trainerjr
03-19-2005, 07:51 PM
Wow, where do I start. I am 42 and have been in the Army for 22 years. My military career is coming to an end as I am retiring in 6 months. I have had multiple surgeries, all orthopedic. I have a fused wrist, after 5 surgeries, a fused big toe and a reduction done in my shoulder. I also have a badly degenerated disc in my back. All of these surgeries were the result of Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) I have battled pain for years abd have been through many medications. I am currently taking Oxycontin 20mg 3 times a day. The problem I have is that it seems to be loosing it's effectivness and I fear increasing the dose. I have a great doctor, and will discuss this with him next week. I am very active, running three days per week, using a chiropractor and have developed many tools to help. My multiple pain areas are really bothering me. I also feel fatigued, and a little worn out. I have options on medicines, but am not sure which way to turm. Any advise?
Thanks. JT
Thanks. JT
Sponsor
SheSparkles
03-19-2005, 08:20 PM
[QUOTE=trainerjr]
Hi JT,
I was smiling as I read your post. I am 53 and in pain every day also. At age 39 I began running, 5 miles a day for 12 years and ended up running myself into the ground. I adored it..kept me in great shape but I really did a number on my achilles tendon bursa L leg and all the muscles of both legs and now have severe myofascial pain which digs in and will NOT go away.
Anyhow, there are many other pain meds to try. The fentanyl patch is what I have been on for almost 3 yrs and is very effective. The morphines (Kadian, Avinza, MSContin) might help as might methadone. Palladone, a long acting Dilaudid is out. Just depends what suits you and yr life. Just go easy on your body.
Sparkles
Hi JT,
I was smiling as I read your post. I am 53 and in pain every day also. At age 39 I began running, 5 miles a day for 12 years and ended up running myself into the ground. I adored it..kept me in great shape but I really did a number on my achilles tendon bursa L leg and all the muscles of both legs and now have severe myofascial pain which digs in and will NOT go away.
Anyhow, there are many other pain meds to try. The fentanyl patch is what I have been on for almost 3 yrs and is very effective. The morphines (Kadian, Avinza, MSContin) might help as might methadone. Palladone, a long acting Dilaudid is out. Just depends what suits you and yr life. Just go easy on your body.
Sparkles
trainerjr
03-19-2005, 08:32 PM
Sparkles, Thanks. I have been on the Oxycontin for about 2 years. I still am not sure what to try. I changed the dosing from 20mg three times a day to 40mg in the AM and 20 mg in the evening. This was only for the last month. I think I will go back to three times a day. I also am perscribed 60 5/500 hydrocodone per month. I reduced those last month when I changed to the twice daily. It was a mistake. If I have a couple bad days, it was not enough. I refuse to ask for any meds until the next refil. I am very serious about my contract and have managed my medicine well. I am having a bad day today and will go jump in the hot tub!!I have an appointment next Tuesday. I will post a note and let you know how I feel. Thanks again!
JT
JT
jdlfmc
03-19-2005, 08:54 PM
I think if you know that there is no way you will get better and that meds is in the rest of your future I would seek a PM dr that is qualified to implant the pain pump, I just had SCS implanted for nerve damage and have been on pain meds for almost 6yrs and if the SCS doesn't provide me with enough PM I will then seek the pain pump, which is where I'll eventually end up as I have serious issues with all levels of my spine ans they are not operable.
Just a thought.
Linda
Just a thought.
Linda
trainerjr
03-19-2005, 09:10 PM
Linda, Thanks for the thought. I know that my condition will not get better. As I age it seems to get worse. I have been pounding the ground in the Army for 22 years. I sometimes feel all alone. I have a great family, life and future, but some days pain dictates my life. I am not new to PM, just new here. It is a great way to read other's concerns and problems. I see I am not alone. The last month has been worse than most, just trying to find answers. Maybe a pump is in the future, but I don't think I am there yet. This site has kept me busy reading about other people in pain all day!! It has been great therepy!!
