I have been in severe pain for several months. Previously I have had 2 cervical disc replaced. My pain dr is great and has done 2 face injections and a nerve block to try and find the source of the pain in my head. My primary doc sent me to a neurologist which I went to yesterday and he said I have ocipital neuralgia. And prescribed Lyrica. I did not fill the precription yet as I already have some for back pain, that I hadn't been taking. My question is do I tell my pain dr. what the neurologists diagnosis was? I am not a drug seeker, just want to feel better and want to make sure that the dr.s are all on the same page without dammaging someones ego
Hi Charbie,
I am so sorry to hear about your KD and all the issues you are experiencing because of it. I had a nephrostomy for four months and that alone was very uncomfortable and painful. (Severed right ureter) I have empathy for you.
As mr Lucky said the symptoms you are having are most likely withdrawal symptoms. None of us CP sufferer's like the fact that we will be dependant on opiates for the rest of our lives. I understand your concern but what are the alternative? In my case (and many others here) if I don't take them I simply could not tolerate the pain. And what kind of life would any of us have writhing in pain, unable to have some semblance of a normal life? I've been there, done that and I felt that life was not worth living.
You may want to ask for a less strong pain medication such as oxycodone to take for break through pain when you feel your pain does not warrant dilaudid. This most likely would also help with the symptoms that you are experiencing.
Mr.Lucky also had a good suggestion with a long acting opiate such as Morphine. Keep in mind that dilaudid is thought to be 5 times stronger than morphine. Either way may be more successful for you than your current regime. Please discuss this with your PMP.
There are other medications and approaches they can offer you. I encourage you to pursue this with your PCP. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Best of luck.
Peace, Tuck
Yes those symptoms you discribed are withdrawal symptoms. It doesn't sound like you are a drug abuser and may need strong pain meds like dilaudid. Taking dilaudi 3 times a day might not be enough to stay pain free or withdrawel free. Maybe they should give you a longer acting narcotic like MS contin. all the best