What pain medication can be taken as long term pain management? Excluding celebrex, neurontin,lyrica,and the duragesic patch. how long can one use hydrocodone as the single source for pain management? any input would be very helpful. I suffer from rsds(reflex sympathethic dystrophy syndrome) and have had many types of treatments for pain over the years. Steroid blocks relieved my pain for only a few days. The morphine "pump" was rejected by my body,(the actual morphine medication did great). The patches made my heart race and increased my pain. I am currently using  hydrocodone but worry as to how long i will be able to contine this type of pain management. I am running out of options and would like to hear some input or advise from anyone relating to this type of medical condition.
132842
Have you tried acupuncture?  Not the kind a physiotherapist does - even though some are very good - I'm talking about traditional acupuncture by a lisenced acupuncturist.  I have found Chinese acupuncture can be excellent.
216334
Holy Cow!  These are NOT appropriate drugs for a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia!  Find a new doctor ASAP! These are very, very, very dangerous drugs!\n\nBest wishes and good luck.\n\nP.S. I just did a Medline search of the scientific medical literature and there were NO research studies listed for the treatment of Fibromyalgia by either of these dangerous drugs!
455090
Hydrocodone is the generic name for Lortab.  It sounds like you may not tolerate it very well.  When you are feeling achy is it after it has worn off?  It is a pain killer.  I would go to my doctor and tell him about the symptoms that I was having.  Personally I don't do well on Lortab because it makes me nauseous where other painkillers work better.
511695
If you are taking medication because you are in pain, you will likely not become addicted.  Medications are not addictive, people have (or do not have) addictive personalities.  Addiction means you are mentally dependent on a medication.  It is possible to build a physical tolerance to some medications, in which case you need to slowly wean off of them instead of just stopping one day.\n\nLyrica is for nerve pain, and while it may take a while for you to get to a therapeutic level (in which you notice improvement) - it is not the type of drug people normally worry about becoming dependent on.  \nGo here to get more info on how it works and potential side effects.\nhttp://www.lyrica.com/
97639
I have had fibro for twenty years now and I can tell you from my personal experience, pain medications do not work. I have tried everything up to Fentynl patches with Actiq suckers. The amount of pain medication that I require is too toxic to my system. After being on pain meds my liver function was consistent with Hepatitis induced from drugs, I had Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, rotting teeth, and terrible bowel problems from the pain meds shutting down my gut. I awoke one day with paramedics looking over me with my husband. I had come out of a seizure (which I'd never had before) and a temp of 107.5. Scary. Moral of the story, pain medication is not effective in Fibro pain treatment because if increasing resistance to the medication it builds up to toxic levels. You are really better off taking a good muscle relaxant (I am on Zanaflex)\n\nAs far as insomnia, first have a Sleep Study performed. Mine was ordered by a Neurologist This will tell you what is happening when and if you sleep. For instance I found out that I had three types of insomnia: chronic, initial (can't fall asleep), and maintenance can't stay asleep). I also get no REM sleep which explains the extreme fatigue. You can then work with your doctor to address your problems. \n\nThe fibro fog can be from medication side effects &/or the bodies concentration on the pain signals it is constantly receiving. I believe the fog is a combination of both and it is genuine. Sometimes I can't find words to say that I speak all the time. Or I forget things a lot. My computer calendar has helped tremendously. A study was performed to explain why we feel so much pain. You can find it at http://www.fibrohugs.com/article.php?story=20040301120311535\nThe increased pain response kicks our bodies into the "fight or flight response". Medscape explains that pain alerts the central nervous system to the presence of a major stressor to the body; one that demands a response. Pain experiences are typically accompanied by systemic responses similar to those that characterize the "fight or flight" dynamic. These responses are caused by the involuntary release of norepinephrine and adrenaline, which causes increased mental alertness, muscle tone, respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels. Facilitated clotting factor, shunting of blood from the viscera to skeletal muscles, increased visual acuity, and sweating also occur when catecholamines are released. The "flight or fight" response, although clearly beneficial to the endangered organism, can be a threat to the individual with chronic pain. Further, the level of high acuity and anxiety commonly associated with the "flight or fight" response is often caused by the anticipation of a painful event rather than the actual "experience" of one.\n\nTry taking warm baths in Epson Salt. It contains Magnesium Magnesium allows oxygen into your muscles, reducing cramping and spasms. Consult your doctor or a nutritionist to have your Magnesuim level checked- it is a simpe mouth swab and not painful. If you have a low level, which most people with Fibro do have, take Magnesium and Malic Acid supplements. There are a few studies listed below that explain the rationale of using the combination in treatment of Fibro. \n\nTry eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from your diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". \n\nIf you need adjustments try to see a D.O. that is familiar with Firbro instead of a chiropractor. In my opinion Chiropractors tend to be a little more violent in their adjustments and can cause more pain in your soft tissue. D.O.s do a more passive adjustment.\n\nBefore you exercise make sure you really stretch out and breathe de
490209
I don't think this is something you should just learn to live with. I highly recommend making an appointment with your doctor and go over different medications for you. You need to keep an open mind.\nPain pills often do have side effects, but surely there is something else you can take that won't cause your pain to be unbearable.