JT
JT
SheSparkles
03-19-2005, 10:51 PM
[QUOTE=trainerjr] I have been on the Oxycontin for about 2 years. I also am perscribed 60 5/500 hydrocodone per month. I reduced those last month when I changed to the twice daily. <
Hi againJT,
You are really on light doses of both yr base med and yr rescue for being on this base for 2 yrs. So tolerance happens...it happens. I would ask for an increase on the OxyC unless that makes you uncomfortable....and see how things go then. Always try and increase your base so you can use fewer rescues. You might wish to try another rescue.......something with pure narcotic. MSIR or Dilaudid, which I am on. Some people don't think that oral Dilaudid is very effective..mine works well but I had to work with the strength
What does yr Dr. favor? Anything you refuse to consider? What kind of pain do you have in majority...nerve? Muscle? Bone? Joint? I have muscle pain and the patch at 100mcg q48 hrs works well for me w/Dilaudid 8mgs q8 hrs. Hope the hot soak helped...you sure do sound like a military man... :):)
SS
Hi againJT,
You are really on light doses of both yr base med and yr rescue for being on this base for 2 yrs. So tolerance happens...it happens. I would ask for an increase on the OxyC unless that makes you uncomfortable....and see how things go then. Always try and increase your base so you can use fewer rescues. You might wish to try another rescue.......something with pure narcotic. MSIR or Dilaudid, which I am on. Some people don't think that oral Dilaudid is very effective..mine works well but I had to work with the strength
What does yr Dr. favor? Anything you refuse to consider? What kind of pain do you have in majority...nerve? Muscle? Bone? Joint? I have muscle pain and the patch at 100mcg q48 hrs works well for me w/Dilaudid 8mgs q8 hrs. Hope the hot soak helped...you sure do sound like a military man... :):)
SS
trainerjr
03-20-2005, 10:33 AM
Sparkles, I am military for sure! I am looking foward to being a civilian. My pain is a combination of bone, joint and muscle. I have myofacial pain in my upper back, with some wicked trigger points. I also have extensive hardware in my dominant wrist and foot. My back pain is chronic and have tried epiderals, Radio Frequency Ablation at L 4/5 with a little help. My wrist is a bear and won't leave me in peace, I am determined. I also see a Chiro, and the adjustments are greta! I have read so many tales of folks on much higher doses, and it scares me a little to increase. My doctor would rather have LA meds that work well and keep the RM to a minimal. The Vicodin doesn't seem to work as well either. My body hates cool damp weather and I am curently stationed in Washington State. Yikes!! I am moving to Colorado in the late fall to a home I own there. It is a better climate. I will let you know how my Appt goes on Tuesday!!
Thanks for talking!
JT
:)
Thanks for talking!
JT
:)
jdlfmc
03-20-2005, 10:34 AM
I'm glad you found this site I know back when I did I was ready to give up I felt like I was just going in circles or more likely going crazy, my family has been very understanding and helpful even then if someone hasn't been through the chronic pain there is no way to understand, I agree about being ready to move on it took me a long time to deciede to go with the SCS but knew the pain was so bad at night I'd lay in bed and think how great it would be if some one took a chain saw and cut me off at the waise, I knew it was time,as for the pain pump, someday maybe...
I wish you the best of luck and hopefully they will find a combination of meds that give you back your life.
Linda
A little word here I know the hot tub makes it better for now but sometimes heat gives you instant relief but then causes more swelling that makes the pain worse later.
I wish you the best of luck and hopefully they will find a combination of meds that give you back your life.
Linda
A little word here I know the hot tub makes it better for now but sometimes heat gives you instant relief but then causes more swelling that makes the pain worse later.
trainerjr
03-24-2005, 12:07 AM
Sparkles, I wanted to let you know about my follow-up with my PM doc. It went really well. We increased one of the doses to 40 mg and kept the other 2 at 20mg. I will try it for a month and see how it goes. He is a great guy and keeps telling me not to get wrapped about how much and the fact that I need to get over the stigma of using narcotics for pain. I am doing so many other things to improve my pain, and meds are just a part of it. I need to start a new thread and share some other modalities with those that are stuck on the medicine only approach. I look foward to hearing from you!
JT
JT
SheSparkles
03-24-2005, 12:19 AM
[QUOTE=trainerjr] We increased one of the doses to 40 mg and kept the other 2 at 20mg. I will try it for a month and see how it goes.
Well top o' the evenin to you, MM (that's californian for military man),
Now this is great and I think just the right step to take. Nothing radical but just a slight increase in what has been working for you already. Your Dr. sounds terrif. Do you increase yr AM dose? You really can sort of try different things...more pain at night...then increase the PM dose. Personalize things. Very very happy for you and of course I will be waiting to hear if relief hits as hoped. As you were sir! :):)
Sparkles
Well top o' the evenin to you, MM (that's californian for military man),
Now this is great and I think just the right step to take. Nothing radical but just a slight increase in what has been working for you already. Your Dr. sounds terrif. Do you increase yr AM dose? You really can sort of try different things...more pain at night...then increase the PM dose. Personalize things. Very very happy for you and of course I will be waiting to hear if relief hits as hoped. As you were sir! :):)
Sparkles