Harm Reduction The Pain Management Megathread (Chronic and Acute Pain Discussion) v6

[SKR]

Who's "jack kervorkian"?

Hey Chick, Jack was a euthanasia advocate who served time...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kevorkian

My wife suffered from migraines for years. She tried everything under the sun and finally got Botox. She had relief on the first session. It was short lived but after a couple touch ups her pain is under control. Going through the doctor was far to expensive. Look around and find some reputable that's not in a doctors office and you can get a decent price.

Good luck, I have come home to my wife curled up in a dark closet crying because her migraine was so bad.

Btw, we went to 3 different pm docs and a neuro specialist before the Botox and none of them could get it under control.

Hi Gmlifer - How did you and your wife get onto Botox? Who knew of its effectiveness and did they refer you? If you don't mind sharing I would love to know everything you know about this as it's very interesting and dare I say helpful to others who maybe reading this thread, cheers.

And as per Closeau - Psilocybin containing mushrooms have been used effectively in a therapeutic setting to treat migraine and cluster headaches. It appears that after the usual mushroom experience which is challenging at the best of times, the patient maybe headache free for up to 3 months after the trip. I was heavily into this research almost a decade ago so there is likely to be a lot more information and studies that you can research. Fairly sure it was in Holland that was treating patients in this manner but can't quite remember, hope you find something useful.


Dixi - I'm glad I made you laugh. So how did "opiate day" pan out? Are you ok? Was it helpful?

 

[DixiChik]

Hello my Pain Peeps...Yep, SKR, you know that laughter is the best medicine. I took some Oxycodone, along with a minimal dose of Neurontin on the day I got knee injections. The next day I did the same, as ortho recommends "off the feet" for 48 hours post injections. So, I'd say it "panned out" successfully. Now, I must pay the piper with my stubborn bowel issues. But, hey, if I can have reasonable pain relief 3 out of 5 days...maybe I just give myself the GIFT of relief...at least over the holidays. FWIW, I can't foresee myself in dire straits seeking Oxy...but I'm quite the visual person, so "point taken" my friend!

I've known several who swear by Botox injections for migraines. My former GP went full throttle advertising campaign for his office performing Botox to treat migraines. The response has made him an even more wealthy man. His non-Botox patients have become part of the collateral damage. He's all about the Benjamin. By all means, if you or your wife suffers with these dreadful headaches, check out the benefits of Botox. Good luck!

IME, Diclofenac (Voltaren) is an excellent anti-inflammatory if taken orally. As with any powerful NSAID, be aware of your GI health to prevent ulcers. Don't take on an empty tummy, which is often my mistake. The Voltaren gel is just one more tool in your box, best as adjunct to oral, IMO. I find that Torodol is really effective for my inflammation issues and some degree of pain relief. That's what was administered through my IV while hospitalized. Trouble is, Torodol cannot be used consistently due to potential harm of kidneys and liver.

It's finally cold out tonight, after several days of warm humidity. My PM said "everybody's hurting worse" and "can't we leave your script @ 100 per month"? Sure, Doc...wouldn't want your ass in a vice grip with DEA, although I'm convinced you deserve it.

I do send my heartfelt wishes for pain relief and less stress to all of you, as Christmas approaches. My wish is that y'all will feel well enough to spend time with those you love. I'll be HOME for Christmas. I'll be in THERAPY by New Years Eve.

Take care all. I'm here if I can help in any way. I care about all of you!

 

[JM357]

Has anyone here had a history of addiction but been able to get their pain managed? I'm thinking of starting the methadone clinic b/c it did help for some of the time AND the head nurse had said before that with 6 months of clean urines I could be switched to pain management for my pain. I asked to dpeak to him yesterday but not sure it is a good, idead to bring it up yet or if he remembers me.

I have a history of 4 fractures in my spine, and 3 degenerated dessicated and sliding discs.

My pain is literally so bad I've considered euthanasia, but would not actually do it.

 

[Runtoparadise]

^ I had a read of a few of your threads, but am confused as to what you're currently taking, if anything for maintenance or pain. That may make all the difference.

