Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Help w Chronic Lower Back Pain Medication(s)

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.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have neuropathic pain. I think you need a better doctor who understands pain management as you can become physical depend on oxycontin, but you cannot become an addict when you have valid pain. In reading your description, I can't believe you've made it through it all with such little in pain relief medication. It's definitely going to eventually affect your life with all the sleep deprivation. Oxycontin CR lasts 12 hours. Below is a great site from a pain management specialist who doesn't believe in the "addiction" myth some doctors perpetuate.

http://foresttennant.com/index.html

For natural stuff, I have had some lessening of the pain with cayenne pepper cream. It acts on the nerves to deaden the signal to the brain. Christopher's makes it, although you can make it yourself with lotion and cayenne.

Is this the same doctor who did the operations? If not, maybe you can get a referral back to the doctor and have him/her prescribe something for you.

Take care and best of luck finding a doctor. I would give up on this one as he seems pretty convinced of his values. It's odd as he's already prescribing vicodin. I find oxycontin safer as vicodin as acetiminophen which is hard on the liver.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you are in pain,as you know, the pain can have effects on all systems and parts of your body. Take the Oxycodone -Percocet. I think the oxycontin is a bit stronger, I could be wrong on that. If you truly need it for pain, then you won't get addicted. Since you don't have a history of drug/alcohol abuse, you don't sound like you'd take this med just for a "high". Pain is NOT good for your whole body
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Back & Neck Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches