HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

When to take Meds (Sreaming)

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/5/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I'm having a hardtime trying to find the right times to take my perc's 10/325?  I hurt to the point of screaming starting about 5 am.  One pill doesn't cut it but I can only take one.  By noon the pain decreases but is till a 6.  I'm prescribed to take 4 10/325 a day to start out with.  In two weeks we will adjust it after my first lumbar nerve block.  I wondering if I need to increase another pill a day to cover the mornings or another drug in general.  They says its nerve pain which I heard is hard to control or find the right combination.

I'm just at my wits end.  Don't take me wrong I'm happy to have pain meds some don't which I have went through off and on over the last 2 years.

But I think I'm mentally STRESSED the pain is getting to me.  I see my pills, right now I'm tempted to take another one but I can't they have to last as prescribed.  Its mental torture!  The PM doc said if it gets to bad go to the ER and make sure I get the release form for the PM records.  But I HATE the ER most the time the doctors look at me strange.  The last one last week was great.  Some think you are a drug seeker well during those moments Yes I am a DRUG SEEKER cuz mine aren't working!!!!

Thank you for reading I'm just having a bad morning which started at 11 pm lastnight.  I will stop babbling

Posted 4/5/2009 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am sorry that you are having a hard time. The effects of pain on us are often unbearable, and people who aren't experiencing it their selves have no clue. I have herniated discs(L4L5Si). And the majority of my pain is nerve pain in my left buttock,hip and leg. There are other meds out there that may help a little. And there are times where a little relief is better than none. I tried Neurontin, but due to side effects I had to stop. I had severe nightmares. I have heard that it is uncommon. There is also Lyrica, I have heard good things about. Lidocaine patches help a little,too. I know it is so frustrating to hurt like that and having to makes your meds stretch. May need to see your PM before 2 weeks and make some adjustments in your meds.

Hang in there. We all know how hard it is. But with support from others and eachother, and the grace of God,we will make it.

Anice
Posted 4/5/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
My PM doc didn't say anything about coming in if the pain was to much he said just go to the ER. Could there be lack of communication? Can I go back to him and have him evaulate again without looking like an addict? I know I fear that label everyday for the last 2 years. I do everything in my power to be a good little patient...
Posted 4/5/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
One option for 'nerve' pain is Lyrica, as anice mentions. I take a fairly large dose, with Cymbalta on top of it to enhance it. I get side effects, but they are better than higher pain levels than the *5* I hum along at.

You may want to check with your PM dr(s) and see what they say. With a major change in just 2 weeks, they may or may not want to change medications.


(Edit: Accidently set strikeout. Missed period.)
Posted 4/5/2009 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I take so many different medications.  19 to be exact.  For pain they have me on Celexa, Trazadone, Klonopin and Percocet.  I'm thinking alittle better now.  I will just have to suffer for the two weeks.  He said after my Lumbar Sympathetic Nerve Block in two weeks will will alter the medications.
Posted 4/5/2009 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
LLP,
You do have to follow the directions of your PM. Opiates seldom help with nerve pain, so you might want to discuss one of the meds specificallly for nerve pain- neurontin, topamax, Lyrica, and cymbalta, along with the old SSRI type anti-depressants all seem to work better for nerve pain than opiates.
As to when you take your meds, if you know that you are going to wake up at 5 am in pain, you can try adjusting your dosage schedule so that you can take one pill an hour before 5 am, and then your next dose as scheduled, throughout the day....that might help.
It is better to stay on top of the pain, rather than waiting for it to get bad before taking your pain meds. A steady blood level seems to help, rather than chasing the pain, once it escalates.
Sandi
Posted 4/5/2009 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
LLPLUV, one suggestion that I would make is to keep a journal of your pain and what happens when you take the meds. When you have your appointment with the PMS, you can take the journal with you and let him see the cycle the pain is in and your struggle you face during the day while keeping at the prescribed levels of your meds. I was just in to see my PCP and he suggested that I journal my functionality and try to stay away from just a pain scale of 1 to 10. He stated that each patient and each doctor has a different definition of the levels. I think it would be good to keep the scale but by adding the limitations of your ability to do every day functions, it might give them a better evaluation of your pain level. I am going to tray this as I have an appointment with my PMS this week. Blessings!
Posted 4/5/2009 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
That is such a good idea.  Nights and mornings are so bad for me.  I can go to work and work 12 hours still in pain but not as bad as I am at night.  I have two weeks from tomorrow until my appointment.  I will suffer until I can suffer no more then I might go into him.....
Posted 4/5/2009 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
LLPLUV

fatherjohns suggestion was an excellent one, keep a log or journal  of your daily activities  especially of the times of when your pain is at its worse and what you were doing at that time. Then when you do go and see your Pain Specialist you can bring that journal with you, and you can tlak with him about it! It will give him some vital information so he can better manage your pain!

