My history:
Chronic Pain for many years
Two Degenerative Disk in my lower back; three injections this year alone; Chronic knee pain in both knees (had surgery last December but pain persists)
Easily Fatigued Physically and Mentally
Depression (on meds and see Psychiatrist)
I currently take meds for Depression and 400 mg of Etodolac twice a day but doesn't seem to help much (can't imagine it could be worse).
I dread getting out of bed in the morning because it hurts to try to stand up and move around. The long term effects have taken its toll on my overall well being as I am extremely irritable, easily frustrated, and have a difficult time wanting to go and do anything.
I have been concerned about taking meds for pain, thinking doctors generally frown on such treatment and don't know the long term effects of prescription pain management.
The times I have been on meds like Vicatin or Hydrocodine, I have noticed a considerable positive change in how I feel and interact with others, but I have concerns with addiction and long term negative effects.
I am at a point where I am sicked and tired of feeling so badly and living such a poor quality of life that and am willing to try anything legal.
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
The following user gives a hug of support to pigletandmolly: BabsintLa (12-07-2010)
My history:
Chronic Pain for many years
Two Degenerative Disk in my lower back; three injections this year alone; Chronic knee pain in both knees (had surgery last December but pain persists)
Easily Fatigued Physically and Mentally
Depression (on meds and see Psychiatrist)
I currently take meds for Depression and 400 mg of Etodolac twice a day but doesn't seem to help much (can't imagine it could be worse).
I dread getting out of bed in the morning because it hurts to try to stand up and move around. The long term effects have taken its toll on my overall well being as I am extremely irritable, easily frustrated, and have a difficult time wanting to go and do anything.
I have been concerned about taking meds for pain, thinking doctors generally frown on such treatment and don't know the long term effects of prescription pain management.
The times I have been on meds like Vicatin or Hydrocodine, I have noticed a considerable positive change in how I feel and interact with others, but I have concerns with addiction and long term negative effects.
I am at a point where I am sicked and tired of feeling so badly and living such a poor quality of life that and am willing to try anything legal.
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Hi, and welcome to the forum. So many people have so much fear of pain medications due to all the "hype" about addiction. If you take your med as directed, never more, and if you don't take them to get a buzz, then the chances of addiction are less than 2%! Yes, your body will get dependent on them so that if you stop them suddenly you would have withdrawals but that is not addiction.
Please don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about putting you on something for pain control. Also, as you've had 3 injections this year, you need to be aware that steroids can cause damage....high blood pressure, bone-thinning, and more. I do also get injections but make sure not to have more than 3 in a twelve month period.
I've been on pain meds for at least 26 years and am not addicted. I only take norco 10/350 and never take them unless pain levels get over a 5. When I am lucky enough to have a day or so of low pain, I take none at all and don't get sick. I have even gone 3 days without them without a problem. I hope this reassures you a bit and that you will seek the help you deserve.
Blessings.
Carol
The Following User Says Thank You to maltluver For This Useful Post: pigletandmolly (11-30-2010)
Sounds like you're ready to take the first step and that would be to go to your PCP/Family Doc to seek treatment or a referral to a pain doc. this process can be long and tedious and they don't always just hand out pills. There are other therapies that they can do. If you do get medicine you need to remember that the keyword is "MANAGEMENT". Doctors don't offer Pain Control, just Management. If you can get your pain down to a 3 or 4, something that you can live with on a daily basis, then you should be satisfied with that. As far as the anti depressants, they do not get in the way of pain meds. I'm on 13 meds and one injection daily, some of those are for BP/Depression and they cause no problems.
Well good luck as you begin your journey and please let us know how you fare.
Kat
The Following User Says Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: pigletandmolly (12-01-2010)
Also, as far as Tramadol goes you have to be careful because one of its very serious side effects is causing seizures. I had 3 grand mal seizures while on Tramadol. Also in an earlier post you mentioned have stomach pain...Tramadol can cause some serious stomach pain, right up under your ribcage where it hurts so bad you feel like you can't breathe.
Just a couple things I forgot to put in my last post.
The Following User Says Thank You to katlin09 For This Useful Post: BabsintLa (12-07-2010)
The seisure side effect is excedingly rare in persons without abnormal brain activity on the EEG, stomach pain can occur on almost any med, and is rare with Tramadol.
I think its a good forst step, safe, virtualy not habit forming, and 24 hour relief.
__________________
The desire to take medicines is what seperates man from the lower animals - William Ostler
The seisure side effect is excedingly rare in persons without abnormal brain activity on the EEG, stomach pain can occur on almost any med, and is rare with Tramadol.
