Wellness

[halfpint1]

Two different pain medicines from the doctor doesn't do a thing for my legs. Can't sit all day; they don't hurt then. The second meds which I guess he thought would work is for nerve pain caused by shingles which I don't have. Also bad side effects like thoughts of suicide and falling. Almost lost my balance. I had a mri maybe 10 years ago which is lost from the records when it was transferred to this doctors records so I can't compare my spine. This is the same doctor I wrote about that looked at my leg which I that was a cyst and said it was cancer. Still waiting for referrals. It's been a week.

How to stars and important people get pain medicine? Also dh is coming home from the hospital with oxygen I was told. He has a lot of problems that he didn't care to give up his habit of smoking and sugar for.

Sorry I had to vent.

[gazelle77]

so sorry to hear about your pain... there is nothing worse than constant pain as I learned from my arthritis issues. I do not have an answer for you... just hope you find a doctor who is kind and will help you.

[bluejeansluvr]

Oh my. What do you need the pain medicine for, I am not clear on that do you have arthritis or what is it? I have heard good things about Celebrex for arthritis pain, I am about ready to ask my doctor for that for myself. Lyrica has a bit more side effects but that is usually for fibromyalgia and would be a good option, if you have that.

As far as pain medications go, if you ask for pain medication at the doctor's office they will likely refer you to a pain clinic, they will not prescribe pain medication, they just don't do that anymore because of the potential for abuse.

If you go to a reputable pain clinic they should be able to help you. Many pain clinics use an approach where they don't just prescribe medication but they teach you coping techniques, use physical therapy, injections and other things. Medication for nerve pain is sometimes very effective and isn't always just for shingles. If you can tolerate the side effects for a short time, sometimes it takes a while to get relief and see a difference in your pain level. You should definitely have a new MRI if it's been 10 years since your last one. Once you have that I think the doctor should be able to better advise you about what medication you should need to take.

If you aren't happy with your doctor, you should find a new doctor.

[Windycity]

I've taken Lyrica since it was released in this country. It is targeted for fibromyalgia, but after I had shingles my dose was increased due to nerve pain. I also suffer from osteoarthritis with the worst pain in my knees (always), the base of my neck, my thumbs, and occasionally in my lower back. Tramadol had also been prescribed for me at bedtime years ago; my MD told me I could also take it on an as-needed basis for headaches.

Currently I just started the Fentanyl (Duragesic) patch. This drug is considered a narcotic/opioid. I was very hesitant to start it, but began slowly and have only had one increase. I have break through medication for acute pain as a back up which is a combination of Tramadol/acetaminophen and take that about twice a day.

Historically (in my family), my mom, her mom, her sister and I all have had the exact same issues. I have been with the same rheumatologist for at least 20 years. Her knowledge and understanding, plus compassion, keeps me going. None of these meds have provided me nirvana, but combined, the edginess and raw pain are manageable.

It's been a very long journey, and for me, I really had to stay on top of things and be my own advocate, which we all have to do. I also have to be in touch with my own body - if something begins to ache or hurt, the sooner I can take my medicine the better the medication is able to work. Don't let the pain get the best of you.

[hckynut]

The strong pain med I take is a 500mg Tylenol tablet and for me I might as well eat an apple. If I have a headache it works for that but as far as my arthritic body and other things from my many injuries, including 3 ruptured spinal discs and 3 crushed vertebrae in my neck? Many mornings I stand in a hot shower for 10-15 minutes to get my blood and muscle temperature up after sleeping.

As far as a 10 year old MRI? Not worth the print it is on and especially so if you have had some type of degenerative disease or an injury of some sort. I have no problem getting an MRI if that is what my doctor says he needs for his diagnosis so I can't help you with that one.

Looks like your husband really doesn't care about his body or the mental strain he is putting you because of it. Many more things I would like to say about "people like him" but I do not know him, only others that refuse to give up things they know is the cause of many of their health problems. Many times it is the caretaker that gets the worst end of that deal.

I hope you can find some answers for your pain. My nephew owns 5 Pain Clinics and he has told me many times that there are some people that he cannot help with their pain. Lessen it, yes. Eliminate it, no.

My best to you,

[ChynnaBlue]

I recommend going to a pain management specialist. They take a more holistic approach to pain and the other life changes and effects associated with chronic pain. You may be able to get a referral from your doctor, but if not, here's an article about what a pain management clinic is and how to go about finding one. My mom was diagnosed with RA shortly after I was born and in the last few years she's been getting all kinds of additional problems and neuropathy pains, so you have my empathy.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-clinics-overview

[halfpint1]

THANK YOU for answering. I guess I was naïve of what was it I had-have. By reading you don't know. Is it stenosis-sciatica or start of neuropathy for my mother had diabetes.

I am going to call up my medicare insurance about pain management if the referral doesn't come in soon.

I am going to try and take a walk even if it kills me. to nice to stay in--not like dh who won't even walk in the drive way.

[violann]

There is something new that I haven't tried, but I'm going to look for it. It's plain hops, like what they use to make beer, in a pill form. I've heard some good things about it. Sorry for your troubles, hp

[emmysmom]

On 3/27/2014 hckynut said:

The strong pain med I take is a 500mg Tylenol tablet and for me I might as well eat an apple. If I have a headache it works for that but as far as my arthritic body and other things from my many injuries, including 3 ruptured spinal discs and 3 crushed vertebrae in my neck? Many mornings I stand in a hot shower for 10-15 minutes to get my blood and muscle temperature up after sleeping.

As far as a 10 year old MRI? Not worth the print it is on and especially so if you have had some type of degenerative disease or an injury of some sort. I have no problem getting an MRI if that is what my doctor says he needs for his diagnosis so I can't help you with that one.

Looks like your husband really doesn't care about his body or the mental strain he is putting you because of it. Many more things I would like to say about "people like him" but I do not know him, only others that refuse to give up things they know is the cause of many of their health problems. Many times it is the caretaker that gets the worst end of that deal.

I hope you can find some answers for your pain. My nephew owns 5 Pain Clinics and he has told me many times that there are some people that he cannot help with their pain. Lessen it, yes. Eliminate it, no.

My best to you,

I am so sorry you are in pain, anyone for that matter. I have neuropathy in my feet and legs and I take nothing, can't take the chance of liver damage. Sometimes its just too much..can your nephew help you??

[Kachina624]

I have had osteoarthritis all over my body for years. I tried all sorts of meds trying to get some relief. Some did absolutely nothing and one I had a bad allergic reaction to. After a lot of trial and error, I finally tried and kept the NSAID Lodine (generic Edolac). I've been taking it over 20 years with no side-effects. Couldn't function without it.