark alias Painmaster......( Wednesday Australia )..............
Thanks again, there is a light at the end of the tunnel afterall......bye for now.. catch up soooon, your friend and mentor..Mark alias Painmaster......( Wednesday Australia )..............
Hi Mark. I just wanted to say that I think it's awesome that you paint. I'm a painter too, although I haven't picked up my brush in quite some time. It's hard for me to find a position that's comfortable to paint in. I used to sit on the floor but I can't do that anymore. I have a easel but I'm not used to painting with the canvas vertical so it's just weird for me to use it. How do you paint? I think a drafting table or something would be the best but they are expensive and huge!
As far as the pain goes, I can sort of relate to you. I'm only 28 and it's really hard for me to get good pain care because I'm so young. I've been refused surgery and most of the time I'm refused pain medication. I had radio frequency ablation in February and it's really helped a lot. I know how much insurance *****. It took them over a year just to approve Celebrex for me. But they made me try every other NSAID's under the sun and when I complained of stomach pain, they made my doctor put me on an ulcer medication instead of approving the Celebrex. Insurance companies suck!
As far as the pain goes, I can sort of relate to you. I'm only 28 and it's really hard for me to get good pain care because I'm so young. I've been refused surgery and most of the time I'm refused pain medication. I had radio frequency ablation in February and it's really helped a lot. I know how much insurance *****. It took them over a year just to approve Celebrex for me. But they made me try every other NSAID's under the sun and when I complained of stomach pain, they made my doctor put me on an ulcer medication instead of approving the Celebrex. Insurance companies suck!
Sad thing for me now,s that I absolutely no one. Most of the time I feel as if I am an empty shell of the former person that I once was. I really don't care anymore. I feel so useless and a waste of space.The only enjoyment I get ,is to paint "abstaract " paintings.
It is such a wonderfull form of self expression, the real 'YOU ". Yes, we can paint houses, beaches, landscapes, seascapes, the human form, etc, etc. But, with the abstract art form, one is actually painting whats is on the insideof our mnds.Or as they put it, what makes us tick.Even though we all say differenr things and some of us most probably are having a diffucult time expressing our selves properly.One thing is forure, basically , we are on the swame page, Most of them just want us to go aw32ay and dissapeare and "non-exist" ,They get paid no matter what.sometimes they have to listen as to show the pwers to be that they are actually doing something to justify their existance !!!! Anway, I wish you and all off you the most very best and sincerely hope that whatever it is your searching for , you find it.Keep a stiff upper lip.Trust NO ONE. DO NOT MAKE THEM FORCE YOU TO TAKE SOME OF THEIR UNTRIED ,UNTESTED DRUGS .REMEMBER,ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY. A FULLY FUNCTIONING, HEALTHY SOCIETY IS VERY,VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND THAT IS ALL THEY WANT US TO DO IS BE THEIR ROBOTS.Sorry to sound like a lot of science fiction, but the truth is there, just open your eyes.God bless one and all and God`s speed.love will always beat hate. another day has pased,in am ready for another one are you???cheers my friends , good night..........thanks agfain Mellie4, my friend........
It is such a wonderfull form of self expression, the real 'YOU ". Yes, we can paint houses, beaches, landscapes, seascapes, the human form, etc, etc. But, with the abstract art form, one is actually painting whats is on the insideof our mnds.Or as they put it, what makes us tick.Even though we all say differenr things and some of us most probably are having a diffucult time expressing our selves properly.One thing is forure, basically , we are on the swame page, Most of them just want us to go aw32ay and dissapeare and "non-exist" ,They get paid no matter what.sometimes they have to listen as to show the pwers to be that they are actually doing something to justify their existance !!!! Anway, I wish you and all off you the most very best and sincerely hope that whatever it is your searching for , you find it.Keep a stiff upper lip.Trust NO ONE. DO NOT MAKE THEM FORCE YOU TO TAKE SOME OF THEIR UNTRIED ,UNTESTED DRUGS .REMEMBER,ALL THEY WANT IS MONEY. A FULLY FUNCTIONING, HEALTHY SOCIETY IS VERY,VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND THAT IS ALL THEY WANT US TO DO IS BE THEIR ROBOTS.Sorry to sound like a lot of science fiction, but the truth is there, just open your eyes.God bless one and all and God`s speed.love will always beat hate. another day has pased,in am ready for another one are you???cheers my friends , good night..........thanks agfain Mellie4, my friend........
