Anyone got some advice about pain medication?

[cali]

I'm not asking for a medical opinion, just personal ones from experience.

I fucking hate, hate, hate morphine. Yes, it dulls the pain, but it makes me sick to my stomach and miserable. I'm on a combination of percocet and morphine and I hate it. How the fuck anyone can like taking this shit is beyond me.

Nothing I've taken completely kills the pain and now I'm not allowed to use Ibuprophen anymore because it caused too much bleeding during my last surgery.

I've tried wrapping ground up cabbage stuffed in a stocking and wrapped around my foot and ankle. I'm using this nerve stimulator thing.

Why can't they just fucking invent a good pain relief medication?

[mopinko]

1. have they tried lyrica?

i have fibro, and also have some nerve damage from herniated discs. the lyrica is very useful for neuropathies. not perfect, but i would say 80% improvement.
also take arthrotec for pain that is above and beyond the normal. helped a lot when i broke my ankle last year, and is great for headaches.

best of luck to you. pain sucks.

[cali]

4. thanks for the suggestion. I'll bring it up.

I'm waiting on an appointment at a pain clinic at either Dartmouth-Hitchcock or Fletcher Allen- whichever can see me first and I've been referred to a specialist in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

[hedgehog]

2. If the ibuprofen works, and you are healing up, so the bleeding has stopped, ask if

you can use it now?

I think the lyrica mentioned above sounds like a good path to try - it's a different methodology.

[cali]

3. the answer is still no- asked the other day

I'll ask about the lyrica.

thanks so much for your kind support.

[hedgehog]

5. Here's hoping the lyrica works!

[Warpy]

6. A lot of us wish that.

The nausea from the morphine eventually fades, but that's about the time you're getting dependent on the stuff and will have to taper it down rather than quit cold turkey when it's time.

I always explained to my patients that nothing kills the pain completely. Opiates just dull it enough that they could cope with rehab and then have the pain settle down quickly when they returned to bed.

If you've got any sort of healing incision in the area, I'd get rid of the cabbage. Anything that creates a warm, moist environment near broken skin is just asking for infection.

My own problem is chronic pain that has lasted for years and will be with me for the rest of my life. My own balance is just enough pain control that I can function, not so much that I'm oblivious (although that seems attractive from time to time). I use Ultram because I don't get mentally foggy from it and a TENS unit when my back locks up.

ETA: explore with your doctor whether or not another opiate or semisynthetic opiate will work better than morphine. Methadone has been used very successfully for pain control and doesn't tend to fog you up. In any case, a good pain control specialist has many more things at his disposal so there is some light at the end of your very painful tunnel.

[cali]

7. thank you for the information.

no, the incision has healed, so no worries there.

I will follow up on your suggestions when I get to the pain clinic. you've been very helpful and I thank you for it.

[hedgehog]

8. This is going to sound like woo-woo, but some people do

get some relief from acupuncture.

It's not the first place I'd go, but you're running out of options.

[Warpy]

9. It can help

It didn't do anything for my fibro but it got rid of a migraine and pain from a car crash in 5 minutes. And I'm the world's biggest skeptic when it comes to that stuff.

[cali]

10. It doesn't sound like woo woo to me

I've used acupuncture in the past for much more minor things. I'll keep it in mind. I know it sounds whiny but it's hard to describe this pain- it's so constant and acute, not even the combination of morphine and percocet get rid of it.

[hedgehog]

11. I'm with you about not wanting to seem whiny.

Even a low level of chronic pain is disruptive, so I can't imagine what you're dealing with! The only way you're going to get help is to let other people know you need help, so that's not whining.

[Karmasue]

12. This may bring some hate mail, but are you in a state where

medical marijuana is legal? I have personally witnessed amazing transformations in both dealing with pain and side effects from many medications.

edit: typo

[anon223]

13. OK - you need to know that

morphine does not work for everyone. I found out after a number of surgeries that it doesn't work for me - doesn't really relieve the pain, and gives me nightmares like you wouldn't believe. You might to tell your doc that morphine isn't working out, and try to get them to try something else. Good luck -

[SoloInPoconos]

14. I know this is late

Long story short, (yea, right??), I haven't been to DU in awhile, had to make a new identity, etc,

Anyways, I've been on pain Melds for 11 years now-and have tried most of them.
I have a genetic disorder, which, among other things, has caused: Osteoporosis-serious, diagnosed at 38 when I had a spinal injury, I'm 53 and gratefully am unable to take Fosamax, etc. I was diagnosed with OA at age 15 and had my share of NSAID's-ending in bleeding ulcers.
Because I was a medical professional, and had every intention of returning to my career after my spinal fractures-I refused ANY opiates, even ultram, (I know, it's a synthetic wannabe . My injury seemed to trigger all that was not good, and until that time, unknown, about my genetic disorder.

