Chronic back pain- I. want. drugs.

For the past year and a half I have been suffering from back pain, and headaches. My headaches are so bad, that before I went to the chiropractor, I would have to sit in the dark all day. It was also so bad that at times I would forget where I was and even had problems remembering my name. Since then I have much improved. Although I still suffer from periods of what has been deemed 'Mental fog'. My chiropractor says that he sees maybe 4 people who suffers as I do. I am a rarity.

Now, apparently chiropractors cannot give prescriptions, which is too bad since I saw him 44 times last year, yes FORTY FOUR.
My doctor has sent me to a neurologist who sees no reason for my problems-- who also ordered a CAT and a MRI- again with no problems

My chiropractor claims I have more muscle tension than muscle bound pro athletes, an says that whenever he sees me (usually), my back is way out. (im 98 pounds and 5'4")

A while ago, I was given a drug called Ratio-Tecnal as a painkiller after some surgery-- it provided little 'pain' relief for its intended purpose. It was the most amazing drug I have ever experienced. Not only would it clear my mental fog within 30 minutes, it would also stop any back pain I had for days at a time. One little pill would keep me away from the chiropractor for 4 days+, when I had already had my mental fog preparing an appointment. When I was on it daily, I went nearly a month without seeing him!!! Something I had never done. I only went back because I had no more of the drug.

My doctor doesnt want to give me this drug, how do I convince him that I need this. Not only for my sanity, but for my wallet!!! Im not asking for Oxycodone or anything like that i dont see the problem.

Post Edited (Tayona) : 10/26/2010 2:11:36 PM (GMT-6)

    Hello Tayona!

   Welcome to the CP forum!

      I'm a little confused as to the drug (Med) you were taking, when you said it provided little pain relief for its intended purpose. You then said it was the most amazing drug (Med) you have ever experienced, and that it stopped any back pain you had.

  I get concerned when a person says they need a drug (medication) for their sanity as well. Can you tell us a little more about your back problem? Have you had surgery for it? Have you tried any of the other medications generally used for back pain. Have you been to PT, had an epidural? The more you can tell us about your problem, the better the good members here may direct you. We are here for support, and may share our experiences with you, but we are not Dr's.

    I'm sure there will be other members along who can maybe suggest a better path for you. I'm sorry you're having such pain and the fog from the headaches. We all suffer here from Chronic Pain, and do fully understand what your going through, so your not alone. I suspect that both the back pain and headaches combined are taking a toll on you physically and mentally.

       SE

Hi Tayona and welcome to Healing Well's chronic pain forum. Wow 44 trips to the chiropractor in one year, that had to have cost you a bundle. And no chiropractors are not allowed to write scripts instead many sell supplements. Did your health insurance really kick in and pay for all of those visits because most insurance companys will limit the visits to 7-10 visits a year for a good reason too in many instances. As far as the headaches go, having to stay in a dark room sounds very much like a migraine headache. I have migraines and a dark room is a must.

So you have been seen by a neurologist who did testing and came up empty handed as to why you have pain. Well, I think that is why no one will give you pain medication. Pain is considered subjective. You need to have a diagnosis that would warrant the need for pain medication to begin with. Just saying you have back pain is not enough because nearly everyone at some point in their life is going to have back pain whether its for a few days or a life time. Getting pain medication today is getting harder and harder. I don't know where you live or if you watch the news but its all over the tv about different states are stopping certain pain medications from being prescribed in their states. We do not walk in a drs office and ask for pain medication, that would get us kicked out the door so fast it would make your head swim. The members of this forum suffer with chronic pain and all have a diagnosis as to what has caused CP to set in. It is not as simple as it may sound to you.

I too don't understand you saying you were given a pain medication for something and it did not work for what it was rx'd for but it helped your back pain, weird. By the way I did a google search for this medication and came up empty handed, are you sure that was the name of it? Maybe if you could give us more info.

Anyway, wanted to pop on and say welcome aboard.

So my chiroproactor did a little research, Butbital acts as a gaba amino acid. That is available at any health food store. It is used to prevent neurotransmitters from over firing and used to treat hyper tension. Lets see if I get the same result. It may also explain why my weight has been fluxing.

Well, that explains why I came up empty handed trying to find out what that was, lol. I do know they have PM drs in Canada but I believe they treat differently than how we are treated in the states. I am really at a loss as to suggesting anything because with no cause known for this back pain, it will be difficult getting any dr to rx pain meds I am sure. What does your chiropractor think, does he feel you need to be on medication? I would think he would perhaps have a dr he could refer you to.

Keep posting and let us know how you are coming along.