So sorry, Mark, that you're having such a hard time!! I've had a bit of relief the past few days as the covering NP switched my medications. CP is so difficult and it's hard to find the right path. It seems some people can handle being on the medications and it gives them a better quality of life. For me, I struggle with it. I HATE being on them. But as a result, I put myself through the wringer trying to wean off them on my own. I'm staying on a low dose of morphine along with Neurontin. It's given me a little relief. I seem to get about 2 hours of manageable pain.
I've only had a couple of visits with my pain psychologist. I definitely don't have an immediate connection with him but I'm hoping it gets better. He seems to want to go in a different direction than I do.
It's good you're getting out. I found, for me, being on a lot of narcotics over the las year that I started isolating myself. I'm trying to force myself to engage more with people but I find it a struggle. I had been pretty apathetic about things, but I'm starting to try to just "act as if." You know, maybe if I just act as if everything is great my attitude will change? Not sure if this will help but I definitely need to put more effort into putting on makeup and real clothes as opposed to sweats.
Of course, I find if I look good, no one takes me seriously about the pain. A lot of people don't understand it.
I hope you can find some relief somewhere. Sometimes we have to just take it a day at a time (or a minute at a time!) I wish I had some suggestions for you!
I've only had a couple of visits with my pain psychologist. I definitely don't have an immediate connection with him but I'm hoping it gets better. He seems to want to go in a different direction than I do.
It's good you're getting out. I found, for me, being on a lot of narcotics over the las year that I started isolating myself. I'm trying to force myself to engage more with people but I find it a struggle. I had been pretty apathetic about things, but I'm starting to try to just "act as if." You know, maybe if I just act as if everything is great my attitude will change? Not sure if this will help but I definitely need to put more effort into putting on makeup and real clothes as opposed to sweats.
Of course, I find if I look good, no one takes me seriously about the pain. A lot of people don't understand it.
I hope you can find some relief somewhere. Sometimes we have to just take it a day at a time (or a minute at a time!) I wish I had some suggestions for you!
Hi Mellie4,
Thank-you for writing to me, it seems some of the others have been busy or forgotten me already,but that`s cool.These days it is just so easy to become caught up in our own problems.Certaintly, life is becoming harder and harder to face.I , personally find it great comfort to stay in bed, safe under the covers and let this rotten world pass me by.But, soon realise that sooner or later, we have to face up to our realities, no matter how horrible or hard they might become. I have some days that I think that I can beat m meds, by myself,but as we all know, this is not possible, unfortunately.
These drugs are just a cover, actually they do nothing to help the problems.They just mask them and sometimes we tend to forget what problems we had before these were precribed to us.I sometimes wish that I can just wake up and all all of my pain, both physical and physcological, will melt away and be a bad dream that will quickly and quietly go away and leave me alone.
I ,myself had been to many "pain psycologists" all without any success!!, unfortunatelt, most of them are only interested in money,they are NOT actually interested in the human factor.Empathy, is not a word they can spell nor understand, unfortunately.
You are right my friend, I have been to and had every type of alternative treatments other than an operation.These evil insurance insurance companies, are only interested in profits, people mean absolutely nothing to them.They have just so many people signed up, that one or two dead here or there, wont hurt their bottom line.Profits before people.. I1m sure many ,many of you have heard that one before.
I cannot stay on these life sucking drugs forever, with this type of quality of life, day to day, week to week year to year, what else is left ? I used to be such a strong person, I really was, but now, I am embarressed to say that I simply don`t care anymore.
All of these people have an awfull lot to answer to.These faceless C.E.O`s, with their multimillion salaries, don`t care and never ,ever have to. We neeed people power, that has worked throughout the ages.
We are now doing this with the banks thaty rip us off each and every day "people before profits", When will they ever learn , answer is NEVER. WE have to stand up and be counted.Without all of the money they "steal" from us each and every day
They would have nothing, yes, nothing, but they convienantly forget this fact.
