Opioids Pain Management- frustrated & in crazy pain

[Internecion]

Hello all fellow bluelighters!

I am looking for opinions/suggestions- really anything that may be worth mentioning in relation to pain. Nerve pain specifically. I was recently diagnosed with nerve damage in both of my wrists/hands and potentially my back as well (still awaiting tests for the back as well as an actual nerve stress test which I have been placed on a long waiting list 6months+) I have suffered with this pain for several years, but it was manageable to an extent. I'd have my good days and bad days.. but recently it's gotten SO much worse.

I'll apologize for the long winded post, but I truly am at my wits end. My mental health has taken a nose dive and I'm struggling to even get out of bed in the mornings, to the point of dark thoughts.. I am in loads of pain which I am unable to control with just NSAIDs or anti-inflammatory medications. My last appointment with my doctor I shared all of these things with him and all he was willing to give me was a prescription only voltran gel that doesn't do anything.

I did previously have a problem with prescription pain medication, which I was open and honest with my doctor about and now I'm wondering if because of my past my doctor is unwilling to help me in the pain management regard. I don't necessarily want an opiate, I just want something that actually works so I can go back to living my life. I feel like because I've had a problem in the past it's coming back to haunt me in the sense that when I actually need the help I am not getting it. It's also not so easy to just switch doctors either because of covid and whatnot.

So my question is, is there anyone here that has had similar issues in regards to your doctor not helping with pain management? What did you do? Are there ANY over the counter medications that work well for nerve pain that I may have overlooked?? Any vitamins? Supplements? Anything that can help?? I'm exausted and in so much pain I just want it to end. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Funtimesplease]

I feel your pain, I broke my back 23 years ago right after I joined the army and it has sparkedalot of different problems pain and medical wise. The va had me one time taking 240 perks and 240 Roxy's a month and since then every time I go to the doctor for some other injury they think I'm drug seeking, so what I have done (and I dont recommend it) is stop taking anything for pain plus I dont like pills anyways. I do smoke weed for pain and to help me sleep. It's sad how this country has got to where if someone truly needs meds for a medical problem they dont help them but will help the ones who are looking just for the drugs. I will do some research and see if I can find anything that might help ya that wont cause anymore stress for you. As I said I feel your pain I'm in the same boat but I have chosen a very hard path that I dont recommend. Feel free to message me if possible if you just need to talk

 

[Anonymous Dissident]

A warning about how addictive kratom can be should open this diatribe. It can be extremely addictive when used on a schedule like any other painkiller and is a bitch to get off of, especially if you don't have a history of opiate addiction it seems...

That being said, I find kratom to be far better at attenuating nerve pain (severe cervical radiculapathy resulting from a ruptured disk at c6-c7 in my case) than both traditional opiates and gabapentinoids like lyrica and neurontin. I'm not sure what it is about the complex pharmacology of kratom, but it really does the job better than anything out there, at least for me. If you do try it, don't be a dumbass like I was and let your dose climb a little more each day, trying to both chase the euphoric high and achieve analgesia. Just take the minimum dose that makes your pain tolerable.

There is a definite "ceiling effect" in terms of kratom's psychoactive effects, possibly due to its function as a partial MOR agonist (the pharmacology of kratom's alkaloid composition is far more complex than that, I'm definitely oversimplifying), but the analgesia lacks the ceiling effect. If you live somewhere that it's legal, you'll find it's cheap and effective as a painkiller, far better than anything available otc. Just utilize it with caution and respect...

OP: If you have any questions, feel free to pm me or ask them here, I'll check back before I go to bed tonight.

 

[Funtimesplease]

Thanks for bringing that up I totally forgot about it, I used it for awhile then the shops where I live took it off the shelves one day and that was all kinda sucked because it did help as long as you dont abuse it as you said

 

[Deru]

So my question is, is there anyone here that has had similar issues in regards to your doctor not helping with pain management? What did you do? Are there ANY over the counter medications that work well for nerve pain that I may have overlooked?? Any vitamins? Supplements? Anything that can help?? I'm exausted and in so much pain I just want it to end. Any help is appreciated.

There is nothing worse than nerve pain, in my opinion. It is by far the most torturous hell imaginable. With that said, opioids do almost nothing for it. I usually take a B-complex vitamin, high in B12 and B6 as those are essential for nerve function and regeneration. For pain, gabapentin, amitriptyline or duloxotone will completely change your life. I prefer amitriptyline or duloxotone versus gabapentin, plus the added benefit of the antidepressant effects, made them the superior choice.

