kim32
01-15-2003, 12:05 AM
I'm going on February 5th to a physcial medicine and rehabiliation for my chronic pain (upper stomach area burns 24/7 plus sometimes goes towards my back) it has been like this for 8 weeks now since my gallbladder was taken out. Well next monday, the 20th i have an appointment with my primary doctor i want to ask her about taking "neurontin" for nerve pain just to see what it does. If i do have nerve damage from the gallbladder surgery would neurontin help the pain at all? is anyone familiar with neurontin? how do they detect if i have nerve damage? is there like certain kinds of tests, x-rays that they can do to see?? The more that i read up on the internet the more that i'm thinking that my chronic burning pain is from nerve damage (being that my gastro doctor says that everything else is normal, according to all of the tests that i have had done).
I just don't want to be in chronic pain without knowing what's causing it. Any information i would appreciate! thanks! Kim
I just don't want to be in chronic pain without knowing what's causing it. Any information i would appreciate! thanks! Kim
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marcie37
01-15-2003, 03:54 PM
kim, I have been going through something similar and am at my wits end as well. I had a hysterectomy 2 months ago and i have burning pain in my low pelvic and low back area... the pain also moves. I have been diagnosed with anxiety disorder from my primary.. he has today started me on wellbutrin... I think he thinks this will cure my pain? He says chronic pain is often treated with antidepressants, well yeah, chronic pain is extremely depressing... especially when you don't know the exact reason. I think i am gonna look into seeing a neurololgist... please keep any progress posted and I will too. Keep your chin up, it is sometimes nice to just talk to people going through what you are , many just don't understand and think your nuts.Good Luck on your feb. appt.
kim32
01-15-2003, 04:33 PM
Hi marcie,
Well if this place or a neurologist says that they can make my pain go away by doing a nerve block or cutting some nerves, i'm going to have it done.
I don't want to be in this kind of pain 24/7 everyday for the rest of my life (i'm only 32 yrs. old).
I don't want to live off of pain med's now either (they don't work, they only make me sick). I just wish that my darn gallbladder wouldn't of acted up back in september (well actually it all started in july but it got worse in september) and i have been in pain every since. :-( The first thing that i'm going to say to this physcial medicine and rehabilation place is "get rid of this pain by doing some nerve blocks". even if it means that i would have to go there every week to get it done i would just to stop the pain. yeah check into a neurologist or have your doctor refer you to a physcial medicine and rehabiliation place, they deal with chronic pain people, yeah let's keep in touch! Kim
Well if this place or a neurologist says that they can make my pain go away by doing a nerve block or cutting some nerves, i'm going to have it done.
I don't want to be in this kind of pain 24/7 everyday for the rest of my life (i'm only 32 yrs. old).
I don't want to live off of pain med's now either (they don't work, they only make me sick). I just wish that my darn gallbladder wouldn't of acted up back in september (well actually it all started in july but it got worse in september) and i have been in pain every since. :-( The first thing that i'm going to say to this physcial medicine and rehabilation place is "get rid of this pain by doing some nerve blocks". even if it means that i would have to go there every week to get it done i would just to stop the pain. yeah check into a neurologist or have your doctor refer you to a physcial medicine and rehabiliation place, they deal with chronic pain people, yeah let's keep in touch! Kim
mlaws
01-17-2003, 06:58 PM
Anyone thinking of having a nerve block better think twice. I had an intercostal nerve block in march 2002 by a doctor who was supposed to be one of the best pain management doc's in Lexington KY due to a fractured rib that would not heal. My pain is now worse than before, and trying to get another doctor to admit that a procedure performed by a doctor who thinks he is god is impossible. When i advised this doctor that the pain was worse he dropped me as a patient, although i had been taking oxycontin for 4 months, he refused my phone calls after that and did not give me any advice or help with withdrawal. I am 48, I have worked all my life, raised 2 children by myself, i am now unable to work and soon looking at having to live in my car. Pain is not a disability according to social security.
I cannot sit in an upright position for more than 15 min without pain, cannot play with my 1 year old grandchild, cannot drive any distance over 30 min in length (college student lives out of state and i cannot go visit him), no vacations, no sitting in chair to sew use the computer or do any other hobbys i used to enjoy.
No pain meds for me because that would be admiting that the procedure did not work. also according to the Lexington Herald Leader anyone on pain meds is an addit.
