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Harm Reduction The Pain Management Megathread (Chronic and Acute Pain Discussion) Version 5.0 ~ V

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I could be wrong but I thought Pregabalin (Lyrica) was a controlled substance.
As it is Schedule V to my knowledge in other words has a "low potential for abuse".
Gabapentin (Neurontin) however to my knowledge is not.

Though they are often said to be similar or equally effective just requiring different dosing;
I find Lyrica to be far more effective than Neurontin. YMMV.
 
I;m scheduled for my first facet (neck) block injection this week. Do you recommend this type of treatment?
Serena697 said:
I've had many rounds of the injections for spine nerve pain. One thing that helped was doing Pilates and core specific exercises. You must have a good trainer because the wrong body position will only make it worse. It took me a good six months before I started noticing a reduction in pain, resulting from an overall strengthening of my core muscles. I quite literally cried the first four months of classes and had to double my pain killers to get through them. I was so weak and in so much pain I could barely do the moves. Have faith and patience. Do what you can do, even if it's for a nanosecond. Don't overdo it and hurt yourself more. Chronic spine pain forces sufferes to be inactive, and the weakening of those core and ab muscles make the pain far worse. Daily, gentle stretching or floating gently in a heated pool can help too, but you must be consistent. Good luck.
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^Its worth a go. Just be sure the nerve block is guided under fluoroscopy as a day stay patient.

I had a light general anaesthetic when I had my SI joints injected, as I did with a medial branch block. Going into theatre for such a seemingly small procedure can be daunting for some, but my specialist didn't want me awake in case I moved around.

Hope it works for you,

Rtp
 
ThanksRun2!!!Yes hopefully this doctor really knows his shit! It's a small town where the worst professionals of each field seem to congregate. But I bet I will be super happy when I wake up minus pain one day :) Of course then my Primary doc will try to wean me off pain meds, but I'm on a list for suboxone (unbeknowst to my doc) because I'm really not that strong minded when I'm depressed and will probably start shooting up again
Runtoparadise said:
^Its worth a go. Just be sure the nerve block is guided under fluoroscopy as a day stay patient.

I had a light general anaesthetic when I had my SI joints injected, as I did with a medial branch block. Going into theatre for such a seemingly small procedure can be daunting for some, but my specialist didn't want me awake in case I moved around.

Hope it works for you,

Rtp
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CfZrx said:
I;m scheduled for my first facet (neck) block injection this week. Do you recommend this type of treatment?
Click to expand...

I've never tried it, but the nurse at my pain management clinic said that they'd never had a patient who'd been made worse by a nerve block. So, worst case scenario, it won't do anything.
 
Yeah, they've been pushing it on me too, but the last time I got an injection it went bad so I'm just kinda anti-injection.

TBH, I'm feeling better in general, I'm actually considering getting off my oxyIR, even mentioned it to my PM doc last week. This really makes me feel like an adult, nutting up and actually getting off oxy even though I'm on a low dose, I don't have to quit, and no one is making me. I just don't feel like it's really all that necessary anymore, and in some ways it's holding me back from improving to the best I can be. Plus I'm sure my doc would let me come back if I needed.

I'm a little scared of the w/d, never had to experience it before so I don't really know what it's like, but the illness I got on PM for had BAD flares which were very similar to the symptoms of w/d I've read about so I'm kinda scared, plus I've just recently gotten really stabilized and actually started to improve.. so maybe it's a little soon but in 4 months and change I turn 26 and I'll have to get off my parent's health insurance.. I was thinking to do it before then but I dunno.. theoretically the w/d shouldn't be that bad, I'm only on 20-25mg/day, but I am kinda small, and the illness like I mentioned. I could take a week off work, and my doctor would give me whatever Rx I need, and I have plenty of cannabis.
 
