Went to Pain Management

[addicted2harleys]

I went to my first visit with a pain management doc.  I really like him!   Why can't he be my neurologist???  Lol

He skimmed through my medical book and was quite impressed with it.  We talked for most of the visit.  Through all the discussion he seemed a bit frustrated that I didn't actually have a diagnosis of MS yet.  He said it is plain and clear in my medical book.  

Anyway, he scheduled me for yet another nerve test.  I really don't like having them done.  But he will be doing it on my right arm, which has never been tested...only my legs.  

He did tell me that we are going to take baby steps and trial and error to find something that helps with my pain.  He did give me a script for Tremadol (sp?).  He talked about setting me up with a TENS thing.  He told me to have my physical therapist try it out on me.  

So, is anyone on that drug I just mentioned?  If so, does it seem to help you?

And, does anyone have any experiences with the TENS?  Any info would be most appreciated!

Thanks, Addi

[RedFlame]

Hi Addi,  I'm glad to hear that your first visit went well and it sounds like the two of you are well on your way to a good relationship.  I think other doctors get frustrated when a diagnosis is obvious but the 'specialist' won't sign off on it.  It does sound like he is going to be in your court.  

Did he say what he is looking for by doing another nerve conduction test?  It's so darn annoying when these guys do tests over and over.  argh

I have been on Tramadol, it is similar to an opiate without actually being one as far as I know.  I think it did help some but didn't really hold me.  It's difficult for me to gauge because I came off of Tramadol while we were adjusting other meds early this month.  Others probably have a more accurate view of the Tramadol.

What I have found was more important for me was the Neurontin and Baclofen.  I am on 2400mg of Neurontin and 50mg of Baclofen.  I think those two have been key for me.  Another muscle relaxer that worked for me was Zanaflex.  As I recall you are already on these, are your levels high enough?

As far as pain I take Vicodin.  I am in a holding pattern right now waiting for my appt. with the pain specialist in March.  I have tramadol left over and took some this morning.  

Interesting my neurologist mentioned trying a tens unit.  I haven't yet though.

Have you tried the Tramadol yet?

Red

[RedFlame]

I'm bumping this in hopes of more answers/possibilities

[sllowe]

Hi Addi,

I was on ultracet for pain in my right flank. My urologist prescribed it and it worked for me. I only took 2 a day in the evening when pain was worse and it dulled it.

He didn't keep me on it after a couple months because he said it can become habit forming. At this point I could care less about dependency - just nice that it worked to dull it.

I thought too it was non-narcotic like Red says. I'd be curious to hear what the pain doc says about this. And also how he feels about use of it long term.
Believe ultracet is a mix of tramadol and acetaminofen ...

I hope it works for you.
-Shell

[Sumanadevii]

I had a Ten's unit and it was a waste of good earned money.  There might be a slight temporary relief while the unit is in use.  It looks very "professional" but does little.  In fact a massage by my husband offered more relief....

[addicted2harleys]

Thanks for bumping my message, Red. :) About the nerve test.  Since my last flare, my right pinkie and ring finger have gone numb and I have a burning pain in same hand and arm.  No one has ever investigated this...and it isnt because i never asked cause i did.   He gave me the option of doing the nerve test on it and I agreed.  I have had three nerve tests done on my legs over the past six years, but never on my arm.  Also, my right side is worse with weakness.  Maybe something will reveal itself through this test.  

I did take one of the Tramadol yesterday afternoon after I posted this message.  I was out cold until around 6pm.  I took another one when I headed to bed and was out like a light pretty quickly.  I just took another one just a few minutes ago so if this message is unfinished, I musta dozed off again.  Lol

I am not sure if it is having an affect on my pain because all I am doing is sleeping.  So we will see what happens when my body finally gets used to it and I stay awake.  :). I have developed a headache and I never have those and I am a little nauseous.  

I did tell the doc that I was wanting off the narcotics.  I have vicodin on hand always.  Usually it is very rare that I take one.  But, since my last flare, I have been on it regularly.  I want to avoid that if I can.  Right now the strength is 650 mg with 10 mg of acedimedifin (sp?).  It isn't really doing anything for me anymore and I don't want to move up the the next strength.

As far as other drugs I am taking for pain, Red, you are right.  I am on 300 mg Lyrica, 30 mg Baclofen and I believe it is 100 mg of a muscle relaxer.  Also 2 antidepressants prescribed for pain.  If I wasn't on these, my pain would put me in a fetal position crying like a baby.  

