Misc The Pain Management Mega Thread version 3.0

[Doomed2pain]

I take all my mess out in a daily pill planner. Handy as it looks like a journal and has 4 openings per day for your meds. I would advise anyone to pick one up they are only a few pounds

 

[Coraline]

I need to do the same. I'm feeling much better but still bad. I just wanted to give y'all an update.

 

[HaZeX]

Hey Jktm, I wish you would reply and let us know you got through the night ok.

bumpppage

 

[tricomb]

Yes Doug, please check in Im worried sick

 

[Coraline]

Well. My day. I get up at 7am at get ready for the dr. I leave at 8:30am to be there at 9am. I had a good visit. Everything perfect. I got my extra 10 Somas I was happy.

I get to my pharmacy. I got a bad feeling before I even stopped the truck. I always worry about if they will fill it. I said. Yes they will. In the back of my mind I heard; no they won't, not this time. I blew it off and walked in. She looked at it and said, "We don't fill pm meds no more." My heart dropped. I thought I was going to die. I fill my meds on insurance. And I don't have the money to pay any other way but this.

I drove to my pawn shop. Sat there deciding if I wanted to pawn my wedding ring. Btw it's still on my finger. I called my dr and told them what happened. They gave me some pharmacy names and numbers. NONE took insurance. I got a price quote on one. It was high but fair. I decide to try another pharmacy. This pharmacy was in the same building as my old pm dr. I hadn't seen him in a year. He went on vacation with out telling me so that's why I was with pm dr #1.

Guess what! There was a sign saying he was on vacation. I stood at the glass door depressed. Then someone came and I opened the door and I spoke to her. I asked if I could be seen NEXT MONTH. She pulled my chart and I started telling her my story about what happened and how I can't get it filled ect.. Another dr was right there and I showed him my pm script. I told him I can't afford it and he had sympathy for me.

They saw me. I got my full soma #80, Zantac, and Norco 1 week worth #28. This Friday they are going to give me injections that I WANTED to try and was already trying to get, then I get the rest of it #92 norco. They will continue to see me.

I was so freaken happy. I just now praised God for leading me to them and them having compassion.

I went to my Walgreens to get it filled. They have filled for me with this dr. They rejected it. I called the manager and explained it. He was sorry but he can not make her do it. The next pharmasist comes on at 3pm and maybe she will. I talked to him before and I know it's not him. I told him I'm sorry but I will make a complaint. I called the head pharmasist before and they said they do fill for this dr and my referral dr. I have been trying to transfer for a while.

I went to the pharmacy next to my new pm dr and had it filled no problems. Even with showing them the first script.

In the office I gave them the first script and they wrote void all over it. Even if they didn't I wasn't about to fill it. I DO NOT DR SHOP. But I guess I kinda did. If I had been told last month that my script would have been filled for the last time I would had been prepared made arrangements and had it covered. I hope this never happens to anyone. I hope nobody has a day like this again.

I'm happy now. But I have a headache. This day, well this week has been terrible. I will have 5 dr visits come Friday.

I think I'm going to take a nap.

So how was everybody else's day? I hope none have been bad as mine.

 

[brighton]

^ dude, thats rough! so you did get your meds in the end?? wow where I live (NZ) most medcines are just $opps no prices, then after I have had 20 scripts in year, the rest are free.

I wondered why I had gone thru my DHC so fast this month, turns out the pharmacy owes me another 30 pills, yay!
Plus I just got some more funding to see my awesome physio.
My pain is down to ok levels, now I just have to fight off some winter/pain depression

 

[Doomed2pain]

Meditation and aromatherapy will help your depression a lot B. Glad your tens unit helps i can only bare it on my back where the bad ligaments are

 

[brighton]

^ exercise is my meditation

oh quote of the day from my pain specialist "you don't have the sort of pain that would respond to strong painkillers"

oh thats just not true. bah.

 

[*samsonite*]

Man it has been a rough week. I have all my meds but I definitely need to switch them up. I'm eating my Soma like its candy, burning thru BT meds, and even tried the whole masturbation thing to up my endorphins. It's giving me crazy anxiety but I'm out of Ativan. I have been exercising to try and sweat out my mental issues and ordering pay per view to entertain myself. Nothing is working and I'm goin nuts. FML.

I need some advice from those of you with anxiety and nerve med experience... I do not have GAD but I do get panic attacks (palpitations and the need to "escape"). I was rx'd Ativan which isn't my top choice but whatever. I am now out of the Ativan and would like to explore my options. Now this last appt I brought up my nerve issues to the hag nurse but not my anxiety bc it's pointless w her. I've been having a "pins and needles" feeling from my right tricep to my pinky finger so she recommended Lyrica. I told her I would research it and talk to my pm doc next time. In my research it says it helps with anxiety also. Should I do Lyrica instead of benzos or should I try Lyrica WITH a benzo as needed? How has your experience been with Lyrica and what would be the recommended benzo for my type of anxiety? Also, is this something my pm dr usually handles or should I be using my GP instead? Would I be violating my pm contract?