I think its a good forst step, safe, virtualy not habit forming, and 24 hour relief.
I've been on the Tramadol for over 6 months through my back doctor. I believe it is suppose to help with the pain. I do not know the extent to which it helps but it most definately is not enough. I'm in pain a majority of the time (back and knees) and can't imagine what the pain might be without the Tramadol.
My back is very prone to going out(can't have another injection this year) and it looks like I'm headed for more extensive knee surgery (involves breaking bones; pins!) for a congenital condition I have in BOTH knees.
I'm only 43 and have 3 kids...no wonder I feel so discouraged and depressed.
Thanks to everyone for listening and your advice. I have found a gleamer of hope through this site that a desperately needed.
The following user gives a hug of support to pigletandmolly: HeadCracker (12-06-2010)
The seisure side effect is excedingly rare in persons without abnormal brain activity on the EEG, stomach pain can occur on almost any med, and is rare with Tramadol.
I think its a good forst step, safe, virtualy not habit forming, and 24 hour relief.
I'm not sure where you are, but actually the seizure side effect from Tramadol (Ultram) in the States is not all that rare. I've met 2 people that had the same problem and my pdoc & pcp have 7 patients that have had the same problem.
I feel for you.. I was recently diagnosed with spinal stenosis and the pain really and truely sucks.. I am chronically irritable lately and i dont mean to be but i am in such discomfort of different levels on a daily basis.. (today its particularly bad but i am seeing another specialist this afternoon so I hope i get some answers..).. I have two kids too and i understand your added frustrations involving your home life.. I am very active around the house and my husband share duties, and the idea of having to be off my feet because of the pain and not contributing like i want to -- Kills me. I am not a good patient and it depresses me // Even though my family understands it still bothers my big "pride" feeling. I only wanted to tell you that i sympathize with you as I think I can relate. Stay strong. // (39 yo female - spinal stenosis newbie)
I am sorry you are not able to control your pain at this time but you really should try and find a good pain specialist. It may take a while to find the right one for you but they are out there. Please don't let others stop you trying something the doctor suggests as there will always be someone who will criticise the meds but you may have to try a few over the next few years until you find some relief on a long term basis. I started on Tramadol over about 5 years and that was not really doing enough to do what I needed but that is what I was given and I had to change doctors to get decent relief. I had my best pain relief on the durogesic patch available in Australia. With this I had to have other meds for a rounded treatment. It is so hard to live like that but if you have a good relationship with family it will help but they do get upset with me at times. I am very lucky to have my parents to help me and I would find it difficult without them.
Please don't let anyone stop you taking any med without you giving it a good try as I had difficult times getting used to narcotic meds but needed to have the pain relief they afforded me. Thankfully recent back surgery has given me hope and has taken the pressure off nerves going down my legs and I have now been able to reduce my medications from a high level and I hope I can then wean off most of them. I have had chronic back pain for 10 years and had boats of pain for much longer. I hope you find a good specialist and can get your pain levels down.
Allan
__________________
25-Nov-2010: ALIF fusion L5-S1. 9 years of Chronic lower back pain. Nearly 18 months of pain across my upper pelvis, through my butt and down my left leg into my foot. Sciatica relieved by surgery.
I'm not sure where you are, but actually the seizure side effect from Tramadol (Ultram) in the States is not all that rare. I've met 2 people that had the same problem and my pdoc & pcp have 7 patients that have had the same problem.
I'm in Australia, and the seisure side effect has been rare here, perhaps Australians have higher seizure threasholds than Americans?
OP, if tramadol isnt helping, then its time to move onto stronger analgesics, or other modes of relief. Speak to your doctor, Oxycontin and MS Contin are probably the most widely used long acting strong narcotics. Aproach the subject gentaly, dont just walk in and say "I'd like to try oxycontin", say you arnt getting enough relief from tramadol, and that you've been reading that there are stronger analgesics that may help etc
__________________
The desire to take medicines is what seperates man from the lower animals - William Ostler
Thank you everyone for you advise and kind words. I contacted my back doctor who prescribed me Hydrocodine. We did not talk long term pain management but I will say that the medicine works great. He prescribed me 10mg/500mg twice daily but I found that to be too much in that I was feeling really out of it at that amount. I began taking smaller amounts 1/3 to 1/2 of a pill at a time depending on pain level and the results have been amazing. I'm much less irratable and have felt like and been able to do things with my family that I rarely felt like doing before. Depression is pretty much non existant and I'm enjoying life again. Not sure if my back doctor will go for anything long term or not but having had a taste of how much better my quality of life can be, I'm committed to long term pain management. Thank you all again for helping me cross that threshold!