DMB1979- are you still here?
I too had the issue of running out early, taking a little extra, being preoccupied etc. I was running out 2 wks early and it was costing me a fortune!!
This month I tried something new. It's called the Kitchen Safe. It was on Dragons Den or Shark Tank. You can put your pills inside, set the timer for whenever you want, and then lock it. THERE IS NO OVERRIDE. Even if you take out the batteries, it just pauses the timer. Lol
Usually I'm good. Last night I was REALLY jones ing. The safe helps me have willpower when I would otherwise hVe none. I open it once a day, take out my doses, lock it up until the next morning. Sometimes I decide in adVance I will allow myself a few extra for the day, like if I have to go out. That is okay. Progress not perfection. I can tell you, in half a month it's already saved me hundreds of dollars.
It gives you willpower and self control when you otherwise have none. Even if you're really hurting and craving, it's possible to deal bc you've set your timer appropriately and you only have x hours to get through. It's wat better than the unbearableness of being out.
No I don't own stock or sell them lol. I know last year we were here talking about what a great idea but none of us had ever heard of it. I want to do a PSA on the main forum soon so more people are aware.
It's not cheap $50 CAD including shipping bit when you're running out wks early and spending triple your mortgage on extras,,, well it pays for itself in the first week.
Take care.
 
That pill safe thing sounds stupid, no offense to you using it. If you're gonna abuse drugs, as soon as the timer opens up, you take out the whole bottle & never put anything back.

The better bet is to have someone that doesn't take opiates to hold on to them for you & give you the doses when its time.
 
^ No need to put down something that works for someone...
I know you've been around longer but especially in a thread like this if anything people need support.
Not to have shit talked to them. Personally I find your post inappropriate.
Even if you threw in no offense to you using it.
I don't think it at all fits the theme of the thread or HR.
The poster is trying to help others & expressing what helped them.

I don't see where you get off thinking you have the right to put them down?
Even if you throw in a no offense comment, after a offensive statement.
But your post just doesn't sit right with me.
As I I've always thought posting no offense after an offensive statement;
is a really big fucking cop out.
Not trying to start an argument or fight.
Just wanted to point out that it seems wrong. Perhaps delete or edit it?

As not everyone that abuses drugs has 0 willpower.
Some do have some willpower as to where such a device could help them.
I mean it helped the poster so there's 1 person right there.
And if something helps even 1 person in the thread then it has it's place.

For example I've abused drugs a fuck ton.
I've shot more speedballs than I can count.
Hell at one point my tolerance was so high I'd wear 2 100mcg/hr fent patches;
& do a 50mg shot of Oxymorphone on top of it to catch a minor to medium high.
So I know all about it not talking out my ass.

I'm just lucky I guess as I can put the needle down with no problems.
But I'll admit I'll pick it back up if I need to, IE. I don't have the meds I need.
Or the B/A of what I have is shit any other way & well ATM have heart/lung probs.
So I can't really smoke/sniff.
But I haven't even though I have a bottle with 8mg Dilaudids sitting in the other room.
I've done 1 shot just to think straight to get things done 1 day.
Other than that it's just been oral ER Morphine that doctor is tapering me on.

Though I have PM referrals so I hopefully will get meds back.
In meantime I might have to rely on other methods but don't have the loot.
So I just get by as best I can for the moment.
But this isn't about me, I just wanted to make a point.

This thread is to help people with pain & to help them manage it.
As I stated earlier it should be a supportive & helpful environment.
I mean yes your idea is a good one as well, I'm not refuting that.
But not everyone has someone who can or is willing to do what you speak of...

Sorry if I offend you in anyway, it's not intended.
I just don't feel that this thread needs anything negative.
We all have enough pain & suffering as it is.
I'm sure your intention wasn't to hurt anyone's feelings but;
even with your no offense, it's possible you could hurt the poster.
Why take the chance in a thread like this?

Again sorry if I offended you in anyway thelostboys.
I just wanted to point out the potential negativity to you.
So that you could correct it if you so choose.
Nothing personal intended.
Normally I wouldn't even have bothered to respond but am in w/d's ATM.