 

[tricomb]

^What's going on samsonite??

I'm sorry you're not feeling okay.

 

[Coraline]

Man it has been a rough week. I have all my meds but I definitely need to switch them up. I'm eating my Soma like its candy, burning thru BT meds, and even tried the whole masturbation thing to up my endorphins. It's giving me crazy anxiety but I'm out of Ativan. I have been exercising to try and sweat out my mental issues and ordering pay per view to entertain myself. Nothing is working and I'm goin nuts. FML.

I need some advice from those of you with anxiety and nerve med experience... I do not have GAD but I do get panic attacks (palpitations and the need to "escape"). I was rx'd Ativan which isn't my top choice but whatever. I am now out of the Ativan and would like to explore my options. Now this last appt I brought up my nerve issues to the hag nurse but not my anxiety bc it's pointless w her. I've been having a "pins and needles" feeling from my right tricep to my pinky finger so she recommended Lyrica. I told her I would research it and talk to my pm doc next time. In my research it says it helps with anxiety also. Should I do Lyrica instead of benzos or should I try Lyrica WITH a benzo as needed? How has your experience been with Lyrica and what would be the recommended benzo for my type of anxiety? Also, is this something my pm dr usually handles or should I be using my GP instead? Would I be violating my pm contract?

I know GABA worked well for my anxiety when I ran out of my Paxil. I started it the day I ran out. I did have 3 days of hell. But the 4th day I was 110% better. No anxiety. No body jerks. No out breaks of crying. My mood was stable and I had NO anxiety. While I was taking it. I worked in a health food store at this time. Maybe this OTC med will help you.

On the Lyrica, it's a tough call. I would call the drs and ask just so you don't break any rules. But if one dr know you see a pm dr then offers you the Lyrica for a different condition then I don't see a problem. But sometimes drs are weird.

 

[macd610]

Zoe,
What a horrible ordeal. I am SOOO happy it worked out in the end.
I understand the feelings of sheer dread and horror that take over the mind, body, and soul when it looks like I'm going to go without. As you know, I'm a CPP as well.
I'm going to be running out of my oxycodone early, and I am a nervous wreck. I went on vacation somewhere very hot, and lots of stress throughout the trip. CONSTANT running around. These things all contributed to my pain level going WAY up.
I've got an appointment in 4-5 days to get my patches, and I am hoping I will be able to get both scripts then. I have a great relationship with my MD, and I don't routinely get meds early, so I may be OK. BTW, I haven't taken any more than my rx allows.
Just going to be honest with him. I've found that to be the best policy for me.
Sorry for rambling, and thanks for reading.

 

[Coraline]

I feel being open and honest is the best policy. They see so many liars and they know when you are being dishonest.

Just like yesterday, I was totally honest and they helped me. Did I expect it? No. I only went in to make a future appt. I know in my heart that I had favor with God yesterday.

I'm sure they will help you too. Especially if they know you and been going to them for a while.

My best advice to you is to take 1/2 doses and stretch them out as long as you can.

I wish I had a magic med cabinet and I could give everybody what they needed and it was legal. But I don't and it's not.

Maybe when I'm better I'll go to school to be a pain specialist doctor. I know I would be a good one.

Back on pm thread topic, I am feeling so good today. My pain is a 3. No headache. No spasms. No anxiety. Nothing to speak of. My meds are covering it today. Tomm I get to try some type of shot for pain. I hope it works. It's a steroid shot I think.

Does anyone have expieriences with the steroid shots in the back?

 

[Doomed2pain]

there is nothing wrong with giving lyrica or the cheaper gabapentin a try but it never helped me just made me very unwell, I did not agree with either drug even though I was on 3200mg a day of gabapentin i didnt find it to help my nerve pain or anxiety even at the maximum dose. I felt braindead, I kept falling over, it would take me a good few minutes to register what people had said to me, and even then I was foggy at best. lyrica made me 100 times worse, but a lot of people I know have had good results from both. it is worth a shot hun, you can only try it. also have you tried tricyclic anti depressants for nerve pain and also anxiety? i tried amitriptyline, sent me nuts but it has been used for decades for both issues

Man it has been a rough week. I have all my meds but I definitely need to switch them up. I'm eating my Soma like its candy, burning thru BT meds, and even tried the whole masturbation thing to up my endorphins. It's giving me crazy anxiety but I'm out of Ativan. I have been exercising to try and sweat out my mental issues and ordering pay per view to entertain myself. Nothing is working and I'm goin nuts. FML.

I need some advice from those of you with anxiety and nerve med experience... I do not have GAD but I do get panic attacks (palpitations and the need to "escape"). I was rx'd Ativan which isn't my top choice but whatever. I am now out of the Ativan and would like to explore my options. Now this last appt I brought up my nerve issues to the hag nurse but not my anxiety bc it's pointless w her. I've been having a "pins and needles" feeling from my right tricep to my pinky finger so she recommended Lyrica. I told her I would research it and talk to my pm doc next time. In my research it says it helps with anxiety also. Should I do Lyrica instead of benzos or should I try Lyrica WITH a benzo as needed? How has your experience been with Lyrica and what would be the recommended benzo for my type of anxiety? Also, is this something my pm dr usually handles or should I be using my GP instead? Would I be violating my pm contract?

