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Posted 11/23/2012 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

Another fellow chronic pain sufferer. I was thrown from a horse in 99 at age 24. Landed on left side, and rolled over kind of like a cartwheel with no hands. My neck took the weight as I flipped over, and the woman riding with me landed on top of me with a knee right between my shoulder. I got up, knew I was hurt, and went to er. Broken ribs, gave me meds and sent me on my way.

I went to work next day, and stayed guarded for months. Acute pain went away in months, then problems started a year later. Now, it's 12 years later, I'm in upper 30's and miserable.

Started on OTC meds, until they wouldn't work anymore. Then to hydrocodone, then methadone. Stayed on methadone for several years. Had to ge off methadone for work reasons, and now on oxy. Tolerance on oxy has gone up faster than any before. I assume this is from years of methadone.

Went to pm. Guy wanted to take me off all opiates and claimed to cure all with injections. Gave him a try, and had no relief. Went through withdrawal, and he had me on toradol shots, voltaren patches, and other NSaids that screwed up my kidneys.

Switched dr, now back on high daily oxy dose. Works well, just hate to take so many meds. Hate the way people look at you getting filled at pharmacy. Too many judgemental people.

Now being offered RFA to try to burn pain trigger. Not sure about it though.

Sorry if so long, jus good to be able to talk with others in same situation.
Posted 11/23/2012 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there...sorry to hear that you have chronic pain...but glad you found us here at HW...

I'm glad to hear that you are now with a Dr. who is helping you with your pain...

If I could ask a few questions..

What do they say is your diagnosis?

May I ask what other modalities you use besides the Oxycodone? I have found that the best way to treat chronic pain is by using as many possible treatments...

I think of them as pieces to a puzzle to all add up to get me to a 5 or so on the pain scale..

I have done RFA treatments and they have been helpful. There really isn't going to be a "one magic" thing that stops all the pain unfortunately..so it's about doing each thing to try to lessen the pain just a bit.

There is daily exercise, physical therapy, TENS unit, injections, steroids, ice, heat, massage, acupuncture, counseling, aqua therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, eating healthy, not smoking, etc....

These are things that my PM and I use daily/weekly/monthly....

Are you on any type of nerve pain medication? Or a muscle relaxer? These are very helpful to that specific type of pain as opiates are good and useful in their own way...but they just make us not care as much about our pain..they don't really target anything. So many people use these types of meds in conjunction with any type of opiate.

I have found that I do not tell anyone (besides my mom whom I live with right now) about my medication. This is private and no one else needs to know. I actually don't talk with most people about my pain...I would rather focus on fun things with my friends and family when I am with them..

That is what is great about coming here...we all get it...We all empathize what it is like..

The key is finding a good Pharmacy and making friends with the Pharmacists there. Make them a part of your healthcare just like your Dr. This way...if there are ever any glitches...they will know you, know what you are taking medication for...and be willing to help out.

I've been gong to the same Pharmacy for 11 years now and the Pharmacist made a mistake last month when he only filled my bottle with half the meds....and then he accidentally filled the same prescription twice!...He was absolutely mortified and upset that he made this mistake....He apologized profusely as I had to drive back there to fix things...He gave me a $20 gift card:)

Anyway...my point is that if they are actually treating you badly there or saying rude things...then I would find another Pharmacy....

Again...we are happy that you found us as there are so many people here who have been through a similar journey...
Posted 11/23/2012 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosis is mild scoliosis, and degenerative changes in my thoracic spine. Not sure of spelling, but i think it was called ankylosing spondolitis. All my pain seems to feel like its from bone. Feels central to my body, can feel it center of my chest, back, and just holding the weight of my head up all day causes pain. No smoking gun as to the cause, but I finally have a good Doc.

I live a very active life. With meds I am able to work a 12 hour day. I work 50-60 hrs a week.

I tried neurontin, no relief. Lyrica caused me to have speech problems.
Massage feels great, but does nothing for the spine pain. Chiropractic helps, but doesn't last. Relief only lasts maybe an hour after.
I hate being on meds, but they have enabled me to continue to live a very productive life.

Pharmacy issues. I was standing at a counter with several people behind me. Pharmacist calls my name out and says "we have the Roxicodone you need, but don't have the OxyContin." In front of everyone. Everyone knows everyone where I live, so now my privacy is gone. I was so pissed off, I asked to speak in private and expressed my anger.
Had the same thing happen at another place.

Thanks for the responses
Posted 11/23/2012 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing more...

We have a Moderator in the Fibromyalgia board that has AS (ankylosing spondylitis) and she uses Robaxin as a muscle relaxer for this and she says it helps tremendously...

So possibly adding a muscle relaxer and/or trying one of the other nerve pain like Cymbalta might help...Even sometimes Elavil and older antidepressants seem to work for nerve pain...Again...many of them may have some side effects but they usually will go away in a few weeks to a month..

With Neurontin...it usually takes a few months to reach a therapeutic dosage as this med goes up to 3600mg...A Dr. will start low and then move up little by little...

I would certainly not recommend doing any type of Chiropractic care for any type of actual spine issue...My Neurosurgeon said that it could have paralyzed me or caused further damage if I went to one with my issues..

I've had 3 cervical fusions (two levels each time) and have many other spine issues with more herniations, bone spurs, Spondy, and other diagnoses....So I completely understand...

That sounds like you are getting some pretty good pain relief already with your meds if you are able to work 12 hour days with your issues...So that is why maybe adding a few other modalities like a nerve pain med or muscle relaxer...along with trying the RFA...may be even more helpful to you...

It sounds like you have a good PM that is willing to try other things to find the best course of treatment for you..

That's too bad that a head Pharmacist would be so unprofessional with calling out medications like that....As mentioned...if they continue to do things like this...I would find a different place....

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 11/23/2012 11:21:34 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/23/2012 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Formula and welcome to the forum. Wow, you have a long history of dealing with CP, alot of us here do. The meds are a real catch 22, we have to have them so we can function and have some sort of a life. I understand the looks you are talking about at the pharmacy. One thing I have learned when living with CP, we have to be more thicker skinned than a normal person that has no issues. Don't let anyone make you feel different.

I had the RF on both my neck and low back. It worked great on my neck but did nothing for my low back. But that is how it goes with the procedures no one knows if they will help or not. I think they are worth trying.

Anyway,I wanted to pop on and tell you hello & welcome aboard.....Susie
Posted 11/23/2012 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Formula,

Just a quick note to welcome you to the forum.... I'm sorry you are dealing w/ chronic pain, though :(

Most of us here hate taking so many meds too....

Re: your pharmacy issue - I, too, would find a different pharmacy if things like this continue to happen. I actually had a similar thing happen to me a couple of months ago (had to go to a different location than my usual pharmacy, as they were out of one of my meds).... and the pharmacy tech called out - "Your "xxx" will be ready in about 10 minutes". I was livid that they would blurt out one of my narcotic meds. I live in a bigger city -- I wasn't worried about someone knowing me.... but more worried about someone following me to my van!!

Anyway, no excuse for these type of things.....

Well, again - welcome and hope to see you posting more. ---Tina
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