I can't imagine any neurologist who would refuse any of those medications for legitimate nerve pain, regardless of history of drug use.

I can't stress enough though, opioids are extremely ineffective for treating nerve pain.

Edit: There are also injections like nerve blocks and some type of electrical stimulation therapy (I can't remember specifics or the name, but my neurologist recommended it). So, there are plenty of treatment options available out there. It just takes forever to get all the imaging and everything done to get to that point, so the sooner it's started the sooner you can find relief.

 

[evo4ever]

There is nothing worse than nerve pain, in my opinion. It is by far the most torturous hell imaginable. With that said, opioids do almost nothing for it. I usually take a B-complex vitamin, high in B12 and B6 as those are essential for nerve function and regeneration. For pain, gabapentin, amitriptyline or duloxotone will completely change your life. I prefer amitriptyline or duloxotone versus gabapentin, plus the added benefit of the antidepressant effects, made them the superior choice.

I can't imagine any neurologist who would refuse any of those medications for legitimate nerve pain, regardless of history of drug use.

I can't stress enough though, opioids are extremely ineffective for treating nerve pain.

Edit: There are also injections like nerve blocks and some type of electrical stimulation therapy (I can't remember specifics or the name, but my neurologist recommended it). So, there are plenty of treatment options available out there. It just takes forever to get all the imaging and everything done to get to that point, so the sooner it's started the sooner you can find relief.

I disagree, Opioids alone may be ineffective for treating nerve pain but they make Gabapentinoids more effective as Opioids and Gabapentinoids have a synergistic effect taken together. I take Oxycodone and Pregabalin for Peripheral Neuropathy and that combination is more effective than just talking one of either drug alone.

 

[Deru]

I disagree, Opioids alone may be ineffective for treating nerve pain but they make Gabapentinoids more effective as Opioids and Gabapentinoids have a synergistic effect taken together. I take Oxycodone and Pregabalin for Peripheral Neuropathy and that combination is more effective than just talking one of either drug alone.

Oh for sure, combined they do help somewhat. Without the medications for nerve pain on board, they're useless (that, I know for sure lol). Just curious, where does your peripheral neuropathy give you the most pain? Mine manifested bizarrely due to Covid-19 and was even affecting the right side of my face into my teeth. It was absolute torture.

 

[MsDiz]

Nerve blocks are good but I’d try out gabapentin or pregabalin first.

 

[Shady's Fox]

Lyrica

 

[ChemicallyEnhanced]

Nerve blocks are good but I’d try out gabapentin or pregabalin first.

^This. I've been on Gabapentin for nerve pain for about 5 weeks now and it's really helping whereas anti-inflammatory's and acetaminophen did nothing and opioids were only somewhat effective.

 

[GetMeOutOfThisCRAP]

A warning about how addictive kratom can be should open this diatribe. It can be extremely addictive when used on a schedule like any other painkiller and is a bitch to get off of, especially if you don't have a history of opiate addiction it seems...

That being said, I find kratom to be far better at attenuating nerve pain (severe cervical radiculapathy resulting from a ruptured disk at c6-c7 in my case) than both traditional opiates and gabapentinoids like lyrica and neurontin. I'm not sure what it is about the complex pharmacology of kratom, but it really does the job better than anything out there, at least for me. If you do try it, don't be a dumbass like I was and let your dose climb a little more each day, trying to both chase the euphoric high and achieve analgesia. Just take the minimum dose that makes your pain tolerable.

There is a definite "ceiling effect" in terms of kratom's psychoactive effects, possibly due to its function as a partial MOR agonist (the pharmacology of kratom's alkaloid composition is far more complex than that, I'm definitely oversimplifying), but the analgesia lacks the ceiling effect. If you live somewhere that it's legal, you'll find it's cheap and effective as a painkiller, far better than anything available otc. Just utilize it with caution and respect...

OP: If you have any questions, feel free to pm me or ask them here, I'll check back before I go to bed tonight.

It's true. Some people say that kratom doesn't work well for chronic pain but I find that opioids do nothing for physical pain while for some reason kratom makes it go away. And I also agree considering I've been able to escape painkillers several times but never kratom.