672540
Please try going to a doctor specializing in pain management.  You should be able to get a referral from your physician.  Or, there should be a pain management section in the yellow pages of your phone book.  Just be sure that the person you go to is a medical doctor.  My father-in-law went to a pain management doctor who was able to solve his chronic pain without further medication.
478722
Duragesic patches are used quite often because they work.  I apply them to my patients at my job and I've never seen anyone get sick from them.  \nKeep in mind that even though you are on a duragesic patch, and the dose you are taking is low, you may still need something in addition to the patch for breakthrough pain.  \nI've never seen a duragesic patch used by itself without another drug prescribed for pain to act as a 'buffer'.
154903
I have Disc degenerative disease and 4 colapsed discs and 2 buldging and central canal stenosis. I have not had surgery but did have shots and I went down hill from there and the medical bills went uphill. It was sugessted a double fusion for me. L4 L5 & S1. It was sugessted decompression for me too by famiy doc. I did not do it yet. Can't walk in the morning and without pain med, I can't do anything. I live in the Chicago area and there is a spinal specialist in OLympia Fields I saw and he sugested the double fusion and said I am messed up. he did give me a 200.00 brace that helps. I hope to feel good again someday. I was told by doc that decompression works 70 percent of the time. It did not work for my sister. I was also told by the therapist that unless you have 20 of the decompression treatments, it is worthless. My insurance will only allow 9. I was thinking about surgery so I did ask here and got mixed answers. Still confused. 50 percent better you say? Hmmmm was that from the surgery or shots. I would never have a needle in my back again, I should have listened to others that had it done. I hope you can get SSD in the mean time and hope you get well.  I hope to find a mattresss to help in the meanwhile too.
259528
Doctor here. First of all accept my sympathies for the pain you are going through because of your step mother's cancer. Actually breast cancer is considered to be very dangerous ( though all other types are also very dangerous) because of its future involvement with spine and consequently to brain. From your given detail depicts that patient is in in Stage IV and in this stage cancer spreads ( metasteases) to other parts/organs of the body. Your doctor must go for Morphain Sulfate rather than for Tramadol. This medicine contains the active ingredient morphine sulphate, which is a type of medicine called an opioid or narcotic analgesic (painkiller). Opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturally occurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are found in the brain and spinal cord and reduce pain by combining with opioid receptors.  Morphain Sulfate is best known pain-killer for cancer patients and I have used this for few of my patients. Only treatment is to reduce sufferings and try to improve quality of life of your step mother. Disappointment is a curse so keep miles away.
