Hi Jess,
Good for you in being able to take less medicine!
I take allot of meds each day or I couldn't get out of bed. Each day total I take:
3200 mg. Gaba
60mg Baclofen
400mg Tramadol
320mg Effexor
1-3mg Klonipin (I use it very sparingly)
1000mg Ibuprofen as needed
50/500 Vicodin for breakthrough pain (very sparingly)
I stretch 3-4 times a day, use different poses my PT gave me and do my own progressive relaxation.
I keep mine at a 7 or below, any higher than that is when I start taking the Vicodin and it takes the edge off.
The other thing is that I get used to it. Sort of like it's a constant companion, I have come to a place of acceptance that my life is going to be this way, at least for now. Making peace with it.
The rating thing 1-10 is so personal to each patient. A 10 for one might be a 9 for the other, so it's hard to know.
Well, I gave you much more than you probably wanted. But that's how I do it
hugs,
Red
I take 300 mg Trileptal
30 mg Baclofen
25 mg a day immitrex for migraines.
A tranquillizer when needed for diaphragm spasms
I have a ton of pain but a high tolerance. For example a hairdresser accidentally cut 1/16 of an inch into the cartiledge of my ear with her scissors Saturday and I did not react.
The diaphragm spasm which happen often are the most painful symptom I have. I have had two sets today and my husband does not have clue. He has only noticed me have them one time in all these months.
Alex
Well, I was using steroids as it truly does help with pain. At the end of June I will have been taking it every three or four weeks for a year. I am done...so done. Yet now my pain level is high. We are hoping it is just a rebound effect from going off it.
I just found out my insurance will pay for PT in my home. I am sure going to take advantage of it. Now with my darling sweet personality, I hope I can find someone that will be willing to work with me...lol
I also take oxycodone 5/325 four per day. I would like off them for the same reasons as others here...The fear of needing more and more.
Red? You sure you taking 50/500 and not 5/500? That dose seems fatal to me.
hi
dont think i have spoke to you before
i have suffered with cronic back pain and leg pain since my early mid 20s but it was allways put down to the fact that i got hit by a car when i was 16 and sustained multiple fractures legs, arms ans so on.
i was given many pain killers over the years Noproxen, declefenic, ibrupren. and nothing worked at all for pain relief. so therefore i have a very high pain threshold.
so move forward to now MS on the table and the pain killers and medication has changed .
gabapentin, baclofen !!!
ans suprise it works wonders for me.
but me having to deal with the pain for years i can get away with taking 10mg baclofen at night to relax me and help me sleep, and 300mg gabapentin 2x daily .
and it takes the edge of it witch to me is good cos nothing used to work so i got used to living with pain.
everyone is different so take what you need to get to a level of comfort that suits you.
hope this heps
regards bairdy
Hi Jess,
I live in constant chronic pain, mostly from spasticity/fibromyalgia and rarely have a day I can say is comfortable. But after a few years of this, I have managed to manage it with the help of a good pain doc. I hate medication as it all seems to trash my digestive system but that I can manage too. I have given in and now take a cocktail of the following to keep sane.
Gabapentin 300 mg 3 times a day for nerve pain
Valium 2.5 mg 3 times a day for spasticity (didn't get along with baclofen)
Cytomel for thyroid. Keeps me going and slim too.
Hydrocortisone 7.5 mg for adrenal stress. Am weaning off this as I get the mental part under control and the adrenals start working again. This has been a 2 year process.
Fentanyl patch. 25 mcg/hr This is the crowning glory. Without it I would just be writhing in agony from dawn to dusk.
When we have a big weather front pushing I take half a tramadol for break through pain.
I manage pretty well, but still hurt. If I can keep the pain at a 5, I can live with it and get through the day pretty well.
I do pilates exercises and stretches daily. These help tremendously!!! I get tight hip flexors and ileopsoas muscle spasms from sitting, but standing kills my lower back and legs. Pain takes constant management and keeping in good shape helps! I try to walk a little everyday, even if its just to the mailbox and back. I also use icepacks and heat as needed for comfort.
i have another pain control issue beyond the neuro symptoms. sciatic damage. for that i take vicodin 10/325 up to 4 a day (which is almost every day) and 2 soma at bedtime. it helps some days, if i can get it down to level 5 or less or where i can get distracted from it, i consider that a win. i also use ice packs, etc.
i've had to up how much i take over the years to stay functional. that's my priority. i anticipate going higher. pain meds are just a tool to that goal for me.
i hate the way people suffer because of some negative social conditioning that pain meds are bad or mean weakness. i see it all the time. i believe in doing whatever we can to make life better.
I just looked at the bottle, it is 5-500 Vicodin. I have no idea what the numbers mean.
Like some of you have said, I believe pain meds are underpresribed at this time. Every other month, I hear something on TV about people that steal/sell/buy pain meds, then the doctors are held responsible. Misguided DEA agents hound pharmacists and docs about that very thing.
Last month I went and got my medical marijuana card. I haven't used any yet but am curious about it. Docs have a problem with it for some reason.
I think the Fentynal patch would be a good option
hi
I finished IV steroids 2 weeks ago my pain level went down to about a 3 or 4 for about 10 days then came back full force maybe a little worse now at times.
i take 150mg Lyrica morning and night
5mg supeudol 4 times a day. Sometimes i take two with a tylenol and still have a bit of pain and other dayz i might not have to take any.
I also take zopiclone most nights to try to get some sleep