Really dont know what to do...

[Soonerdean]

I do have chronic pain, I am addicted to pain meds but they work for me.  I can't take OTC pain meds like Advil because they almost killed me 3 years ago.  Two surgeons tell me to never take them again and the pain mgmt doc says Advil is harmless...I know better than that.

I dont want to be on Lortab the rest of my life because I know where that leads to...I really am taking them to help manage my pain...it's just the last year I began to take them for the high as well.

I have had every test run the docs ask, have tried every psych drug offered to me and have paid thousands in doctor bills and not one of those greedy bastards has taken even a slight interest in my situation.  Just give him more drugs...oh..those did not work, you must need a higher dose.

I have 60 percs in the bathroom with my name on them but am too affraid to take one.  I am also tired of being in pain 24/7.  Two nurse friends of mine keep telling me "Stop being a martyr and take the meds."  My gut tells me to hold off a little while longer.  ****!  I could not be more confused.

[justlikeyou]

my chiropractor believes with good care a disk can 'reabsorb' itself and heal. no surgery, i used to have pain down both legs, now, 5 years later, only aches and pains .......

it is getting better, its just really slow, and requires LOTS of care.

[mom2rachie]

And one more thing, if you do not have surgery, it IS a lifelong injury.  If you are willing to be on pain meds forevver, then do so, but if you don't want to be, there are other ways to help yourself.  It will be unbelivably painful at times but those are the times you have to baby it.  I pay attention to EVERYTHING I do when it comes to lifting.  I can't just lift my child in a hurry.  I have to think, stop, bend with myknees etc...... it stinks but I do it!

[mom2rachie]

I too have a herniated bulging disc.  It's a 3 cm herniation at the L5-S1 level.  It's the most common place to receive that injury.  I went to the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan and was told I was not a candidate for surgery.  Honestly, I am scared to have someone cut into my back anyway, although I know a few people who have had it done and it was successful but I also know a fwe people who had their problems return within 2 years of surgery.  
You need physical therapy, acupuncture, heat, ice, more physical therapy, muscle relaxers, and if unbearable with flare ups you could take the pain killer but I've found now that I'm dealing with that injury without pain meds on hand, that it IS manageable.  I pick up a 30 pound child constantly and it CONSTANTLY flares up.  I live with it but it's not constant.  

[positvthots]

Thats what I told him last week,,but its not outpatient. 2or 3 days in the hospital

[beachtowel]

If you have a bulging disc why don't you take care of it.......that is simply diagnoised with an MRI and is out patient surgery to snip the piece of disc and pull it out...........

[Soonerdean]

Got a bulging L5 causing pain to go down both legs all the time.  

[positvthots]

last week you said you had a bulging disc,,do you or not?

[FLaddict]

Tramadol IS an opiate... it is related to codeine... go to drugs.com and search for Tramodol or ultram

[fishmeal]

If you are addicted, you would be taking them by now.  Maybe extremely dependant but not addicted.... try to mix your pain meds with tramadol which is not opiate, like say 3 days on 3 days on the other?  You don't want to become more dependant so try to stay away from opiates as much as possible.  I don't know why advil almost killed you, maybe the gastrointestinal track?  Do what you have to do to get your life back.  Now is the time, maybe go see another pain doc and get his advice?