Shell - Red is correct.  Pain doc told me it wasn't narc but I recall him saying what your doc said...about it may be habit forming.  I will ask him again at my next appointment and write down his answer this time.  Lol.  I would like it clarified too.  

So, do you still have the right flank pain?  If so, what do you take now?

Sumanadevil - what did you use the TENS unit for?  Thanks for letting me know your experience with it.  I am sorry it didn't work for you.  

Anyone else have experience with the TENS?

Thank you!
Addi

[maestro1959]

Hi Addi,

I am pleased your visit went well.  We get so pent up sometimes before these new ventures. It is nice when it turns out to be positive.

I have taken Tramadol, but had to stop.  I, too developed a significant headache whenever I took it, but mine did not go away.  All meds of that family are out for me.  My brother, however took it after a serious car accident, and the headache went away as his body adjusted.  He found great relief from it.

I have a TENS unit, and love it.  Very often the placement of the electrode pads make a difference in its effectiveness.  My experience with it was very positive.

Your PT can help you find the correct placement of the pads, too. She/he knows all the right connections, and can assist in locating the nerve line that will give you the best pain release. Mine was invaluable in finding the right spot for my unit to work well.

I believe you are on a good track, and pain relief is just around the corner.  That is what my gut says, at least.

Best wishes for quick comfort.

Beth

[RedFlame]

Hi Addi,

Sleep is a wonderful thing, it restores your body and helps it heal.  Even if that was all you got from the Tramadol it would be worth it.  But, it does sound like you are getting more benefit.  I found a bottle I didn't realize I had so I am going to take some tonight--see what happens.  

You mentioned taking Baclofen at 30mg and also a different muscle relaxer at 100mg?  Is that right?  I am asking because I was thinking of asking my doctor for a quick acting relaxer that could be taken on a PRN basis.  Zanaflex works well.

As far as the Vicodin.  I feel that sort of fuzzy warm feeling initially that takes my mind off the pain.  It really doesn't work all that much.

I seem to remember a conversation about  MS Contin, a morphine derivitave twice a day but I don't know who takes it.  

I don't know how much paperwork you had but I received a large packet containing an extensive 'interview'.  Some of the questions have disturbed me such as "Were you sexually abused as a child?" Were you physically abused as a child? "have you had problems with mental health"?  Did you have to answer such questions?  What's that about?  

[Sumanadevii]

The TENS unit I owned cost a good deal of money.  It was not covered by my insurance.  Perhaps that should have been a warning that it was purely experimental.  I was taught to use it at a pain clinic which is the reason I stopped going there.  They would not refund my money. It was used it for severe back pain.  Again, it did little or nothing.

[daisy.girl]

Tramadol didn't help me, I just felt like I was taking advil or something....I too take neurontin, zanaflex and amitriptyline.....they help some, but not all the time.

It really ***** to have to deal with all of this.  I hope you find relief real soon!!

[daisy.girl]

oops....sorry, I should have said really STINKS to have to deal with all of this.

[addicted2harleys]

Beth - thanks for sharing with me your brothers and your experiences.   And thanks for your input, too, daisy.girl.  I still have the headache, but I just started the Tramadol yesterday so I will give it a little more time.  It seems to be working a little on my leg pains but not my arm or back/neck.   I am sorry it didn't work for you.  I hope you found an alternative answer.  

Sumana and Beth - thanks for the feedback!  I am sorry that you had such a terrible experience with yours, Sumana.  I am pretty sure it will be covered under my insurance, but will double check that tomorrow just to be sure.  Beth, i am happy for you that you are having promising results with yours.  I think I am going to go ahead and try it out with the aid of my physical therapist.  This way I can find out if it is helpful before going through the purchase part of it.

Red - I take 10 mg of Baclofen three times a day.  I also take the generic version of Norflex 100 mg two times a day.  The Tramadol is 50 mg every six hours.  I was given the Norflex after my last flare because when I was able to start walking more I developed a new severe back pain when I was on my feet.  I have the vicodin and I have been using it regularly for the past several months.  It might as well be a sugar pill, for me.

Ms Contin isn't from me.  I have never taken it.  I have only had morphine once and that was in the ER once when I was having severe pain/spasms in my pelvic floor.

The paperwork I had to fill out for the pain doc was pretty basic.  It was about six pages and all the questions pertained to how and where the pain was, past injuries/surgeries.  There was not even one question regarding mental health.  ???  I think I would be questioning why they are asking those types of questions, too.   Have you asked the forum if anyone has been asked this for pain doc?  