I , sincerely hope Mellie4 that you are feeling better and better each and everyday.All that we have at the moment, is people like us.But, because there are so many people like us, if we stand up and be counted as important Humaan Beings, well they have to "TAKE NOTICE "OF US ALL.God bless and best wishes to you and to everyone else.Don`t let people walk all over you, or they will love to do just that,,never forget that..Be somebody, you have every Human Right as the Rich.We are rich in heart, they are rich in material things, even the rich die........bye for now....
-YOURS SINCERELY AND BEST WISHES.......ANyone please write to me anytime you wish to and I will answer each letter as time allows it to be so........bye...Mark.....
Hi Mark,
I hope you're not feeling quite as down. I know it just adds to things. I've struggled with my meds ... what to take, do they help. Right now I've tapered off a lot but my pain is off the chart. I'm going to talk to them about either upping a bit or adding a long-acting med back in. Right now I'm on very little (back in March I was on enough to kill a horse and my pain still wasn't improving by much.) I'm very torn about my relationship with the meds (never misued them or anything; just don't like having to be on them.) But it's becoming increasingly clear that my quality of life without them is not good. I just don't think I've hit the right combination. I just started seeing a pain psychologist. Not sure what I think about it yet. Maybe that's something you could look into. I have no surgical options left, unless they come up with something new, but at this point, I think I'd be reluctant. I do know several people (my dad included) who were crippled with back pain and then had very successful surgeries. I hope you can get the approval for your surgery soon. Dealing with insurance companies can be so difficult.
I hope you're not feeling quite as down. I know it just adds to things. I've struggled with my meds ... what to take, do they help. Right now I've tapered off a lot but my pain is off the chart. I'm going to talk to them about either upping a bit or adding a long-acting med back in. Right now I'm on very little (back in March I was on enough to kill a horse and my pain still wasn't improving by much.) I'm very torn about my relationship with the meds (never misued them or anything; just don't like having to be on them.) But it's becoming increasingly clear that my quality of life without them is not good. I just don't think I've hit the right combination. I just started seeing a pain psychologist. Not sure what I think about it yet. Maybe that's something you could look into. I have no surgical options left, unless they come up with something new, but at this point, I think I'd be reluctant. I do know several people (my dad included) who were crippled with back pain and then had very successful surgeries. I hope you can get the approval for your surgery soon. Dealing with insurance companies can be so difficult.
Hi giuys, I don`t think that any of my replies are getting through, that`s why I have stopped for a while.I`d love to chat to someone evry 2-3 days or so, but I am not sure how I do that,if someoen there is reading this,please let me know how to do that,hey,many thanks,I sincerely hope that you are all doing o.k and in good health and happy.
Cheers From Painmaster ( Mark)....Bye for now...l
Cheers From Painmaster ( Mark)....Bye for now...l
Hi everyone, Painmaster ( Mark ) here.I hope that everyone is happy and in good health.
Well, today is another day, funny how one day a person can feel reasonably happy with the world and then the next, such as today ,deel lke a sack of potatoes !
I feel so down and blue, nothing seems to help, so I will stay in my bedroom and watch movies.I feel that with all the interaction I have had in thye past couple of days has tired me out both physically and physcologically. I cannot handle too much or nearly no stress.
Last week someone smashed into the side of our car and caused $ 4500.00 worth of damage, and they did not even have the courtesy to leave their details, so we had to claim on our insurance and had to pay $600.00 excess fee.My insurance company has said that they will give me one more chance to put forward my case to have my nuck operations approved.So I am so stressed as I have just so much to do on top of my daily problems.It is nearly impoosible to get doctors and specialists to give out the needed information they need.I have no patience to wait on the phone for an hour or so, I go to their offices and spend most of the day there.When I do, I usually have to take 2-3 Oxy`s to get through the pain.I can only sit fopr an hour at maximum,. even then my neck pain jumps to a 10 on a scale of 1--10.Then comes a migraine, which will last for a day or so.By then I have to get the local doctor to come to my home and give me a very strong pain injection and something to sleep, I usually will be knocked out for 24 or so hours.