Rtp

 

[gmlifer]

Question: when I have no pain meds I struggle to get up and get my ass in gear in the mornings. When I have them my ass wakes up at 4am and can't go back to sleep so I get up.

Have any of you had this same issue and how did you combat it?

 

[Runtoparadise]

^Some of the time it's like yeah! Got my meds, can do stuff (inset work, play etc) today!

Of course, when you're outta meds it's like nothing's gonna happen without duress & stress, & lethargy & pain...

So, yep, I get it. Though, if you want to combat it, I'd take a decent sleeping pill early the night prior, or, if you don't need to be waking that early some Diaz or clonidine put me right back to sleep for a few hrs. Even lyrica.

Rtp

 

[gmlifer]

Thank you for the response RTP. I'm certain the early morning is 100% because of an addicted mind wanting another dose. The sleeping pills are a viable option as I do have them if needed. I've tried just laying there and going back to sleep but after an hour or so of looking at the clock every few minutes I get up.

I do wonder if a round with the wife might do the trick and put my very awake mind back at ease enough to sleep just a couple more hours. I almost hate to try that though because then she might be stuck awake.

 

[JM357]

^ I had a read of a few of your threads, but am confused as to what you're currently taking, if anything for maintenance or pain. That may make all the difference.

Rtp

Basically not much- on sub for addiction, gabapentin for pain. Will probably go on the methadone clinic b/c that is all I can get.

 

[Runtoparadise]

What kind of sub dose? I'm on 36mg for pain (self medicating issues lol),which I usually split, as the whole dose can bring a fair nod on, as well as lyrica, clonidine, Celebrex, & Diaz.

I know my dr doesn't particularly believe there is a ceiling dose for bupe for pain (btw I take subutex .& suboxone), and claims to have patients on forty mgs, though that does take some jumping through hoops. Which I'm no stranger to...

I've talked to her about methadone, but she & I both don't really want me on that. I know the clinic I go to at least,- you can definitely tell who's on 'done & who's not.

Does the sub not help at all for the pain? Is the methadone a bit more seductive to you as it's a full agonist? I guess at the end of the day we've all got to do what we can to get on top of our pain in any way we possibly can.

Rtp

 

[gmlifer]

I can tell you that giving the wife the pills is so far and aggravatingly so going to insure I don't run out. Ugh. Lol.

 

[Johndoedoe.junk]

Rtp- Bupe can supposedly help for pain but didn't help me. My PM doc tried me on Butrans which is bupe in a patch. Didn't do anything for my pain but everyone is different. It was a 5mic.per hour patch so the low dose may have been why I didn't get any relief. Plain old sub pills might have been a why I got no relief. So I suppose it's possible to get pain relief from subs, probably needs to be a decent dose though.


EDIT I meant plain old sub pills in a decent dose may have worked better.

 

[BeachBum4u]

I can tell you that giving the wife the pills is so far and aggravatingly so going to insure I don't run out. Ugh. Lol.

Sorry but I'm not too sure what you're saying here. Are you saying that giving your wife the pills IS working?? Trust me, I know it can be aggravating but ever since I've done it, I have no worries whatsoever when day 28...29 rolls around. No need to do a pill count and calculate how much I need to cut back to be able to make it through day 30. Now, THAT was a PITA.

 

[gmlifer]

^^ yes, it's working great and she is great. I bugged her for some extra and she let me down easy. She didn't cave in and after a while I didn't feel the need for them. She's a damn good girl to put up with/help me through this.

Part of my problem was not being able to cut back or save some for the ua. Not to mention going through withdrawal every single month sucked big time.

 

[SKR]

^it's a terrible monthly cycle, I'm in my first week of my month and I'm already a bit behind due to using more than I should so there will have to be some cutting back to ensure I'm not rattling the last 2-3 days before my next script. Hating this life.

I get about 5 hours sleep, once I take my morning dose of oxy before work, half an hour later I could easily lay down for another 3 hrs sleep but I can't, cos I've either got work or my toddler to deal with - no rest for the wicked.