Please reconsider having a nerve block - it makes the pain worse.
I cannot sit in an upright position for more than 15 min without pain, cannot play with my 1 year old grandchild, cannot drive any distance over 30 min in length (college student lives out of state and i cannot go visit him), no vacations, no sitting in chair to sew use the computer or do any other hobbys i used to enjoy.
No pain meds for me because that would be admiting that the procedure did not work. also according to the Lexington Herald Leader anyone on pain meds is an addit.
Please reconsider having a nerve block - it makes the pain worse.
marcie37
01-17-2003, 08:28 PM
Hi Kim, Thanks for your response. I went to that website, it was very interesting! I, like you would pretty much try anything at this point...I really need to find at least a part time job, and it's pretty tough when you can't sit too long or stand too long, or just can't get comfortable. How is one supposed to do this when the pain is sometimes unbearable... and all that helps me is ativan, and a heating pad.Also, beacause you look healthy on the outside, no one understands what you are really going through. I know I am 37 and you are 32, we are way too young to live life this way.
oks4th
01-18-2003, 10:55 PM
Hello mlaws
Sorry about that last post I hit the wrong key.
I would be very interested in knowing what pain management clinic u r talking about.I also go to Lexington for treatment of several herniated discs and all that goes along with them.I go Jan.27th for my third round of caudal epidurals.I go to the Pain Center @ Samaritain,I really hope this is not the one u are talking about.
The Lexington-Herald Leader is defenately bias against those of us who have to use pain meds to function on a day to day basis.The Sunday edition(Jan.19th)is going to have a large article on the subject.The editorial is pathetic!!
Could u please respond and let me know if this doctor is associated with my clinic?
Thank You
Sorry about that last post I hit the wrong key.
I would be very interested in knowing what pain management clinic u r talking about.I also go to Lexington for treatment of several herniated discs and all that goes along with them.I go Jan.27th for my third round of caudal epidurals.I go to the Pain Center @ Samaritain,I really hope this is not the one u are talking about.
The Lexington-Herald Leader is defenately bias against those of us who have to use pain meds to function on a day to day basis.The Sunday edition(Jan.19th)is going to have a large article on the subject.The editorial is pathetic!!
Could u please respond and let me know if this doctor is associated with my clinic?
Thank You
jane2
01-19-2003, 03:06 PM
I have been to that kind of clinic and they have helped. I like neurontin for pain, but it has side effects. Still worth it. Hearing good things about Topomax,which I may try. That is another one. I would try Neurontin first.
Might also see a neuo. There are tests for nerve damage. Yours in in a hard place to get. May be they can do an MRI or C-Scan of the area and that might show.
I hear mixed things about nerve blocks. I wonder if if a scar tissue pressing on a nerve. Maybe more surgery is the answer.
Might also see a neuo. There are tests for nerve damage. Yours in in a hard place to get. May be they can do an MRI or C-Scan of the area and that might show.
I hear mixed things about nerve blocks. I wonder if if a scar tissue pressing on a nerve. Maybe more surgery is the answer.
mlaws
01-20-2003, 01:03 PM
reply to oks4th - Good Sam is not the clinic i went to, but I still do not trust nerve blocks. yes, Kentucky treats all people in pain as if they are criminals. i have read part of Lexington Herald Leaders articles this weekend. Their articles will just make it even harder to get pain help. one of them states that pain meds are to help people continue to work. i have begged for just this and have been treated like a criminal. hope you get better.
Irish Cream
01-20-2003, 11:34 PM
Here in Alaska I'm finding out that its not much better getting pain relief. I ran out of my last bunch of pain meds a week before my DR appointment cause I overmedicated myself. Trust me there is no high. Im not an addict. Just someone who would like relief. I told her that they do not work instead of trying something else she *****ed me out and gave me the same perscription. Its like shame on you for wanting relief. I went to a pain resource fair this weekend. The DR said that someone who is even in AA can be treated with pain meds and not become and addict. Stupid thing was this pain fair was at the hospital where I cant get decent pain relief. Well take care all of you.
rsg
02-07-2003, 07:22 AM
I have had my gallbladder out 9 months ago...docs thought the burning bruise-like pain were adhesions. Ask your GI doc about sphincter of oddi dysfunction. I now have a stent in my common bile duct and have been pain free for the last 2 months.