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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/11/2010 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All, I havent posted in a while (sorry)
I wanted to get any of your advice.......

Here are my issues:
Tethered Spinal Cord
~1.5x1.2 cm spinal cord cyst at L5/S1 (Lumbar Laminectemy completed 9/10/09)
~Scolosis
~Migrains
~Leg Deformity
~Foot Deformity
~Knee, Hip, Back, Neck Pain
~Severe Depression
~Insomenia
~DDD
~Artheritis (Spine)
~Spinal Bone Spurs
~NEW: Herniated Disc T5/T6

My Dr has had me on 15mg ext relese moraphine every 12 hours.
I have a very high tollerance, and this is actually working to help
all my pain! I have ZERO side affects!!!! YEA!!

He has refered me to a pain management specialist to handle my meds...
I am affraid he will try to take me off this & try something else...
Do any of you take meds? Is this to Hard Core???
Any advice would be great!!!
Posted 8/11/2010 5:55 PM (GMT 0)

     Hello Snobrdgrl321!

      I have not talked to you in quite some time, or at least I don't remember it:)

      If you are having success with the med that your PCD put you on, I don't understand why he is sending you to a PM.

My PCD sent me to one because he was uncomfortable in giving me a script for what he thought I needed. However the PM treated me like a criminal and refused to treat me. It was some sort of a Political revenge against my PCD.

    Eventuality my PCD took care of the problem, and treated me himself.

    I know little about Moraphine, and did try the IR for a bit, but had no effect on me, so Oxyciontin it was for me in the end.

    Bless your little Heart, with all the problems you have. I hope you do well with the new PM.

He really should not change anything, unless you're not getting relief.

      I'm sure there will be someone more qualifide than myself to answer this question for you.

 

       SE:)

 

Posted 8/11/2010 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi. I'm happy that your pain is being managed so well. I hope that the new PM keeps your medications the same. To me, 15 mg. every 12 hrs. is not a large dose at all, but everyone is very different.

Flower













I am not a doctor or in the medical field at all:)
Posted 8/11/2010 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Donna...

Hi... I'm glad to hear your meds are working for you....especially with no side effects - that's wonderful!

I do know many PCP do not want to prescribe the stronger narcotics... and that's why they refer to PM docs. My encouragement to you is just to advocate for yourself when you go in and be vocal that these meds are working for you, you have no side effects - and you are finally get pain relief. Really - if this is working - there *should* be no reason to change your meds...

Re: the strength of your meds - you know, it's just so subjective from person to person re: strengths of medications... what might work for me, might totally knock out another person...you know what I'm saying? That being said, just my opinion - but you are on a relatively small amount of medication. People hear "morphine" and I don't know what it is... I know when I first started taking pain medication, my family thought "morphine" was such a taboo word :) Anyway, 6 months ago - I was on the equivalent of 650mg of morphine and had been for 2+ years... so, again, it's just a highly individualized thing...

Point of all of this is - I think you are doing great - your meds are working (which is the main thing) and hopefully the PM doc will see this. Let us know how your appointment goes.

Take good care... --Tina
Posted 8/11/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
It's so refreshing to hear that someone is getting relief from their pain meds and no side effects to top it off. So happy for you. You certainly have a long list of problems. Kudos to you for being so positive.
Posted 8/11/2010 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
 Hey Donna , All I can reccommend to you thats helped me a lot is seeing a therapist or shrink for your depression  , You mention its severe and in my expierence any emotional pain is far , far worse than any type of physical pain .If you feel good about yourself and your life it makes everything easier and even pleasurable .I asked how can I feel good about myself and my life when I have this pain ? The answer is because life is a gift , no matter your physical challenge you can love and be loved and you can contribute and feel needed and useful . And thats how you can get out of being depressed too , a therapist can guide you thru this . Best of luck to you !!! 
Posted 8/12/2010 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Donna, I don't think we have got a chance to talk....so first off nice to meet you!! I do not think you need to worry about the PM doc changing your meds. I am very happy to hear that this dose of morphine is working very well for you. What were you taking previously? Okay let me back up a bit and explain......I was taking vicodin for 3 years prior to going to my PM doc. I started at 250's and worked my way up to 2 - 1000's - 3 times a day and was still hurting! I became tolerant to this medicine very quickly! My PC sent me to the PM who's main goal in life was to do rhizotomy's to fix his patients and send them on their way! My insurance would not cover this procedure so he had to actually work with meds! My sister had the procedures and said they were terrible and they did not help! We were not real happy with this doctor but we live in a small town and he was the only PM within 150 miles. However, he put me on Levorphanol....it is an opiate without any tylenol or ibuprofen....those are what hurt you. I had to take a psychological test to see if I was suitable to be on pain meds long term because at that point it was my only option. He also said long term narcotics do not damage your body it is the other stuff! Levorphanol was a wonder drug for me! I felt better then I had in years....no side effects....and was just feeling like I was alive again when the manufacturer of Levorphanol backordered it! That was in February and you still can't get it!! I had to go through withdrawals and pain for several days until we finally went to the Morphine ER. I started at the 15 mg every 12 hours and it stopped the withdrawals and did help some with the pain. Many of his other patients had excellent results with this. I did okay....but am now up to 60 mg - 3 times a day. This had just been since late February/Early March. I seem to be very opiate tolerant though....because I feel like this is not taking care of my pain much anymore! Takes the edge off but that is it! My doctor will not go any higher.....but I am also in limbo waiting on dx's because I have new stuff going on! Short story....very long....sorry...Many others had excellent results with that dosage and it is a straight opiate without the bad stuff....one of the oldest ones around....so it is tried and true! If it works.....I see no problem with you staying on it.....it is not a unreasonable dose....that is the starting dose!!

