Aa
need help please help me.
Whats the Best pain meds for degenerative disc disease. my dr gives me84 norco 7.5's every two weeks and i am required to take 5-6 a day. well most of the time i have to take double my daily amount which would be 10 or 12 because the pain is unberrable. and im wanting to ask my dr to up my norcos to the norco 10's or to to percicet 5 mg or percocet 7.5's because my father in law gave me a percocent 7.5 one day because i ran out of mine and i was in tears well i took it and i was getting around great and could do more for about 2 to 3 hours which is something i could never do on the norco 7.5's how would i ask my dr to up my meds. i can handle some pain i was in the army for over 6 years but my back is just messed up bad now. i cant even enjoy life with my two wonderful children.
Agreed, never admit abuse or taking another's meds, even if it was in desperation. It's better to say "these meds are not doing the trick. I need help. A friend told me to ask you about Percocet because I think I've become tolerant to my vicodin & I'm in a lot of pain."
I used to have the very same problem, sounds like you're under medicated. If I were you, I would add the doctor to add an extended release medication to your regime. After trying many different types of these with pretty lackluster results, I've found Methadone works really well for me. It's a bit stigmatizedas its used to combat heroin addiction & is well known for it.
You should be able to have something like that simply added to the vicodin you take now. You should be taking vicodin every 4 hours, as it doesnt really work beyond that. If your doctor tries to talk you into decreasing to say....4 a day as opposed to 6 simply because he's given you a long acting also....he's not that good of a doctor IMHO. But he may want you to take 5mg instead of 7.5mg every 4 hours, it might work ok. You've built up a tolerance to the vicodin, your body isn't going to like it but Methadone will combat that a bit. You just have to resist taking those extra vicodin & give it a little time to build up in your system. It's hard though, life is stressful & all of that just piles in the pain.
If you have nerve or burning pain on top of it, I have found Cymbalta helps with that. It's once a day. May help with depression you may be dealing with.
Pain management is typically not simply one short acting med, that's more for people who are healing from something like a broken arm.
Just some info based on my many years of pain, hope I was helpful.
Good luck to you.
You should be able to have something like that simply added to the vicodin you take now. You should be taking vicodin every 4 hours, as it doesnt really work beyond that. If your doctor tries to talk you into decreasing to say....4 a day as opposed to 6 simply because he's given you a long acting also....he's not that good of a doctor IMHO. But he may want you to take 5mg instead of 7.5mg every 4 hours, it might work ok. You've built up a tolerance to the vicodin, your body isn't going to like it but Methadone will combat that a bit. You just have to resist taking those extra vicodin & give it a little time to build up in your system. It's hard though, life is stressful & all of that just piles in the pain.
If you have nerve or burning pain on top of it, I have found Cymbalta helps with that. It's once a day. May help with depression you may be dealing with.
Pain management is typically not simply one short acting med, that's more for people who are healing from something like a broken arm.
Just some info based on my many years of pain, hope I was helpful.
Good luck to you.
I, too, hope you're still there reading these posts. There's been a lot of wise counsel. I agree with several things; you probably need to switch to a longer acting pain med. You will be able to maintain your dose / effectiveness ratio better and longer. When we take the meds too close together, it increases the physical dependence more rapidly. There are several, but I really love my 24hr dosing. I can still take something for breakthrough (without tylenol - agree there big time), but the 24hr extended release narcotic is wonderful. There aren't any highs and lows (pain wise) but just an even release of the drug. I don't even feel like I'm on anything. And I've been on the fentenyl patch (2X100 at a time), and many drugs no longer on the market, so I've tried just about everything there is out there. I, personally, take Avinza (Extended Release Morphine) - but there are other options - just not many that last a full 24 hours.
As for communicating with your doctor - there is no more important act in establishing trust, and ensuring that you'll continue to be able to be treated for your pain - than communicating often and honestly. I was wondering what you do for your meds when you run out early myself, as someone else mentioned. It will be obvious to the doctor that you have another source, if you say you've been taking twice the prescribed amount without relief. I think the conversation might need to be about the TYPE of medication first, and then, with his/her help, titrate up from your initial dose of long acting narcotic. It's often true that when you switch to a new med, you have to titrate it up - so shouldn't create a problem. I'm assuming you're being honest with yourself and us. Pain can be demoralizing. When you can do nothing except curl up and cry (or scream) - it's no quality of life. With all of the diseases I have - and there are many - my back gives me the most agonizing pain. I sometimes don't think there is a drug capable of relieving the kind of pain the back can dish out at times. That's when other options have to be looked at. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about all the options that might be available to you.