Had my Pain Meds & Benzo's put on a taper at the same time, as well
as having some cut completely, but I've posted about it in TDS/Mental Health.
So I'm not going to clutter this thread with the details, as anyone interested can read there.
I just hate to see unnecessary negativity when we all have so much in our lives already.
Sorry if I went on a rant, just couldn't help it.
Again nothing against you personally TLB. Just wanna keep the thread positive.
 
Lmao......dude, your statement to me is about as worrisome as a cloudy day.......I don't get offended & never hold s grudge.

I stated my statement, you responded to it, life goes on.......
 
Ok I will make this short I work 50 hours a week all on my feet, semi heavy lifting etc...

I have neuropahy on my feet and take lyrica 300mg but that doesn't do much even when bumped up. Also acute lower backpain from lifting. Now I do stretch and take baths as much as I can but what would some here recommend I talk to my doctor about. insurance kicks back in in about a week or so and I need to be able to get through these 6 days a week of intense work. Something that will occasionally help with the lower back and especially the feet.

thanks
 
Thank you very much Industrial Strength. I'm a big girl; certainly not offended by a know it all keyboard warrior with a chip on his shoulder.

The lost boy- not everyone here is the same. Not everyone here has an addiction. You don't seem to know what you're talking about. I know for 100% sure that it would help more than just me, as I've literally seen people here on BL who were wishing that such an idea existed.
The beauty of it is people in general would be able to tell BEFOREHAND buying the safe if it would be useful to them or not.

To you, obviously it wouldn't be.
For myself and others who struggle with chronic pain, who get a prescription and find themselves enticed to take more than prescribed for whatever reason, it works great! For us, we don't take a "handful or bottle full of pills" at one time. We just want pain relief, and on the bad days when you aren't helped around the clock, it can be mighty tempting to take extra. We are not enticed when the pain is controlled, or about to be. When I pop my 2 pills, I'm satisfied. I'm not motivated to take a bunch. Am easily able to lock up the rest. It's when they wear off, that I am craving more that is the tempting period.
 
Hey All - bit of advice would be welcome here!

So I got my CT and MRI scans back on Tuesday and saw my spinal surgeon for a follow up consultation on Thursday. Different radiographer's reviewed the different scans and came up with the same verdict, which is Spondylolisthesis. In my case, fractures to both facets that connects to the vertebrae at around L5-S1 - or that's how I've understood it so far. I think this picture pretty much sums it up to my best beliefe:

lumbar_spondylolysis_cause02.jpg


Whilst the left facet is completely fractured, the right one appears to have fractured and has attempted to heal - but performed a very bad job at doing so! So at least I know the source of my pain now. Personally, a spinal fusion is out of the question at my age (25) so I'm going to carry on with physiotherapy, Pilates and swimming as well as a focus on neuropathic pain management to try and let it heal without spinal surgery.

Now I know the cause of the pain, I'm hoping to be able to rotate over from 100mg Morphine Sulfate to Xmg of Methadone over the next 4 weeks, primarily for it's notoriously more potent effect on relieving Neuropathic pain compared to other opiates. It's a decision that I'm very weary about and have put a lot of thought in to, but I've tried Morphine/Tapentadol/Oxycodone/Fentanyl and my reduction in pain isn't directly proportionate to the dosage of opiates I take for pain relief so there's only so much they'll do for me.

I'm only on 100mg of Pregabalin at the moment but before getting into bed tonight I'm going to check when my prescription runs out and see if I have enough pills to push that up to 200mg Pregabalin per day as I know it's very good with Neuropathic pain and will ease me off of the opiates and then get 200mg put on repeat prescription for next month. My only concern is the 'brain fuzz' that Pregabalin (and Gabapentin) give me. I've just started a new job so need to be mentally sharp and on the ball, but Pregabalin really dulls my CNS down - so I'm worried about that affecting my performance.

