It's been awhile and I have questions - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

captnanny · 04-09-2009, 10:12 AM

Hi all that I know and welcome those I don't. I had my second neck surgery Dec 18th 2008. It was a posterior laminectomy with three level fusion of c3-c6. Anyway I still have severe muscle spasms, pain and burning at times. Overall my pain has decreased and I do feel "overall" like I am not barely holding my head up. One question I have though is that I saw the doc yesterday and I may have these muscle tissue pains for a very long time. I am still taking the pain medicine that I was on before and after the surgery. I have tried a lot of pain medications and none seem to work unless they are narcotic. He recommended suboxone. I thought that was for addicts. Has anyone been on this for pain and has it worked? I also suffer from Post tramatic stress disorder. I am very scared. Please let me know if anyone has had experience with this medicine.
captnanny
I won't stay gone as long this time, sorry I disappeared there.

Nicole74 · 04-09-2009, 07:43 PM

I'm so sorry your in so much pain. I don't know anything about suboxone, but when I google it, it says it's for treating opioid dependence. I can't imagine them not treating you for the pain. Is this the surgeon or the pain management doctor? I'm 4 1/2 weeks post op and my surgeon will not treat me for medications. He sent me over to the pain management doctor.

captnanny · 04-10-2009, 06:43 AM

Thanks for your reply Nicole. It is the surgeon, as I do not have a pain management doc. There are no real good ones here that are in my area. One I went to a couple of years ago said he wouldn't treat me if I saw my psychiatrist, go figure! My ortho surgeon said to stick with my psychiatrist since he is a very good one and knows his medication. That is why I am confused. I know by now they may think or we all know I am physically dependant on some form of pain medication. But at the same time he knows that my pain is real so he has been seeing more patients like me do well on suboxone. I just don't know if anyone has been treated for pain with it. It scares me. My pain is legitimate, so why a medication that is realy used for treating addictions? I am so confused and in pain. I don't know what to do. My psych has mentioned it before, I see him or talk to him today.

Nicole74 · 04-10-2009, 07:22 AM

My surgeon stated to me before surgery that he does not like to prescribe any medications. At first he only gave me 10 days for post op pain control. I had to call several times and they gave me a lesser pain medicine. I went to my post op appointment and asked what he is going to do about my pain, he said I need to see the pm doctor if I need pain treatment. I'm still in the severe pain I was before I had the surgery.

Maybe you need to go to your primary doctor for treatment or maybe they will look for a pain managentment doctor and give you the referral, even if it means a longer drive. I live out in the middle of nowhere and there is nothing in my area also. It's worth the drive.

Good luck and I pray that you find the help you need.

sammyo1 · 04-10-2009, 07:27 AM

Capt, you will more then likey get your answer if you go on the PM board. There are alot of knowledgable people there. I am sorry your still hurting & I know I need my meds, I wish I didn't & went through alittle spell this week of disappointment & accepting that I still need the meds. You will gain alot of insight on the PM board & alot of doctors are shying away from the narcotics. It is a big issue right now & very complex. Its a shame as there are alot of people who have no choice but to take these meds.
I will try to find out somethings for you if you dont get your answer there but I am sure you will. I know my surgeon wanted me to try a different med for my pain that is non narcotic, but come to find out it can be just as bad when you try to come off of it. Makes no sense at all to put someone on a med that in the long run can cause the same problem in the end, & risk higher pain levels. Narcotic or non narcotic your body can still become dependent on certain meds. I am still in PM & could never do without it at this time.
good luck & I'll pop on the PM board as I am curious about the answer myself. Sammy