I wish you the best. You'll want to stay vertical for those kids! Jan
As for communicating with your doctor - there is no more important act in establishing trust, and ensuring that you'll continue to be able to be treated for your pain - than communicating often and honestly. I was wondering what you do for your meds when you run out early myself, as someone else mentioned. It will be obvious to the doctor that you have another source, if you say you've been taking twice the prescribed amount without relief. I think the conversation might need to be about the TYPE of medication first, and then, with his/her help, titrate up from your initial dose of long acting narcotic. It's often true that when you switch to a new med, you have to titrate it up - so shouldn't create a problem. I'm assuming you're being honest with yourself and us. Pain can be demoralizing. When you can do nothing except curl up and cry (or scream) - it's no quality of life. With all of the diseases I have - and there are many - my back gives me the most agonizing pain. I sometimes don't think there is a drug capable of relieving the kind of pain the back can dish out at times. That's when other options have to be looked at. Don't forget to talk to your doctor about all the options that might be available to you.
I wish you the best. You'll want to stay vertical for those kids! Jan
Just curious if you are taking double the amount how are you covering the gaps when you have none......you need to get your doctor in the loop with any variation in his prescription directions...even if you take one extra a day call and let them know...Once they have a written tracking that it is not working it is easier for them to have the back up they need in thier file to warrant your adjustment just saying....communication is key...It covers their booties and yours as well
You need a long acting pain medication and then only use norco for break through pain as the Tylenol is horrible for your liver. You tell him the medications are not working. I would suggest maybe a Fentanyl patch, morphine, methadone, oxycotin are all long acting pain medications so you won't have to be popping so many pills all day long. You do not want to exceed more than at the highest 10 pills a day with Tylenol and that is 325 mg and I think they are going to change that. He should be testing your liver to ensure that no damage is being caused every few months. If he is not willing to help you then ask him to refer you to a pain clinic or specialist they really are the ones to help you with your chronic pain.
i know madman----they are everywhere you look!
Gonna be a huge group of us.
And i agree with trixy----do not tell your doctor. Don't ever----Ever!----lie to them. Together you can find the right treatment---you can get the relief you need----but you do need to ask for it if you still have pain that is bringing you to tears dale. That does not need to happen.
We are all trying to help you here dale --in our own different and sometimes differing ways (which is good)--but we are trying and we do care. Why not post in now and let us know how you are doing.
omhome
Gonna be a huge group of us.
And i agree with trixy----do not tell your doctor. Don't ever----Ever!----lie to them. Together you can find the right treatment---you can get the relief you need----but you do need to ask for it if you still have pain that is bringing you to tears dale. That does not need to happen.
We are all trying to help you here dale --in our own different and sometimes differing ways (which is good)--but we are trying and we do care. Why not post in now and let us know how you are doing.
omhome
I have DDD, Lumbar arthritis , scoliosis , spinal stenosis and herniated disk. I was given Narcs. and told to have Spinal Epidurals
I opted not to. I have used a lot of ice pacs, PT exercises. tightened my core, and stopped heavy lifting and am much more careful of all my activities. I rest when I need to. Of course, It helps that I am retired.
The nights and mornings are still difficult, but, I am better after 6 mos. of diagnosis,
good luck!!!!!
I opted not to. I have used a lot of ice pacs, PT exercises. tightened my core, and stopped heavy lifting and am much more careful of all my activities. I rest when I need to. Of course, It helps that I am retired.
The nights and mornings are still difficult, but, I am better after 6 mos. of diagnosis,
good luck!!!!!
