Hi All,
I need help with where to go next with my chronic back pain medication(s) and treatment.
Background: 31 year old female, 5'2, 115pds
Lower back problems started: Oct. 25th, 2000
First surgery, 2001 microdysectomy L4/5 left
Second surgery, 2002 microdysectomy L4/5 right
Lower back felt pretty good 2003-2007
Car wreck 2007
Fusion L4/5 2008
Hardware removal 2008
(physical therapy, trigger point injections, massage therapy, acupuncture, yoga & epidermal shorts were all tried w varying degrees of success)
*I have taken several medications through IV in the hospital and right after my surgeries in pill form, but currently I only take Vicodin, Aleve, and occasionally a muscle relaxer. I have also taken the Butrans, but i was allegic to the patch adhesive & had to discontinue. (Butrans worked anazing! The lowest does 5mg worked best for me since I am small) I used to take Lunest and Ambien for sleep, but eventually I decided that sleep wasn't my problem, it was pain.
*So, today I went into my doctors office for an appointment. I explained that I am in a LOT of pain still. I told him that my main concern was at bedtime because vicodin simply didn't last long enough. I wake up around 4am every morning if I sleep at all. Its effecting my work like, family and friends. It's getting to the point to where I have to come home during or right after lunch because I am in a lot of pain and I can barely keep my eyes open. My boyfriend packs me a red bull every morning so I can make it the first half of the day. Please help me with suggestions?!?
What medication(s) or therapy would you all recommend? My Dr. is against medications such as Oxycotin because he says that they are highly addictive. I definitely understand this notion as I am involved in the medical community and I hear about it often. I do not have a history or drug or alcohol abuse and neither does anyone in my family. I need a medication that lasts longer through the night so I can get some sleep! I am not against Oxycotin, etc. for the right person.
Thanks for the help. :)
I am a very strong person, but I am also extremely cautious about taking stronger pain medications. Any ideas are appreciated.