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Posted by
AK Lupus on November 14, 2000 at 02:11:00:
In Reply to: Need advice from other chronic pain people about my meds. posted by John R. on November 12, 2000 at 08:52:02:
: Hello, I have not posted in a while but have found the need to speak with some of you again. I have had cervical fusion, two levels wich was somewhat successfull, that was three years ago. I am now 35 years young and ahve also had several lumbar surgeries. First one was a laminectomy at L5-S1 when I was 19. Second one was a e repeat laminectomy at same level in 98. That surgery failed in the summer of 99 and this spring I underwent a two level lumbar fusion because L5-S1 colapsed crushing nerves and I had developed spinal stenosis at L-4 L-L5. Images from MRI and fine cut CT scans also showed stonosis begining at L-4 L-3 and bulging discs in two levels above that. The fusion itself was successfull, meaning bone fusion has occured and hardware seems to be fine but yet pain has returned to legs and back. I can not even get relief lying down, barely beeing able to ambluate particularly in AM and am now using a cane. Have been on MSContin in MSIR after surgery and most recently Oxycontin 80mg. twice daily and OxyIR for break through pain. Now the oxy is barely touching the pain. Have any of you been through anything like this and what other pain med might actually help me. It almost seems like a waste to continue with current pain meds because of the little relief I get. I have I good pain maagement doctor but would like some opinions from actual cp people before he changs my meds. Thak you for reading this post and I hope today is better that yesterday for all of us. John
I went thru the same regimen you described and finally got some better relief through Fentenyl Pain Patches. My pain management doctor started me at a low dosage and increased it. These patches releases small doses of fentenyl constantly for 72 hours - you change your patch every 72 hours. I started on 50 mcg and am now on 100 mcg with demerol for breakthrough pain and it worked for me far better than the MSContin and Oxycdone for breakthrough pain. I also take Visteril, an anti-nausea, anti-spasm, muscle relaxer type of medication. I was on phenergan but it wasn't helping me much so the doctor switched over to Visterila and I'm doing so much better, I was able to get off Disability and work full time and my supervisor modified my work weeks so that I have every other friday off so I can use those fridays for the doctor's appts, physical therapy appts., etc. hope this helps you.