Which is a good thing as by then the pain has settled a lot, but I awaken with shacking and numbness.
So,enough moaning from me,or just felt like talking to someone and as I consider you guys as my new friends, I thoght that you may understand how I am feeling.
Please all have a wonderfull day and take care.....Bye for now...Cheers...Mark.....
Well, today is another day, funny how one day a person can feel reasonably happy with the world and then the next, such as today ,deel lke a sack of potatoes !
I feel so down and blue, nothing seems to help, so I will stay in my bedroom and watch movies.I feel that with all the interaction I have had in thye past couple of days has tired me out both physically and physcologically. I cannot handle too much or nearly no stress.
Last week someone smashed into the side of our car and caused $ 4500.00 worth of damage, and they did not even have the courtesy to leave their details, so we had to claim on our insurance and had to pay $600.00 excess fee.My insurance company has said that they will give me one more chance to put forward my case to have my nuck operations approved.So I am so stressed as I have just so much to do on top of my daily problems.It is nearly impoosible to get doctors and specialists to give out the needed information they need.I have no patience to wait on the phone for an hour or so, I go to their offices and spend most of the day there.When I do, I usually have to take 2-3 Oxy`s to get through the pain.I can only sit fopr an hour at maximum,. even then my neck pain jumps to a 10 on a scale of 1--10.Then comes a migraine, which will last for a day or so.By then I have to get the local doctor to come to my home and give me a very strong pain injection and something to sleep, I usually will be knocked out for 24 or so hours.
Which is a good thing as by then the pain has settled a lot, but I awaken with shacking and numbness.
So,enough moaning from me,or just felt like talking to someone and as I consider you guys as my new friends, I thoght that you may understand how I am feeling.
Please all have a wonderfull day and take care.....Bye for now...Cheers...Mark.....
Well, First of all I would like to say a big thank-you to all of you for your most uplifting words and help.I will try to be on here everyday where possible. I currently am seeing a pain phycologist and after 11 visits feel that we do not have a connection.I find that he finds me an interesting case as I have many levels of problems.Don~t get me wrong, he is a nice enough guy, but simply being "nice", is NOT going to get me out of all of this.
Tuck, your`e correctb in saying that getting out of the house is very important.We have a little dog an Australian Terrier, I try to walk her at least twice a day ,sometimes three.I do smile at anyone and say hi or good-morning.A couple of people will resond with a smile and say hi back.And yes, it does feel good.I go to my coffee takeaway shop 1 to 2 times a week and they know me and usually I will have a chat to them..
I have problems with the technical conversations with Laywers,Doctors, Insurance company goons, and the likes of these !! I feel that I get more out of a conversation with my dog. It seems that these people are just like cold hard machines. The "Human" touch has gone and these robots like automons are what we have to deal with, unfortunately...Thanks all.. Until next time...Take care...Mark...cheers....
Tuck, your`e correctb in saying that getting out of the house is very important.We have a little dog an Australian Terrier, I try to walk her at least twice a day ,sometimes three.I do smile at anyone and say hi or good-morning.A couple of people will resond with a smile and say hi back.And yes, it does feel good.I go to my coffee takeaway shop 1 to 2 times a week and they know me and usually I will have a chat to them..
I have problems with the technical conversations with Laywers,Doctors, Insurance company goons, and the likes of these !! I feel that I get more out of a conversation with my dog. It seems that these people are just like cold hard machines. The "Human" touch has gone and these robots like automons are what we have to deal with, unfortunately...Thanks all.. Until next time...Take care...Mark...cheers....
Thanks Painmaster for sharing your story with us.. How incredibly sad. So often we put our career and loyalty to our employer at the top of our list of "important issues" and so often your story is repeated.
Jaybay is correct. Sometimes a Pain Therapist can be an important addition to our Pain Management Regime. She covered it well and I won't rehash it... but it bears looking into. I did consult one early on in this journey through Chronic Pain and he was helpful. Also true, nothing replaces human contact... even a short walk through the park or down the block to reach out to others with a smile and hello can be beneficial. A short trip to your local coffee shop to review the newspaper and share a smile... also effective. :o) It doesn't have to be a long period of time .... 15-20 minutes of interaction often helps brighten our day. I go to the same coffee shop several times a week. I'm usually in and out in 15 minutes but most everyone knows me by first name and it is uplifting.
