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Harm Reduction The Pain Management Mega Thread Version 4

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Saw the PM Doc today,

He basically said he doesn't believe in a patient with as much physical damage both structurally and in the nerves that rotating my medications will give anything but a "day or two" of improvement before my body adjusts and potentially not being able to sustain the starting dosage (and thus not working my way up on the dosage).

We did discuss the spinal cord stimulator option if my CT reveals no current structural instability or new damage requiring more surgical intervention. Going back in two weeks and potentially doing a week long trial of the spinal cord stimulator.

Anyone with experience with spinal cord stimulator devices would be helpful.
 
that's shitty news, i guess. i'll be sending you some positive vibes. i see my pain doc again dec 19th. i have had two rounds of epidurals and my friend just linked me to this article: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/GeneralNeurology/35927

neither of them did much for me. sciatica is my real complaint. my leg always feels numb. usually it buzzes like a cat is sitting on top and purring. my foot always hurts. feels like my heel is in a vice. don't think i want to do another round of epidurals. don't want any more drugs. ugh.
 
michael said:
i am stuck in this stupid fucking worker's comp nightmare and i think that the stress is driving my pain level higher. and i know that comparatively my pain is not bad, there are people who are much worse, but shitfuck it hurts and i have no idea when this dream will be over.

i could give up now and settle but quitting is not going to make me feel better. it's going to make me feel like a loser that gave up.

fuck these assholes, i hope their scumbag adjuster and scumbag lawyer stub their toes every day first thing in the morning for the rest of their pissant lives.
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Michael,
I LOVE what you said about lawyers stubbing their toes, that really made me laugh.
Sometimes I feel the way you do, like "Yeah, I hurt but I shouldn't bitch bc X or Y's pain is SO much worse and I ought to feel lucky, come to think of it". (Don't know if you get quite as extreme with the notion as I do, but you get the point.)
I'm sure you know this, but it's not good to get carried away with that kind of thinking.
Before I began pain management with my current MD, I lived in guilt. I was in serious legitimate pain and was being treated like a drug seeker by my MD at the time. It wasn't just him either, the staff participated in the behavior as well. I'd have to basically call every Monday morning to (pretty much) beg for drugs that weren't even doing much anymore. I dreaded it.
One nurse told me some awful story about a relative who'd recently been run over by a car, going into vivid detail about how excruciating his pain was...and that I really didn't have it that bad if I "stopped and thought about how much worse off other people were". I couldn't believe it...however, being treated like that for a long enough time caused me to question myself in every way. It sucked.
At my very first appointment with my new Doctor, he asked me why I kept saying that I knew I wasn't that bad compared to others ...and I broke down. At first I was humiliated, but he was great. He said something to me that was so very simple, but it helped me begin to feel like a human being again. He said, "Nobody feels your pain but you".
I know, obvious...but it helped me stop comparing my pain to people who'd had limbs severed or other extreme cases like that. He helped me realize that what mattered was the fact that my pain had caused me to stop doing many, many things I enjoyed. My child had given up asking me to ride bikes and play outside. It broke my heart when she'd come bouncing down the stairs, excited to start the day...until she saw me on the sofa with a "tummy ache" AGAIN.
Wow, ok, time to stop the rant. It just always bothers me when good people in pain compare their pain to others'.
I'm not saying that you have an issue with this...Clearly I do, though haha!!
I hope everyone is as pain free as possible. I'm having a great day so far. My daughter woke up early so we had time to paint nails and RIDE BIKES before getting ready for school :) I think I will go for a walk. I found this great app called MyFitnessPal and it really helps get me motivated to exercise and eat right... and I believe both of those things can contribute to lessened pain for me.
okay, I'm really stopping now. Have a great day everyone.
 
^ i know how you feel Im that bad with the weather that Im having to sleep on my sofa because Im in too much pain to get myself upstairs into bed. pm me if you want to talk
 
michael said:
neither of them did much for me. sciatica is my real complaint. my leg always feels numb. usually it buzzes like a cat is sitting on top and purring. my foot always hurts.
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i know that feeling all too well:| it's an absolute bastard of a feeling and makes walking or even just sitting still such an awkward and painful experience to say the least. compensating with the other leg only makes it sore and painful as well after some time.

i feel like cutting my leg off at times when it's been going on for a few hours.
 
when the crps was just in my right foot i asked for amputation thinking that it would stop the pain but that wasn't the case. that is when the drs realised just how much pain i was in. now it is in all 4 limbs some organs and it is eventually going to affect my entire body. i wouldnt wish crps on anyone Im hurting so much I've been in tears all day i hope my appointment to see the new pain specialist hurries up because my current meds aren't doing a thing
 
I know people from "Cold" regions around the world would love to have the winter weather we get here in Los Angeles, it nonetheless can approach freezing temps at night in the canyons and the SF Valley (where I am at now).

