Aa
chronic back pain
Dr J.J.,
I am asking your professional opinion, in regards to my situation. I have been struggling with chronic neck and back pain for over 15+ years. Finally in 2003, I had neck surgery on C4 C5. (fused with titanium plates and humun bone.).
The surgeon decided to do the surgery 5 days before my insurance was intact. He stated that it was an emergancy, due to the muscle weakness, I was suffering from. It cost me over $33,000.00. However, I did it, based on his expertise. After surgery I felt great. I had our 5th baby in July of 2004. In Sept. 2004, the pain returned. Not only in my neck but it was real bad in my mid-back. I dealt with it for 2 yrs. then in Jan 2007, I went in for an outpatient surgery. I awoke 3 days later with intense pain on my left side. I wasn't sure if I was having a stroke or what. My left side, from the top of my head to the bottom of my foot, went painfully numb. I went to the ER, where they did a CT scan, which came back good. They said I was suffering from an anxiety attack, and prescribed me ativan and hydrocodone for pain. I was still suffering 3 weeks later. I went to my family dr. He had MRI's ordered for the thorasic and cervical.
They came back with herniation in both areas at T1-C7. I had 2 epidural injections, to no avail. I had P.T. done, massage, chiropractic, a D.O. Dr., all kinds of medication (narcotic and muscle relaxers) in which I became addicted too. I have an addicted personality anyway. My brain tells me if one will work 2 is better. However, I was able to get off of all pain meds and muscle relaxers, that I was taking. Albeit, very difficult to do. I felt like I was going to die for over 2 weeks, however it was done. I had been taking oxyxodone, hydrocodone, percocet, lyrica, tramadol and soma for over 1 and a half yrs. I realized, it began to control my life, uncontrollably. I was always coming up short. Needing to have refills, before it was time, etc... I had been red-flagged by the pharmacy, etc...I was so sick and tired of a substance having that much control over my life, even though I was physically suffering.
It has been almost one year since I was able to let go of all of that medicine. (thank God).
However, I am still suffering physically. Some days severely. I do take advil daily and at high doses (4 at a time).
What would be the best thing for me to do at this time?
Somedays, I feel so hopeless. If it weren't for my husband and my children, I feel like I could do myself in. (I am sorry to say such a thing) However, the chronic pain is more than I can handle and there seems to be no answers.
Which way can I turn? My mother, who died 15+ yrs ago, which consequently was when my pain started, my mom suffered from chronic back pain as long as I can remember. She had 4+ surgeries on her back to no avail. She was always taking medicine as long as I can remember. She suffered dearly. She died at the age of 63.
Now my 18 yr old son as been suffering for over 2 years with chronic back pain. How can we stop this vicious cycle Dr.? Please help us. Send us in the right direction. Where should we go for help? I do NOT want us to go down the drug route. I just cannot handle the pain level anymore. I want to be able to help my son too.
I realize we live 100's of miles from your office. But any opinion you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Kelly Ferguson
I am asking your professional opinion, in regards to my situation. I have been struggling with chronic neck and back pain for over 15+ years. Finally in 2003, I had neck surgery on C4 C5. (fused with titanium plates and humun bone.).
The surgeon decided to do the surgery 5 days before my insurance was intact. He stated that it was an emergancy, due to the muscle weakness, I was suffering from. It cost me over $33,000.00. However, I did it, based on his expertise. After surgery I felt great. I had our 5th baby in July of 2004. In Sept. 2004, the pain returned. Not only in my neck but it was real bad in my mid-back. I dealt with it for 2 yrs. then in Jan 2007, I went in for an outpatient surgery. I awoke 3 days later with intense pain on my left side. I wasn't sure if I was having a stroke or what. My left side, from the top of my head to the bottom of my foot, went painfully numb. I went to the ER, where they did a CT scan, which came back good. They said I was suffering from an anxiety attack, and prescribed me ativan and hydrocodone for pain. I was still suffering 3 weeks later. I went to my family dr. He had MRI's ordered for the thorasic and cervical.
They came back with herniation in both areas at T1-C7. I had 2 epidural injections, to no avail. I had P.T. done, massage, chiropractic, a D.O. Dr., all kinds of medication (narcotic and muscle relaxers) in which I became addicted too. I have an addicted personality anyway. My brain tells me if one will work 2 is better. However, I was able to get off of all pain meds and muscle relaxers, that I was taking. Albeit, very difficult to do. I felt like I was going to die for over 2 weeks, however it was done. I had been taking oxyxodone, hydrocodone, percocet, lyrica, tramadol and soma for over 1 and a half yrs. I realized, it began to control my life, uncontrollably. I was always coming up short. Needing to have refills, before it was time, etc... I had been red-flagged by the pharmacy, etc...I was so sick and tired of a substance having that much control over my life, even though I was physically suffering.
It has been almost one year since I was able to let go of all of that medicine. (thank God).
However, I am still suffering physically. Some days severely. I do take advil daily and at high doses (4 at a time).
What would be the best thing for me to do at this time?
Somedays, I feel so hopeless. If it weren't for my husband and my children, I feel like I could do myself in. (I am sorry to say such a thing) However, the chronic pain is more than I can handle and there seems to be no answers.
Which way can I turn? My mother, who died 15+ yrs ago, which consequently was when my pain started, my mom suffered from chronic back pain as long as I can remember. She had 4+ surgeries on her back to no avail. She was always taking medicine as long as I can remember. She suffered dearly. She died at the age of 63.
