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What's your pain level
I know pain is subjective, but I'm wondering if maybe I'm expecting too much in the way of pain relief. What's your pain level, at it's worst, best and average?
My average I would guess is about 5 to 6, my best is about 2 to 3 and my worst is about a 9. What I'd like to see is my average being about a 2 to 3. Is that too much to hope for? Maybe I should be satisfied where I am.
My average I would guess is about 5 to 6, my best is about 2 to 3 and my worst is about a 9. What I'd like to see is my average being about a 2 to 3. Is that too much to hope for? Maybe I should be satisfied where I am.
On a good day it's a 5-6. Just before my last med change it was 8-9 constant neck pain. Ugh. The increase has brought the pain down to a 5 minimum again, but now I've had a migraine for 4 days. I'm wondering if it's from me waking up on my back or the med increase or switching from percocet to oxycodone hcl. My pain goes all the way up to a 10, then it's really bad and I can not handle it. I pace the house, constant anxiety attacks and I would rather not be alive. I think either one or both my herniations have gotten worse though. My neck gets stuck at times and I am feeling more and different pain at both herniation locations. This could be why I have the constant headache too.
Do you ever get lower than a 5? My average day is like your good day. When I can get it to a 2 or 3, it's only for a matter of days, though even that I'm grateful for.
When I first started on this journey, I would get terrible migraines from the percocets/oxycodone. They were brutal. I had migraines when I was younger, but these were a little different. I don't get the migraines from it anymore, though I get more headaches than I used to, and I find only ibuprofen works on my headaches. You'd think the narcotic would override the headache, but it doesn't.
You could be getting the headaches from switching from percocet to oxycodone, since now you're giving up the Tylenol.
When I first started on this journey, I would get terrible migraines from the percocets/oxycodone. They were brutal. I had migraines when I was younger, but these were a little different. I don't get the migraines from it anymore, though I get more headaches than I used to, and I find only ibuprofen works on my headaches. You'd think the narcotic would override the headache, but it doesn't.
You could be getting the headaches from switching from percocet to oxycodone, since now you're giving up the Tylenol.
Mellie- My average pain level is about a 5 I'd say, it could be 4-5 or 5-6 depending, when I first take my meds, I"m at a 2-3, when I'm due to take them again or wake up in the morning it's about an 8. I use the heating pad a lot and it brings it down at least one knotch.
Running- When I first started the oxycodone, and the one time we increased it, I got headaches, a few serious migraines, and my anxiety was a little worse until I got used to it. If it's having a terrible time with it, you could try taking a half every 2 hours if you're supposed to take one every 4, it might make it easier to work up. That's what I did at first. (Actually I took a half every 4 hours, then worked it up like that). You might want to still take some tylenol occasionally to see if that's the case, too.
Whenever my pain gets horrendous, I always take some tylenol. It can't hurt and sometimes it helps.
Running- When I first started the oxycodone, and the one time we increased it, I got headaches, a few serious migraines, and my anxiety was a little worse until I got used to it. If it's having a terrible time with it, you could try taking a half every 2 hours if you're supposed to take one every 4, it might make it easier to work up. That's what I did at first. (Actually I took a half every 4 hours, then worked it up like that). You might want to still take some tylenol occasionally to see if that's the case, too.
Whenever my pain gets horrendous, I always take some tylenol. It can't hurt and sometimes it helps.
Jaded, I never feel like Tylenol helps anything, and I'm always nervous about how it affects the liver. I usually take ibuprofen; it works better for me, and it's an anti-inflammatory.
Maybe I'm expecting too much. I was hoping to get my average (on pain meds) to be about a 2 or a 3. Lately, I've been having such a hard time that my average has been about a 7, which is pretty close to my worst of 8 to 9.
Maybe I'm expecting too much. I was hoping to get my average (on pain meds) to be about a 2 or a 3. Lately, I've been having such a hard time that my average has been about a 7, which is pretty close to my worst of 8 to 9.
My absolute best, "omg it's a miracle!" is a 5/10. Normal is 6-8/10. Bad is an 9/10. At 10/10 I'm unconscious or delirious and in the ER via ambulance. I get that way maybe 2x a year.
It used to be 4-5 everyday all day. With maybe 6-7 once or twice a week. On pain meds it was 1-2. Now I'm at 0-1 with the injections and no pain meds.
My pain levels is very much linked to how active I am, the more I am on my feet the worse it gets. If I do very little (sit on the sofa all day) for a few days my pain level will maybe be somewhere around a 2-4. On an average day it's probably a 3-7 and on a bad day, usually after doing too much its between a 5-8. That's with meds. I am not on strong opiates at the moment I try and get by with Tramadol, amitriptyline and OTC meds.
Hi Mellie,
I think what you are losing sight of is what your pain is like WITHOUT the pain meds. What is it then? I'm betting that it's an 8 or 9. If so then your meds are doing a pretty darn good job.
I imagine that there are a lot of people that would LOVE to have an average of about a 4 to 5 and many NEVER reach a 2 or 3. I'd say that you are doing pretty good. You might be expecting a little too much from the meds. A 2 to me is ALMOST total relief. If you have that for a few days that's absolutely fantastic.
