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

[Johndoedoe.junk]

. How the hell do the rest of you combat running out.

I often ask myself the same thing. Why do I put myself through hell month after month?

Judging from what I hear from a lot of other pain patients I talk to I'm undermedicated i.e. not prescribed enough. My understanding is common protocol for chronic pain patients is a long acting for around the clock relief along with a decent amount of immediate release meds for breakthrough. I'm left with a large quantity of short acting only. I brought this up last appt and asked about MS Contin in a small dose to go along with my Norco but he was adamant about me staying away from morphine saying it was too strong, and I was asking for a super low dose too, 10 or 15mg. Hell I hate the stuff anyways but I figured it'd at least keep me out of withdrawals if I ran out of the Norco. He upped the Norco to six a day but it his doesn't cut it. Said he'd rather have me on straight oxy or methadone. I figured I'd five the six Norco a day a shot but still insufficient. That's why I'm seriously considering the methadone as it is sort of a long acting and maybe I won't need to dose so much to keep things under control. As far as the oxy if they gave me OC along with Roxi my insurance doesn't cover it so it'd be costly.

As far as the withdrawals I go through them every month and for me the mental aspect is absolutely horrid. I need to get a grip on this but without pain relief I don't function and I definitely don't function while in withdrawals. I'm really hoping we can get things sorted this next appt. I know done is super hard to get off but with my back being the way it is I see myself on some sort of pain med for a long time as I've tried everything short of full blown back surgery with no relief. It'd be nice to hear from someone who's on methadone successfully for pain relief but it seems most done users here are MMT users.

Gotta figure this out. This monthly roller coaster is too much. Thanks for the replies and input guys. Closeau I wish I could get on a regimen similar to yours. My doc is a real down to earth guy,listens to me, spends a lot of time with me but just seems hesitant to pull out the big guns.

 

[closeau]

Yes, I'm lucky to have a compassionate Dr. My new regim is workin good. Try the methadone. It may work for you!

 

[SKR]

Said he'd rather have me on straight oxy or methadone.
My doc is a real down to earth guy,listens to me, spends a lot of time with me but just seems hesitant to pull out the big guns.

Geez John, I certainly consider both oxycodone and methadone as being pretty big guns, has your Dr mentioned what doses he would start you on? Would love to know what dosage methadone he had in mind. Sorry to hear about your pain too John, it's the pits. Take care.

 

[gmlifer]

Shroomy- I see you have some complications.... I always hate to hear someone wants heroin, I don't know why but that always seems worse to me than the addiction we already face. I hope you can stay away from it.

Me thinks, if you were able to find your sweet spot on the oxy and stick with it maybe you would be of sound mind enough to find that perfect job without hiding your disability. I think you and I both know that our pain is made worse by our depression. I believe part or most of our depression is caused by the pain meds. I don't know, I don't have all of the answers but I can tell you we have more in common than you know. Try try try to stay away from street drugs and most certainly STOP HURTING YOURSELF DAMNIT!!

Pm if you need or just want to talk.

 

[Runtoparadise]

Shroomy, hopefully you were going through a bad day or few hrs. You know heroin is not gonna land you in a better place.

I hate to come across as holier than you,- but are you seeing a psych? These suicidal idealisms & cutting, not judging, I wa a cutter for a long time too!

I just want,as I'm sure we all do, the right help for you. I'm sue it's a horrible feeling, being so smart intellectually & having no part in how to manage your pain unless to your detriment!!

Thinking of you sweetie, pls don't pick up the syringe.. Try to rest & recoup.

Love for now,

Rtp

 

[gmlifer]

Shroomy I also want to cut my dose. I want to see if I can get some sort of control. Tomorrow I will see if I can take only 40mg. Then by Wednesday I will try to be down to 20mg daily. If I can control 20mg Daily for a couple weeks I will move back up to 40mg which is where I'm supposed to be. I think we can do it. I think it might be easier together.

 

[closeau]

I can imagine what that's like. I don't know about H but when I'm on higher doses it feeds my depression. I'm actually on high dose now for pain but when taken if prescribed they work. When I had oxy I'd take 80-90mg at once. I would get high them come down and get so depressed. I can't imagine what h is like. I'm glad I read your post it actually helped me cause I was thinking about scoring some today. Family crisis has me all screwed up. Your post def made me look at it different. Thank you and sorry your suffering.

 

[Whosajiggawaaa]

this thread largely seems like a joke - either a bunch of hypochondriacs (a certain mod is rx'd oxy for IBS - now I've heard it all!) or it's ppl trying to hone their drug seeking skills a lot of the time.

there are some legit posters who I feel for. but it's mostly drug seekers. lets be frank - legit pain patients who don't abuse their meds more than likely won't have cause for a site like this, lets be honest here.

ATM I'm having to support and supplement my moms oxy rx with my own sources and she has end stage cancer pain, cos even she (with that type of pain that makes practically any pain seem light) struggles to get the right dose of oxy cos of the stigma from ppl abusing it.
her doctor won't recognise that she will need more after being on it for 3 years cos of tolerance , pisses me off./rant over.
she only on 60 mg OC twice a day and 2x - 3x 20 mgs of oxy ir for breakthrough. This isn't cutting it anymore - but i'm right in thinking that's not a lot for terminal cancer pain ?