Again....sorry for the novel and I am soooo happy you are getting relief!!

Take care of you!
Beckey
Posted 8/12/2010 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Donna,

I am sooooo happy to hear of someone getting relief from their pain meds. I only take Tramadol, and Cymbalta. So I am in no position to tell you if your dose is extreme. I have read many post of people taking more than that. it depends on you. I think you are taking what works for you. If the pm Dr. has any sense he will realize that. If not I wouldn't continue going. I told you my meds..they don't touch a thing. It's basically pointless, I have finally decided if my Rhuemy won't listen and help I am going to a new one..in 8 days. So I will hold hope for you and you pray for me :-) . Good luck!! I will be thinking of you. Gentle Hugs, Heather

Posted 8/12/2010 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Donna,

I really glad to hear from you! You know, I was thinking about you the other day & wondering how you were doing. I am so please to hear that you are getting some relief! Yippee!! That is fantastic!

Try not to stress about the new PM. Just be honest with him & explain that this medication is finally giving you some relief. When I see new doctors, I find it really helpful to bring with me a typed list of all the medications that I have tried to date, as well as how long/when I was on them, the dosage I was on, and their effect. I also keep & bring with me a similar list of all the procedures I have tried, all the tests I have had done, and all the specialists I have seen, as well as the doctors that are currently a part of my health care "team." I find that this is a really handy, quick way to summarize a long history & avoid things that have already been tried.

Good luck with your appointment! Let us know how it goes!

hugs,
Skeye
Posted 8/12/2010 5:33 AM (GMT 0)

   Dear Donna,

     I am so glad you had a moment to stop by and update *hugg* I do hope you have been able to keep your pain levels down? More so, I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer  :-)  

     I cannot fully understand what all you must be going through, but I can relate some what. I have Adult Progressive Scoliosis (primary progressive curves). It effects my spine, hips, pelvis, knees and shoulders. ... the damage is staggering and relentless. I also need other congenetial, genetic disorders adressed that cause pain as well. My pain is addressed in many ways... steroids, muscle relaxers, NSAIDs, opoids, TeNS, Tricyclics....

     It is important, in my opinion, to have multiple approaches to your pain when it comes from multiple sources. I do not think there is a "one method fits all" when it comes to chronic pain. Your being referred to a pain management specialist could really help you out alot. He/she will be able to open to the door for you to all sorts of different therapies, procedures and medicines. I cannot comment on if he/she will keep your current medicine. I would think that since it works so well, they just might keep it the same. Or who knows, they may want to try to help in other small ways? Maybe add in something new at bed time as well to help the insomnia? I think this could be really good for you! I dont think you should worry.. though if I were in your shoes I would be a bit nervous myself..*hugg*

     I know you referr to your medicine as "hard core", but I dont really think it is. There is a huge difference when treating someone with congenetial, genetic and progressive deformities. Nothing you do or dont do, will change your congenetial problems. There is literally nothing that can be done except to make the patient "comfortable to retain quality to life". I would think that any doctor you see, would do everything they could to help you retain quality to your life.

    I hope your appointment goes well. It would be so nice if you ended up with someone who truly understands all your needs. When is your appointment? Be sure to update as soon when you can.

 

    You are in our hearts and prayers here. Stay Stong!

 

*hugg*
  dani

Posted 8/12/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to ALL for your warm thoughts & advice!!

Before I was on the moraphine, I had tried a slew of different meds... From gabapentine to toradol, to percocet to fentynal & oxycontin. Nothing ever worked until now. I am so relieved that I am able to get stuff done and not be in so much pain.

(I have also had trigger point injestions, no luck!)

As some of you know, and some dont, I am only 34 and I work in an office 40+ hours per week in a very high stress job. I also have a 17yr old son & 14yr old daughter. Me & my hubby coach my daughters soccer team and we just had out first fall practice on Tuesday. I was nice to not hurt on the field!! We ALSO own our own landscape business, So I also work 10-20 hrs a week on the books for that doing all the paperwork. But I also do 85% of the work around the house too and 100% of the cooking and shopping. So you can see why I am so estatic to finally have pain refief!!!!!!!!

I think my Appointent is next week, gotta look at the calander. Just so busy, ugh, calgon; take me away!!!

Ok, Well, I will update again later.
Thanks Again!!

Posted 8/12/2010 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, you are one busy lady but it is so refreshing to see someone be able to function for a change as you are. Donna, be sure the dr is aware of your activities and explain how by taking this particular medication it allows you to participate in life again. I cannot imagine a dr wanting to ever rock the boat on something that affords a patient to have a life, unless of course it was a large heavy doses of medications. Your dose is not considered high so I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think someone else mentioned PCP's really do not want to be involved with CP patients and have someone needing any type of pain medication long term. I know my PCP has a 10 day limit on pain medication and nothing stronger than vicodin is ever rx'd.

Take care.
Posted 8/13/2010 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Donna, I am so happy to hear that you are finally getting some relief! I really wouldn't think your pain doc will mess with something that is working, I shoud hope not anyway. Please keep us posted and I hope you continue to get good pain relief.
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