When is it enough

[tammer76]

I have been taking all kinds of pain pills now I'm on norco 10/325 5x aday,lycria 100 2x aday, ambiem 10mg 1x day, and zanaflex 7mg 3x aday. This has been going on for 6 years. I suffer from nueropathy down my legs, arm, finers, and back, arthritis of the spine, and a bulging disc that is working it's way up to the rest of my disc. Is this medicien for the long term, or some day will i need surgery.  Help me..

[Mickey50]

wow! never even heard of those meds except for the ambiem. I just took my new pain pill, also had a sudafed in me, now I feel like I am racing. God, maybe I'll loose a couple pounds, sure it use it.
Do not know how your body handles all those drugs, one or two pills and I almost immediately get side effects. That's why they now have me with a pain management doc. to monitor me. Had my 1st anxiety attack from percocet after my last surgery. Can never be on that again. Even vicodent - half a pill was enough to keep me going for 4 - 5 hours. So only 2 to 3 pills a day was enough to cause withdrawal symptoms for me. My regular doctor couldn't believe it. Meds with asprine give me ulcers, so there is not much to work with out there. Also get swollen tongue and mouth issues from these drugs, even at low dosage.
keep in touch and let me know how your are doing.

[Jaybay]

I doubt anyone can answer your question about surgery on the internet.  Is your doctor recommending it?  Do you have some problem in your spine causing the neuropathy that can be surgically corrected?  If not, you'll either be on meds the rest of your life or you'll have to find another way of dealing with it.

One thing you haven't mentioned is psycho therapy.  I know, I can hear you now.  "I'm not crazy - I'm in pain!"  No, you're not crazy.  I had the same reaction when it was suggested for my chronic condition.  As it turns out, seeing my pain psychologist was the best thing I could have done.

First, therapy with a pain shrink is not about sitting around for an hour whining about your pain.  A good pain shrink will teach you techniques to deal with the pain when no pain med will touch it.  If you work at, you may find yourself able to cut back on your meds.  Personally, I would recommend finding a PhD Psychologist who specializes in pain issues for talk therapy.  Licensed counselors just don't have the specific training in pain issues and opiate therapy.  As soon as they hear "norco" or "ocycontin" you're going to get "addict" thrown in your face.  MD Psychiatrists tend to focus on medication rather than talk therapy, and they're far more expensive.

As you probably already know, chronic pain not only affects your life, but the lives of those who live with you.  Your therapist can help you deal with the life changes, and help you keep your relationships with loved ones focused on YOU and not your disease.  Can't hurt; might help.  :-)