For right now LLPLUV is there anyway you can move your pain med times around so that you might not be as bothered by it? Could  you possibly call your Pain Specialist and just mention your problem that your having with the pain( explain it like you have to us here1) and just ask if they have any suggestions as to what would be the best way for you to deal with this situation! That way you are not asking for more pain meds or anything, and your leaving it all up to the Doctor on how to deal with your problem.  I can't see where that would hurt any thing and maybe he might come up with something that you or nobody else has thought of!

I just hate to have to see you suffering til your next appointment, and I wouldn't think your Pain Doctor would want you to suffer either!

Good Luck to You LLPLUV

White Beard

Posted 4/5/2009 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
LL,
You've been given some good advice, but what I wanted to add was that percocet has tylenol in it and taking more than what's already been prescribed for you can harm your liver. So you probably will need to look at other med combinations. I also suffer with the nerve pain and take percocet, and while it helps some, without the neurontin I wouldn't be able to walk. Yes, there are side effects, but mostly my body seems to have adjusted, although I know it has take away some of my sharpness. Lyrica is supposed to have less side effects, but is more expensive which is a factor for me but may be worth it for you. Cymbalta also may help. So there are other options for the nerve pain, but your doctor may want to wait until after you have the injection to see if it helps. Lyrica/neurontin (take one or the other, not both) and cymbalta are not medications that are taken "prn". You need to take them daily.

I know you may not want to hear this, but 12 hour days are tough on healthy people. You may seriously have to look at making adjustments to how you work if you want to save your health.

PaLady
Posted 4/5/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
PA yes my doctor brought up my occupation.  I love my job so much.  Yes its hard work I work in a warehouse.  He told me to seriously consider staying home for awhile or finding another part time job.  Jobs so are scarce right now I would dye of starvation by the time I found a job.

He only gave me enough medication to last till the day before the nerve block.  I guess I will just have to go in on friday of that week to make sure I don't run out.  He might of added wrong. Procedure is on Monday morning of that week.

He made it sound like medications will be changing the day of the nerve block.  I've said before he doesn't believe the first one will show me any relief.  I take a perc and it only works for 3 hours.  SO I sit here in pain for 3 hours until the next dose.  I keep telling myself that it will all work out in the end.

I will just have to pray alittle more.

I need to get some sleep  hopefully I will I gotta work Monday and Tuesday.  Thats part of the reason I love my job I only work 3 days a week.

Posted 4/5/2009 9:07 PM (GMT 0)

LLPLUV
I know how you feel..I used to take Lortab 10/500 for the BT pain, then my Doc switched me to Percocets 10/325...I still had stomach issues and minimal pain relief..So then he said to try the Oxycodone 15 mg.  They seemed to work better, especially without the Tylenol in it.  But it only helped for the first couple of months..Now I am back to square one...I think he'll up me to the 30 mg. Oxycodones when I go back...

 

You should call your Dr.'s office and leave a msg. for the nurse..Tell her exactly what's happening and they may tell you to take an extra pill at night...or they may tell you to come in early... You just never know what they'll do...But is is worth a try..

 

Good Luck,

Me. devil

Posted 4/5/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have never had to deal with a pain clinic.  I guess I Will just call and see what they say.  Its worth a shot.

I can only handle so many hot baths and I'm going to burn out my heating pad soon.. :-)

I work the next few days so I can call I hate phone tag.  I just have to take the pills as prescribed until they tell me otherwize. 

I've made it this long its just starting to drive me crazy!!!

Posted 4/5/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
"I just have to take the pills as prescribed until they tell me otherwize."

Is that based on the contract you signed? Or the # of pills you have left? Or not having that particular drug in your system when you get the block?

I got a block, uh three of them actually. Every single one 'failed'. Which, by my dr's definition the block failed when it didn't make a change in my reaction to feeling but more importantly pain. Well, since I was on methadone, could that result be tabulated at that time? Doesn't Methadone kinda obscure the effects of pain? Or is that only other opioids it affects that way?
Posted 4/5/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so new to the pain clinic that I really don't know anything. I'm wanting to do everything by the book. When the pain gets bad at night I'm tempted to take 1 more. But I believe they can call you in for a pill count.

My doctor is hoping the blocks will work but doesn't hold to much hope in it. I've had the damage for so long now going un-Dx'ed.

When you get a block does it hurt? Do you have to take time off work?
Posted 4/6/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Every thing I've read about taking opiods suggests that you take the medicine
BEFORE the big pain hits. My doctor and pharmacist tell me that.

Sure sure. Just what planet are those people living on.