It's a misconception that long term opiate therapy will destroy your body and life. Obviously you must take opiates responsibly and as directed. Statistics prove that it's less harmful then trying to struggle though life with uncontrolled, severe and disabling pain.
Effects of Long Term Opiate Therapy
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/141662/Long-Term-Opiate-Therapy?personal_page_id=14686
Finding the right PMP for you is so very important. Pain Management is a trial and error process to find an effective combination of medications that makes life worth living. Please don't give up that search.... rather you have the surgery or not.
I'll look forward to hearing from you often.
My Best,
~Tuck
Jaybay is correct. Sometimes a Pain Therapist can be an important addition to our Pain Management Regime. She covered it well and I won't rehash it... but it bears looking into. I did consult one early on in this journey through Chronic Pain and he was helpful. Also true, nothing replaces human contact... even a short walk through the park or down the block to reach out to others with a smile and hello can be beneficial. A short trip to your local coffee shop to review the newspaper and share a smile... also effective. :o) It doesn't have to be a long period of time .... 15-20 minutes of interaction often helps brighten our day. I go to the same coffee shop several times a week. I'm usually in and out in 15 minutes but most everyone knows me by first name and it is uplifting.
It's a misconception that long term opiate therapy will destroy your body and life. Obviously you must take opiates responsibly and as directed. Statistics prove that it's less harmful then trying to struggle though life with uncontrolled, severe and disabling pain.
Effects of Long Term Opiate Therapy
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/141662/Long-Term-Opiate-Therapy?personal_page_id=14686
Finding the right PMP for you is so very important. Pain Management is a trial and error process to find an effective combination of medications that makes life worth living. Please don't give up that search.... rather you have the surgery or not.
I'll look forward to hearing from you often.
My Best,
~Tuck
You certainly have tolerance issues with the oxycontin and it's definitely time to shake things up with the meds. Increasing the dose doesn't help and it won't help. Sometimes changing to a different drug altogether can bring improvement but all opiates result in the same problem: the body becomes tolerant and the medication isn't as effective as it once was.
I also think you would benefit from therapy with a pain psychologist. No, it's not about sitting around biatching about your pain and crying on someone's shoulder. It's about finding ways to cope with your pain and how it specifically and negatively impacts your life rather than constantly throwing meds at it. Relaxation and meditation techniques are part and parcel of therapy and it actually helps. You have to work at it like any other skill but what else do you have to do? It's better than being paralyzed on the couch popping pills and waiting for death or the call from the insurance company.
As you brilliantly illustrated, chronic pain can destroy our lives - if we let it. Our lives revolve around our pain and we "become" our disease. Who wants to be around that? Other people can't understand. It's not that they don't want to understand; they simply can't. Chronic pain has to be experienced before anyone can truly empathize. We isolate ourselves from others, retreat from life, focus only on ourselves, become depressed, lonely, friendships and marriages fail - and we're still sick and in pain only now we have mental pain added to the list.
Everyone who deals with chronic pain finds themselves in this hole at some point and sometimes we fall in and climb out time after time. I'm a repeat offender since 1998. LOL! Seriously though, my pain shrink is the only reason I've been able to crawl out of those black holes when I drop into them. Meds have their place but they only treat the physical pain and as you've discovered, not always very well. Folks like us need to have the whole person treat if we expect to have a life WITH the pain and in spite of the pain. If we lay down and move less and less, interact with fewer and fewer people and become hopeless, we die. We can either live with the pain or die with the pain.
It's time for you to take a step out of your head and into the land of the living. A pain psychologist can help you do that. They can be difficult to find but so worth the search. A therapist without a pain background doesn't understand chronic pain and opiate therapy much better than a layperson. Some of them even convince their patients that they're addicts simply because they're on opiate therapy and physically dependent. There's a big difference between physical dependence and addiction.