Last winter was my first winter after my first lumbar fusion, and after getting off all the opiates, the cold caused me so much agony and excruciating ache-type pain stopped me dead in my rehab program at the time and could no longer go to yoga class (which I need at least 5-6 days a week).

Fast forward to now, and 2 more operations under my belt between february and june, and even though I am still on a substantial amount of pain pills, my life is spiraling downward due to the increased pain and not being able to stand more than a few minutes at a time.

My PM Doc last week told me that if my neurosurgeon has no more options for me at this time, that he thinks a spinal cord stimulator would benefit me alot. I am so unsure about that, due to the feedback I've gotten on a forum for just spinal issues. I pretty much go with whatever my PM Doc says because he treats me with so much dignity and respect (compared to the previous 5 pm Docs) and I am hesitant to resist him. I guess I will be given a week trial first so I will try and be as honest as possible. I just fear that if I don't go with his suggestions that he may want to cut my meds down even more than they have been.

Bluelighters, my fellow PM peeps, I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever.
 
BiggDirty01 said:
I know people from "Cold" regions around the world would love to have the winter weather we get here in Los Angeles, it nonetheless can approach freezing temps at night in the canyons and the SF Valley (where I am at now).
Last winter was my first winter after my first lumbar fusion, and after getting off all the opiates, the cold caused me so much agony and excruciating ache-type pain stopped me dead in my rehab program at the time and could no longer go to yoga class (which I need at least 5-6 days a week).
Fast forward to now, and 2 more operations under my belt between february and june, and even though I am still on a substantial amount of pain pills, my life is spiraling downward due to the increased pain and not being able to stand more than a few minutes at a time.
My PM Doc last week told me that if my neurosurgeon has no more options for me at this time, that he thinks a spinal cord stimulator would benefit me alot. I am so unsure about that, due to the feedback I've gotten on a forum for just spinal issues. I pretty much go with whatever my PM Doc says because he treats me with so much dignity and respect (compared to the previous 5 pm Docs) and I am hesitant to resist him. I guess I will be given a week trial first so I will try and be as honest as possible. I just fear that if I don't go with his suggestions that he may want to cut my meds down even more than they have been.
Bluelighters, my fellow PM peeps, I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever.
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I feel your pain, as they say been there done that, I found relief at the start but then it slowly declined, many within my group had great results, begin with an open and positive mind and believe in the relief.
If you see someone at physio and they start talking about their poor result, walk away quickly!

If you think it’s not going to work . . . it won’t. Remember no single device will do it all, it more than likely will be a combination of many, and you have to keep changing-up what works!

It’s essential to have a decent working relationship with your pain Doc, and if you feel he truly cares about your wellbeing that’s even better but believing in his method, management and the man himself is an absolute requirement. . . (For Me)
When you said “Winter” I was feeling a little sorry for you . . . but then I saw your location, Be Well. . .
Moe, knows Canuck Winters
 
BiggDirty01 said:
I know people from "Cold" regions around the world would love to have the winter weather we get here in Los Angeles, it nonetheless can approach freezing temps at night in the canyons and the SF Valley (where I am at now).

Last winter was my first winter after my first lumbar fusion, and after getting off all the opiates, the cold caused me so much agony and excruciating ache-type pain stopped me dead in my rehab program at the time and could no longer go to yoga class (which I need at least 5-6 days a week).

Fast forward to now, and 2 more operations under my belt between february and june, and even though I am still on a substantial amount of pain pills, my life is spiraling downward due to the increased pain and not being able to stand more than a few minutes at a time.

My PM Doc last week told me that if my neurosurgeon has no more options for me at this time, that he thinks a spinal cord stimulator would benefit me alot. I am so unsure about that, due to the feedback I've gotten on a forum for just spinal issues. I pretty much go with whatever my PM Doc says because he treats me with so much dignity and respect (compared to the previous 5 pm Docs) and I am hesitant to resist him. I guess I will be given a week trial first so I will try and be as honest as possible. I just fear that if I don't go with his suggestions that he may want to cut my meds down even more than they have been.


Bluelighters, my fellow PM peeps, I would appreciate any feedback whatsoever.
Click to expand...
I SO understand where you're coming from. You and I have posted quite a few times in response to maybe somewhat impatient pain patients and we've been of the same opinion-- Pain management is a difficult and usually long road. It takes much worthwhile time to build a trusting relationship with our Doctors.
Once that (along with somewhat successful pain relief) is achieved, it must be terrifying to suddenly question him/her (with GOOD reason, IMO).
If you've been on the same page for the most part, there hasn't been an opportunity to see how he/she will react to resistance.
I feel you would do well to remember that you DO have a say so in your treatment, especially in major decisions like this. I think that you should express your concerns. Maybe print anything you've read about that makes you question this procedure.
It seems like you are an honest person, and I cannot imagine what harm could come to your relationship by simply and reasonably expressing valid concerns about a procedure that could impact you for the rest of your life.
Again, I DO understand your hesitation and fear ...but you have earned the trust you have and I think you should BELIEVE in that trust and in yourself.
Listen to your gut and remember you are in charge of your body in the end, and questioning this is normal. It won't raise any valid suspicion.
Please keep us up on what's going on, Bigg.
Cat
 
