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Avatar universal

Trying again..

Hi, I have been on and off here for years. I had a back injury 8 years ago surgery went well and was off the pain meds for 3  years, to be honest I can't remember what caused me to ask taking them again but it's been 5 years now. In this time I have also developed shingles , I have an outbreak almost every month and it has taken its toll on me. Right now I'm taking one loratab 10 in the morning around 7 and then one around 12 or 1 in the afternoon , I also take valtrex for the shingles and lysine to help with the shingles also. I take ambien at night to help me sleep. I just don't want to take the pain meds anymore, but ever time I try and quit I can feel my body go into the freaked out shut down mode and I break out in the worst case of shingles. My dr has but me on several things like Lycra ( makes me dizzy) and Nucynta ER, but I always just go bsck to taking my loratab because that's what works. My pain seems to be nerve pain from the shingles. Any advice anyone would be willing to give I would be thankful  for I have so much going on in my life right now, my husband is deployed overseas for the fourth time our daughter leaves home to start college in aug, so maybe this isn't the best time for change but I feel like I need to start somewhere.  Thanks again for listening .
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1855076 tn?1337115303
Nucynta is a narcotic and has all the same risks/benefits associated with it as other narcotics.  I was on the IR version back in January and it did help my nerve pain, but the side effects were so extreme and I was so ill, I only stayed on it 11 days.  It's not used very often around here and even some (many) doctors don't know anything about it or heard of it.

Shingles can be extremely painful and post-shingles pain can last a long time and be tough to treat.  It is also exacerbated by stress and it's possible trying to come off medications is triggering flare-ups.  Even though you're on a low dose, maybe you can talk to your doctor about tapering very slowly and possibly using vitamins/supplements can help your body be less stressed and help with the shingles flare-ups.

Atthebeach makes a very good point about hyperalgesia.  I personally believe this is more common than people, even doctors, think.  I never thought I would be off narcotics for my pain. My pain management docs had me on so much and at such high doses and every time I questioned it, they told me I needed it and would be on them for life.

You can manage most pain without narcotics.  It's not always easy and some days are particularly bad but for me, I'd prefer some bad pain days than the side effects of narcotics.  Additionally, narcotics is not that successful in treating nerve pain and other types of pain.

I do know they are using Botox in treating some types of post-shingle pain and it might be something you could ask your doctor about.  I have a friend who works in pain management and also has experience in rheumatology and she personally uses Botox for both shingles pain and other types of chronic pain and has had very good success with it.
Helpful - 0
1235186 tn?1656987798
hi hun, i am so glad to see you back and that you are going to try again.
by faith this time you will succeed. since your husband is away now i think it would be a really good time to get off the meds.
the pain gets worse with the opiates, remember we talked about this,
hyperalgesia.
do you have pills left now?
are you still taking the valtrex and lysine?
have you set up any counseling?
you can do this. keep the faith. keep posting for support.
we are here for you.
hugs and prayers
debbie
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi There, I think you should have no trouble at all getting off the pain meds, but you need to get the shingles under control. Since you do not seem to abuse the meds and are at a low dose, can you taper?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi what dose that mean?
Helpful - 0
1970885 tn?1435860428
Taking two lortabs a day isn't much at all. I have no experience with the other meds, so I'm not sure how they may interact, but detoxing from two a day won't be bad.
But, because you have legit pain issues you really need to tell your doc about wanting to stop, especially if you break out with shingles when you've tried to stop before. Keep posting; were here to help.
Helpful - 0
1331115 tn?1536362140
Nucynta ER is a narcotic schedule II drug
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
He did give me Nucynta ER
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Avatar universal
Thank you(:
Helpful - 0
1331115 tn?1536362140
Hello and welcome to the forum. You are in a tough spot right now and I do feel for you. I know some friends who have shingles and it is very painful. Have you talked to your doctor about prescribing something other than opiate pain meds for your pain? Since I don't have any personal experience with shingles (other than people I know that have had it) I don't have to much I can advise you on. I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. Someone may come along on the forum and give you better advice. Be patient as it is slow around here right now but someone wil come along. God Bless---Rick
Helpful - 0
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