Mine stays around anywhere from a 2 up to a 6 and I feel extremely BLESSED, to have that much pain relief. The 6 are my worst days. (Once in a VERY long time I will have a REALLY bad flare, a 8 or 9, but FORTUNATELY my meds keep that from happening very often.) Mine wouldn't get to the 6 if I would JUST take my BT meds like I'm supposed to. But I've always been one to wait and see if it will go away on it's own. You'd think at 63 (almost 64) that I would have learned by now!! :)
I have been blessed with an extemely high tolerance for pain. Most people would be feeling at least 1 or 2 points higher on the charts than I do.
I've been told many times that you will NEVER be able to get complete pain relief and that you should NEVER expect that from your meds. You should be happy to reach a point of relief where you are able to function relatively easily and carry on your regular activities. I'm talking about work and your family and that type of thing.
I've been on disability since 2003 and only with a PM Dr. for the past 5 months. Before that ALL I had was Lortab 7.5/500 4 times a day and that didn't hack it because after 7 years on it I had become immune to the Hydrocodone. I didn't realize that there was more available out there for me. I was VERY grateful for what I had. My PCP in Tennessee had asked me MANY times if I wanted to see a PM Clinic. I was under the misunderstanding that they DIDN'T give ANY Pain Medication at all and only did exercises which was out of the question for me because of my botched surgery as well as the advanced DDD. I DIDN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS. However, when I went to my Rheumatologist here in AZ I mentioned that to him and how I should have gone back in Tennessee and he set me straight. He said I MIGHT have gotten relief but then again I might not have. I understand that now after being on here these past months. I realize how many BAD PM Dr.s there are out there. So I'm so VERY glad that I waited the 4 weeks to get into my WONDERFUL PM Dr. that my Rheumatologist was so adamant about me going to. He knew what I needed, someone that would keep me as pain free as possible and he found him for me.
I think is takes an entire Network of excellent Dr.s to get us the correct Pain Control that we need. Not just one but a Network! No One should settle for less than the VERY best care that is available to us. NO matter how far we need to travel. I actually am on the road for over 2 hours round trip to my PM Dr. and sometimes longer when the Freeways have construction ( up to 3 1/2 hours ). I wouldn't mind traveling further if that is what is takes. It's once a month and my pain is under control and I think it's more than worth it.
Gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't means to write a volume!! :) I hope that everyone gets the pain relief that they so greatly deserve....Sherry
I think what you are losing sight of is what your pain is like WITHOUT the pain meds. What is it then? I'm betting that it's an 8 or 9. If so then your meds are doing a pretty darn good job.
I imagine that there are a lot of people that would LOVE to have an average of about a 4 to 5 and many NEVER reach a 2 or 3. I'd say that you are doing pretty good. You might be expecting a little too much from the meds. A 2 to me is ALMOST total relief. If you have that for a few days that's absolutely fantastic.
Mine stays around anywhere from a 2 up to a 6 and I feel extremely BLESSED, to have that much pain relief. The 6 are my worst days. (Once in a VERY long time I will have a REALLY bad flare, a 8 or 9, but FORTUNATELY my meds keep that from happening very often.) Mine wouldn't get to the 6 if I would JUST take my BT meds like I'm supposed to. But I've always been one to wait and see if it will go away on it's own. You'd think at 63 (almost 64) that I would have learned by now!! :)
I have been blessed with an extemely high tolerance for pain. Most people would be feeling at least 1 or 2 points higher on the charts than I do.
I've been told many times that you will NEVER be able to get complete pain relief and that you should NEVER expect that from your meds. You should be happy to reach a point of relief where you are able to function relatively easily and carry on your regular activities. I'm talking about work and your family and that type of thing.
I've been on disability since 2003 and only with a PM Dr. for the past 5 months. Before that ALL I had was Lortab 7.5/500 4 times a day and that didn't hack it because after 7 years on it I had become immune to the Hydrocodone. I didn't realize that there was more available out there for me. I was VERY grateful for what I had. My PCP in Tennessee had asked me MANY times if I wanted to see a PM Clinic. I was under the misunderstanding that they DIDN'T give ANY Pain Medication at all and only did exercises which was out of the question for me because of my botched surgery as well as the advanced DDD. I DIDN'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS. However, when I went to my Rheumatologist here in AZ I mentioned that to him and how I should have gone back in Tennessee and he set me straight. He said I MIGHT have gotten relief but then again I might not have. I understand that now after being on here these past months. I realize how many BAD PM Dr.s there are out there. So I'm so VERY glad that I waited the 4 weeks to get into my WONDERFUL PM Dr. that my Rheumatologist was so adamant about me going to. He knew what I needed, someone that would keep me as pain free as possible and he found him for me.
I think is takes an entire Network of excellent Dr.s to get us the correct Pain Control that we need. Not just one but a Network! No One should settle for less than the VERY best care that is available to us. NO matter how far we need to travel. I actually am on the road for over 2 hours round trip to my PM Dr. and sometimes longer when the Freeways have construction ( up to 3 1/2 hours ). I wouldn't mind traveling further if that is what is takes. It's once a month and my pain is under control and I think it's more than worth it.
