my chronic neck pain causes me to feel disabled. - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

nochange · 03-23-2009, 06:59 AM

Hello. is there anybody here who feels like his/her chronic neck pain makes him/her feel disabled? i was told i'm not disabled...and that my situation is pretty good by my doctors!!!...only 2 bulging disks...not a big deal, there shouldn't be so much pain they said. they told me they saw worst cases than me.
i'm completelly lost. i've asked my neurologist to increase my percocet dosage(i'm only "allowed" 1/2 a pill a day) but she said no, claiming i will be an addict. i'm just not sure what is better: being an addict to pain meds or having severe pain and suffering and not functioning at all?? i just don't want to do anything anymore!!!. i feel like i want to sit on the sofa all day.
this pain is starting to suck my life away. i would say my pain level daily is 15 on a scale, is that bad. i went to the pain clinic and the doctor there offered me ultram ER(tramadol extended release) - it helped the pain but it didn't let me sleep at night(interfered with the sleeping pills - by the way, anyone knows why-howcome a drug can interfere with the sleeping pills? - percocet doesn't interfer with the sleeping pill i have.
so after living with chronic pain in the neck for 3.5 years i feel disabled

is there anyone here who feels disabled also? way and please post any solutions for me.
thanks and appreciate

1sunny1 · 03-23-2009, 07:54 AM

Hi Nochange, I wish these doctors that say you are fine could go thru the pain themselves. I have 2 bulging disc in my neck. My primary doctor said they could not be causing me so much pain and daily headaches. Finally he sent me to Pain Management and my doctor there is fantastic. I also have fibromyalgia, and myofacial pain. She put me on Lyrica and Cymbalta for fibro, and then put me on flexeril for the muscle spasms. The flexeril helps me sleep thank god. Also I get epidurals for my neck and in between the epi's, I get trigger point injections for the neck, this all helps greatly. It does not take all the pain away, but it does help me have a somewhat normal life.
I do not take any opiates. Hope this is of some help to you...

Sunny

want a good out · 03-23-2009, 05:26 PM

I would/did find another Dr. whom has since operated/fused my neck and I already feel so so much better! Good luck, pain is no friend.

sammyo1 · 03-23-2009, 08:35 PM

I am sure there are alot of people who feel just like you & its sad that doctors feel they can tell you how you feel. Last I heard medical technology has not advanced to the point a doctor can feel how much pain your in.
What is up with doctors lately?
I would at least think about trying another PM doc.
I feel the pain from my cervical controlled every aspect of my life. There were days I hung over the toilet & let me tell you according my my MRI I was not so bad. Whole different story when the surgery was done.
I am sorry you are treated this way. I really feel bad for you. I hate pain meds but know without them I would not have gotten out of bed much at all. So yes I would say without the proper Pain management I would feel very much disabled. I still do at times. Good luck & you are in my prayers. Sammy

crocheting · 03-23-2009, 09:08 PM

Hi nochange,
I am so sorry you are suffering and fusterated, rightly so friend. I am a chronic pain patient, with bludgeing discs lower spine and in neck. Have you thought of seeing a pain management doctor? Pain Management will help you find out what medication helps your pain best. They will offer you different methods of pain management. They also offer great programs to help chronic pain patients better understand there pain, and how to cope with the pain day to day. It has helped me alot. You should not have to live in so much pain, that it keeps you from sleeping! My pain management doctor is very compassionate. I hope this helps friend, and pray you find relief soon!

Crocheting