i need help finding the right pain meds

[amberdylz]

i broke my back 2 yrs ago and as a result of the surgery i now have foot drop which means i have to lift my right foot higher so i dont trip over it, now i get chronic pain in my left hip and my whole back. ive been on morphine fentanyl patches general anesthetic patches im now on tramadol 100mg 3x a day son to go up to 200mg but nothing seems to really take the pain away is there any meds someone thinks mite work a bit better

[amberdylz]

thanks for the suggestions im going to write a list of things to ask the dr when i see her.
im willing to try anything as long as the dr will prrescribe it the last one didnt want me on anything for some reason?
aqua therapy is really good i had a couple sessions till the splint i have to wear made me get an ulcer which couldnt get wet so had to stop but i would suggest it to any one with these kinds of problems hope you get the chance to give it a try :)

[happyhbmom]

A second opinion is a great idea :)  Have you had an injection in your hip at all?  Something to think about (I have bursitis in my hips due to my off-kilter spine).

There is a new non-narcotic med similar to Tramadol, it is called Nucynta.  Some people really like it.  It might be worth a try?

Personally, narcotics are only somewhat of a help for me.  I am looking forward to being able to get into more physical therapy (hopefully aquatherapy).  I hope your 2nd opinion has some more ideas for you :)

[amberdylz]

when i 1st came out of hospital i was on the fentanyl ptches 100mg, gabapentin 900mg 4x a day and oromorph when it was really bad and the usual paracetomal and ibruprofen, i did feel like i was starting  to get better so i gradually started weaning my self down as the side effects were awful and ive got a little boy that needs looking after. for about 9 months now the pain has been getting worse and worse and before the pain was all in my back now its in my hips mostley on my left side (my dropfoot is on the right) and the lower part of my back (my break was in the middle) . and since its been coming back ive found it very difficult to get help from the drs or pain management drs. my gp put me on tramodol and has now put me on amitripaline an anti depressant in small doses its supposed to help with nerve pain. i dont even know if it is nerve pain? the tramadol isnt takin any pain away any more its as if i havent taken it at all. i had an apointment with the pain management dr a few wks ago and he said he didntwant to put me on opiods as im only 22 he instead offerd me injections that ive already had 3 times and didnt work im gonna have the injections i may as well it might work this time im just frustrated and fed up with pleading for help and getting nothing, ive booked for a 2nd opinoin with the pain management so we'll see on th 23rd november if this new dr will help  thanks for your replies :)  

[mellie4]

I agree with Architex.  Finding the right medication or combination of meds can be a long and frustrating journey.  What kind of doctor are you seeing?  Are you with a pain clinic?  If not, I would think a pain management doctor would be your best bet.

I have limited experience with Tramadol.  I took it many years ago for fibromyalgia but I didn't find it that helpful.  I also did not have any withdrawals when I stopped taking it.  However, I have read a lot that seems to indicate that it is very difficult to withdraw from.

When you were on the patches, did you take anything in conjunction with it for breakthrough pain?  I've tried a lot of different medications and combinations of things for my pain.  Though I still have a fair amount of pain, so far I've found that the Fentanyl patch along with oxycodone every four hours is working the best with the least amount of side effects.  I also use other medications (Cymbalta, advil, topical creams, a lidocaine patch) a well.

Good luck and I hope you'll provide a little more information, like what kind of doctor you're seeing.  And you may want to do some research on the Tramadol.

[Architex]

Someone else might chime in but I think the tramadol is not as effective as the patches. It is odd to me that you went from the patches down to tramadol. Normally it is the other way around.

[amberdylz]

thanks yeh i know it is a strong painkiller and i am a bit worried as my dr now wants to put me up to 200mg 3xs a day! i really need to find an alternative but effective med, drs dont seem to be giving much advice hope i find an answer here thanks again for ur response :)

[peekawho]

I'm sure others will chime in with a more complete response, but I will only make one comment.

Be very careful with the tramadol.  100 mg 3 times a day is a large dose, over the therapeutic dose.  More may not be terribly helpful.  It's a particularly hard drug to wean from if you decide to alter your pharmacological treatment plan.

Please check back here for other responses from the more active members. I feel your desperation.