While you battle the insurance company over your surgery, you have nothing to lose by at least trying a few sessions with a therapist. If you don't click with one then try another. Do what you can to improve your mobility so you can easily get out of the house with as little pain as possible.
I've had periods where it was all I could do to walk out in my garden (which I love) for a few minutes every day. That's always been my first outing when I fall into the black hole of pain. My church family has offered incredible support and keeps me engaged in the world outside my house and computer. There's plenty of support out there but you have to reach for it yourself rather than wait for it to be offered to you. The internet is a powerful tool but nothing replaces real human contact. Now pick up the phone and call one of your old coworkers just to say hello and then go outside and find some roses to smell. :-)
I also think you would benefit from therapy with a pain psychologist. No, it's not about sitting around biatching about your pain and crying on someone's shoulder. It's about finding ways to cope with your pain and how it specifically and negatively impacts your life rather than constantly throwing meds at it. Relaxation and meditation techniques are part and parcel of therapy and it actually helps. You have to work at it like any other skill but what else do you have to do? It's better than being paralyzed on the couch popping pills and waiting for death or the call from the insurance company.
As you brilliantly illustrated, chronic pain can destroy our lives - if we let it. Our lives revolve around our pain and we "become" our disease. Who wants to be around that? Other people can't understand. It's not that they don't want to understand; they simply can't. Chronic pain has to be experienced before anyone can truly empathize. We isolate ourselves from others, retreat from life, focus only on ourselves, become depressed, lonely, friendships and marriages fail - and we're still sick and in pain only now we have mental pain added to the list.
Everyone who deals with chronic pain finds themselves in this hole at some point and sometimes we fall in and climb out time after time. I'm a repeat offender since 1998. LOL! Seriously though, my pain shrink is the only reason I've been able to crawl out of those black holes when I drop into them. Meds have their place but they only treat the physical pain and as you've discovered, not always very well. Folks like us need to have the whole person treat if we expect to have a life WITH the pain and in spite of the pain. If we lay down and move less and less, interact with fewer and fewer people and become hopeless, we die. We can either live with the pain or die with the pain.
It's time for you to take a step out of your head and into the land of the living. A pain psychologist can help you do that. They can be difficult to find but so worth the search. A therapist without a pain background doesn't understand chronic pain and opiate therapy much better than a layperson. Some of them even convince their patients that they're addicts simply because they're on opiate therapy and physically dependent. There's a big difference between physical dependence and addiction.
While you battle the insurance company over your surgery, you have nothing to lose by at least trying a few sessions with a therapist. If you don't click with one then try another. Do what you can to improve your mobility so you can easily get out of the house with as little pain as possible.
I've had periods where it was all I could do to walk out in my garden (which I love) for a few minutes every day. That's always been my first outing when I fall into the black hole of pain. My church family has offered incredible support and keeps me engaged in the world outside my house and computer. There's plenty of support out there but you have to reach for it yourself rather than wait for it to be offered to you. The internet is a powerful tool but nothing replaces real human contact. Now pick up the phone and call one of your old coworkers just to say hello and then go outside and find some roses to smell. :-)
Hi, Painmaster here, I suppose it would be a good idea to tell my story on how I ended up in this situation.At my job, I was leaning against a concrete and brick wall, all of a sudden, the wall gave way and I fell through the wall and down about 2 meters ( 6 feet ) backwards hit my head on a house next door and the wall fell on top of me.The end result was several disks had been pushed into my spine and the ones at the base of my spine badly damaged. Now, I did have some age related ( middle age ) disc degeneration to start with, but, this had no pain and caused me no real problems. Now, due to the acute pain and other problems such as depression, anxiety, etc, I have more than just pain to contend with! Every month, for the almost past 4 years, it has been becoming harder and harder.I have NOT worked since the accident and spend 99 percent of my time in my bedroom watching movies and using the computer. It is a mixed bag all of this, so frustrating trying to talk with insurance companies and trying myself to get things done, as no one really cares less and wish that I would just go away. Even my boss of 3 years, has NOT even had the common courtesy and decency to call me to se if I am alright or if I might need something.Funny how quickly people forget.I made that company around AUD$ 2 million dollars for them, never took annual leave ,worked 50-60 hour weeks 6-7 days a week.I thought that at the very leaqst a friendly phone call would have been nice, or am I expecting too much with todays society being too busy to care about anyone else.