 

[brighton]

Anyone tried pregabalin as a breakthru med?
Im already on gabapentin but cant afford to go on pregabalin, as my silly government wont subsidise it....
My pain specialist said to try it...I guess it will help me relax at least.

How is everyone today?

 

[*samsonite*]

there is nothing wrong with giving lyrica or the cheaper gabapentin a try but it never helped me just made me very unwell, I did not agree with either drug even though I was on 3200mg a day of gabapentin i didnt find it to help my nerve pain or anxiety even at the maximum dose. I felt braindead, I kept falling over, it would take me a good few minutes to register what people had said to me, and even then I was foggy at best. lyrica made me 100 times worse, but a lot of people I know have had good results from both. it is worth a shot hun, you can only try it. also have you tried tricyclic anti depressants for nerve pain and also anxiety? i tried amitriptyline, sent me nuts but it has been used for decades for both issues

I didn't know lyrica was like gabapentin. I quit taking gabapentin bc I would wake up at night thinking someone was touching me. It really tripped me out. My dr didnt think it was the meds and assumed it was just my nerve damage, but when I quit taking it, the sensation stopped. I haven't tried amitriptyline. It hasn't even been suggested. I've tried things like Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Wellbutrin to stabilize my mood but I wasn't a fan of any of them.

 

[tricomb]

I don't have the type of pain that responds to pregabalin or gabapentin, so it's definitely not worth the money in my book.

Hope everyone has found peace today in some way shape or form.

 

[paranoid android]

I didn't know lyrica was like gabapentin. I quit taking gabapentin bc I would wake up at night thinking someone was touching me. It really tripped me out. My dr didnt think it was the meds and assumed it was just my nerve damage, but when I quit taking it, the sensation stopped. I haven't tried amitriptyline. It hasn't even been suggested. I've tried things like Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Wellbutrin to stabilize my mood but I wasn't a fan of any of them.

I found amitriptyline better for my nerve pain then the gabapentin i am taking now. Unfortunately after years of taking it and having it work good for neuropathic pain, the depression side of my bipolar and be the best damn sleep aid Ive ever had it stopped working. I ended up on the highest recommended outpatient dose which is 150mg's and didn't get any withdrawals when i quit which is a plus as i wouldn't go through effexor (venlafaxine) withdrawals for a million bucks. Id like to try it or another tricyclic that works for nerve pain to see if it would help and maybe i could get off this gabapentin which i don't think is helping at fucking all anymore if it ever did . But since i am diagnosed bipolar not many docs want to risk trying me on a tricyclic. I also take bupropion everyday as part of my bipolar cocktail but i have taken that in the past with amitriptyline and had no trouble with it. Amitriptyline is one of the first meds they suggest here for neuropathic pain though some doctors go with other tricyclic anti-depressants such as nortriptyline which is just a metabolite of amitriptyline.

I am currently supposed to be on 3200mg's of gabapentin but i only take half of that as i don't find any difference once i hit a certain dose. Also swallowing those huge 800mg gabapentin pills is not fun. Seriously those things are twice the size of calcium pills and look more like something that's supposed to go up your ass rather then in your mouth 8) . Despite what doctors tell you gabapentin and lyrica do have withdrawal symptoms. I found them to be like a weird combination of benzo and opiate withdrawals and there is alot of pain involved if you go cold turkey after being on them for a long time. Lyrica worked better for me but unfortunately i can't afford it and it's not covered under my drug plan but gaba is.

 

[BiggDirty01]

Oy Gavault! First time in a while pain was so bad it prevented me from getting a typical amount of sleep last night...

As a result, I am very foggy today mentally...even with my typical concerta dose. Psycho therapy was a mumbled mess, very unhelpful when I am not at least somewhat clearheaded mentally.

Pain is just awful today, glad I did some exercise yesterday because I am in way too much agony to do anything physically productive today. Took some baclofen I had in reserve as my Flexeril was not helping whatsoever. Hopefully with the Oxycodone and some extra methadone I will get some rest tonight....

Samsonite: I've had tremendous success with my high dose Lyrica (600mg/day) in combination with my daily methadone (which my PM says is the best opioid for nerve pain & my back pain)

 

[paranoid android]

^ How does methadone stack up with morphine in treating neuropathic pain in your opinion? That is if you have ever been on morphine to begin with. I have been on everything from codeine to fentanyl for the trigeminal neuralgia i have (the fent patches worked best but where too expensive and not covered) but due to the really archaic way that methadone prescribing licenses are handed out here in Canada i have not tried methadone yet for my TN pain.

I just want to get a idea if it would be worth bugging my doctor over. Also if anyone has a idea of what the side effects are compared to morphine especially constipation and any worsening of mood disorders i would like to hear it.