help for tail bone pain

[Brbegrl68]

I have multiple sclerosis and have limited mobility. Sit on my rear all the time exept when transfering to the couch to my scooter, into bed, etc. 2 years ago I was hospitalized and I developed a bed sore on my tail bone. Took a while but it heald. Still have severe pain though. I am prescribed 3 lortabs a day and want to take something else besides opiates. Motrin and tylenol dont cut it. Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

[optimus22mac]

Hello:)  I cannot help with advice on MS, but I can help with tailbone pain, as I had a horrible accident which crushed mine over 2 years ago.  I've since had a surgery to try to fix it, but I've ended up worse off, and my doctor believes it will be a lifelong pain I'll have to deal with.
I have a donut type of pillow that helps for a little while, but there are also these great square foam cushions with a triangular cut-out in the back, so the tailbone feels no pressure at all.  
I'd love to help with any other tailbone questions you may have, so just let me know:)
I am also looking for alternative (non-opiate) types of pain management, so as I find info, I'll pass it along:)

[missing_me]

Hello Brbegrl:

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties with not only pain but the pain medications.

I understand 100% what you are going through in both respects.

I too have MS and MS pain.  My pain is severe and virtualy is all over my body.

I recently got off 60 mgs of morphine sulfate and 100mgi fentanyl patch I changed every 48 hours.   I have been clean, as they say for 8 weeks as of tomorrow.  Even at these high doses (I couldn't have anymore-I was maxed to the morphine level I could have) I still had severe pain every other day.  Timed exactly with the 2nd day on the fentanyl patch.

Since being of the morphine and fentanyl, my pain is at constant state of intolerable to severe.  However, between my pain doctor and my neurologist (whom specializes in MS) I am on lidocaine pills and a neuropathic type pain medication now.  The neuropathic medications available to help with MS pain, I believe are generally seizure medications.

For some reason they close or block the path from your brain to your body of MS sensations - which includes pain.   I have been on quite a few of these over the years.  

My level of pain and the fact of have virtually all over my body is unique for MS, at least that is my understanding.  

I do feel some relief from the drugs I am currently taking, believe me it got me out of some pretty unbearable, indescribable pain.  So this maybe a path you may want to try.  They are non-narcotic and both have been used frequently for MS pain.

The lidocaine is a big deal for some reason.  My pain doctor presribes me this, even many pain doctors are not comfortable with prescribing it.  But I think it is because it can have issues with toxicity.

But it has very few side affects.  But the other neuropathic type medications can be easily prescribed by your neurologist.   The first one I was on that did some good for me was carbamazipine.  (I think I have that spelled right).  Of course a popular one is Gabapentin, but that one can be equivilant to taking a "stupid" pill.  It is a side affect many have a problem with.  It was the first pain med I was prescribed and my neurologist had to finally take me off it since it made me confused - as he called it.

I hope this helped.

Missing_me

[Tuckamore]

Hello Brbefrl,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry to hear that you have MS and have had some additional pain issues.

We have another member that has been through similar issues. She also has MS and pain. I will send you a PM with her screen name.

I don't know of additional non-narcotic pain relievers that may be more effective that what you have tried. Tramadol is considered a non-narcotic but it does have addictive qualities. I beleive it will soon be reclassified by the DEA to a controlled substance.

I assume that you sit on a "donut". If you haven't tried one you may want to look into it. A donut will often help relieve the pressure on the coccyx this reducing pain.  

I don't know your history with narcotics but I do know that most of us Chronic Pain suffers must rely on narcotics to live a half way normal life. If taken responsibly they can be very beneficial. I've been on a narcotic pain reliever for about 6 years and I don't apologize for it. I would not walk or function without one.

I assume you have you been through a course of steroidal therapy considering you have MS. Has that had any effect on your pain levels?

Our members may have other suggestions for you. Sometimes weekends are slower than week days.  I wish you the very best and hope you will keep in touch with us. We'll look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
~Tuck.