Hi from a new girl

( I posted this message in the anxiety board as I'd like to talk to people about both conditions. I hope that was okay to do.)

Hi, everyone,

I've been a lurker of the boards for a couple of weeks and finally decided to join already! :)

My name is Jess, I'm 26 years old and a full time writer. I had my first book published in 2009 and now have 18 books for tweens on shelves. I have three very lovely adopted kittens and I live in Brooklyn, NY. I'm a former equestrian but had to stop due to a spinal fusion for scoliosis 13 years ago.

I'm seeking support on two boards, actually. Anxiety and chronic pain. I have GAD and have been on Celexa and Xanax for about 3 years. I also have golfer's elbow from typing 8-10 hours a day six days a week. I just began seeing a new pain management doctor who prescribed me Nuycenta. I read the locked post about Nucynta and wanted to ask if anyone is taking it with Celexa and/or Xanax.

I read on the old post that Nucynta caused anxiety in people. This is concerning me as I've *just* gotten a handle on my anxiety with the right meds. The last thing I want to do is upset that balance. I went through emotional abuse during my childhood and was not able to seek treatment until I was in my early twenties.

I've been on 75 mgs of Nucynta 4x a day for about a week now.

In the past, I've taken dilaudid, oxy, and Vicodin before for my elbow pain. MRIs have ruled out any damage to my elbow, so that's good news. Since I'm new to Nucynta, I realized that 75 mgs at a time is not enough. So I'm taking 2 75 mg pills at once for pain. However, it seems to wear off within four to six hours.

My pain level is at a steady 6 while I work and it is brought down to a 3 when I take Nuycenta. After a day on the computer, though, I take my daily allotment of Nuycenta and then spend the rest of the day/evening/night in pain from working and no medication left to take.

I also just started Lyrica and am taking 75 mgs 2x a day. I've been on it for 10 days. It definitely helps my immediate pain but wears off fairly fast.

I wondered about Nuycenta ER and if anyone is/has used it and what your thoughts were on it.

I would like to ask my pain management doctor to up my Lyrica and Nucynta dose, but I'm afraid. I live in NYC and there has been, as I'm sure you all know, a huge crack down on pain rx and doctors here are reluctant to even give naproxen.

One more question: my doctor mentioned an injection of Lydocaine. I am TERRIFIED of needles and do not want this procedure. I read about Lydocaine patches. Has anyone tried those?

Thank you so much for reading. These boards seem like the perfect space to learn and share knowledge. :)

It's so nice to "meet" all of you!

Hello BeStill and welcome to HW. Im an avid reader so appreciate writers tremendously! Its actually one of the ways I divert my mind from the pain!

Certainly glad you decided to join us and I think you will find plenty of information and support and some days just talking to people who know what its like is wonderful therapy.

We have some folks who have anxiety issues with their Cp and you will find many more of us on anti -depressants. It all just goes hand in hand I guess.

Im not on Nucynta but can honestly say that LA meds in most CPers do a much better job at smoother, even coverage then the high and lows of a IR Med. Nucynta has many things listed in interaction so I would use one of the drug sites to check your meds against interaction. Drugdigest has a pretty good one. General rules for Xanax is to never mix it with opiates but using the 2 responsibly is the key. I actually took it methadone for years and that's a very huge dont in pretty much every interaction list. Went off of it for other reasons.

Im on lyrica and dont take much more than you. The trick to this class of meds is the therapeutic levels in your blood not necessarily the doses, that happens with continued use.

Im on lexapro and actually haven't been on it but a short time but it seems to be working well.

Your best shot at adequate pain management is working towards building a good relationship with your PM Dr. Yes that may take some time, yes it may mean being accepting to other modalities of treatment and following the new FDA ruling it looks like we will be doing more of that to satisfy the criteria to be treated for CP with our LA meds.

As for the Lido patches versus injection, they are worlds apart. The injection could actually produce up to months of relief and many of us have them on a fairly regular basis in a series or set of 3. It's not as horrible as you think and they generally use more then the numbing Med. Steroids are a popular add in to reduce inflammation and that in turn reduces pain.

Others will pop in to say hi and welcome you although sometimes the weekend can be slow.

Again glad you joined us and look forward to hearing more about your journey with CP.

Greetings Bestill,
I cant comment on some of your meds as mine are differant, except the xanax, I only take as needed as I have High Blood pressure with raceing pluse. My pluse is normal at over 100, so with BP meds an the xans this helps alot.

This has been a really supporting site and many of us live our lives in some kind of pain even with meds. I wear Fent patch for neck injury, servere artheritis in my spine, dbl buging disc in ceverical and lower back. I would not even think of continuing....anyway I believe you are in a good place for support and it seems here someone has or is having the same experiences.

Also its really nice that people are concerned enough to acually reply and fast too.

Well be talking in the future im sure.

Blessings,
GivemeGrace

Hi BestillinBK:

Welcome to our forum, sorry to hear that you have to be here because of your fusion surgery I'm also sure it's hard to have GAD in addition to CP. I don't take any of your meds except for the lidocaine pads. For me they work so so. I mean you're not allowed to use more than 3 pad daily and they want you to put it on after you've had a shower. You are only allowed to wear for 12 hours at a time too.

I rotate my patches, so nights I sleep with them on. Other days, I wear them during the day so I don't hurt nearly as bad during the day. I have had a lot of success with them. They take the edge off but that about it for me this thread should provide you with a yes or no answer. I know I would much rather have a shot into my hip for the bursitis, or my ankle joint for it's pain. I've even had shots in the L5/S1 area to ease my pain.

This is a personal issue and I wish you well, in discussing it with your pain Doctor. I hope that they can provide you with better pain relief. Please comae and share what they decided to do and how you are doing of the new routine is going. Again, welcome and I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Hang in there we're here to help support you.

Hugs,
Barbara

Wow! I am absolutely blown away by all of the kind, thoughtful responses I received. The info you each shared is incredibly helpful. I'm seeing my pain management doctor this coming Saturday and I will be taking notes on the ideas you've all suggested.

I will let you know how the visit goes. :)

Many well wishes-

~Jess