Long Term Pain Management

[bob2167]

I have a question, I am currently prescribed 2, 5mg Oxycodone three times a day, as well as 600 mg of Neurontin 3 times a day, along with some Zophran to alleviate nausea from the narcotics.  I have been on this regiment for about 3 months now.  Prior to that I was prescribed a high enough dosage of Hydrocodone that my liver enzyme count shot up.  So, my doctor had me change.  He actually offered my some kind of morphine and I told him a loud and resounding "NO."  

My background; 2 spinal surgeries, the last with nuts and bolts a few years ago.  Last MRI and CT Scan show disc is herniated again.  Along with  one more lower lumbar herniation, 2 in the T-spine, and one in the neck.  I've got permanent nerve damage in the lower lumbar, stenosis, and arthritis.  I am in constant pain.  The pain regiment I am on now is barely cutting it.  I really don't want to be on pills for the rest of my life.  Especially with the way the VA just hands them out like candy.  Getting medical treatment through the VA is a joke.  But, it's all I have as I am unemployed right now.  I can't do a whole helluva lot without constant excruciating pain.  

A  VA doctor that I saw one time told me that if I just eat lots of green leafy veggies and less processed foods, my back will heal itself and I'll never need pain meds again.  Despite the fact that another VA doc advised that I'm looking at another spinal surgery in my not so distant future.  I don't eat a lot of processed foods, and try to eat healthy.  

Does anyone in here who has dealt with chronic pain have any advice for me?  Marijuana is legal in my state and I've thought about giving it a try.  But I am not sure and don't want to try that and have it adversely affect my health given the meds that I am already on.  Any advice would be helpful.  I know that no matter what, I'm going to have to deal with some amount of pain, but I'd like to ease it up if at all possible without narcotics.  I would have to ease off of the narcotics so as not to have to bad of WD's if that's the route that I go.  

Thanks again in advance.  I'm just looking for options here.  

[remar]

If you were in pain management or were seeing a pain specialist they usually require a contract that says you will only take what you're prescribed and only from that particular Dr.
Some pain Drs are actually recommending a couple of antidepressants because they can also work to help with pain. This is something you can talk to your Dr about.
I'm sorry that your Dr is saying no way to trying marijuana. You may already know that it also comes in the pill form. Some Drs will prescribed it while others will not.
I do understand a little about how VA hospitals work because I've had a few relatives that had to deal with VA Drs and hospitals.
Are they giving you a time for your next surgery? Since you have several back issues going on you do have to be careful about what treatments you get right now. Yes, there are some you may be able to try but you should always ask your Dr if they're safe or not.
I'm glad you joined the pain forum. I think you will find most of the people here to be very nice, caring and knowledgeable.

[bob2167]

Thanks for the speedy reply and for the welcome.  Yes, depression and anxiety are an issue right now.  Not too bad, but very noticeable.  I don't know what a pain contract is.  I really don't want any harsher meds that I already have been taking.  I know that my body will adjust and my tolerance levels will become higher and I'll need either a higher dosage or different meds.

My only medical insurance is through the VA.  They are a joke at best.  The doctor just sends me pills, I have no idea what a pain contract is.  I asked about Marijuana and being that it's a .gov doctor, was told that he would not discuss that form of treatment as far as they were concerned, it doesn't matter of the state recognizes it, it's still illegal from their standpoint.   I told him that I would buy it to try it and see if I liked it but I wanted to know how it would affect my current meds.  He would not give me an answer.

The doctor isn't a pain specialist, he's just a family type doctor.  I keep getting the run around with the VA.  All I know is that I call when my script is low and they send me more......  It's crazy like that.

[remar]

I'm a member here, not a Dr. I can give you my opinion about things.
It sounds like you're on a very low dose of pain medication considering everything you have going on with your back. I completely understand not wanting to take more, and even that you need to take it at all. Chronic pain can be so very hard to deal with. It can cause a complete change in your life. It can also cause depression and anxiety. I would recommend that you get on a good pain medication regimen. It really can make a huge difference. You might be able to get out an about more, do things around your home, sleep better. This does not mean you have to stay on meds the rest of your life. If all goes well with your surgeries there could come a time when it's time to work with your Dr on a taper plan.
I'm a little shocked that one of your Drs told you to eat more leafy foods and you would have no pain at all. Yes, it's important for all of us to eat healthy but with everything you have going on with your back just eating healthy will not completely get rid of all of your pain. My daughter is a vegan and a yoga teacher. She's young but has arthritis. As healthy as her life style is she still suffers with pain.
I take it you have a pain contract. Have you talked to your pain Dr about trying marijuana since it's legal in your state? Or, is this something that's in your contract? No marijuana. If your Dr agrees with it then it may be worth a try. It does help some pain patients.
Do think about talking to your Dr about increasing your current medication. Oxycodone does not contain acetaminophen. I'm sure you probably already know this. There's the short acting and a long acting form. You can have two prescriptions. One will be long acting and the other is for break through pain.
Are you a new member here at Medhelp? If so, welcome. I think you will really like the pain forum. The people here are very knowledgeable and caring.
We're always here to listen and to help any way we can.