Oh, I almost forgot!   Beth, thank you for your gut!!  Lol. I am going to hold you to that one!  :)  Thanks!

Thank you all for helping me learn a bit about the different things that are in front of me for pain management.

Addi

[Zacksmomi]

Sorry I didn't read all the posts cuz of my eyes, but I know my work comp Dr prescribed Tramadol and his exact reason was because it is non narcotic...and it works about as well as a NON NARCOTIC might compare to.

As for the tens unit...u can't put one of those within ten feet of me cuz it just causes my nerves   to go crazy.  I am prob totally wrong, but I think the idea is to tense up or sort of spasm (prob not exactly right word) the muscle to get blood flowing to the muscle in order to heal the muscle.  

I say all u can do is try.  Different pain mess effect people differently and morphine may not effect one person yet tramadol works great....hey benedryl gives my son energy.

I would absolutely love to talk to you soon.  Looks like my tysabri treatment is canceled for me tomorrow morn so I am free I think.

[addicted2harleys]

That was something I was concerned about happening with the TENS, D.  Lol.  I am not laughing at you...I just got a mental picture of myself if this was to happen to me.  I think I am willing to give it a shot and see how my body reacts.  The way my luck goes, I will follow in your footsteps.  I will let you know.  :) Oh yeah, I forgot...the morphine made me puke.  :/

Why did your appointment get cancelled??  I look forward to talking to you, too.  I am free in the morning, too. :)

Addi

[Sumanadevii]

Is it possible that the TENS unit works on muscle pain rather than nerve?  

[addicted2harleys]

Here is what I found about what exactly the TENS unit is:


Definition: "TENS" is the acronym for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. A "TENS unit" is a pocket size, portable, battery-operated device that sends electrical impulses to certain parts of the body to block pain signals.
The electrical currents produced are mild, but can prevent pain messages from being transmitted to the brain and may raise the level of endorphins (natural pain killers produced by the brain).

Addi

[addicted2harleys]

Actually, this web site explained it better for me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutaneous_electrical_nerve_stimulation

[Zacksmomi]

Is that what that darn thing was supposed to do?  I remember having used one as a kid in sports and it helped. Now it makes my skin crawl.  I would love to hear from u tomorrow.  I take my kid to the bus at 745 so I am up.  

[addicted2harleys]

Lol. Yes, that is what that darn thing is suppose to do.  :)

I would love to call you in the morning, D.   Little problem here.  I need a number.  *grin*

Addi

[addicted2harleys]

Never mind, D.  Lol. I just read your message.  I am looking forward to your call in the am...

[rendean]

Hi Addi,

While working as a nurse, I saw many patients use a TENS unit. In my opinion it's a roll of the dice. Some patients swear by then and achieved total pain relief, others partial relief and some no relief at all.

It does take some adjusting to get just the right placement of electrodes as not everyone's body is built like the anatomy textbook. Adjustments also need to be made on the amount of stimulation so that you avoid the skin crawling sensation or other uncomfortable side effects.

Sumana said she was required to buy her unit. I know some places let you "rent" the unit on a monthly basis to see if it works for you.

Let us know how it goes!

Ren

[daisy.girl]

I agree TENS works for some and not for others.

TENS is based on the 'gate theory'.

If the impulses from the TENS unit gets to your brain first....then the 'gate' is closed and your brain then cannot feel the pain sensations.

[addicted2harleys]

Thanks, ren!  You gave me some valuable info.  I am pretty sure I can use one in physical therapy to see if it helps.  I will definitely post my experiences with it as soon as I find out.  :)

Thanks, Daisy!  Your description of how it works made sense to me!  

Addi

[sllowe]

Thanks Addi. I still have the pain. I'm dealing w/it like I did before the med, and now after it. It rots for sure. Mine must not have been real strong or something because I didn't get sleepy like you mention - maybe the amount varies from brand to brand. I teeter between advil and naproxen mostly. I try to not take more than one naproxen a day ever. If things get real bad I pop 3 advil.

That stuff comes w/it's own risk too, but what the heck we suppose to do to manage?

[addicted2harleys]

I hear ya, Shell.  And I feel the same way.  I do know that it takes more for me to get drowsy and/or see any results on meds than a lot of people.  The Tramadol I have is 100 mg.  Yesterday it didn't make me sleep, and it is working a bit on some of my pain but not all.  And it is only dulling the pain that it is working on.  

What I would give for just one day of complete pain free.  Wouldn't that be wonderful?   I haven't had one in six years.  I think I have forgotten what it's like.  :/

Have you tried the TENS unit?

Addi