 

[jessimessi]

Whosa I'm not on this thread much at all but I largely and respectfully disagree with your assessment that most posters are drug seekers. I see much need for a thread like this. Pain is subjective, personally I deal with fibromyalgia, c6-c7 disc herniation with l4 thru 6 herniations, endometriosis and Arthritis. My pain has been woefully under treated for years - as a full time paralegal and mother to a toddler every day is a battle. Sometimes I come lurk just to know others have the same problems I do

 

[Johndoedoe.junk]

Geez John, I certainly consider both oxycodone and methadone as being pretty big guns, has your Dr mentioned what doses he would start you on? Would love to know what dosage methadone he had in mind. Sorry to hear about your pain too John, it's the pits. Take care.

Yeah I guess all things considered those are some pretty big guns. He didn't mention dosage on either one but I hope it would be something at least equivalent to the 60 of hydro per day which actually ends up being around 100mg or so a day. He just kind of mentioned it as an after thought saying he'd rather have me on one of those two meds than all that Norco. I wish he would have mentioned dosage so I would know ahead of time what my options are specifically. I just know that I can't be stable on the Norco and I know from experience from that while being an effective pain reliever, oxy especially in IR form has a somewhat short duration of action which makes me fearful of overuse potential.

If he put me on a decent dose of either one then maybe I could manage.

Thanks for the reply. Pain does suck.

 

[Runtoparadise]

^^well, it wasn't until I had a fairly decent break a few mths ago from opi's (not just a few days wding), that I actually remembered & lamented that many years ago I actually had quite severe IBS,- the slightest anxiety & I'd be racing to the loo.

Oxy had cured this to the point I'd completely forgotten I'd ever had gut issues! Drs were often surprised when they raised the subject of constipation & I was like, regular as clockwork doc

I too, don't think you can generalise across the board & say it's mostly drug seekers here.

Many are here for a shoulder to lean on, to find cyber friends with similar or relatable issues, or are naive & needing more info.

I'll almost agree that some folk do want to know what to say to their dr in regard to getting what they think will help their pain, but nothing any of us say are going to influence the drs decision.

I don't post that much here anymore either, but I do read & jump in at times. It is a useful thread, particularly for those isolated by their pain, or in unique situations where even doctors can not make a clear diagnosis & others may be able to offer some pain reduction tips.

Whosa- several yrs ago I was on oxy 80's bd + 25 mcg durigesic + almost as much oxycodone as I wanted. 240 5mg per mth, but able to fill the next script after day twenty. Oh, how times (doctors & govt), have rapidly changed.

I remember a friend who's wife had passed away from breast cancer mentioned " that's more than terminal patients get"!!.

Maybe he was correct.

Rtp

 

[Lady Codone]

"this thread largely seems like a joke - either a bunch of hypochondriacs (a certain mod is rx'd oxy for IBS - now I've heard it all!) or it's ppl trying to hone their drug seeking skills a lot of the time."

You're entitled to your opinion Whosa, but a lot of us DO suffer from chronic pain and have a reduced quality of life because of it.

Are your reproductive organs glued together by rogue endometrial tissue, causing constant inflammation and pain? Mine are. I also have frequent migraines that make me unable to do anything but hold my head and cry. Do I enjoy opiates recreationally sometimes? Absolutely, but I also use them to treat legitimate pain. It's not an either/or situation; one can use pain medication for legit medical purposes while also enjoying its effects. I never take more than one dose (7.5 mg hydrocodone; 5mg oxycodone or 40mg codeine) in a day. What's more, I can no longer take NSAIDs because I have a gaping ulcer in my stomach from overuse of ibuprofen. It's my 3rd ulcer and I'm only 30. Many of my doctors have thought like you do about chronic pain, which is why I'm in this situation. But I guess that's the "hypochondria" talking. 8)

I'm sorry about your mom and wish her the best. Cancer is a terrible disease, and any doctor who wouldn't ensure that a cancer patient is pain-free should not be practicing. Terminal or chronic, all pain needs to be managed effectively.

 

[gmlifer]

^ whosa is the last person that needs to be judging people in this thread.

So I was going to attempt only taking 40mg today, I'm already there and it's almost 8am. We shall see if I can make it the rest of the day without dosing again.

 

[DixiChik]

DITTO gmlifer^^^ ...Thank you.

SHOUT IT from the roof tops, Jessi and Lady C...NO MALE knows the utter HELL of endometriosis. Debilitating pain persists for me, as this disease chokes my internal organs 21 years after 3 surgeries to remove uterus, ovaries and tubes. I have blood tumors on my spine and bone density of a 90 year old post Lupron.

Pain is not a pissing contest, whosa...Put your pecker back in your pants. Heartfelt sympathy for your mom, truly.

