How to function on pain management meds ? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

alex12 · 10-09-2007, 06:37 AM

I have so many issues... I havnt scheduled ACDF yet I am going MOnday to do that, however the pain is out of control. I still have to work and pick up my kids from school etc.... I don't really take any pain meds because I am afraid I can't function on them. I take Klonopin and if need be I take Fioricet for headaches. The Dr. prescribed me vicodin but I am afraid to take it, it also makes me itch which I know is a common side effect. How do you all handle this and still function normally through out the day. I am so desperate!

Also this is a concern I have with my recovery, how do you all who have kids deal with it? i know we cannot drive or anything, and my husband does not have that much vacation.

I'm so confused.

Thank you all so much!

SKZ · 10-09-2007, 03:21 PM

I am like you. I cannot function on pain meds, unless I am home and vegging out. I substitute teach in the elem. schools and I cannot do that job with any pains meds, whatsoever. I cant even take advil because of my stomach. Its a huge dilemma and I have not found the answer, except to only work half days. My kids are grown, so I dont have this, but I used to have bad pain when they were little due to sinus infections. (which I have yet another one now). SOmetimes I just suffered thu it till I got home and could drug myself up. Sorry I couldnt help you.

Backinthesaddle · 10-13-2007, 12:58 PM

It is so funny I am a small female (5'1 110lbs) with a high tollerance for pain medicines. All of them it seems. I have been taking medicines on a daily basis since about 2002 with a small break in 2003-2004. Right now I take Lyrica 75mg 3-4x a day, the max of 400 mg Ultram usually in a 200ER and a 50 mg in the morning when I get to work with one Lyrica and 20mg of Baclafen. Throughout the day the day I take an addional 100-150 mg of Ultram and 1-3 Hydrocodones. I usually wake up with a hangover feeling and have a small eyeball headache along with a moderate neck ache both sides all day long. I still do not have relief on some days. I have had days of NO relief and now I will leave work or not go in on those days. I function fine most days. Occasionally I do feel very spacey. I guess I am just on a therapudic dose that works OK for me. Not everyone can take meds like this. My dh would be on his face. It just takes time, I didn't start off on meds like this. I am now in the process of looking into a medical retirement if it is granted I will be a SOM of a 2yr old and make time to rest since I have no time now to rest and it is really affecting my body. If I can rest when my tot goes to school a few days a week and get back into shape I think I will feel 100% better.

SKZ · 10-13-2007, 03:13 PM

I am totally struggling with the stopping work thing. I only work part time as an elem. substitute teacher. I have gotten sinus infections from the kids since 1992 ( I even have one how that is hellacious). I am taking steroids for it and its helping my neck, too at the moment. My husband wants me to quit teaching altogether because he thinks its ruining me completely. I am struggling with this idea.

Backinthesaddle · 10-14-2007, 09:11 AM

I hear ya I wish I could work parttime. I think I could do that, but around my schedule. But that isn't how life works in my career. I will just have to look into things and see how things fall. I could always work pt someplace. It is hard to go from $$ to zitch.