 

[JM357]

I get prescribed 24mgs a day, doesn't touch the pain. I at this point have lowered the dose because I see no difference in pain control and, being poor, it costs $200 for the doc (so I have a bit saved). Part of the methadone is a) it did help, but one 24 hour dose doesn't keep helping as much as it does at first but b) and I'm not sure if this is still the case but the head nurse said if I could give him 6 months clean urines he could get me switched to pain management (methadone from a PM doc) c) even if not eventually I'll get take homes and be able to split my dose into three.

I'm in such a hell right now. I was pretty desperate to get out of this pain and anxiety and started ordering RC benzos (help with muscle pain for me and make it so I can sleep) but I have only been for 12 days, have 150mgs diclaz to taper with if need be and will be on the taper in the next few days. Since it is benzos I don't think a few weeks would cause a lot of WDs like opioids would (I know benzo WDs are worse but they do take longer to cause dependence).

 

[gmlifer]

Sorry to hear that jm. Have you tried kratom? I've heard it can work well for some pain. There has to be something out there that can make life manageable for you.

My guess is that you are prolly in to much pain to even notice slight benzo withdrawal, that is if you have any withdrawal at all.

 

[closeau]

Well, i can first vouche for Kratom. Im going thru a bit of WD myself and it does help the pain and other symptoms of WD. Ive never been thru benzo wd but i agree that you prob wouldnt feel it. I havent gone over in a long time. Im on PM and i get plenty but this last batch first week i had a nasty habit then i was fine but behind. I tried to catch up but realky couldnt. Im prescribed 8mg Dilaudid every 4 hrs day and night which is 6 day. Last 3 days ive had 1 now tomorrow and tuesday ill have none. Its so weird cause i still have my ms contin and some leftover opana so i have opiates in my body but the ir meds cause wd apparently. I get meds Wed morning and will NOT go off the tracks again. I ordered Kratom just for these days and its helped. I have Red Borneo. The red is more opiate like so i take 2 doses of 10g. I have enough left to take 3 doses next 2 days. Immodium i thought was a myth but it works. I take it anyway for my ostomy bag but i take about 20 a day when im like this. Not only does it stop the diahrea but its an opiate antagonist so it helps the nausea and jitters too. I thoughtvtaking that much would constipate me but nope. Black seed oil is good too. Ive only tried it once year ago but there was some relief. I still have my benzos and ritalin so im certinatly not that bad off but going from 6 dilaudid a day to 1 has really messed me up. Even if i miss like my 4am dose ill wake up in pain so im really hurting right now. 2 more days then i get them back and going to see Star Wars so that will be a good day, lol. Sorry to hear people in withdrawl. PM is the way to go. Im lucky my appt was early this month so my levels are right in urine. Usually its the day or two before so id be in trouble if that was the case. I have a dilaudid script from June i found but if i fill it they will know. I thought about it though. Anyways, kratom and immodium and dont worry about the benzos. They will help. Goodnight?

 

[JM357]

But would the kratom work with the subs? I really would like to see a pain management doctor (have a history of 4 spinal fractures (not even sure when I got most of them) and 3 degenerated, dessicated discs that are now sliding- and I haven't had an MRI in a couple years and they are worse everytime). I just don't think it is possible given my history (even though the AMA says addicts should still be treated for pain) and current political climate.

 

[CfZrx]

kratom is likely only gonna work if you are on much less sub, like 2mg or somethin? It works good for me on top of 15mg methadone. The meth does quite a bit by the time I take the 3rd 5mg pill, but a tsp or 2 of kratom on top and some thc and I'm a new man p.s. the rain has made my neck arthritis a lot worse. Anybody else have this reaction?

 

[gmlifer]

kratom is likely only gonna work if you are on much less sub, like 2mg or somethin? It works good for me on top of 15mg methadone. The meth does quite a bit by the time I take the 3rd 5mg pill, but a tsp or 2 of kratom on top and some thc and I'm a new man p.s. the rain has made my neck arthritis a lot worse. Anybody else have this reaction?

Rain and cold weather make my life miserable... I feel like a 90 year old man this time of year. Yesterday I pretty much just laid around most of the day.

Is everyone ready for Christmas? We still have a bit to do but we are just about ready. Seems my kids can't ask for anything inexpensive anymore. I suppose that comes with age though.

I hope you guys have a great day, time to get ready for work here.