I am a "spontaneous mutation" of a mutation of Nail-Patella Syndrome. Lol, got that? Basically, I'm one of the 3 recorded non-inherited cases; and the locus of my NPS, instead of just affecting Chrom. 9, affects others as well. I have ALL skeletal anomalies that have ever been recorded with NPS-plus a few. My Son, although I was promised I couldn't pass it on back then, is my exact twin.
Besides, sometimes as a result of the Osteoporosis. I have very frequent dislocations of my knees, hips, shoulders, and elbows. (the fingers & toes don't hurt anymore when they "pop&quot . Usually, although I rarely count, I have probably 10-12/day. I also average 2-3 fractures/month-BOTH of those are still decreasing though. See, I went from the VERY heavy for my frame, menopausal weight of 186lbs in March, to 105 in Sept, and I'm still TRYING to stabilize my joints. Oh, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. . Also with Systemic Lupus. I also have a worsening Scoliosis I thought we had corrected years ago. Bathe joys of aging!!

Anyways, I started on ultram & darvocet in 2000-01. It did little to relieve the worsening pain. My pain mgt Doc & Ortho's, decided since this would be a life-long fight to control the pain, for some reason put me on the fentanyl patch-just after those two first Melds. Oh was I SICK. They actually put me on Zofran, an anti-nausea used with chemo patients-and VERY expensive, to help as my body adjusted. Since then, until this past June, I was on varying dosages of Fentanyl, and "breakthrough" opiates, (Hydrocodone, oxycodone); until I spent that last year, in bed, on heating pads or ice packs, not leaving the house except for the frequent fractures.
I had moved here to Pa in 2002, lived in a yoga ashram for 2 years, came down on my dosage for that time & took supplements. Yoga has done more for my stability than ANY PT. the problem was my weight-I had never weighed more than 105lbs except pregnant when I went to 120lbs each time. (3 ). Gaining that weight over a year, just after menopause, was literally, killing me. I had no pain mgt specialist here-I'm now on Medicaid, and doctors won't touch me because of my multiple system problems. (glaucoma, renal failure-born with just 1 kidney, heart problems, a short series of TIA's last year from dialysis... Minor strokes, and now the graves & lupus.). Hell, *I* wouldn't take MYSELF on as a patient!! Anyways, somehow, my primary,..and myself, talked a local physiatrist into seeing me long enough to get me stabilized on a pain med regimen that, hopefully, will last awhile. This Doc decided to talk to my Son's Doc in the UK, (he's there doing an internship), who also happens to be the best, most knowledgeable specialist in NPS. She was also in the process of testing NPS patients enzymes which break down opiate medications-as well as some other Melds.
Dr S received my blood, tested it with my Son's, and I guess we now know why I need such an elephant dose to touch my pain. I also need, always have, 3 times the dosage of Novocaine at the dentists. The local Doc & Dr S, decided to take me off the fentanyl-I'd built up a huge tolerance.
I'm now, FINALLY, on 2 different types of morphine, one long-acting, one short.
I STILL had to go on Zofran for the first week or so. Part of it is that despite my docs screaming at me, I "sneak" an Aleve now & then. While the opiates help-they do NOTHING for the inflammation. My knees right now are the size of a large cantaloupe?? (2 weeks of cold, rainy, windy, Sandy, and buckets in my kitchen-the sun porch is blocked off till we get a roof put on both tomorrow--that'll do it!!).

Medical cannabis is supposed to help, it does for others with NPS. For EXAMPLE: our Govt, has been growing, packaging, and sending, (through USPS no less!!), 200 "joints" to George McMahon, an older gentleman, with a much milder form of NPS, who was in a program, I think it's:
Independent compassionate...I'll have to look for it. If anyone is interested-you can also just search George's name-he has videos on YouTube. MY view on this?? It should be CRIMINAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT, to refuse us a natural herb with now PROVEN benefits and proven un-harmful effects-certainly MUCH less dangerous than the opiates or drinking!! With the hundreds of long-term studies now available, it is despicable that our govt is putting people in jail for using an herb that's showing more promise than ANYTHING in the treatment of cancer!! Oh sorry, forgot about those poor struggling pharmaceutical companies-why they might have to take a cut in billion dollar salaries if they give up their biggest moneymaker!! (chemo-that KILLS healthy cells-MMJ doesn't!!)
Sorry-pet peeve..