LL, Try to save a pill? Wouldnt that be lovely if you had a back log? I like it
when doctors prescriptions reflect that the patient might have a special occasion
where they need more medication like their son getting married, the death of their
pet canary, a flood, a fire, a night of sleep ... things like that. Your doctor doesn't
prescribe any extras?? Shame shame on him.
Posted 4/6/2009 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
i have had a few nerve blocks, mine were general anesthesia and walking on my own about an hour later. you are a little sore the next day but nothing us females can't handle. i have even been awake through one because i ate. i usually took a pill when i got in the car so when the anesthesia wears off you should have a pain pill in your system. its a very easy surgery..... i hope you have some results! good luck! (and i never missed work the next day)
Posted 4/6/2009 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
all my docs said the same thing as Pam...better to get the pain before it crescendos. (whole cascade type thing that is harder to put back into the barn once it's let out...better to just close and keep that barn door closed). Get to the pain before it gets big...that is of course, if you know when it will get big...
Posted 4/6/2009 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
I understand the concept of not letting the pain build up. I just dont' have enough medication for that. They are just starting to set my medication. Of course they don't want to do to much until these nerve blocks just in case they work.

No this clinic does not give medication so you have emergency pills. Maybe after I've been there awhile it might work out to that.

Good the nerve blocks seems to be a smooth procedure. Heck I was awake for all my epi's with my child birth....lol Us women can handle so much...

I just got home from work and I feel like crap. First thing I did was sit down!!!!
Posted 4/7/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
this is a lot easier than a kidney stone.... i have never had a baby but i have had several nerve blocks and other minor procedures. i actually like anesthesia cause i know i am gonna get some sleep. now sometimes i do get nauseous from the procedure, but the usually give me phenergran (which iv can make you sleepy) so there is another heads up. if you wake up nauseated or in pain let them know immediately while you still have an IV in so they can give you something via IV.
i have had kidney stones before and i rate that the 2nd worse pain aside from diverticulitis so you will be just fine with this. enjoy a day of sleep. and it may take a few weeks for the nerve block to kick in, or you may need to do it again, i have had about 5 or 6... (both legs) so take a day to relax... good luck!
Posted 4/8/2009 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I have had so many kidney stones I could vomit!!!!

The pain I feel everyday all day long is alot like having a constant blockage.

I finally get a day off tomorrow. If it wasn't for the insurance I would consider taking a break and staying home for a bit. I work 12 hour days and I lift ALOT of boxes. Theres times at work I could scream. But I grin and bare it and wait for med time. Monday I will take advantage of sleeping. When asleep I only feel the pain in my dreams.
Posted 4/8/2009 6:39 AM (GMT 0)

You poor baby, I could never take Percocet. Too much acetaminophen. I imagine your stomach would end up hurting taking alot of Percocet. Plus it did not help me with pain. Made me crazyheaded and nervous. For ideas, Lyrica has helped me with nerve pain. Also I take Celexa (40 mgs) which helps me alot. It is an antidepressant that also has something in it that helps increase the amount of pain one can stand. It ups the pain threshold. I also take Ambien (10 mgs) right before I go to bed to help with my insomnia. 

Here's an idea for your pain, but I doubt anyone will say try it because it is so addictive. I was taking Roxycodone which stopped all pain for me but stopped when I accidentally threw away my bottle of Roxycodone (bad deal) but then Lyrica started helping me. Roxycodone also did not mess up my stomach. After a few days, I couldn't even tell I was taking it. But it is bad addictive.

Anyways, what are they planning to do about your failing kidneys? I sure hope you feel/get better. My prayers are with you.

Posted 4/8/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I also take Celexa 40 mg plus Trazadone and Klonopin. If I listed all my meds my signature would be sooooooooooo long.

There is nothing they can do about the kidneys. I have had about a dozen stents put in over the last 10 years. With PKD and the kidney failure all they can do is closely monitor them. Every three months I get MRI or CAT scans. I also get my blood work done to see if I progress into the next kidney failure phase. I can go in if I want to get the kidney cysts drained but we are waiting. Trying not to damage anymore nerves or the kidneys themselves.

I think if the PM prescribed the 10/325 for every 4 hours it should take the edge off. The pain will always be there I just want the harshness of it to subside a tad. If it was every 4 hours then at work I could tolerate all the heavy lifting. But on my days off I would only need it every 6 hours. Then I can create a stash. For when it gets really bad.

I have to go grocery shopping. Ihate to shop. I have to take a pill and start to mentally prepare for this ordeal. I have to take one of my kids just to get it done. My 20 yr old is going with me this morning. I also have to get all my 15 yr olds stuff for his birthday.

I'm still waiting on a call from my PM office to see if I can increase to every 4 hours. Boy being a new patient is overwhelming its a slow process trying to find the med mix. He said he would put me on something for the nerve pain after I have the 3 nerve blocks.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply