Question about pain levels & medication

[Bummer Knees]

I have an appointment with my primary doctor tomorrow and we are going to discuss medication.

Now if I had my way I wouldn't be taking any medications!

The reason for the discussion about meds is due to high pain levels with having little relief from the pain.

Monday night I was at a 9 on the pain scale and did everything I could to stay out of ER. Still had high pain levels Tuesday, although it was better then Monday.

Today was another Monday, after getting sick at the tummy I got the tens unit out and used it on the neck with pain patches on the back.

Right now I am on neurotin, loratab, and flexeril for meds and continue to have problems. I am not for sure what direction to go with this, any suggestions.

[Cycler]

Do you mean direction as in how to approach the topic with your physician or direction as to why taking a short acting mild narcotic containing quite a bit of tylenol for pain that is not episodic is not the recommendation of the various pain societies and expert panels and how to do it better?

[jayne]

no I believe she was wanting to know of others experience with pain meds and what did and didnt work and knowing Bummer any way of dealing with pain that she could try so she wouldnt have to take the pain meds........it is a running joke on here... Bummer take your meds...cuz she hates to take any medication at all....it is easier to get a rooster to lay an egg than get Bummer to take pain meds

[Bummer Knees]

Jayne you know me so well!!!

Yes, I'm not a meds person, but I am the first to admit what I am taking is not working.

I am looking for what works for others, meds or other ways of treatment.

I listed the meds I am on, using the tens, heat & ice, and ROM, still having high levels of pain and getting sick at the tummy from the pain.

Been staying aways from the stores except for quick "have to" trips.

[RNvic]

Bummer= take your medications as ordered. before taking eat something. This will help keep form upsetting your tummy.

[Cycler]

I see. Well there are certainly any number of options to discuss with your Dr including a more effective opiate now that you have developed tolerance to the Vicodin, such as oxycodone without aspirin or acetominophen in it. If you do have to take a rescue does opiate on an as needed basis only you at least want it to work right ?

[Bummer Knees]

I was on oxycodone in the hospital and had a reaction to it and the doctor took me off it.

Also can't take NAISDS due to tummy problems that started when I was on mobic.

My problem is many meds I can not take due to reactions or tummy problems.

The tummy problems I had this week I do feel was due to the high pain levels.

[Cycler]

ok. well, it's often a trial and error process with the various opiates available and there are quite a number to work through. There are many other methods of pain management and control, from biofeedback and meditation to TNS units and implantable devices to multi-pharmacy but only opiates are proven effective for the immediate intervention for serious, unbearable pain. I hope your Dr. will guide you through this.

[sparkey]

Well, My best friend had a problem with opiates and I have been back and forth with Cap about medications and such lately also and how I have been feeling on meds. My best friend did not want to get on any drugs that were way to much addicting or make you feel woozy etc. She was then put on tramadol which helps her tremendously. She loves the way it takes away her pain. She use to take vicodin and then she tried percocets. Hated the way she felt on both of those.

I had also just wrote a post on how I felt on opiates. How they can after being on them for so long not work after a certain amount of time being on them. Also you will get to the point of not wanting to do anything, either gain weight, get lazy etc. Depression is also another side effect.

If I were you Bummer and you remind me so much of my best friend of not wanting to take medication and such, I would ask him about " tramadol ". Read up about it and try it for a bit to see how it works for your pain. It is worth a shot. Some people on here probably use it and could tell you how they think it works for them. I am thinking about getting off all my opiates myself my next PM visit and asking for that . Good luck.

[Bummer Knees]

Thanks for the post cycler & sparkey

Sparkey this is the 2nd time tramadol has been mentioned in the past day.

My friend, the injured RN was taken to ER Monday night due to high pain.

The ER doctor gave her tramadol and it helped her pain. She has an appointment with the pain management doctor this morning and wthey will talk about a change in meds.