Gosh, I'm sorry, I didn't means to write a volume!! :) I hope that everyone gets the pain relief that they so greatly deserve....Sherry
I'm so glad I posted this question as it's giving me a better perspective of what I should expect. You would think after all this time (first surgery 3 years ago; pain clinic for a year) I would be accepting of what has happened and be grateful for any reduction in pain.
For the most part, I am happy with the reduction in pain. It just seems we make a change in the pain meds or I get an injection and the pain goes to a 2 or 3, which is terrific. It's just it only lasts a day or two. Because of that, though, I seem to think somehow I should be able to get to that on an average. But maybe my average is a 5 to a 6.
My guess without pain meds my average would be about a 7 or 8 with a flare-up being a 9 to 10. I want to be realistic but I'm also hoping to get it as good as I can. I think I have a fairly high pain tolerance compared to a lot of people. (Other things people have had done and told me they thought it was extremely painful or they fainted from, I thought wasn't bad at all.)
So I guess for me it's that my average was a 5 to a 6 but I've had an ongoing flare-up causing it to be a 7 to 8. And I'm not sure if this is just a really long flare-up or if it's my new average.
This whole pain management thing is so complex!!!
For the most part, I am happy with the reduction in pain. It just seems we make a change in the pain meds or I get an injection and the pain goes to a 2 or 3, which is terrific. It's just it only lasts a day or two. Because of that, though, I seem to think somehow I should be able to get to that on an average. But maybe my average is a 5 to a 6.
My guess without pain meds my average would be about a 7 or 8 with a flare-up being a 9 to 10. I want to be realistic but I'm also hoping to get it as good as I can. I think I have a fairly high pain tolerance compared to a lot of people. (Other things people have had done and told me they thought it was extremely painful or they fainted from, I thought wasn't bad at all.)
So I guess for me it's that my average was a 5 to a 6 but I've had an ongoing flare-up causing it to be a 7 to 8. And I'm not sure if this is just a really long flare-up or if it's my new average.
This whole pain management thing is so complex!!!
Mellie: I never had relief from tylenol until I stopped taking it completely. I normally prefer ibuprofen as well, but being pregnant, I can only take tylenol safely.
It does help to know what others' pain levels are. I know I would be a 9 all the time and a 10 at night without the pain meds. I think I thank God almost every time I take a pill. I also take a muscle relaxer with mine though and it gives me about a 2 level pain reduction, I think. Muscle spasms are part of my pain, though, too.
I hope everyone out there is able to maintain low pain levels, I suppose it's what we're all here to do.
It does help to know what others' pain levels are. I know I would be a 9 all the time and a 10 at night without the pain meds. I think I thank God almost every time I take a pill. I also take a muscle relaxer with mine though and it gives me about a 2 level pain reduction, I think. Muscle spasms are part of my pain, though, too.
I hope everyone out there is able to maintain low pain levels, I suppose it's what we're all here to do.
I don't have muscle spasms with my hand (though I've started with some "charley horse-like" cramping in the palm of my hand from time-to-time. It's a new symptom, and thankfully doesn't happen very often because it's very painful, and acute. It only lasts a couple of minutes at a time, but it feels like hours.
My ex-BF was on Percocet for neck pain from herniated disks. They prescribed him Flexeril and it helped him sleep at night. He said he could feel all the tightness easing up. That must feel so good.
I didn't realize you were pregnant. Congratulations!! I love infants; it's one of my favorite times, despite the sleepless nights.
My ex-BF was on Percocet for neck pain from herniated disks. They prescribed him Flexeril and it helped him sleep at night. He said he could feel all the tightness easing up. That must feel so good.
I didn't realize you were pregnant. Congratulations!! I love infants; it's one of my favorite times, despite the sleepless nights.
My headaches are coming from my spine I do believe. I can feel it start right at the base of the neck and going into the temple. It's finally gone. Thank goodness! I can not sleep on my back whatsoever, or I will indefinatly wake up with a migraine. My neck is getting stuck, which is not good. It did this before surgery when the worst disc was on the spinal cord moderatly. I'm thinking there is another disc on the spinal cord. I do have numbness and pain in my right arm. I have horrible muscle spasms. I'm in between muscle relaxers. Most muscle relaxers make me so foggy and some make me confused.
I took the kids to the dentist today and now I'm having a flare up. Ugh, my pain is around a 7/8.
I took the kids to the dentist today and now I'm having a flare up. Ugh, my pain is around a 7/8.
My levels with meds on a normal day still run anywhere from 3 to 6. Adhesions are tricky little buggers! One day they will block your intestines and next day release them. Roller coaster. And that's hoping my neck and hands aren't bothering me.
At 9 or ten, I'd probably go to the hospital. That would be an intestinal blockage that ain't going nowhere! And those hurt, bad!!
At 9 or ten, I'd probably go to the hospital. That would be an intestinal blockage that ain't going nowhere! And those hurt, bad!!
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