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Stronger meds and new treatment option....

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Posted 9/12/2009 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

Saw my PM Dr. the other day...... he upped my script for my Avinza (time released morphine sulfate) from 30 mgs a day to 60 mgs a day..... I take the pills at night before bed.

Today is my second day with the 60mgs..... am I supposed to feel more? I don't.... the only thing I notice is a lot of sweating.... OH JOY! I am not noticing help with the pain.... do this need to build up in my system first?

I am waiting approval from my insurance company in order to get another round of Botox for my neck..... this treatment really helped me tremendously..... I can feel the last Botox treatment has worn out because the spasms and pulling are increasing....

Since I have decided to wait on surgery (my PM Dr. agrees) my PM Dr. want to try Prolotherapy to help strengthen the ligaments in my neck.... I guess it's a lot of injections because when I asked how many shots I would get he said "do you really want to know" his answer was at least 30 injections.... IN MY NECK! He told me he could to the injections in an ambulatory care center where I would be put under anestesia.

I am not sure about being put under but I can tell you I start having trouble with the Botox injections around the fifth shot.... it took 12-14 last time.....

Not sure what to do....

I forgot and wanted to add....... I am also getting a Tens unit.... my Dr said someone would be calling me.... until then I have no more info on that....

WHEN DOES THIS ALL END?.... WHEN DOES THE HURTING STOP?
Posted 9/12/2009 2:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lisa,

I had Prolotherapy post fusion surgery (had 3 ruptures so no choice).  Prolotherapy if done correctly really is bearable.....a few hours after and the next day there is stiffness but honestly the treatment itself was not a problem.  I did Prolo in an effort to keep working, I did 30 to begin with and then tune ups the problem I had was the ergonomics of my work station kept undoing it all, so finally realized I had to let go of my job...then I couldn't afford Prolo anymore but if I could today I know it would help!

Great decision to go this route vs. surgery!  If I could of I would of!

XXOO
Patti

Posted 9/12/2009 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Patti....

Forgive me.... but did you do the Prolotherapy in your neck?

When did you begin to feel the relief after receiving the injections and what was the cost if you don't mind me asking....


As far as surgery for me.... my PM Dr. thinks I have too much damage for surgery to help.... he thinks I will have more problems above and below the surgery site....

I've added a shot of my cervical MRI in the photo section....
Posted 9/12/2009 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa,
I'm wondering whether muscle relaxants might work better than the narcotics for you if you typically respond well to Botox.

As to the Avinza increase ... I've never been on that med in particular. I do know that sometimes when the pain gets completely out of control it takes me a few days to get it back in line. If you get through the weekend & the pain hasn't decreased, maybe give your PM a call -- no reason to be taking all that medication & not getting any benefit from it.

best wishes,
Frances
Posted 9/12/2009 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply Frances.... yes... I am also on a muscle relaxer..... Amrix... it's a 24 hour time release muscle relaxer.

My goal is to be off all meds.... I really hate them.....
Posted 9/12/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)

I've been using the avinza 30mg for about 4 months and at first it helped but I am already noticeing that it is not as affective and wears off within 8 hrs.  I have an appt with my PM this Monday and was gonna ask about it.  I also have oxycodone for breakthrough pain 2Xday but I could use more pain relief for a 24 hr period.

Does the amrix help?  I've tried flexeril but it makes me too sleepy and skelaxin was worthless.  My big problem is muscle spasms but haven't had much luck with muscle relaxers.  I did see relief with neurontin with the cervical muscle spasms though so maybe this would help you.

Aren't you a gamer?  Don't you have problems with sitting with your arms extended for long periods of time?

Posted 9/12/2009 11:58 PM (GMT 0)

bsjaguar said...

Does the amrix help?
Aren't you a gamer? Don't you have problems with sitting with your arms extended for long periods of time?

Bsjaguar.... yes... the Amrix does help.... but I am pretty zombie like in the morning.... once I start doing things I am fine... my Dr just told me to start taking it at around 8 pm instead of 11pm when I took it before.... the problem is the cost though.... it was $466 and that is with the $30 rebate from the manufactures web site.... after I finish this script I am not going to take a muscle relaxer anymore.

I also tried Flexeril and no way could I function on that.... I believe the Amrix is the same as the Flexeril but the extended version...

I do play Warcraft but I am not hardcore by any means..... I am only at my computer for a couple of hours at a time.... and then I break and come back.
Posted 9/13/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Lisa,

Yes, I had prolo in my neck and low back.  I had ruptures of the neck as I said and had no choice but to have fusion, the Prolo Dr. told me then to come back after and he could help me.  4 mos later I went back and it definitely began to help the spasm, numbness and pain.  I continued to go every 2 weeks, at that time I was working for an M.D. Homeopathic Physician and was given professional courtesy.  My out of pocket was minimal thanks to his kindness.   The treatments kept me working and off pain meds, as I mentioned the ergonomics of my work station was not allowing full relief.  It was like filling the tub with the drain open, I would get relief over a few days, working my usual 12 hour days would take the effectiveness out of the treatments.  Finally after 3 years and on and off prolo I gave in and stopped working.  When I did that I lost the professional courtesty and the out of pocket was too much with my lost income.  I'm now on Medicare and its not covered and to pay cash is out of the question with our situation right now.  BUT my gut feeling is if I could afford it now, I know I would get relief!  My husband is a Real Estate Appraiser and needless to say his business has come to a standstill for almost 2 years.  When I called a few months ago I was told the 1st visit would be $450 and follow ups $195.  Believe me when things change finacially I will definitely do Prolo.  I feel so strongly that if I could have the treatments now I would get way more relief than when I was working!  Some insurances do cover this treatment, BCBS used to!

Keep me posted!

XXOO
Patti

Posted 9/13/2009 12:23 AM (GMT 0)

Post Edited (mrsm123) : 9/17/2009 8:59:20 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/13/2009 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
Im sorry about everyone's horrible pain. I am just woondering were is this photo section is please.
Posted 9/13/2009 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa
Im Ed and I have fibromyalgia and cronic insomnia, ostioarthritis, I sleep every 3 or 4 days and when I do I sleep from 2 to 4 hours. anyway when I was trying to find out what was wrong with me the symtoms were lots of pain in the middle of my upper back, top of my shoulders, knees, bisept, I cant spell,, the pain started around 2000, I have had 12 surgery's from varius injury's and that was what triggerd the fibro, I had an MRI done on my neck and one of those nero guys said I have neck spers and ostioarthritis and fibromyalgia the pain in my neck is so bad sometimes I want to screem and some times I do, I take 90mg's of MS-Contin-- slow releas morphene every morning as well as 600mg's of Neurontin 3 times a day, when Im in allot (massive pain) I take the 90mg's of morphene and I chew it and drink allot of water and that works allot faster, BUT please check with your doctor before you do that, I am not giving you medical advise and Im not asking you to chew them , please check with your doctor before you change anything with your meds, I read the perscription nots that came with so I thought I would try it and it helped I have never heard of Avinza please tell me more about it, Thanks
Ed, my email address is on my profile
Posted 9/13/2009 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa,
Have you ever tried Serax (oxazepam)? It is on-label for anxiety, but then again so are Valium & Xanex and both of those are often prescribed for muscle pain. I didn't tolerate any of the traditional muscle relaxants except Flexeril & at the time there wasn't a generic available. The oxazepmam really helped a lot -- plus I could get it in very small doses which was good for me since I don't tolerate larger doses of meds. Side effects were minimal. It was super cheap. Not sure whether it would be an option for you, but maybe something to consider.

take care,
Frances
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