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big dirty we have briefly discussed scs before and all i can suggest really is to discuss the possible risks with your Dr like i did, then if the odds are good enough give the trial a go. you never know it might be the answer to your problems. pm dude if you want to talk about it some more
 
Ugh...Time to prepare for a shitty next 10days as I pretty much screwed my self on being low with my pain meds as usual.
 
michael said:
i think a cat sitting on my leg and purring would do for me than any pharms. praise allah that i have a cat who will generally do that for me.
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Sitting with my cat always helps me when I am in pain or depressed.
Lately my pain level has been slightly better but my insomnia is starting to get worse again.
 
Hello all. My main reason for being here is to learn, I am a chronic pain sufferer and just wanted you to know I have been reading the Pain Management Mega threads all afternoon and evening (and again this morning) and already feel as though I know some of you.

All discs in my back, save one is herniated. (Lonely little C7) I have spinal stenosis both cervical and lumbar and also Fibromyalgia, DDD and spondylosis.

I am currently on muscle relaxers (Skelaxin, 800 mg x 3 which works better for me than Flexeril), Oxycodone 7.5/500 x 4 Ativan 2 mg for sleep and Cymbalta 30 mg x2. I also use arnica gel topically and it definitely helps. Especially when my meds decide to take the day off and not work.

I have an amazing spouse of 26 years who is my rock and so understanding and helpful. I don't know how other people without this kind of support deal with pain as severe as this. I don't think I could.

I received each one of my confirmed diagnosis early this year, save for the fibro, dx about three months ago.

I am basically home bound now and it's been a radical adjustment after half a century of a very active lifestyle in sunny S. Florida. (Heh. I know. I'm ancient compared to a lot of you) :) It doesn't help that we moved to PA and I found both winter cold and the summer humidity is not good for me at all.

Before being dx last winter, I was self medicating with marijuana for about 23 years. My doctor at the time also practically threw pills at me every visit and my only pain then was osteoarthritis. Hah! He never stopped any meds, just kept adding more.

The Osteoarthritis was nothing, pain wise, compared to this past year. I eventually tapered off of all of them by 1989 and found OTC meds and marijuana worked just as well as the 12 meds he had me taking. I stopped my marijuana use about three years ago.

I managed my pain with OTC meds sufficiently until last February when BOOM everything hit at once. I went from working twelve hour shifts as a nurse, on my feet for the entire shift, except for charting, to not being able to get out of bed the next day. That was in February of this year (I was in pain the last year I worked but manageable enough to make it through my shift most nights.)

I saw my PCP two days later and he gave me note that I could not return to work until I had a dx and had been treated. I was put on FMLA and have not been able to work since. Most likely never will as I cannot stand or walk for more than ten minutes at a time on an average day.

I had numerous xrays and mris that first week that dx my spine and joint problems and then three months ago, my neuro and reumy dx the fibro.

I needed to build a rapport with my current PCP and we agreed to step up and add new meds sparingly.

I would give nearly anything to be back to that minor (comparitively) pain level currently, for just a day now and again. :) Then it was a 4-5 sporadically. Now it's double, or nearly double, especially as I have fairly long periods of BTP between my prescribed doses.

There's so much more but I think that's enough information for you to know who I am and where I'm coming from. Especially since this is already practically a novel.

ETA: A portion of this post is a copy/paste from my post in the New Member forum. I added a lot more information for (I hope) :) clarity.
 
You are in the right location. I find my back problems constraining my life in all aspects at 27 years old. Right now, after 2 more fusions this year, I am not sure if I will ever get to a manageable level of pain without pain meds-- that saddens me alot.

My PM Doc had me start seeing a therapist, which I now do 3 times a week, for the last 7 months and I am not sure I would have made it this far without her. I highly recommend seeing a therapist for pain management.

Feel free to PM me if you'd like to chat.
 
I have bluelight reading for months....I just found this thread...I feel as if I know a lot you and you pain.
I too have chronic pain Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. My wrists hips knees and ankles are shot they hurt so much all the time deep bone pain that never ends. The cold winters of Alaska don't help. I have five kids 10 and under. I don't have time to lay in bed and cry even I want to a million times a day. I take tramadol, gabapentin, cymbalta daily for pain which never helps. All at the age of 35. Starting at 30yrs.
Thanks and I hope everyone is have a good pain day. (Which means the pain is at least tolerable)?
 
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