My Doc's have had me on a low-dosage anti-depressive since we started the opiates. They said that would help the dreams-but I don't have a problem with dreams, "nightmares". I've been told that it's another "benefit" of meditation that I'm able to control my dreams. Although meditation helps with any extra pain-I'm unable to "clear" when I'm anywhere over a 6. I still HIGHLY recommend both yoga AND meditation.
In my past, (life, as a medical professional), I don't recall ANY patient who didn't get sick at the beginning of opiate management; there are other Melds you can take though to limit those side-effects. I'm talking about someone with no, or very limited experience with opiates. Also, it makes a HUGE difference if you are a short-or long term potential user. The laws will be changing soon and opiates for non-cancer chronic pain, WILL be restricted!! For those of us with stomach or bleeding problems, we're limited in our choices. There ARE some effective supplements, massage, acupuncture, yoga & meditation-but they're not usually coveted by insurance, and can get expensive. I got lucky in that I traded a skill I had-for lessons in the practices of Ayurveda & Yoga, (as well as it paid for the supplements-while I was there).
I wish other chronic pain patients all the best. Please research the latest studies in medicinal cannabis-use that information to work towards helping us break the Big Pharma monopoly-GET INVOLVED!! Also, try & research the pain management doctor you are seeing. In my hometown, we had a doc that had been practicing there for 5 years-as well as his partners. Beach one of them had either pending charges from another state, restricted or suspended license. I hear Florida has gotten better at that. Good people can get dragged into bad things because of ignorance.
Good Luck, Light, Love, and a Pain Free Life!!

Solo

[ProfessorGAC]

15. They Won't Like Prescribing It. . .

. . . and the first few times you use it you'll feel like you're tripping, but percodan will make you forget your pain.

It's SUPER addictive so you have to be really careful and you have to jump through hoops in most states to get the prescription filled, but i can tell you from experience it will make you forget the pain.

And, btw, i'm the kind who has such a high tolerance for pain that i have dental work done without novacaine.

[cali]

16. What's the difference between percocet and percodan?

I've been taking percocet for almost 14 months now. I haven't had any problem with addiction. If I have a couple of days without screeching pain, I just don't take it. No problem. and I don't take a lot of it but so far it's been the most effective and cutting off the pain to a manageable level. I'm starting Lyrica today. I tried Gabapentin and it worked for some of my symptoms but the side effects were truly lousy. Last week I had a sympathetic nerve block. Not fun.

thanks for the advice.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Side Effects WIth Neurontin?

That's really unusual. That's been on the market since the early 60's. I think it was orginally an anti-convulsant for epilepsy and they found it had mood stabilizing effects on BPD and neurological pain blocking effects later on.

They had me on it for the stinging and burning in my legs (from MS), but it didn't do anything for me. I had thought the side effects were mostly very mild, and the only issue was that it simply didn't work for everyone. Guess i thought wrong.

From what i understand, Percodan is a stronger form. My wife got percocet for a pain killer after oral surgery. The hoops through which she had to jump were practically nothing compared to what i went through when i had the shoulder thing. So, it's clearly much more highly regulated. The Dr. office had to write a numbered scrip, call a state clearinghouse when they gave it to me, and i had to sign a book. When i got to the pharmacy, i had to sign again, and they had to call the clearinghouse to be sure it was a valid, registered scrip. It's the only time i ever had to go through something like that.

I actually didn't care for them, because i would drift off on them. My wife told me i would have a conversation with her and i would not remember any of it. Unsettling. But, maybe it was just the effect of being new on them. After a few days, the spur was dissolved and the pain was going away anyway. So, i quite taking them.
GAC

[cali]

18. I felt like I was in a fog at a therapeutic dose- could have handled that but

it really upset my stomach and gave me the shits. I guess it's not that unusual according to the doc at the pain clinic. Percocet is pretty effective for me. My primary care doc has suggested a patch. I don't know what to do.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. I Feel Your Pain

Pun intended, without making a joke about it. I've got MS that affects my muscles and nerve endings, and RA that affects my joints.