I do n not know what to do if they refuse my operation, I am going to go to yet anotherr pain managment centre to see what other meds are available to take.I know that I cannot take these drugs for ever, they cause horrible and scarey changes to a person with their side effects.Before all of this, I did not really understand people who were addicted to drugs, eitgher prescribed or street drugs.But I surely do now and with my experiences would one day, like to be able to help other people who find themselves in this situation.
Cheers all, have a most wonderfull day...Painmaster....
I do n not know what to do if they refuse my operation, I am going to go to yet anotherr pain managment centre to see what other meds are available to take.I know that I cannot take these drugs for ever, they cause horrible and scarey changes to a person with their side effects.Before all of this, I did not really understand people who were addicted to drugs, eitgher prescribed or street drugs.But I surely do now and with my experiences would one day, like to be able to help other people who find themselves in this situation.
Cheers all, have a most wonderfull day...Painmaster....
Painmaster here, I would like to say a bih thank-you for all of your comments and for taking the time to write them.Actually when I said 24/7X365X3.5 the 3.5 is the 3.5 years that I have been taking the Oxy`s ! The operation costs about $ 40,000.00 AUD per level and I am waiting for my insurance company to approve it.In the meantime , They have sent me to every other pain treatment, all without success.I am at the end of my tether, and all of this just adds to me taking more Oxy`s, which I am ONLY getting scripts from 1 doctor and NOT getting any off the street. As well I use Endone and Strong sleeping tablets , as I cannot sleep very well these days.Everyone is right, just because I take more Oxy, the pain does NOT reduce by much, if at all.Unfortunately I am at the mercy of the insurance company, and we all know what that is like, I have no choice.I cannot afford the multi thousand dollar operation without the insurance company, erstwise, I would just do it, as I have a world renound surgeon who specilises in spine surgery.I just do not know how long I can wait ??? Thanks again all, and sincerely hope those of you who are in the same boat, I give you my blessings and wish you all the best for the future, cheers, Painmaster....
Hi Painmaster,
I am so sorry to hear about your extreme pain. I am going to assume that your physician is prescribing these Oxys for you given your DX. If I am in error I'd follow Jaybay's Detox suggestions. You are on high doses and should consider other options.... especially if surgery is in your near future.
You state you want to "get off" the oxycodones but I am not convinced that is what you really mean, want or need. I don't think it's the oxys that control you as much as it's the pain that controls you. I think this is evident by your statements, "Without it I face being stuck in bed for the pain." ... and ... "Even with all the oxy~s, I cannot escape the pain."
It sound more like you pain is simple not controlled with your current medication regimen. There are other opiates or combinations that may be more effective for you. It is true that opiate brain receptors play a role in all of this but to what degree and in what situations is still a debatable theory.
As Jaybay said surgery may be a better option, if it has been recommended. A little story. My father had two blown discs. He rarely took even an aspirin but when this occurred he was in such extreme pain that opiates barely touched his pain. Post-op he refused them. I insisted (with his nurse's agreement) that he take them. I was certain once the operative meds wore off he would be in nasty pain. it. I was 100% wrong. That pre-op pain never returned. My dad never took another opiate for his disc pain and returned to his normal functioning level at 73. He was the perfect example of a successful disc repair.
I wish you well and hope you will let us know the how you are doing.... rather you opt for surgery or not. Pain management is often a trail and error process. Discuss this with your PMP and see if you can't find a better regime. I'll look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
~Tuck
I am so sorry to hear about your extreme pain. I am going to assume that your physician is prescribing these Oxys for you given your DX. If I am in error I'd follow Jaybay's Detox suggestions. You are on high doses and should consider other options.... especially if surgery is in your near future.
You state you want to "get off" the oxycodones but I am not convinced that is what you really mean, want or need. I don't think it's the oxys that control you as much as it's the pain that controls you. I think this is evident by your statements, "Without it I face being stuck in bed for the pain." ... and ... "Even with all the oxy~s, I cannot escape the pain."
