Asking for help

Hello All,
I came across this site because I am looking for some help I guess. I have lived with pain from an injury I received in the military in 1994 with my back. I have suffered with constanct neck and back problems with severe pain and no one seems to know what is wrong with me. I have been on a number of meds in that time and there is none that I could take and work. I have been working on knee pain as well and they both have arthritis behind them and that alone I can't walk all that well. The left knee is down to the bone on bone and I need a knee replacement and I just think that at 35 would that be a good thing for me. I had a good job and very supportative owners and staff and after two years I had to leave because I could not do it any more the pain was just too much for me. I have been on the patch (Fentanyl) I was up to 75mcg and the patch would not stay on and the doc did not call me back so I was out and now I am off of the patch with no step down. I am in so much pain right now I am about to lose my mind and when I was on the med I could not think right I also was scared to drive because I always felt loopy so to speak. I have worked from age 16 and I don't know anything else so now I am a stay at home mom with two small girls 2 and 5 so you all know how hard it is to have (me) time. I pushed myself to the limit and I should not have but like someone said the world today don't let you take a break from the pain the bills still come. I have a husband that tries to understand but he has not lived with this like I have does he think that I make it up I hope not. I hope that no one will make up having severe pain because if you ever had it that would be something not to pretend about. I guess I wanted to know that there were other that could understand how I am feeling. What do I do for pain now I just sit here and cry because there is nothing else for me.
Thanks

Sorry to hear about your situation.  Have you ever gone to a pain management doctor?  If they decide to prescribe meds, there are many different meds and maybe something else will work for you if the patch had too many side effects.  People are all different and it usually takes some trial and error to find the right combinations and dosages of meds to get adequate pain control.

I have been in some kind of pain management for about 8 years and on the med combo I am currently on for 5 years. I've had one increase on both the long acting and short acting meds and have been stable for over 2 years. I am very grateful for my pain doc and think he is one of the best, he really cares about his patients.

Melissa

Tydickens, you can make the patch stay on with 3M's Nexcare Tegaderm Transparent Dressing. I have been using the Tegaderm and it is very effective in making the patch stay on me. I am on 50 mcg. You can find the Tegaderm at your local Walgreen's. It will stay on even if you shower or swim. I suggest that you get back on the patch, don't go off the patch cold turkey!

I think that this site rocks!!! I am so glad that I came across and was able to speak about my problem. Thank you for all the good advice. I did come looking for help and that is what I received.

Tydickens

I am so sorry you have had such a terrible time. I am glad you are going back to the doctor too. Let us know how that went please.

I will pray for you.

By the way, welcome to the site. I'm glad you found all of us and that now we have found you too.

God bless.

Lindaloo

If I was you I would try the tegaderm it will keep just about eany thing on for atlest 3 days. If the 75 patch makes you loopy try the 50.I use the 50 and I never feel loopy it controls most of the pain enuff that I can funtion with what is left over.CALL your DR. and keep calling tell he calls back.If your knee is bone to bone I dont see that you have any other option then to have it replaced. Good luck