Although it's a horrible diagnosis to receive at a relatively young age, the news was actually kind of bittersweet. Because as serious as spinal fractures are, I now have significant evidence to provide my doctor/pain management consultant with justification to prescribe high doses of opiates and also open up other doors for pain relief. I think they knew I had suffered from some back pain, but thought I was milking it a bit.

I've chosen to have a lumbar Epidural Spinal Injection in favour of surgery that will be a mixture of steroids (cortisone) and anaesthetic (lidocaine or bupivacaine) - has anybody had one of these before, and if so, what's the success rate?

Also, would it be possible to take oral steroids, something like prednisone to help with the lumbar pain?

If anyone has any experience with anything like this - I'd be really happy to hear from you?
 
^ Wish I knew what to tell you but don't really know in your case.
I have S curve dextro-scoliosis & some other back issues but none like yours.
Sorry to hear about your situation. As for the methadone though I can chime in there.

How's your metabolism? As often times methadone is prescribed once daily as in for maintenance.
For pain relief it does not last near that long, you will want it dosed multiple times per day.
As for maintenance once daily holds most people, not me as I have fast metabolism.
I needed twice daily just for maintenance, but for pain relief I would sometimes go as far as 3-4.
Times daily that is. Though it really depends on metabolism.
Just wanted to point that out to you, as a lot of doctors think of the once daily that they use;
for maintenance & prescribe it like that for pain as well.

Don't want you to get caught in that mess. So figured I'd warn ya regardless.
As even with a slow metabolism usually need at least twice daily dosing.
Either way I hope it works better for you, as I've had to try various different opiates myself.
Though ATM my PM is currently a mess, but that's a whole saga.
Mental Health/TDS has that saga in various posts so no need to repeat it here.

As for the injections I don't have experience so can't chime in there.
I can just wish you the best of luck & hope that things work out for you.
Hope the tip on the done helps ya out if you weren't already aware.
If you were sorry to waste your time.

@Bliss26 NP. I was in a really angry mood at the time & seeing negativity in this thread;
well it just set me off. :\ As I feel this thread should be positive.
As the people who post here have enough pain in there lives as it is.
I'm happy to hear that your safe works for you & hopefully helps out some other posters.
I don't normally vent at people directly but didn't wanna see negativity infect this thread.
As negativity is insidious much like a virus, once it gets in it spreads.

So just glad that TLB responded without any issues & that we could keep it positive.
Hope your doing well & that you & others pain is being managed as best as possible.
 
SmokeyCitrine said:
Ok I will make this short I work 50 hours a week all on my feet, semi heavy lifting etc...

I have neuropahy on my feet and take lyrica 300mg but that doesn't do much even when bumped up. Also acute lower backpain from lifting. Now I do stretch and take baths as much as I can but what would some here recommend I talk to my doctor about. insurance kicks back in in about a week or so and I need to be able to get through these 6 days a week of intense work. Something that will occasionally help with the lower back and especially the feet.

thanks
Click to expand...

would something in combination with lyrica like tramadol or something that aids in the physical pain in the feet and back. Sorry not super savy on pain management Rxs. any suggestions to bring up with the doc would be appreciated. Need to get through these 50 hour weeks.
 
^Sounds though you'd like quick replies,- double post noted. No matter what suggestions BLighters can offer, it's up to your doctor as to what he's willing to prescribe.

As you're already taking Lyrica I'm sure he's aware of your situation which is good. In that there's an existing r'ship between the two of you, & that your already scripted Lyrica for neuropathy. A much better scenario than if you were to approach a new doctor looking for pain meds first up.

As for suggestions, if you directly ask the doctor for a specific drug, your not likely to get it, especially if it's a stronger type, as that would come across as a red flag.

Doctors are up to date on what's available to prescribe, let him know that you have pain impacting on your work & see what he comes up with.

Rtp
 
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