Aa
sick of these drugs
I had a back injury and have a lot of back and nerve pain. I have been taking norco for over a year now and I have tried to stop cuz I know I'm addicted to it now but every time I stop nothing else will work for my pain so I feel like there is no choice :( It's ruining my life and i feel like a druggy that's needs my fix if I'm not on it I'm extremely depressed!!! i've tried Gabapentin already and I went crazy on it so that's out of the question.
Is there anything else that works for pain long term that's not addictive like this???
Is there anything else that works for pain long term that's not addictive like this???
If you are unhappy with your PMP than find another. I stayed too long with a physician that was not kind and did not listen to my complaints of pain nor care.
I do not know what state you live in but in my state we have quite a few D.O's. They perform surgery, deliver children, treat patients, prescribe medications and work in the same settings as M.D.s. D.O.s use the same tools, treatments and technologies of medicine as M.D.s. They receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the muscles and bones of a person.
The main difference between the two types of physicians is that D.O.s have been specially trained to perform osteopthic manipulations on patients. They view the patient as a 'total person" and focus on preventative care. They view the whole body. They use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in their practice. This involves the use of their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural ability to heal. Their manipulations are similar (but better in my opinion) to chiropractors. Indeed I would not function without them. You might want to look into this.
I do not know what state you live in but in my state we have quite a few D.O's. They perform surgery, deliver children, treat patients, prescribe medications and work in the same settings as M.D.s. D.O.s use the same tools, treatments and technologies of medicine as M.D.s. They receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system, which make up the muscles and bones of a person.
The main difference between the two types of physicians is that D.O.s have been specially trained to perform osteopthic manipulations on patients. They view the patient as a 'total person" and focus on preventative care. They view the whole body. They use Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in their practice. This involves the use of their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural ability to heal. Their manipulations are similar (but better in my opinion) to chiropractors. Indeed I would not function without them. You might want to look into this.
Hey you are totally right about walking, I was going on walks everyday last year and it really helped but I stopped I don't remember why. I try to start my walks again, like I did today but I am just having such horrible pain right now. I started taking percocet daily instead of norco. i will look into the drugs you mentioned cuz this percocet is still not doing it for me.
wow you you have been dealing with that pain for a long time, I'm afraid I will be too but I am trying to learn to live with it cuz i have no choice it seems. thanks and take care
wow you you have been dealing with that pain for a long time, I'm afraid I will be too but I am trying to learn to live with it cuz i have no choice it seems. thanks and take care
Walking daily is a very good idea as it keeps the muscles supporting the back active. If you have chronic pain it is quite possible that walking may cause some increase in pain temporarily which then settles down shortly after you finish walking. Trial and error will help you to get the right distance and speed so that it doesn't cause major flareups (ie pacing, in the pain management venacular).
As for MRIs, I too have had an MRI which found nothing. Which still leaves me wondering what is causing the pain in the thoracic back? Long story 'bout how the pain started but in short form I had surgery for a totally unrelated reason and woke up with the back pain. That was 1998 and I have it ever since. Doloxene and lyrica (pregabalin) and tramadol are the only drugs so far that have made a decent dent in my pain. I used doloxene on a daily basis (2--4 capsules a day) for several years, then had a couple of trials of tramadol - that drug was problematic.
As for MRIs, I too have had an MRI which found nothing. Which still leaves me wondering what is causing the pain in the thoracic back? Long story 'bout how the pain started but in short form I had surgery for a totally unrelated reason and woke up with the back pain. That was 1998 and I have it ever since. Doloxene and lyrica (pregabalin) and tramadol are the only drugs so far that have made a decent dent in my pain. I used doloxene on a daily basis (2--4 capsules a day) for several years, then had a couple of trials of tramadol - that drug was problematic.
Thanks all for the help!
I have a pain management doc but he does NOT seem to care or even listen when I talk. He barely says anything at my visits. He once accused me of abusing my pills because he is bad at math and thought I finished them too early and would NOt give me any more and I said what do I do about the pain and he was like figure it out all I could do was laugh because I am so freaking honest and I really didn't care I just thought if worst came to worst I would take a lot of tylenol or go to er. Then he realized he was stupid and called in the Rx. So anyways I have been taking percocet for really really bad days like on Saturday I could NOT move even with the percocet i almost went to the emergency but I got through it thank god it stopped being that bad.
how I got INJURED.....
I was working as a visual designer at a store and my manager was on a ladder i was on the ground. She handed me a very heavy glass shelf w/o warning and I twisted down to my right to put it down and went down w/ the weight of the shelf........I WISH I had just dropped it instead of putting it down and making sure it wouldn't break. From that moment on my life changed forever :( so since I bent to my right I really think my discs bulged to the left pressing on my nerves and that's what my irst mri confirmed. I told the doctor their is something going on in my back to cause all the pain and he says no their isn't look at the recent mri's. But mri's are not 100%.
I have tried physical therapy, Chiropractor ( which helped A LOT) but I stopped and the pain returned and the workers comp wont cover anymore visits. I tried acupuncture with did nothing. i tried laying in bed for weeks, I also tried walking everyday and staying as active as I could.......I feel like I have tried everything. there is no possibility of surgery because these doctors can't SEE anything in my mri's all three of them ...they all say something different.
