(No Subject)

Hi there...Welcome to HW...

While we appreciate your post...the medication you listed is all relative compared to each person and what their pain sources are. So there really is no such thing as "best" or "worst" pain killer. What works for me is not going to work for everyone. Nor should two people who have the exact same "illness" take the same pain killers.

Those of us who live with chronic pain know that an opiate is just one small piece of the puzzle in helping with our pain. No one should rely soley on an opiate to lessen their pain.

It's a collaboration with your Dr. and finding the best comprehensive pain program that includes every modality possible to lessen one's pain and help them live the best life they can.

Would you mind sharing more about yourself and what your pain journey has been? What is your diagnosis....and what other things do you use to help your pain?

Thanks for sharing more! It sounds like you have a complicated situation with your spine...

When were these MRI results given?

Have you had injections done? Traction? A TENS unit prescribed? Physical therapy?

Or are they recommending any type of surgery?

I have had 3 cervical fusions myself with other herniations that are present now in that area and the lumbar. Along with spondy, stenosis, facet joint disease...

There are so many of us that have these issues and we are the unfortuante 15% with chronic pain as 85% of the population over 25-30 will have spine issues with discs bulges, bone spurs, and other other problems but they resolve on their own or without any surgical intervention.

Are you being treat by a Board Certified Neurosurgeon or BC Orthopedic surgeon?

Or has this been going on for some time and you are with a Pain Management Dr?

As I mentioned in my other post....those of us with chronic pain use lots of different modalities to help lessen our pain.

Are you on any type of nerve pain medication like Lyrica, Cymbalta or Neurontin? This is usually a standard med when there are spine issues.

How about a muscle relaxer like Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin, Soma or Baclofen?

An opiate is only meant to "dull" the pain a bit but do not target certain types of pain. That is why a muscle relaxer or nerve pain med is so important.

I also do daily exercise, aqua therapy, yoga/stretching, TENS unit, injections, steroids, massage, ice, heat, acupuncture, biofeedback, counseling, eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking (thankfully never have).

Do you mind sharing more about what other treatments you are using/doing to help with your pain levels or if surgery is on the table? (pun intended...lol)

I also take ambien 10mg. The klonopin helps with my muscle spasms, insomnia even no its prescribed to me for severe anxiety and panic disorder! I have tried lyrica and nuerontin and had really bad reations to them.Methadone by far is the best and strongest pain medication ive ever taken. Also, it lasts a very long time I take 3 10mg tablets every 8 hours. The oxycodone 15mg ir I take 1 tablet 3-4 times a day for severe breakthrough pain. I take 4 klonopin 2mg a day and 2-3 Ibu 800mg a day!

I appreciate you sharing more information about yourself.

I know it's scary and I'm sorry that the one surgery did not work for your dad, but there are hundreds of thousands of people who actually do very well with different types of surgery for the spine.

What you find on here or mostly anywhere online, are those who did not have success and are living with chronic pain.

So I would certainly make appts. to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion to see if surgery is an option for you at this point to at least help with some of the issues. It's not a guarantee to take away all the pain, but it is very needed at times to not have more nerve damage.

It sounds like you have a good PM Dr. that is helping you manage your pain daily. Are you able to work at this point or are you on disability?