the pain has eased to a bearable level

[Nez37]

here i am again for those who have read my previous comments posted here. i have finally got some rest from the agonising pain in my back for the first time in 4 & a half solid weeks. i have increased my s/r morphine morning and evening pills by 10mg and although i am still in pain the level has dropped so much that i can tolerate it much better. thankyou to all the people that replied to my previous posts, the information i've received has been very useful. i know that increasing my morphine was probably not the ideal way to solve the problem but i'm sure that if i went back to my doctor they wouldn't know what to suggest as the amount of medication they have got me taking at the moment is disgustingly high and they don't want to give me any more ( not that i want to take any more ). i am able to think of other things beside my pain which is something i haven't been able to do for a while. i dont know what has caused the increase in pain and the A & E dept at the hospital couldn't tell me after x-rays so i am once again lost for answers. i dont like increasing the painkillers as i know that this is only masking the pain and not a solution. i wish i had a solution but in 5 years i haven't even been given a proper diagnosis. well got to go now so once again thanks to all the people that wrote back with suggestions on what to do. be good to yourselves people and remember, it's good to talk.

[Nez37]

thanks again for your replies. jaded, sorry not to get back about the mri. yes i have had them and still they aren't sure. i know i said that i have increased my meds and this has caused some concern with a few of you. i saw my doctor on wednesday and mentioned to her that i had increased my meds and she was fine about it. she has been kept informed by the hospitals about my progress and said it was ok. she says that she trusts me and has given me a 30ml bottle of concentrated oramorph instead of the 3 x 500ml bottles of oramorph i usually get. the concentrated one is much stronger and instead of taking 20ml every 4 hours i only have to take 1ml every 4 hours.

[JadedSweetheart]

I'm glad that your pain is finally under control!  My only concern for you in increasing your dose and not seeing the doctor is that you may run out sooner than you are supposed to and then have to go days without meds and possibly go into withdrawls.

I think I keep asking you this, but have you had an MRI at all?  I know you were supposed to have one in the A&E, but they weren't able to do it or something.  Please keep pursuing it because it may be the only way to diagnose what's causing this pain and get to the bottom of it.

I'm VERY glad you're not in overwhelming pain lately, though.  I know how absolutely despairing that can be.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Nez,

Thanks for the update. For may of us our pain will never "go away." Controlling it to functioning level is the best that we can hope to achieve. I am glad that it is once again tolerable for you.

I did note that you stated you have not returned to your physician. Did you mistype or am I misunderstanding your post? I would caution against increasing your medications without the approval of your physician(s).

I know what you mean when you say you are finally able to think about something other than your pain. Uncontrolled pain dominates our thoughts and lives. Having it brought to tolerable levels can make a huge differance.

Please continue to let us know how you are doing. I am thrilled if any information or ideas you gathered here was useful. We are always available to you, even if it is to "talk."  I know well how beneficial just venting and sharing can be.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[mellie4]

Good to hear you have some relief.

[designgyrl]

I'm glad to hear your pain is FINALLY under control.  That's a huge start.