It sound more like you pain is simple not controlled with your current medication regimen. There are other opiates or combinations that may be more effective for you. It is true that opiate brain receptors play a role in all of this but to what degree and in what situations is still a debatable theory.
As Jaybay said surgery may be a better option, if it has been recommended. A little story. My father had two blown discs. He rarely took even an aspirin but when this occurred he was in such extreme pain that opiates barely touched his pain. Post-op he refused them. I insisted (with his nurse's agreement) that he take them. I was certain once the operative meds wore off he would be in nasty pain. it. I was 100% wrong. That pre-op pain never returned. My dad never took another opiate for his disc pain and returned to his normal functioning level at 73. He was the perfect example of a successful disc repair.
I wish you well and hope you will let us know the how you are doing.... rather you opt for surgery or not. Pain management is often a trail and error process. Discuss this with your PMP and see if you can't find a better regime. I'll look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Itdoc...Mark was not talking about acetaminophen. Just wanted to let you know.
Mark,
I'm sorry that you're having so much pain. Are you planning on getting surgery? I don't really have great advice..except to talk to your doctor about your medication concerns.
Hugs,
Flower
Mark,
I'm sorry that you're having so much pain. Are you planning on getting surgery? I don't really have great advice..except to talk to your doctor about your medication concerns.
Hugs,
Flower
See a Pain Management Specialist. The Dosing sound wrong probably the acetaminophensustained release patch version will be much more effective. More Oxy less acetaminophen whould make a lot more sence. going from 320 - 480 is useless with that type of pain. 3.5 oxy which will really treat the pain is too low. 5 /325 qid (4x a day) is a much better idea, same risk of addiction (which is no biggie on 20 mg/day) but the sustained relase "patch" may be even better as it treats the pain more steadily and it will keep you more comfortable.
But the BEST answer is to have the surgery, by a very experienced Surgeon ASAP. Pain Meds over sustained peroids is never good, your condition will get progressively worse and harder to correct. Get it over with already. Narcotic Pain Management is tricky and good for short periods of time Pre and Post op; seems you are pushing it by relying on pain meds for all this time; its no Cure, even if increased doses help now they will have to keep being increased and your condition will get worse, you may be seriously addicted and still have your pain and perhaps be crippled for life. Makes NO sense. Schedule the Surgery as soon as possible, there is no other solution.
But the BEST answer is to have the surgery, by a very experienced Surgeon ASAP. Pain Meds over sustained peroids is never good, your condition will get progressively worse and harder to correct. Get it over with already. Narcotic Pain Management is tricky and good for short periods of time Pre and Post op; seems you are pushing it by relying on pain meds for all this time; its no Cure, even if increased doses help now they will have to keep being increased and your condition will get worse, you may be seriously addicted and still have your pain and perhaps be crippled for life. Makes NO sense. Schedule the Surgery as soon as possible, there is no other solution.
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You might want to do some research into detox and rehab programs in your area before you speak to your prescribing doctor about this problem. Make sure you have a place to go for help before you need it. Call around and learn about the programs, how much they cost, how long it takes and most importantly if your insurance will cover it. You aren't the first person to find himself in this position and you certainly won't be the last, so try not to beat yourself up too much. The important thing is that you recognize the problem and want to do something about.
It's also a good idea to at least taper your dose down before surgery so you'll have better pain control. My sister had 4 cervical discs fused and plated last year and came through it brilliantly. Her pain levels weren't even close to what I experienced back in the mid-90's with the same surgery for 2 discs. So much has changed with spinal surgery in just the past decade, so try not to assume that you'll be in agonizing pain. It's entirely possible your pain will be a lot better than it now a week or so post-op.
Opiates can have an odd side-effect of actually increasing pain if we take them in high doses for years. At some point, our perception of pain changes for the worse and the only answer seems to be to increase the dose. Certainly when you self-medicate and take more than prescribed your brain gets trained to think it always needs more because it always gets more. And more. And more. When you reduce the dose, your pain level will certainly go up, but if you stick with a taper plan and do it slowly you'll find that the pain actually decreases with time. It's all about the opiate receptors in the brain.
Is your surgery scheduled yet?