Pain management....

Hi Peachy. I went to a pain management clinic while I was in diagnosis limbo. They gave me something like a tens unit that disrupts the pain pathway and that helped some. They also injected my neck vertibrae with steroids which only helped til the steroid wore off. Lastly they sent me to physical therapy which helped some too.

Celebrex is my main pain med, along with tylenol arthritis, neurontin and of course prednisone. When I have to take a narcotic I prefer percocet. I sure hope you get some pain relief soon! Love, Butterflake 

Just a note about Pain Clinics. Some are good, some are not. Some are just a place where the junkies get there fix. You'll know one of theses as soon as you walk into the waiting room and it's very uncomfortable to be there. I kept going, because I didn't have many options that excepted my insurance and weren't two hours away, and I really needed to get my pain meds somewhere. I had to drive an hour every month, and usually waited two hours once I got there. I saw a different "doctor" every time. I say this because I later found out that many of the "doctors" were students, completing heir fellowships and really had no idea about AI conditions. I'm seeeing a new pain specialist next week that seems better qualified. He is a Doctor of Internal Medicine as well as a pain specialist, so I hope he has a better grasp on the situation. At the last place I quized my doctor on which types of blood work I should be having done with all the meds I was on and he replied that I should have my eyes checked regularly. Guys, I'm on MTX, Topamax, Lortabs, and anthing else that might mess up your liver and I do get my liver, and complete CBC every month, but I hadn't told him that. That's when I decided to look elsewhere. I hope you et a good one, but don't be afraid to shop around for one that is truly qualified to handle your illness. Best of luck.

Well, I finally made it to my appointment. I took a urine test, I'm guessing to make sure I don't have anything besides my prescribed meds in my system. I was asked a million questions regarding my medical history and pain. I was prescribed what he liked to call "Tier 3 narcotics" as well as some hydrocodone with less acetaminophen in it to keep me from getting sick to my stomach. He also gave me a prescription for Lyrica, which my rheumatologist is currently having me take on a trial basis. I have another appointment in 2 weeks to evaluate how I'm doing. Currently, I'm feeling much better... perhaps a little groggy. But, I return to work this coming week... and I feel like I have a decent shot now of succeeding!

I get morphine and oxycodone as mine. I only usually stick with the oxycodone. One 30 bottle of morphine lasts me about 4 to 5 months (but I only take it when really need to)

Do you know what else gets prescribed for breakthrough pain besides hydrocodone? That's what I'm taking for it, but even when I take like 3 it just doesn't seem to do the job. Any thoughts?