If it's not one thing, it's another, for me.

So, i can empathize with your issues.

Take care, Cali.
GAC

[otohara]

27. Patch is Awful

I almost went to the hospital..seniors in FL die from those things.

[Horse with no Name]

20. Percocet has Tylenol in it and Percodan has Aspirin

Which means the Percodan will also help with an inflammatory response that Percocet won't address.

Neurontin was originally prescribed for epilepsy but the drug maker touted its off-label uses as amazing. One of these off-label uses was for chronic pain. I remember giving it as a nurse and my patients were in pain and the drug reps told the docs that they just needed to keep increasing it and if it didn't work, it was only because the patient didn't want it to work. It was one of the biggest shams in medicine and frankly, if a doctor gives you Neurontin for an off-label use, I would request a different medication.

It still pisses me off at the fact that so many patients were made to suffer because of Pfizer's greed...and the fact that some of those patients were mine.

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Huge-penalty-in-drug-fraud-Pfizer-settles-2759293.php

>>>>snip
A division of Pfizer Inc., the world's largest drugmaker, has agreed to plead guilty to two felonies and pay $430 million in penalties to settle charges that it fraudulently promoted the drug Neurontin for a string of unapproved uses.

In an agreement announced by government prosecutors Thursday, Pfizer unit Warner-Lambert admitted that it aggressively marketed the epilepsy drug by illicit means for unrelated conditions including bipolar disorder, pain, migraine headaches, and drug and alcohol withdrawal.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Huge-penalty-in-drug-fraud-Pfizer-settles-2759293.php#ixzz2BkXVLBJo


Also wanted to add this:
http://www.pbmattorneys.com/news.php?action=view&id=13
>>>snip
Harris Pogust, cochair of ATLA’s new Neurontin Litigation Group, said his firm in Pennsauken, New Jersey, has filed two such cases and sees potential clients daily. The harm done by Neurontin’s off-label use, he noted, extends well beyond suicide. The drug company conducted two clinical trials on Neurontin’s use as a treatment for bipolar disorder, he said. One showed that a placebo was as good as Neurontin; the other showed that the placebo worked better than the drug. But the company continued to promote Neurontin as an off-label treatment for bipolar disorder.

Pogust compared Parke-Davis’s conduct to “coming into the house of a bipolar patient on lithium,” removing the lithium from his or her medicine cabinet, “and saying, ‘You’re not going to be medicated. See what happens.’”

The complaint and sentencing memorandum from Franklin’s lawsuit help explain why a drug the FDA approved for only two relatively obscure uses now accounts for almost $3 billion of its maker’s approximately $50 billion annual revenues.

According to both of the documents, Parke-Davis promoted the drug for off-label uses to get as much revenue as possible while the drug was still under patent and to make sure that any competing generics would have limited use—instead of spending critical time and money to conduct studies and obtain FDA approval for those uses.

[Seedersandleechers]

25. Percocet has tylenol and percodan has aspirin

that is the only difference.

[southern_belle]

21. Cymbalta is GREAT for nerve pain

good luck. hope you feel better soon. I can relate!

[CraftyGal]

22. Wish I could take something for the pain I am constantly in.

Ever since being diagnosed with renal failure, I have been dealing with constant pain. My knees are bad as I have gained 60 lbs in 3 years. I have general aches and pains to the point it is hard to walk some days. I am not allowed to take most meds and with having the Peritoneal Catheter in my abdomen baths are no longer an option...ugh! Ibuprofen helped but I am no longer allowed to take it except in extreme situations.

wishing you luck....

CraftyGal

[Akoto]

23. I was given extended release morphine recently ...

My pain condition flared and the pain doc wanted me to take it for just a month, then wean off. One pill and I went into urinary retention. I had to go get my first catheter at the ER. Considering I have chronic pelvic pain, you can imagine how that went!

I have a condition for which pain management is difficult, but the docs at the university have always found ways to at least take the edge off without drugging me into a stupor. Thing is, they have always used a cocktail of medications to hit the problem from various angles, rather than employing a pain pill on its own.

[dicapslo]

24. Spam deleted by hlthe2b (MIR Team)

[otohara]

26. Timed Released

Meds don't work for me...if you want to pm me...I will gladly tell you my experiences on all of them before I found what worked for me. Kinda depends on the pain...muscle, nerve, joint....