What do YOU use for pain management?

[MeganY24]

I am in so much pain and I feel stuck! I am prescribed a Butrans patch and tramadol for breakthrough pain. I'm having so many problems with this patch, I'm starting to believe the adhesive is made from acid because when I peel it off a layer of my skin goes with it. It also makes me sick to use the 20mcg so I use the 10mcg which doesn't control my pain. I took my last patch off because I couldn't take the irritation anymore. I'm using old Norcos that were prescribed before I knew I was in "chronic" pain. I've take 4 of them already just to get my pain under control and I only have a handful left. What other options are out there? What works best?

PS- I'm no longer a patient at a pain management clinic because I was unaware that they have ridiculous rules and I didn't report that I went to the ER when I had my TIA so I was "let go" from the clinic. I don't know if that effects my options but I thought I would add that since I was switched to this patch after PM didn't work out :-/

[noach2343]

I have found that when I stay off foods I am sensitive to the pain is so much less> I also need to take something to thin the blood to manage it- either tumeric or Hemoguard Supreme. Most likely food sensitivities are nightshades and gluten. Some of us have had 60-80% pain reduction when avoiding these. My bartonella heel pain finally decreased on a no oil low fat diet as recommended by Fry

[mojogal]

Just want to mention I was dxed per blood test with Lupus but it wasn't lupus but lyme in disguise.

[LazyMoose]

Chronic muscle, tendon and joint pain that is not from autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis (Dxed per blood test) may be relieved by a technique call Active Release Technique. That is trade marked and you can Google the web site to find a provider which will be a physical therapist or chiropractor (more affordable).

The last couple years I learned this and sometimes use this daily for unresolved body pain. It is a combination of Trigger Point Therapy and Myofacial Release, which I also learned but found less effective for my body pain. It relieves knots and muscle adhesion's in soft tissue while easing the tension at joints.

I have learned how to treat 75% of my tendons (ones I can reach), and about half of my individual vertebra (with a Therea Cane) with some notable success. Still, it works better when someones else does it, since I cant fully relax the area I'm trying to working on.

This can be used for many unresolved body pain issues. Its only a permanent fix if the cause is fixed (chemical, bacterial, structural ect) - that how all body pain management works.

[mojogal]

I was recently in a bad accident and got 6 herniated discs. On top of lyme pain, its unbearable. The hospital gave me hard core drugs but I dont like to take them. My LLMD raised my dose of ultram, non narcotic, that I was taking prior to the accident. It works well if your doctor agrees.

[MeganY24]

I know! I was in shock when the nurse called to tell me that I could no longer be seen as a patient because they gave me a narcotic while I was in the hospital. I honestly didn't know if it was worth the argument so I didn't even try to get into another PM clinic. I wasn't even aware of all the different names/brands of narcotic medication, so I guess it's my fault for not doing my research. But it is very ridiculous that I was pretty drugged up and thought I was dying but somewhere in the mist of that episode I was suppose to say "Hold the phone! I have to call my pain management doctor and inform him of my recent activities!"

[cave76]

The 'new' rules about pain management and the use of controlled substances ----- don't get me started!!!

I agree that there are too many people misusing/selling/prescibing pain meds.
Now they've thrown the baby out with the bath water.

I can't think of a reasonable solution.

[cave76]

Vicodin can be addictive, we all know that. But I find it droll that the ''warning'' on Vicodin is about the acetaminophen (Tylenol)  in it! :)
If a person takes eight of the common dose (5/500) of Vicodin they could get liver failure.

"One ingredient in this product is acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day. If you have liver problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist for a safe dosage of this medication. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with acetaminophen, may increase your risk for liver damage. Avoid alcohol."

"Acetaminophen is an ingredient found in many nonprescription products and in some combination prescription medications (such as pain/fever drugs or cough-and-cold products). Carefully check the labels on all your medicines because they may also contain acetaminophen. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely. Get medical help right away if you have taken more than 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen a day, even if you feel well."

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3459-Vicodin+Oral.aspx?drugid=3459&drugname=Vicodin+Oral