OP it sounds like you're at a point where if you don't find some resolution for your chronic pain you're going to become a hazard to yourself. I understand why you would feel that way but at the same time there has to be a way that allows you to live without that kind of misery. It is truly saddening how the USA does not consider how any change in drug regulation results in unfathomable consequences from real people with productive lives. It is noticeably harder to find recreational painkillers I will admit that, on the same coin patients who are suffering with true chronic pain are also completely cut off from prescriptions. In the future, not being honest is horrible and I hate having to state this but sometimes telling the truth to your doctor isn't always the best They do not know their patients on a personal level most of the time and are far too busy to do so.. so it's nearly impossible for them to discern who is an addict that is harmful to themselves and others and who is an addict that is not harmful to anyone or even themselves. They flag both parties down as nearly the same. It sounds like you truly need these painkiller scripts and admitting the truth that you enjoy their effects as well negatively impacted your life. I think being an addict is a step up from being in unbearable pain to the point that you want to give up on living but my country does not see it that way.

 

[Internecion]

I feel your pain, I broke my back 23 years ago right after I joined the army and it has sparkedalot of different problems pain and medical wise. The va had me one time taking 240 perks and 240 Roxy's a month and since then every time I go to the doctor for some other injury they think I'm drug seeking, so what I have done (and I dont recommend it) is stop taking anything for pain plus I dont like pills anyways. I do smoke weed for pain and to help me sleep. It's sad how this country has got to where if someone truly needs meds for a medical problem they dont help them but will help the ones who are looking just for the drugs. I will do some research and see if I can find anything that might help ya that wont cause anymore stress for you. As I said I feel your pain I'm in the same boat but I have chosen a very hard path that I dont recommend. Feel free to message me if possible if you just need to talk

Thank you so much for your reply. I haven't been on lately so I apologize for the late response. I've definitely tried to just tough out the pain. Infact, that's what I've done for the last few years. It has gotten to the point I cannot do the things I love I used to be able to do. For example baking. After rolling out dough I am in excruciating pain and im only 29 years old. I think I may seek out a pain specialist and see what my options are if there are any. I'm sorry to hear you're having the same problems though. You're braver then I could ever be just dealing with it.

 

[Internecion]

It's true. Some people say that kratom doesn't work well for chronic pain but I find that opioids do nothing for physical pain while for some reason kratom makes it go away. And I also agree considering I've been able to escape painkillers several times but never kratom.

OP it sounds like you're at a point where if you don't find some resolution for your chronic pain you're going to become a hazard to yourself. I understand why you would feel that way but at the same time there has to be a way that allows you to live without that kind of misery. It is truly saddening how the USA does not consider how any change in drug regulation results in unfathomable consequences from real people with productive lives. It is noticeably harder to find recreational painkillers I will admit that, on the same coin patients who are suffering with true chronic pain are also completely cut off from prescriptions. In the future, not being honest is horrible and I hate having to state this but sometimes telling the truth to your doctor isn't always the best They do not know their patients on a personal level most of the time and are far too busy to do so.. so it's nearly impossible for them to discern who is an addict that is harmful to themselves and others and who is an addict that is not harmful to anyone or even themselves. They flag both parties down as nearly the same. It sounds like you truly need these painkiller scripts and admitting the truth that you enjoy their effects as well negatively impacted your life. I think being an addict is a step up from being in unbearable pain to the point that you want to give up on living but my country does not see it that way.

You made a very good point and I've definitely been thinking being honest with my doctor about my drug use probably wasn't the best course of action given my current circumstances. I am just hoping he's waiting for all the tests to come back before he decides a course of action and not withholding treatment because of my past. I just don't even know when I'm going for the nerve test either. Being waitlisted sucks big time. I have found CBD lotion works a little. Not completely, but it takes the edge off a bit. Also have tried kratom and it doesn't do much for me either. Could be the batch. I'm not sure. Thanks for your input though. It's greatly appreciated!

 

[Funtimesplease]

Thank you so much for your reply. I haven't been on lately so I apologize for the late response. I've definitely tried to just tough out the pain. Infact, that's what I've done for the last few years. It has gotten to the point I cannot do the things I love I used to be able to do. For example baking. After rolling out dough I am in excruciating pain and im only 29 years old. I think I may seek out a pain specialist and see what my options are if there are any. I'm sorry to hear you're having the same problems though. You're braver then I could ever be just dealing with it.

I can completely understand. The VA sent me to lots of pain specialists over the years and they can help but be careful they will jack the meds up fast to get you addicted. That's how they get there money, now there might be some good ones out there and I hope you find one and they can get you on a normal routine again. And I'm not brave I'm just old school stubborn lol

 

[GetMeOutOfThisCRAP]

Here are some final (last possible options) to be made:

1) Get on methadone: pretend you're a heroin addict and at least it'll be a great form of pain relief--provided the withdrawal is appalling and makes one want to off himself/herself But this really could be a last possible option! It's better than living with unbearable pain or being suicidal.