Sorry to hear about everyone else's pain too.
I have a pain management doc but he does NOT seem to care or even listen when I talk. He barely says anything at my visits. He once accused me of abusing my pills because he is bad at math and thought I finished them too early and would NOt give me any more and I said what do I do about the pain and he was like figure it out all I could do was laugh because I am so freaking honest and I really didn't care I just thought if worst came to worst I would take a lot of tylenol or go to er. Then he realized he was stupid and called in the Rx. So anyways I have been taking percocet for really really bad days like on Saturday I could NOT move even with the percocet i almost went to the emergency but I got through it thank god it stopped being that bad.
how I got INJURED.....
I was working as a visual designer at a store and my manager was on a ladder i was on the ground. She handed me a very heavy glass shelf w/o warning and I twisted down to my right to put it down and went down w/ the weight of the shelf........I WISH I had just dropped it instead of putting it down and making sure it wouldn't break. From that moment on my life changed forever :( so since I bent to my right I really think my discs bulged to the left pressing on my nerves and that's what my irst mri confirmed. I told the doctor their is something going on in my back to cause all the pain and he says no their isn't look at the recent mri's. But mri's are not 100%.
I have tried physical therapy, Chiropractor ( which helped A LOT) but I stopped and the pain returned and the workers comp wont cover anymore visits. I tried acupuncture with did nothing. i tried laying in bed for weeks, I also tried walking everyday and staying as active as I could.......I feel like I have tried everything. there is no possibility of surgery because these doctors can't SEE anything in my mri's all three of them ...they all say something different.
Sorry to hear about everyone else's pain too.
I understand your frustration. When I was suffering with CRPS/RSD and enduring four spinal surgeries in 18 months, I too had major issues with pain medication not covering my pain. I am a nurse, therefore I understand the medical procedures and process. Norco is not that strong of a pain medication. It is for mild to moderate pain. There are other pain medications as well as adjuvent drugs that help with nerve pain. My first question to you is, are you seeing a pain specialist, or just your primary doctor? The other question to you is what originated your pain, where is it, how long have you had it, and what other treatments have been tried for you? Sorting out pain especially nerve pain is very detailed. I hope I can help answer some questions. I am new to this web site, but I have a lot to offer.
Take care, hang in there and listen to your body.
Take care, hang in there and listen to your body.
Hi BDanny,
Yes with Pain Management can come dependence on narcotics, no one will deny that it occurs. Our bodies betray us and become physically dependant upon narcotics.
But don't ignore or forget the fact that there is a huge difference between an addict or drug abuser and a chronic pain patient that uses opiates responsibly for pain control. Don't get them confused and be too hard on yourself.
I doubt there is anyone here that when asked, who likes to swallow a pill every day in order to function will raise their hand. None of us like the meds that normally are required to manage severe chronic pain. If you have tried all the options and they have not been successful than somewhere along the way we have to accept it as part of our lives, at least that is my opinion.
Chronic pain brings enough challenges without allowing the fact that one requires narcotics to function to pray on us or become another problem. At least that is how I have to look at it. I swallow the medication(s) as prescribed and go on with my day the best I can.
I wish you the best and hope you will find solutions that you are comfortable with for treating and controlling your pain. Please let us know how you are doing. We will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
Yes with Pain Management can come dependence on narcotics, no one will deny that it occurs. Our bodies betray us and become physically dependant upon narcotics.
But don't ignore or forget the fact that there is a huge difference between an addict or drug abuser and a chronic pain patient that uses opiates responsibly for pain control. Don't get them confused and be too hard on yourself.
I doubt there is anyone here that when asked, who likes to swallow a pill every day in order to function will raise their hand. None of us like the meds that normally are required to manage severe chronic pain. If you have tried all the options and they have not been successful than somewhere along the way we have to accept it as part of our lives, at least that is my opinion.
Chronic pain brings enough challenges without allowing the fact that one requires narcotics to function to pray on us or become another problem. At least that is how I have to look at it. I swallow the medication(s) as prescribed and go on with my day the best I can.
I wish you the best and hope you will find solutions that you are comfortable with for treating and controlling your pain. Please let us know how you are doing. We will look forward to your updates.
Take Care,
Tuck
doctor, doctor what do I do! . Well surgery of corse and surgery and surgery and surgery! great HA HA. 5 open fixations on crushed leg and ankle later, all I have is an addiction, big time.Ask how big, narc's since 1992 from morphine to methadone to oxycontin. Get 2-3 opinions don't follow me in my trust in GOD like doctors milking my great insurance. Try new none radical things first if u can,or u may be sorry. Nerve damage is permanent most of the time,but hearing great response from eastern therapy, friends try it first after ortho is done. Mark
Thank you guys so much for your input.
I will try to talk to my doctor again..... but I told him how I feel and al he said was you don't have to take the norco. I know but what about my pain??
I have tried Japanese acupuncture but i will try Chinese next time because I heard it's diff ,the japanese one didn't help at all.