Now my 18 yr old son as been suffering for over 2 years with chronic back pain. How can we stop this vicious cycle Dr.? Please help us. Send us in the right direction. Where should we go for help? I do NOT want us to go down the drug route. I just cannot handle the pain level anymore. I want to be able to help my son too.
I realize we live 100's of miles from your office. But any opinion you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your input.
Kelly Ferguson
Hi kelly,
I am sorry your going through such a terrible time. I understand your concern about the pain and becoming a slave to the medications that control the pain. Unfourtunatly there are no medications that are going to control your pain like the narcotics does but don't give up hope. Have you or any of your familt members tried methodone or suboxone? O know there have been members here that were in the same perdicament you are and they tried one of the two drugs and did great on them. They seem to control the pain without having the addiction qualities that narcotics have.
With the suboxone you have to be fully detoxed from all narcotics before taking it and when your on it you can't take narcotics.
Try talking to your son and other family members and your doctor to see if this would be an option for you.
I know you do understand that when you take narcotics for pain control you do become dependent on them and this is different than being addicted. If you feel like your becoming or are addicted to the meds that keep your pain under control then maybe methodone or suboxone will work for you.
Please don't give up hope, I do totally understand you do not want your son to have a problem with theses medications and as a parent I understand more than you know, we all want our children to have no pain and when they do we worry. talk to your son and see if he would be willing to talk to the doctor about these medications that can help you.
Good luck and please let me know if I can do anything to help.
keep us updated:)
I am sorry your going through such a terrible time. I understand your concern about the pain and becoming a slave to the medications that control the pain. Unfourtunatly there are no medications that are going to control your pain like the narcotics does but don't give up hope. Have you or any of your familt members tried methodone or suboxone? O know there have been members here that were in the same perdicament you are and they tried one of the two drugs and did great on them. They seem to control the pain without having the addiction qualities that narcotics have.
With the suboxone you have to be fully detoxed from all narcotics before taking it and when your on it you can't take narcotics.
Try talking to your son and other family members and your doctor to see if this would be an option for you.
I know you do understand that when you take narcotics for pain control you do become dependent on them and this is different than being addicted. If you feel like your becoming or are addicted to the meds that keep your pain under control then maybe methodone or suboxone will work for you.
Please don't give up hope, I do totally understand you do not want your son to have a problem with theses medications and as a parent I understand more than you know, we all want our children to have no pain and when they do we worry. talk to your son and see if he would be willing to talk to the doctor about these medications that can help you.
Good luck and please let me know if I can do anything to help.
keep us updated:)
Hi kelly,
I am sorry your going through such a terrible time. I understand your concern about the pain and becoming a slave to the medications that control the pain. Unfourtunatly there are no medications that are going to control your pain like the narcotics does but don't give up hope. Have you or any of your familt members tried methodone or suboxone? O know there have been members here that were in the same perdicament you are and they tried one of the two drugs and did great on them. They seem to control the pain without having the addiction qualities that narcotics have.
With the suboxone you have to be fully detoxed from all narcotics before taking it and when your on it you can't take narcotics.
Try talking to your son and other family members and your doctor to see if this would be an option for you.
I know you do understand that when you take narcotics for pain control you do become dependent on them and this is different than being addicted. If you feel like your becoming or are addicted to the meds that keep your pain under control then maybe methodone or suboxone will work for you.
Please don't give up hope, I do totally understand you do not want your son to have a problem with theses medications and as a parent I understand more than you know, we all want our children to have no pain and when they do we worry. talk to your son and see if he would be willing to talk to the doctor about these medications that can help you.
Good luck and please let me know if I can do anything to help.
keep us updated:)
I am sorry your going through such a terrible time. I understand your concern about the pain and becoming a slave to the medications that control the pain. Unfourtunatly there are no medications that are going to control your pain like the narcotics does but don't give up hope. Have you or any of your familt members tried methodone or suboxone? O know there have been members here that were in the same perdicament you are and they tried one of the two drugs and did great on them. They seem to control the pain without having the addiction qualities that narcotics have.
With the suboxone you have to be fully detoxed from all narcotics before taking it and when your on it you can't take narcotics.
Try talking to your son and other family members and your doctor to see if this would be an option for you.
I know you do understand that when you take narcotics for pain control you do become dependent on them and this is different than being addicted. If you feel like your becoming or are addicted to the meds that keep your pain under control then maybe methodone or suboxone will work for you.
Please don't give up hope, I do totally understand you do not want your son to have a problem with theses medications and as a parent I understand more than you know, we all want our children to have no pain and when they do we worry. talk to your son and see if he would be willing to talk to the doctor about these medications that can help you.
Good luck and please let me know if I can do anything to help.
keep us updated:)
Hello Kelly,
I am sorry that you are struggling with so many pain and related issues. I think you have posted on on the wrong forum. This is the Pain Management Forum. There are no physicians here. We are a community of chronic pain suffers that offer suggestions and support from you carious backgrounds and experience.
I encourage you to post this on the correct forum. If we can be of any assistance please let us know. I am reluctant to respond to your post as I realize it was not intended for this community.
Best of luck to you in your search for relief and answers. Please take care and again if you would like response here just let us know.
Tuck
I am sorry that you are struggling with so many pain and related issues. I think you have posted on on the wrong forum. This is the Pain Management Forum. There are no physicians here. We are a community of chronic pain suffers that offer suggestions and support from you carious backgrounds and experience.
I encourage you to post this on the correct forum. If we can be of any assistance please let us know. I am reluctant to respond to your post as I realize it was not intended for this community.
Best of luck to you in your search for relief and answers. Please take care and again if you would like response here just let us know.
Tuck
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
