New to the pain forum...

I'm new to the forum, not new to pain. A drunk driver cut in front of me 6 years ago, which has now resulted in a disc protrusion in my c6-c7. It's constant pain. Tried massage, physio, medication....medication has been a tricky situation. Neurologist tried Naproxen (anti-inflammatory) which resulted in vertigo after three weeks, then tried Lyrica, which then caused swollen hands, feet, knees...which left him with....opiates. I was started on 1 oxy (5mg) once daily...well that didn't work. Then bumped me to 2 (5mg) once a day. I gave up. It eventually took 2 pills every four hours to keep the pain away. Neuro, not wanting me to take that many, gave me a 25mcg of fenatyl (patch)...well that did nothing. Can you see my frustration???? I'm currently on 50mcg of fenatyl and 2 (5mg) of percocet.

All in all, I'm thoroughly frustrated, which I feel a lot of people feel with chronic pain. I'm mad at my doctor for not doing everything in her power to help me.

I've had to find my own physiotherapist because my old one said I "plateaued" and she couldn't help me anymore. I just had an appt. today with my new physio and she was AMAZING! She went through my entire medical history, after and before the accident. She has put a treatment plan through to my insurance to have my medication, at home traction device and all my physio covered by them.

about 3 weeks ago, I have a partial diagnosis of fibro. calves, low back, fingers, arms...tough to do fine motor skills. Tingling and numbness down both arms, and some numbness in my R thigh.

Oh right....I've been diagnosed with depression and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).....just the cherry on top.

I'm glad I found this support forum, and I hope I didn't complain too much. Glad to have somewhere where chronic pain is understood.

Thanks for listening.

xoxo

Hi Justtakeitaway

First let me welcome you to the forum. I'm sorry to hear your having such a rough time. You'll find out pretty fast that your not alone. So many of us have faced and face the same problems. Doctors who are completely insensitive and uncaring to plain out dumb. I've had my fair share of arguments over pain meds and treatment options or the lack of. You came to a good site or should say a great group of people. You'll find the people here know exactly what you're going through. Not because they've read about it but because they live it everyday. We're not doctors but we do try and support each other the best we can. Please don't think your complaining. Here it's called venting or sharing your day to day struggles.No one knows better the hardships that come with chronic pain than the people here. So again welcome to the site and hope you find it as helpful as I have. Take care, hope to see more of your posts or even try the chat rooms if your up for it. A Lot of nice people there too. Wish you all the best.

Stingray

Yes, the numbness in limbs is disturbing and I agree with Jag that it sounds like nerve impingement and opiates will not normally help, merely dull your senses. My husband had the same symptoms after a work accident and when his arm went numb after 2 weeks, they scheduled neck surgery w/ graft and metal. He has almost full use of neck (11% deficit) and no nerbe pain now.
He went to an orthopedic doctor as Jag has suggested. i am a little surprised that your docs have not sent you to one yet. Think about it and welcome to you...i hopeyou can find some answers very soon

maggie

I would say like the others to seek out help from a pain management clinic, to maybe
get better treatment...other things could be tried...and I agree with Screaming Eagle Surgery should be
last resort, as once surgery always surgery...Have your doctor tried you with tens units and ultra sound therapies,
those can be of help...many many well wishes...and keep us posted as we do care...
Find yourself some better doctors....

Welcome to our chronic pain forum. I am glad you found us but sorry that you are suffering so much. You will enjoy the support you get here from the members. Everyone is so caring and non judgemental. We all suffer from chronic pain of one sort or another.

Hope you keep posting with us.

Suzane

the suggestion made about adjuvant medications with opioids is how neuropathic pain responds best for the most part. the fentanyl patch is a popular opioid analgesic for this type of pain because it is theorized the more steady release of medicine is better, Methadone is big because it has some additional pain blocking properties. it seems most people with big nerve pain need higher doses of opioids, honestly 1 or 2 5mg oxycodone tabs up to 50mcg/hr fentanyl patch is a big jump but like me the patch might not be the best thing for you. certainly it would be nice to have more breakthrough pain med doses and maybe a different med like Dilaudid or Morphine but the real goal is to find a long acting formulation that works for you so ideally you only need 2 doses of breakthrough/activity pain meds. the best i have ever had is Opana ER but it is pricey, Opana IR is great for breakthrough pain and a generic is available now in 5mg and 10mg. then coming in with a anti-depressant/neuropathic pain med like: Cymbalta a SNRI, Amitriptyline a tricyclic anti-depressant-others: Nortriptyline (Pamelor), Doxepin (Sinequan)(also good topically), atypical antidepressants Remeron or Trazadone are used. Then anti-convulsants of various sub-divisions: Topamax or Topiramate also can take extra pounds off, Lyrica/Neurontin same action pretty much but Lyrica is about 6 times more potent so a lower dose is used, Lamictal or Lamotrigine, Oxcarbazepine or Trileptal (less side effects than most), Gabatril or Tiagabine. some Benzodiazepines: Ativan or Lorazepam, Klonopin or Clonazepam, Valium or Diazepam. some muscle spascisity meds like: Baclofen, Zanaflex or Tizanidine or it's relative Catapres or Clonidine. some say Soma or Carisoprodol helps. a push is on now about topical opioids for nerve pain and it seems to work well. a ton of supplements can be helpful.