new to this board

[coryscott]

hi there my fellow chronic pain patients i just found this board and find it very helpful and supportive. i have 3 herniated discs,2 pinched nerves with sciatica, and ddd. i have had this since june 2000. my doctor first had me on lortab for almost a year and then referred me to pain clinic. my pm doc put me on methadone and it has been a godsend!i know that it works great for some and not so great for some. my experience has been if it works for you it works real good.anyway my doc has me on 20mg 3-4 times a day,300mg nuerontin at bedtime, 25mg vioxx, and 350mg soma 3 times a day. my question is about breakthrough meds. i was wondering if people on methadone usually get a different med for breakthrough pain or just take more methadone?i usually take 20mg 3 times a day except on bad days (i have 20mg extra for flareups) i would like to hear from others on methadone and how it works for you and if you need breakthrough meds. sorry so long, it is nice to have a board with people who know the pain you go through. coryscott

[pebble's]

Dear Coryscott...
I would like to welcome you to the board..
unfortunetly i am on differnt meds to you, so i cannot help you hon, But you will not be long without an answer...

This place is great Coryscott, you will have friends for life here poppet..

Love pebbles xxxxx

[coryscott]

dear pebble's: thanks for the friendly welcome, i am so glad to find a board so helpful. i noticed in one of your earlier posts about possibly having a pump surgery. when is this scheduled for? if you dont mind me asking, what is causing your chronic pain? i will be praying that all goes well with your surgery and that it helps ease your pain. sincerely coryscott

[pebble's]

Dear cory..
To have the pump you have to be assesd by a physchologist first,(not because your mad) but because it is a big step and they have to see if your mentaly ready for this big step, i will have this in the next two months then i have a trial then the real thing, but due to me living in 'England' the 'NHS' is a long wait..'NHS' STANDS FOR 'National Health Service' everybody is under this, we pay in our Tax's for this service..

My problems are due to my back which have gone on about 18 yrs..

Finaly 15 months ago i had two lower levels fused with all the hardware, before that i had loads of different meds tryed loads of nerve blocks and physio..

I still have a collapsed disc at L3/L4 but it is not causing major nerve damage like the other two did, I AM NOW LEFT WITH PERMANET NERVE DAMAGE, and chronic back pain..And may have to have surgery in the future for the other Disc, but they would rather leave well alone at the moment..

I am a 38 yr old mum of three and now walk with a cane, i feel so old at the moment i sleep most of my days Due to my medication and constantly feel sick, which is some of the reason my Consultant wants to get me on this Pain Pump..

There you go hun i think that's just about it..

Love Pebbles xxx

Tell me some about yourself..

[coryscott]

dear pebble's: good to hear from you.sorry to hear that your meds make you sick all the time. what meds are you on? is your family supportive to your problems? i can identify with the chronic back and nerve pain. my 3 lower discs are herniated and 2 pinched nerves and overall degenerative disc disease. my ortho says i have the back of a 70 yr old and i am only 28. i have done physical therapy, epidural injections, nerve blocks, traction, etc. to no avail and my ortho thinks surgery would just make it worse. i have to live with my mom cause i am on workers comp and only get $100 a week. but after hearing how people have to do without meds cause of money issues i thank god that workers comp has to pay my medical bills, meds, etc. i also use a tens unit along with my medication. mainly when the weather is bad and my bones are throbbing with pain the tens unit really helps this pain. have you ever used it? sorry for rambling on so long its just nice to have someone to talk to who can identify what you are going through. most of my family think that i am a pill head just cause they use drugs to get high, but my mom is very supportive as she has chronic back pain as well. well pebble's i will let you go and look forward to chatting with you. you take care and i pray you are as pain free as possible. GOD bless you sincerely coryscott