 

[mmmessner]

Hello -

I am a nurse now in medical sales and was furiously addicted about 10 years ago to Fent. Fast forward 10 years and I have had neck surgery and require another at a different level of the neck. I am trying to put off surgery as long as possible but the pain is getting almost unbearable. I just finished my third dose of oral prednisone in 2 mos and I know 1 day I will require daily narcotic therapy (I can probably get my doctor to prescribe percs or Vicodin but I just moved so I have only seen him twice, & I am trying to avoid if at all possible) I have a referral to a pain clinic at a large university hospital that does injections but will not prescribe narcotics except Tramadol. I have used Tramadol in the past but I do not find them helpful. In the meantime I have used PST, usually 1 or twice every few weeks, but the seeds are terrible the last few months. I am considering trying Kratom to help with pain. Is this something that has been effective for others with spinal disorders? Also I am not sure on dosing or strains. Finally, I would not like to order on-line, but I do not know if Kratom can be purchased at MOST smoke or head shops.

 

[closeau]

It can but its not good Kratom. There is plenty online. I will PM you a couple sites but do not buy at headshop. I speak from experience. I'm sorry about your neck troubles. That's a tough situation. I didn't think tramadol helped me either. Look Fr my message

 

[Whosajiggawaaa]

"this thread largely seems like a joke - either a bunch of hypochondriacs (a certain mod is rx'd oxy for IBS - now I've heard it all!) or it's ppl trying to hone their drug seeking skills a lot of the time."

You're entitled to your opinion Whosa, but a lot of us DO suffer from chronic pain and have a reduced quality of life because of it.

Are your reproductive organs glued together by rogue endometrial tissue, causing constant inflammation and pain? Mine are. I also have frequent migraines that make me unable to do anything but hold my head and cry. Do I enjoy opiates recreationally sometimes? Absolutely, but I also use them to treat legitimate pain. It's not an either/or situation; one can use pain medication for legit medical purposes while also enjoying its effects. I never take more than one dose (7.5 mg hydrocodone; 5mg oxycodone or 40mg codeine) in a day. What's more, I can no longer take NSAIDs because I have a gaping ulcer in my stomach from overuse of ibuprofen. It's my 3rd ulcer and I'm only 30. Many of my doctors have thought like you do about chronic pain, which is why I'm in this situation. But I guess that's the "hypochondria" talking. 8)

I'm sorry about your mom and wish her the best. Cancer is a terrible disease, and any doctor who wouldn't ensure that a cancer patient is pain-free should not be practicing. Terminal or chronic, all pain needs to be managed effectively.

it's just rough having to carry my moms oxy needs as well as my own cos the drug has so much stigma. like wtf tho, what kinda dr doesn't give the terminally ill proper pain relief. it makes me so angry i was talking to other patients in this oncologist cunts office and they said they horrific pain 24/7, all he gives them is tramadol so my mom is "lucky" in even getting oxy in the first place.

Problem is she's been on in sicne her diagnoses in 2012 when she was diagnosed and the docs (well the onc) doesn't believe in fkin tolerance! Think i must find her another doc just for pain control. In the mean time im doing without as much oxy as I'd like to give to her, it's so wrong.

agree that all pain should be treated but terminal pain being untreated is just so bad man. im in south africa so a lot of bad docs, but this oncologist takes the cake, his views on pain control make me wanna smash his fkin face in.

 

[Runtoparadise]

^Arent there any other oncologists in your area? Obviously, I know it's very difficult to travel with severe pain, I do it each fortnight to have my needs met. Sometimes you've just gotta do what's gotta be done.

Every bloody doctor, specialist or not should understand the nature of opiates & that
tolerance is an inevitable occurrence!!

Whosa- what's the origin of your pain? I recall you once saying something along the lines of "you're the only other member on a higher dose of oxy then myself", that was when I was on 200mg daily, so your pain must be very limiting too, esp when you're trying to help your mum out!!

Does your mums dr "believe" in opi rotation?

Damn that sucks, give the poor lady some dignity and decent relief while she has some time left!

Rtp

 

[Whosajiggawaaa]

yeah man it really gets me down ^. Problem is her cancer is so specific (multiple myeloma) she needs a Haemotologist kind of oncologist and there are only 2 of them in our province (1 is the dick I spoke of and the other has waiting lists like 2 or 3 months long).
I have a shattered shoulder (both the ball and socket) that's just being held in place by routine surgeries with a shitload of pins- until I can get a shoulder replacement - not a candidate for one at present.
Just really shit that I have to take less and give my oxy to her cos her doc makes her feel like a junkie - shes got final stage aggressive cancer and she is the furthest thing from it, literally kills herself to please this doc. Makes me really despair sometimes. I mean the anger I feel towards this man is on another level.

 

[closeau]

Dude, I understand your anger. My mom passed Froday morning to cancer and I'm just heartbroken. I was pissed at her dr but it was nothing like your level. You should be pissed. That's crazy. I tripped cause I'm in pain management and my breakthru was Dilaudid 8mg every 4 hrs and hers was 4mg. She had OxyContin twice a day but still, she was always hurting and he wouldn't raise shit. He gave her gabapentin and she didn't have nerve pain. So man, just don't let this dr take away your focus on your mom. Just spend every second you can with her and cherish the memories my friend cause cancer is a monster that always wins. I'll pray for your mom and you and I hope her meds are straightened out. God bless!!