Teenagers on morphine....

Hi Bill,

I'm not going to say whether or not you should take morphine, but rather address the broader issue of chronic pain for someone of your age.

I'm in my mid-40's and my pain issues started in my mid-30's. For about six months, I said no to any opioids, hoping that the pain would go away. It didn't. I then only accepted the weakest options (darvocet, tramadol). Another six months in, I finally turned to hydrocodone.

Along the way, I had various treatments (PT, injections, and eventually some surgeries). I also tried NSAIDS, TENS, etc..

So, nearly a year in (like you) I came to realize I needed something to help me -- so I didn't have to spend most of my time in bed, so I could go out for a meal, so I could focus on work, etc..

The meds have allowed me to do all that, but it is now a daily battle between how much pain to tolerate vs. how many meds to use, fully aware that the more I use, the more tolerant I become, the more dependent, and the sooner I'll have to ask my PM for a refill (which always scares me). So, moving on to opioids may help relieve the pain, but generated a bundle of new issues.

At just 18, those issues will be even greater for you: more years ahead, and more potential suspicion from doctors. I don't know whether there are surgical options or other treatments, but if you can find a way to be without pain through them, they would be far superior to a life of opioid use.

Only once all else has been tried and failed, especially at your age with possibly 60 years of opioid use ahead, should you accept that fate. Just consider how in the world will you be able to keep the meds effective for so long?

Hope this offers a helpful perspective.

Hi Bill, and welcome. Cogito and Kathy have answered you well. I'm in a similar position to yourself, though I'm now a bit older at 27. My doctors had no choice but to start using stronger opioids when I was 22, because we'd tried everything else and my pain was getting so severe I couldn't function. I can only tolerate a couple of different meds which makes the problem greater still, as it means even at my age now, my options are becoming limited.

One thing that concerns me - is that you've said your pain is "thought to be related to...". I take it you've had full investigation? As far as the bone bruise goes - a bruise on the bone as you might know is when some of the fibres that make up the bone break, but not enough to cause the bone to fracture. I'm not sure if I'm thinking down the right track here, but when you have true fracture that won't heal, you can use something called a 'bone growth stimulator' which is a special type of ultrasound. I wonder if it's worth asking about. Come to that - have you tried regular ultrasound therapy and does that help?

Do you walk on it? If you do, it's probably also worth talking to a podiatrist if you haven't already and seeing if they can do anything with your footwear - see if it's possible to make changes, support your ankle - anything that might help your pain.

Laura

Hi everyone thanks for your replies,
I've seen orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists (my aunt is one which is very handy!) and already have orthopods to help with my foot alignment. I also walk with a cane, which is why everyone calls me House! The fact I want to be a doctor and am always taking pills also adds to it haha. Tylenol #3 over here is called solpadol over here, 30mg codeine and 500mg paracetamol (acetaminophen). I was previously taking 2 of them, four times a day, equivalent to tylenol #4. Although this reduced pain my physical state was very bad and the pain was till present!
I've seen a lot of specialists and am now waiting for an operation, unfortunately i'll be waiting for a few months before I actually get it! Hopefully this will sort out the pain problem and make everything a little more bearable. So does anyone think the strong pain killers would be suitable for that period of time?
about using ice, Heather, the area has no swelling or external bruising. Do you still think it's worth trying?

Hi there,

Sorry to hear of your pain issues...

I agree that it's really going to be a collaboration between you and your Dr.s on where to go from here.

Usually a Dr. will go in steps...Since you are on Tylenol #3....the next step is possibly Tramdol...(the generic name for Ultram)...or perhaps something like Vicodin or Norco.

It's done in stages whether you are younger or older. As well as looking to find a way to "fix" the issue if that is possible. If not...than adding in other modalities to help you live with chronic pain is the way to go.

There is never just one pill that is the answer or meant to take away all the pain.

That is great that you have a Dr. in the family. I'm surprised they haven't been able to pull a few strings to get you into an appt. sooner than a few months from now...lol...

Anyway...the main thing right now is making sure that they show you the proper way to walk with a cane as many people do so in the wrong way which can cause other issues in the hip and back.

I do wish you luck and keep us posted on any appts...

Ask your doctor for a full body MRI, I had a friend who had pain like you described and he found out he had compressed spinal cord. Its operatable. Also take a copy of your MRI to a chiropractor to see if they notice anything wrong

I've finally got my appointment for the pain clinic but its not for another month :(
I haven't had what I would consider a 'good day' for about 3 weeks now :/ I had to stop taking the high strength tramadol and codeine together as I went to sleep on monday and it felt as if I was floating and I was having some respiratory troubles, although only minor I thought I should stop! I've had a few of the pharmacists I work with say that not only would I get more pain relief by taking morphine but I should also have less side effects.
My consult to book my op has also been booked, devastatingly for the first of June!
I'm icing it now and hoping that doing this religiously will give me a little more relief.
Thanks again for all your replies and advice

I'm from the UK so vicodin is not available and the next step up form the level of tramadol I'm on is morphine, I know that morphine too comes with side effects however I'm willing to accept them if it actually relieves my pain!
I was aware that I was taking a lot of tramadol and codeine (and paracetamol) but I was still under the maximum 24 hour dose for both.
If only pain was easy to understand!

Thanks snowbunny, as I say I'm hoping this is only a temporary thing and will be over within the next few months. As much as it's daunting being on something as strong as morphine I think it may be worth a try at least to see if it will enable me to finish my a-levels and start training as a doctor!
If not anything, this is all good experience for me in terms of a medical career!