2) Look into poppy seed tea. Like methadone--it has a withdrawal that makes one want to off himself/herself. However... it consists of morphine which in my opinion is the best opiate for pain relief.

Of course these two options suck... but considering the climate of pharmaceuticals in the USA and chronic pain patients being screwed over worse and worse as time goes by these could help.... I just don't want you to be a hazard to yourself from the pain levels you know?

 

[Oleander]

Hi OP. I can understand how you are feeling but obviously not exactly. I have rheumatoid arthritis and the pain and stiffness has severely impacted my life since I started having symptoms. I used heroin for about 4 years and was on suboxone for 3 and rarely had pain. Once I got off both, combined with a lot of physical labor at work, it became almost unbearable some days. Like you mentioned, doctors say ibuprofen and shit which obviously I do and it doesn’t work. And voltaren did nothing for me either and I had super high hopes for it too. One thing that helps slightly is gabapentin but not all the time, and steroid medications work best for me but I hate constantly taking them. I understand your frustration and don’t really have any advice other than I have chronic pain as well and doctors have been beating around the bush with medications with me and it’s frustrating. Good luck

 

[supersonic89]

I disagree, Opioids alone may be ineffective for treating nerve pain but they make Gabapentinoids more effective as Opioids and Gabapentinoids have a synergistic effect taken together. I take Oxycodone and Pregabalin for Peripheral Neuropathy and that combination is more effective than just talking one of either drug alone.

This is completely true. Pregabalin / Tramadol magically cured my low back pain two years ago.
Taking just one of them doesn't work as well as taking them together.
I was about to have an surgery on my lower back because the pain was too much but thanks to that medication I avoided the surgery, anda was quite expensive by the way. To this day, my back is doing excellent, with zero discomfort or pain.

 

[Keif' Richards]

Hey OP! Dont apologize for anything. Knowing more about you and your situation helps us to answer your questions a little more accurately.

Do you have any experience Gabapentinoids? This is a class of drugs including Pregabalin (Lyrica) and the eponymous Gabapentin (Neurontin). These drugs tend to be more effective with less consequence than Opioids when used specifically for nerve pain.

As they say, Opioids relieve all pain, mental and physical. It isn't surprising that they would make you feel better but that doesn't mean they're the right choice for your nerve pain. It sounds like that's not really what you're looking for anyway

In this day and age, being honest about addiction with your prescriber(s) is often the best policy. If they find out through channels other than your own, then you will be completely screwed.

So do you have experience with Gabapentinoids? One positive aspect is that you'll probably know within hours or days whether they will be effective or not.

 

[Internecion]

Hey OP! Dont apologize for anything. Knowing more about you and your situation helps us to answer your questions a little more accurately.

Do you have any experience Gabapentinoids? This is a class of drugs including Pregabalin (Lyrica) and the eponymous Gabapentin (Neurontin). These drugs tend to be more effective with less consequence than Opioids when used specifically for nerve pain.

As they say, Opioids relieve all pain, mental and physical. It isn't surprising that they would make you feel better but that doesn't mean they're the right choice for your nerve pain. It sounds like that's not really what you're looking for anyway

In this day and age, being honest about addiction with your prescriber(s) is often the best policy. If they find out through channels other than your own, then you will be completely screwed.

So do you have experience with Gabapentinoids? One positive aspect is that you'll probably know within hours or days whether they will be effective or not.

Hey Keif,

Once again I haven't been on lately. Work has been kicking my arse.

I have absolutely no experience with gabapentinoids.. my friend actually was telling me to talk to my doctor about them. He told me there would be little reason for him to say no given my addiction history, as they're relatively low for abuse potential. Not sure if this is true as I said I've never taken anything like it before.

All I know is I am truly at my wits end. I feel like I have tried everything I can possibly try without a specific prescription from my doctor. All of the tests have come back and I have an appointment with him tomorrow so we will see how it goes.

My last ditch effort before doing as another here suggested and getting on to some sort of maintenance program is to get a referral to a pain clinic. Hopefully they'll take things a little more seriously. As I say I am pretty much open to anything as long as it works. I do imagine they have a bunch of patients that are specifically 'drug seeking' it would be hard to weed out the ones that actually need it..