Working and pain meds - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

PsychLea · 01-31-2003, 11:11 PM

Hi,

I don't know if anyone would have any advice or not. I am a cervie with herniations at C6 C7. I am still working full time, as my husb is out of work.

I started using Darvocet a few days ago, and although it works well for the pain, I just can't function very well due to the hangover. During the day I alternate Naprosyn with Ultram and it just barely keeps it under control. It doesn't help that I spend alot of time on the phone, computer, and holding my head down reading thick patient charts.

Has anyone had much luck with the epidurals? I think that it may be the answer to cutting down my need for pain meds (I'd make a pretty rotten drug addict)

I have my next NS appt on 2/17 and will discuss with the NS about his suggestion for the EMG and myelogram, due to overlapping neuro symptoms. I am sure that I have some L-spine issues as well, as I have had bulging discs at L5 many years ago (which responded to PT and steroids) I have sciatic pain down my Left leg and also have burning on the side of my Left leg and into my calf.(this was first thought to be related to a B12 def. I have actually had these symptoms for over 2 years)

Sorry to ramble on. I try not to complain to my family too much, but you know how that goes

It took some marital counseling to finally get my hubby to understand I needed some help around the house.(Expensive, but worth it!)

Anyhoo, although I know the injection can be painful, I am hoping that it will bring some relief. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

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God bless,

Lea

charlotte1 · 02-01-2003, 09:23 AM

Lea,
Your right, you would make a rotten drug addict. Darvocet is a very mild analgesic.
Before I stopped working, looking down at pts charts killed me. I think its real important for you to have the myelogram. My aunt gets epidural injections which provide her with much relief. I wonder what meds they are injecting. She has mutiple osteophyte and disc problems plus she is in her 70's. I don't know how often she goes in to get these but I would say that is a temporary fix. Maybe after you have the myelogram the neurosurgeon can offer you a permanent fix. Wouldn't that be nice.
I had the EMG. It was a little uncomfortable for a few seconds at a time. I want to say it lasted about 30 mins or so. It was not a useful test for my problem.
I'm sorry you are having to work with these symptoms.
That would make me very mean I'm sure. Hang in there. See if you can be creative and get your work up higher so you don't have to look down all the time.
Maybe thats a crazy thought but it is also a possibility.
Take care
Charlotte

PsychLea · 02-01-2003, 09:06 PM

Charlotte

Thanks for the advice. I take it you are a nurse also?

I am working on getting my work to give me a headset to cut down on the strain of using the phone (do alot of history taking on the phone) and have to write at the same time, then also dictate charts for a doctor which makes me juggle the phone and the chart at the same time. It is a ridiculous ballet to behold :dance:

Propping the chart up is a good idea, will try it on Monday night. My headset is supposedly being ordered right now. I had a letter from my NS saying it was necessary and told the CEO if they didn't accomodate my disablility, it would become a W/C issue, although a year on the phone with my neck at an angle, probably exacerbated my probs in the first place

Good thing I am no longer on the floor pushing and pulling on patients.

Yes, I am a wimp when it comes to meds. I can take narcotics only if I can lay down

plus I also have gastroparesis and the meds slow my stomach down further.

I can take 2 mg of Valium if needed for spasms, and that isn't too bad.

Sorry to be so long winded, but it is good to talk to others going through this too and again the advice is very much appreciated.

[This message has been edited by PsychLea (edited 02-01-2003).]

melanie dawn · 02-03-2003, 07:01 AM

Hi Lea,
I am also a nurse, putting the charts up is a great idea. I got my hubby to make a book stand for me that makes a huge difference for me. When you see you NS hopefully you will have more answers. Have you tried any of the neuroleptic drugs. They are often used for nerve pain with good effect, ie; Neurontin, Trazadone etc.
Good luck to you, Mel

KeithEugeneW · 02-03-2003, 05:34 PM

I'm taking Neurontin myself since early December, started out with 300mg daily (1 pill, 3 times daily) and they stepped me up to 1200mg daily (400mg, 3 times daily). The pain doc said he may have to go up to 1500 or 1800, depending on my results, but I hope not. Each time at the new level it wiped me out for 3-5 days, felt like I was very drunk. When I went to the 4 pills, it took me about 2 weeks to get to where I didn't feel very strange. I still am somewhat goofy (but then I've been accused of that for many years!!), and I forget what I was trying to say in the middle of a lot of sentences, forget people's names, etc, but the pain is much less. I feel it but it doesn't register as pain; that's the best way I can describe it. It pretty much ended the migraines I was having. That alone is worth the goofiness. I start the epidural shots in a week and a half, so maybe they can wean me off the Neurontin after that. I have a friend at work with bad back problems and he was on it but couldn't handle it, he couldn't function at work, so they put him on something else, I don't recall what it is, but it worked well for him. When he gets back from vacation I'll find out and post it here.