They can't find what is pinching my nerve so I feel like I'm screwed for life
I will try to talk to my doctor again..... but I told him how I feel and al he said was you don't have to take the norco. I know but what about my pain??
I have tried Japanese acupuncture but i will try Chinese next time because I heard it's diff ,the japanese one didn't help at all.
They can't find what is pinching my nerve so I feel like I'm screwed for life
Here are some alternitive treatments for chronic pain....
There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine
(used in addition to traditional Western therapies)
or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies),
and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as
major as cancer.
Studies suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to stave off aches and pains. In addition, certain anti-inflammatory spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cilantro, may have therapeutic effects
and play an important role in chronic pain management.
The National Pain Foundation endorses a comprehensive list of nontraditional remedies, below. See which ones work for you:
Acupuncture.
This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting long, thin needles into various points on the body. The idea behind this is that optimal health is achieved when energy flows freely through
the body, and the needles remove any blockages of this energy.
Acupuncture has been used successfully to alleviate pain from musculoskeletal issues as well as headaches.
Massage.
Not just a perk for wealthy spa-goers, massage has in recent years come to be recognized as important to overall health.
It reduces muscle tension and stress, can relieve soreness, and may
even boost your immune system.
Biofeedback.
This teaches you to focus on your body's response to pain and stress via a monitoring system that gives off sounds or visual cues whenever your muscles tense.
Eventually you become able to use nothing more t
than conscious thought to change your physiological response to a particular type of stress on your body.
Hypnosis.
Popular as a cure for smoking as well as overeating, hypnosis can also be used to manage pain.
A trained clinician induces an altered state of consciousness, making you more receptive to suggestions of behavioral changes that can reduce your pain.
For instance, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain,
under hypnosis you might be taught to visualize your back muscles opening up. Some people can even learn to hypnotize themselves.
Guided imagery.
This involves imagining yourself in a peaceful setting.
The more detailed the scene, the more your mind can truly transport you out of your discomfort and into the soothing scene.
Are there any questionable pain-relief remedies?
Yes. Think twice before relying on herbs.
Health-food stores are full of herbal supplements purported to reduce pain, but be careful.
The FDA does not regulate these supplements, and some of them have negative side effects, particularly when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.
There exists a range of therapies known as either complementary medicine
(used in addition to traditional Western therapies)
or alternative medicine (used in place of traditional Western therapies),
and devotees have used them for conditions as minor as a headache and as
major as cancer.
Studies suggest that a low-fat, high-fiber diet may help to stave off aches and pains. In addition, certain anti-inflammatory spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cilantro, may have therapeutic effects
and play an important role in chronic pain management.
The National Pain Foundation endorses a comprehensive list of nontraditional remedies, below. See which ones work for you:
Acupuncture.
This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting long, thin needles into various points on the body. The idea behind this is that optimal health is achieved when energy flows freely through
the body, and the needles remove any blockages of this energy.
Acupuncture has been used successfully to alleviate pain from musculoskeletal issues as well as headaches.
Massage.
Not just a perk for wealthy spa-goers, massage has in recent years come to be recognized as important to overall health.
It reduces muscle tension and stress, can relieve soreness, and may
even boost your immune system.
Biofeedback.
This teaches you to focus on your body's response to pain and stress via a monitoring system that gives off sounds or visual cues whenever your muscles tense.
Eventually you become able to use nothing more t
than conscious thought to change your physiological response to a particular type of stress on your body.
Hypnosis.
Popular as a cure for smoking as well as overeating, hypnosis can also be used to manage pain.
A trained clinician induces an altered state of consciousness, making you more receptive to suggestions of behavioral changes that can reduce your pain.
For instance, if you suffer from chronic lower back pain,
under hypnosis you might be taught to visualize your back muscles opening up. Some people can even learn to hypnotize themselves.
Guided imagery.
This involves imagining yourself in a peaceful setting.
The more detailed the scene, the more your mind can truly transport you out of your discomfort and into the soothing scene.
Are there any questionable pain-relief remedies?
Yes. Think twice before relying on herbs.
Health-food stores are full of herbal supplements purported to reduce pain, but be careful.
The FDA does not regulate these supplements, and some of them have negative side effects, particularly when combined with over-the-counter pain medications.
Hi BDanny:
Have you dicussed your concern with your Doctor? I feel that this would be the best thing to do. He might have and alternative for you.
I want to tell you not to feel like your addicted because in reality your not. You have a dependancy which is quite different than an addiction. Being addicted is taking it for the high and taking more than you need and dependancy is taking it to feel better.
If the medication works then I would not change what makes my life tolorable. But please, talk wityh your Doctor..I'm sure that he will be glad to help you with other options.
Please take care and good luck with everything.
Mollyrae
Have you dicussed your concern with your Doctor? I feel that this would be the best thing to do. He might have and alternative for you.
I want to tell you not to feel like your addicted because in reality your not. You have a dependancy which is quite different than an addiction. Being addicted is taking it for the high and taking more than you need and dependancy is taking it to feel better.
If the medication works then I would not change what makes my life tolorable. But please, talk wityh your Doctor..I'm sure that he will be glad to help you with other options.
Please take care and good luck with everything.
Mollyrae
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