I wasn't trying to be judgemental. I also know what its like to be in desperate pain with no relief. My only point is for Dale to contact his doctor and let him know so they can come up with a plan together, just don't tell your doctor you took someone else's pills. Most PM's can and will stop prescribing for that. I wish Dale the absolute best of luck! and I pray that he is getting care from a regular PM, I've heard horror stories about PM with the VA.
hi dale: you sound like one of the good guys to me----let me see----six years in our army (thank you)......two--say it again--- Wonderful children----and it sounds like a good relationship with your father-in-law. And you are a man who admits to tears due to pain.
So--hold your head up dale. Just because you have to take opiates for your pain---and live under that cloud---under the negative judgement of much of the general public (i was not referring to trixie or shinty-in particular) and many docs. What if you were diabetic? Would you (any of you) feel the same trepidation---hesitation in discussing your medication with the dr.? Right.
No one takes insulin for "fun". Or because they are "weak". Dale--i bet you don't take it because it is fun---or because you are weak. You take it for pain. And if you have to break the rules once in a while to stop pain that is making you cry----i respect that decision. And i believe your doctor will too. Keep in touch and let us know how it is going. And hold that head high. And thanks again for your service......i won't even ask about the VA!!!
omhome
So--hold your head up dale. Just because you have to take opiates for your pain---and live under that cloud---under the negative judgement of much of the general public (i was not referring to trixie or shinty-in particular) and many docs. What if you were diabetic? Would you (any of you) feel the same trepidation---hesitation in discussing your medication with the dr.? Right.
No one takes insulin for "fun". Or because they are "weak". Dale--i bet you don't take it because it is fun---or because you are weak. You take it for pain. And if you have to break the rules once in a while to stop pain that is making you cry----i respect that decision. And i believe your doctor will too. Keep in touch and let us know how it is going. And hold that head high. And thanks again for your service......i won't even ask about the VA!!!
omhome
So Dale is supposed to walk in his doctor's office and tell him he's running out of his meds early because he takes more than hes prescribed and then tell his doctor he ILLEGALLY took medication that belonged to another and was not prescribed to him and say that he wants these prescribed instead? No way! This is the sort of thing that makes it difficult and why chronic pain patients are under so much scrutiny in the first place. We weren't be judgmental just because we didn't say that its OK to break your contract and self medicate? No we said to explain that his pain isn't covered and ask his doctor what he should do. it is the DOCTORS job to decide if we need pain medication, not our job to tell the doctor we WANT it or what we want.
I would ask your doctor for pain medications without the tylenol in it. if you need to take tylenol it's easier (and safer) to take it separately. It could end up saving your liver, and nobody needs any more health problems-pain is enough thank you! Percocet is a better choice, and a better pain killer IMHO. what you need is oxycodone tablets (5mg, 15mg, or 30mg). It's the "active" ingredient that's in a percocet tablet, minus the often times unneeded tylenol. Good luck with the switch, and again sorry for the mistaken post to you originally.
shinty
shinty
Hello there: I think you may have answered your own question about which meds might help you. Perhaps ask your dr. about the perc 7.5's---they seemed to work for you dale. What a relief it must have been to take something that helped you function. And do not worry over the negative or judgmental opinions of people who are not in your body---we with chronic pain run into that every day. The general public---and a lot of the medical establishment---just don't understand. So we put up with that cloud that hangs over us-----
So i see good news for you in that your dr. will likely listen to you and honor your informed request for the appropriate medication for your condition. And it is "your" condition----no one else is in your body. If the dr. does not listen----acts more like your boss than your partner---look for another one.
I am on your side dale---and i hope you find relief soon. And a little support from this community.
omhome
omhome
So i see good news for you in that your dr. will likely listen to you and honor your informed request for the appropriate medication for your condition. And it is "your" condition----no one else is in your body. If the dr. does not listen----acts more like your boss than your partner---look for another one.
I am on your side dale---and i hope you find relief soon. And a little support from this community.
omhome
omhome
your on the incorrect treatment......correct it before its too late and the doctor lets you go
Unfortunately, at those dose intervals, your tolerance is going to rise pretty quickly and if you ever need surgery, then you might have trouble managing your pain in the future. What other modalities do you use? What tests have been done? In the short term, you may just explain to your doctor that your medication isn't covering your pain and maybe he can move you to a long acting medication. Good luck to you.
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