help with pain

[meg321]

As some of you know I have been trying to lessen my use of pain meds.  I am doing pretty good, I am under the limitations that will cause liver damage.  After adding up the mgs. that I had been taking, it was a lot.  But that is not the topic of conversation, even though I am having a hard time with the witdrawals.

My headache Dr gave me a injection for my headaches which is not working so next I will get botox and see if that works.  What I have found out is that it doesn't take care of the nerve pain....didn't think it would but I am trying everything.   My NP is sending me to a pain clinic in SF to see if they can help.

That is my question...has anyone on here been to a pain clinic? and can they help with the nerve pain?

thanks, meg

PS..i need help with my "words", I use whatever comes to mind and sometimes I look them up but that takes time.

[Sim514]

Thanks Lisa,  Im not used to these smart phones yet and whenever I say- I have an App for that- I cant help but laugh at myself !

[LisaJF]

It doesn't sound silly at all.  I'd say use all resources to aid in pain relief, regardless of application :D

Lisa

[Sim514]

This might sound silly, but the Cleveland Clinic Wellness center has posted Meditations as an Iphone app.  I have gone through a number of them and found them to be good, and useful, especially when first starting meditations.

[LisaJF]

Thank god you're going to a pain clinic. Why go through life suffering? Hmmm?  Doesn't make sense.

Hugs to you Meg and let us know how it goes!!!


xxoo
Lisa

[meg321]

Thanks so much, all of you are so sweet !!  I will be going to the pain clinic..I suppose I have told you that already.   I do forget a lot..duh !    I will look into the "Mindfulness Meditation", sounds interesting and so not like a 'pill'....

I am trying everything I can try..as long as the money doesn't run out.

hugs, meg

[HVAC]

My first experience with a pain clinic was not good. I went to Duke Hospital Pain Clinic. It was like factory. They had Doctors for different body parts. I had to go to one Doctor for my neck and back and one for my headaches. It was expensive and they just kept adding medications. They had me on three anti seizure medications at once.

Then I found a private pain specialist through one of my Doctors. At this clinic the Doctors first appointment was a two hour interview. This guy explained my MS to me better than any doctor had after his neurological exam. They think outside the box and try different things. I ended up getting of most of my medications and am using "Mindfulness Meditation". They explained the importance anxiety play in pain. At first I did not understand and thought they were trying to dismiss my symptoms.

In my case some of my big pain issues have changed because they were caused by the cancer. My treatment because of the MS and cancer is constantly changing. I like that they adapt with my changing symptoms and pain. They started with one area of pain and worked on that and then moved to the next. At first this seemed like they would never get around to all the areas of pain but they have and my quality of life is so much better.

I like they are more interested in treating symptoms than cause. Other Doctors labeled things migraine, etc. and they only wanted to use conventional treatments which mostly did not work. I remember looking at the lady at Duke when she said your pain might be caused by MS or your injured neck. I was thinking I do not care I just want my neck to stop hurting.

The main thing is it is trial and error. We try something and if it does not work we try something else. I was taking about thirty drugs a day when I got to the pain clinic. Yesterday I took three different pills and that was it.

I take way less headache stuff. I have migraines almost every day. I found a lot of my medications for other things were making my migraines worse. I pay attention and notice if a drug I take for cancer pain is making my migraines worse. Many times they are. I have lessened my migraine pain so I can tolerate it with hypnosis and Mindfulness.

Alex

[LisaJF]

Our dear Meg,

I can understand what you're going through and to top things off, as you are cutting back on your pain medication (hopefully you're doing this gradually and not a complete cessation) you're having withdrawal symptoms.

Been there done that. I had Post Thoracic Pain Syndrome which affected the nerves on my right side from the T2 level to T11.  Let me tell you it was the most painful thing ever.

Pain clinics can help with nerve pain but narcotics are generally used to alleviate in conjunction with Lyrica/Neurontin/Cymbalta etc.  Times may have changed since 2007 so I dont know what else is status quo for treatment nowadays.  I suppose it depends on what the issue is.

I know they can offer nerve blocks but my Neurologist at the time said not to do it and that it could cause more damage and increase pain.  Didn't take much to erase that option from my list.  Anyways, it took 6 months for that pain to subside to the point where 800mg Motrin sufficed with lidoderm patches.  I still use them from time to time on my chest area when it feels like its coming back (not fully).

I would agree with LuLu in seeking other avenues in conjunction with the pain clinic.  Can't hurt right?  

I hope you're headache is under control now and that you're appointment for the pain clinic is soon.  Hate to think you're suffering...

Lisa

[Lulu54]

I think there are several people who go to a pain clinic for management - those docs are specialists on every type of pain and should be able to help with the nerve pain.  In the meantime, I wonder if you have tried mindful meditation?  It seems to be getting a lot of coverage the past year or two as to it being effective in controlling pain.  Since you are trying to decrease the meds, you might look into that and see if you can do something like this.  It doesn't stop the pain, but they say it helps the mind to adjust to being in pain.  I hope that makes sense.

hugs, L

PS botox for headaches is gaining favor, too. I hope it works for you