Had my follow up pain management appt. today.....

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Linda, and Carmen too, and Katie of course. Linda, you must have been writing while I was too and posted yours right before me. Thank-you for the well wishes. Yes, they were very stingy with the oxycodone. I took 2 yesterday late afternoon, put the heating pad on and it felt unbelievable to get some relief. I haven't been sleeping well, so I ended up going to bed at 7:30 pm last night and slept for 10 hours straight. Boy, that felt good. But only got 15 to last for 30 days so.....can't do that much. I should get some pain meds with the hip surgery so that will help, and then I will eventually have to search for a new pain management place. I don't know quite how to do that, but will figure it out.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Cindylou,

Not everyone in our modern age subscribes to the no longterm narcotics method for treating chronic pain. In fact using the term "narcotics" tends to have a negative connotation. A more accurate description would be opioids. Narcotics seems to encompass street drug abuse of many types. Anyway, there are probably as many indicators and studies to show both sides of the debate. Most originate from people who probably have no experience personally dealing with chronic pain.

Fentanyl is a much more potent opioid than oxycodone that takes a couple of days to build up when using the patch. When I had to use it, I had trouble with the bigger patches coming loose. It seems that even if a corner comes loose it loses a lot of its effectiveness. I bought these clear covers at the drugstore to stick over the patch. Personally, I think oxycodone isn't that much more effective than hydrocodone. Equanogesic charts usually rate hydrocodone to be 0.8 mg to 1.0 mg of oxycodone. Most docs are a little more comfortable with hydro as it is a Schedule III vs a Schedule II for oxycodone. Schedule IIs have to have a script in triplicate and can't have refills. Hydrocodone (unless it is not combined with something like acetaminophen or ibuprofen) can have refills.

The pain pumps, if you go that route, really seem to work for most people. They can concoct a mix of drugs to meet your needs. And overall your body only has to deal with a small amount of opioids as the meds go where they are needed.

[Cindylou]

Thank-you Jack. I appreciate your perspective, and thank-you for sharing it with me.

[ajj1001]

I don't know for sure Alison. I still think my pain generators have some potential intervention left. Surgical or otherwise. I am not opposed to having a pain pump implanted if it comes to that. That's my end of the line plan. One thing I know for sure is, I will not live in this much pain without relief. I will end my life if it comes to that.

I was just asking what the pain clinics philosophy was, I know you've got stuff going on causing pain its just that they don;t seem to. Would suggest that the priority is to find a clinic that is not opposed to further treatment or drug use to manage ongoing pain and is going to work with you. I'm praying that you get something sorted soon.

[Cindylou]

Yes, I agree sweetie. I think they stated their philosophy pretty clearly....not big on opiate/narcotic intervention at all. Which to me is ridiculous. At least break the cycle of pain.

[KanRunMo]

Really sorry about all your pain. You're right that "it's the pain, stupid, not the brain". Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could go to a building or campus medical facility where when you went in, and you had multiple health problems, they would simply send you "down the hall" to the next doctor who would take care of your next medical problem, etc.. And that all the doctors had all your medical records and communicated with each other. Well, that's not ever going to happen but it sounds like Mayo's and possibly Kaiser medical in N. California come the closest.
I think the other posts are correct. Get another doctor or pain management clinic. Also, you definitly should call the surgeon that did your fusion that is not fused. They should give you the pain medications you need, however, you do have to remember that many of them are addicting and prepare for eventually easing off off them. As my one friend says, "when you're older and in pain get whatever you need by whatever means necessary." - Pretty drastic.
I hope all your pain is relieved soon.

[Carmen]

Yes, I agree sweetie. I think they stated their philosophy pretty clearly....not big on opiate/narcotic intervention at all. Which to me is ridiculous. At least break the cycle of pain.

HI Cindylou,
Those words are the exact wording of what my chiropractor said today. Break the cycle otherwise it will keep going round n' round.

I called my pain doctor today and she said that I could take as many as 6. I figured it out and it was every two hours if you are going to stay awake for at least 12 hours or more. I picked up my myelogram. See the message I wrote to Cheryl for the results. If you can't find it I will cut and paste it to you. YOU GO GIRL..."I did and I am lovin it. "
CARMEN

[Carmen]

Yes, I agree sweetie. I think they stated their philosophy pretty clearly....not big on opiate/narcotic intervention at all. Which to me is ridiculous. At least break the cycle of pain.

Cindylou,
Congratulate me. I am now a senior member. I guess when you hit a 100 posts, they make you a senior. Maybe I just have a big mouth. Oh well, it guess it is an occupational hazard. Look at you at all your titles. WOW. Like I had said before, you have to break even. There has got to be a time, when you will be finished with this pain thing. Listen to me and I have not even had my surgery yet. It certainly is scaring the hell out of me. Carmen