hi i'm a 38 yr old female i have chronic lower back pain

[macky16]

i'm 38 and have chronic lower back pain, I have been on vicoden and flexeril for the last year. my doctor has yet to give me any type of diagnois. this medication is not helping at all. is there something else that i could talk to him about he doesnt seem to understand how much pain i'm in my pastors wife suggested a pain patch what is better the morphine patch or pill. please responde quickly as I'm feel i can't possibly take this anymore.


This discussion is related to chronic left hip and leg also lower back pain.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Macky,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am so sorry that your pain is not controlled. My heart goes out to you.

Suggesting medications is never a great idea. What works for one does not necessarily work for another.  It's enough to say that there are many pain meds to select from and choosing the right one must be between you and your physician.

It's unfortunate that you don't have a diagnosis. In many cases a physician will not even prescribe pain meds without a confirmed diagnosis. What tests have you had done? Have you asked for a specific diagnosis?  Your physician has to have a reason for prescribing an opiate....ask what he thinks is causing your pain. And please excuse me if you have already asked that question and not received an answer.

I agree that second, third and even forth opinions can be a good idea. With that in mind you may want to seek out another physician. Again I have none of your history to go from so excuse me if you've been this route. But never give up...you are your own best advocate. Be assertive (not aggressive) and seek answers.

We are here to offer our support and I hope you will take advantage of it. We're all in this together. We'll look forward to your updates. Best of luck to you.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[lynnla87]

I would be going and getting a second look at it from another doc. to see what they say.. cuz they need to do something pain pills are sevrely bad for your liver ..

[optimus22mac]

Hi:) and welcome to the pain management forum...we are all chronic pain patients who are here to support eachother, and there are no doctors on the forum, so any advice is coming from our own experiences.  Going to a patch from taking vicodin is a huge jump, and probably not applicable to your case.  The pain patches are usually only used in highly opiate tolerant patients.  Have you have any imaging or other tests done? Like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, blood work, anything? You could ask your doctor if any tests could be done to help figure out what the problem is...especially if you are having severe pain while taking your prescribed medications.  I cannot say whether a morphine pill or patch works better, and I really do not think morphine is an option for you...there are many other medications that would be tried after vicodin, and before morphine when looking at the strength of the medications.  I also have to caution you to be careful with cutting any pills in half...make sure that you actually CAN cut the pill in half before you do it...because many pills are not able to be cut, like extended release forms of medications.  I hope you can see your doctor soon, to ask about any other tests that can be run, or any alternative medications that may work for you...Your doctor is the best person to help judge and decide what may be right for you in your individual situation.  I do hope you get some better relief soon, and welcome to the forum:)

[BuddyBuddy45]

It sounds like you have decided that morphine is what you think might work. I had a fentnyl patch once but that was far too strong and caused me to have difficulty breathing. It feels like there is better control with a pill . In morphine I think the pill is stronger. You might have to cut it in half but at least you would have the option.