512354
Hi gaylon e,\n Please don't listen to the first 3 answers! \nI've been on methadone for over 5 yrs. now. It's the ONLY thing that keeps my pain manageable.Yes, it's physically addicting,but it is the only narcotic that provides relief without getting a "buzz" from it. I had brain surgery 9 years ago and had metal inserted into my aneurysm to fill it up.The neck of it reopened causing the  metal coils to  compress, and the result is "systemic vasculitis". In layman's terms, it means my cerebral arteries are inflamed.It's inoperable at present time, but I keep hoping for a miracle!\n  I was sent to a pain clinic and the doctors there offered this drug. I had complained that drugs such as vicodin and oxycontin didn't work unless I ate them like candy. They also made me feel "high". My quality of life sucked back then. Now, I am finally able to manage my pain and my quality of life is much better. Also, being on disability, it is hard to manage the newer medicines because of cost effectiveness. Methadone has been around for years and it's cheap. There's a pain medicine called  fentynal  that comes as a patch and you change it every 3 days or so, but the cost is astronomical without prescription coverage.\nIt is simply not true that methadone is unavailable outside of hospitals and that methadone's only use is for withdrawal from heroin. Please get your facts straight before spreading these myths.\nThe doctors at the pain clinic changed my life for the better. I no longer suffer in silence. If methadone is working for you, stay with it. From experience I can say the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Check out the link below for more info. Good luck to you!
441446
So sorry to hear about your pain.  It seems to be in the acute stage.  Herniated disc must be in lumbar spine, since that's where the 3 sciatic nerve roots emerge (one pair at each of 3 levels).\n\nYes, I've been there.  MRI showed 5 herniated discs, with 2 described as "very large and severe causing severe spinal stenosis," and there were complications as well.  Couldn't stand more than 30 minutes.  Sitting down was an agony as firm chair seat compresses the lumbar spine.  Even morphine did not help.\n\nFlash forward one year.  No surgery, no painkillers these days at all, do own gardening & housework, can easily walk 2 miles.  Only residue is a back that starts to complain fairly easily, so must cease whatever activity is stressing it (too-strenuous gardening, etc).\n\nIt wasn't luck.  It was a lot of very hard work plus a determination to get better plus the ability and the resourcefulness to find extremely effective if somewhat unusual treatment modalities.\n\nThese are:\n\n1) For the acute pain stage, a diet that will lower inflammation throughout the body.  This is quite complicated.  In a nutshell it means mostly vegetables and fruits for a short period of time (about 2-4 weeks) and elimination of all foodstuffs known to trigger inflammation.  I've studied nutrition, my professor helped me individually in his private practice.\n\nImprovement was dramatic.  This approach helped much more than morphine.  Within 2 weeks I began to be able to walk, farther & farther each week.\n\n2) supplements to reduce inflammation.  These are mostly omega-3 essential fatty acids.  Surely you've read about these, there's amazing research coming out about their role in healing/stabilizing inflammatory diseases, everything from cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer's.  The typical US diet at present contains too high a proportion of omega-6.  What's missing are the omega-3 and, for anti-inflammation, the EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) component of the omega-3 EFA.  The high EPA will suppress the inflammatory prostaglandins and encourage the body's production of the good or healing prostaglandin.  Where does one get high-EPA omega-3 essential fatty acids?  Best source is molecularly-distilled fish oils.  Read label for EPA and DHA proportions, you'll need a high EPA count and these products are hard to find.  You should try for 1 gram of EPA a day at first, for about a month.  Can take less later.  Yes, molecularly-distilled high-quality fish oil capsules are expensive, but it's still a lot cheaper than powerful prescription painkillers or surgery.\n\nThere are 4 other supplements I took, all available at health food stores.  Two involved collagen (spinal discs are made of collagen) in interesting new formulations that render the large previouslyi-indigestible collagen molecule into a form that can be assimilated by oral ingestion.  The other two were anti-inflammatories.  It was said that one of these, based on turmeric and other herbs,  is as effective as the controversial prescription cox-2 inhibitors (Celebrex and the banned Vioxx).\n\n3) the 3rd treatment modality is perhaps the most important since it involves permanent rehabilitation of the lumbar spine.  This is physiotherapy.  I live in a country where a new approach to lumbar spine injuries is being taught by leading physiotherapists who work with our national Olympic sports teams. Many sports involve repeated battering or smashing of the spine, as in horse jumping, hurdle racing, downhill ski slalom racing, etc, and many athletes wind up with herniated discs.\n\nThe physiotherapy involves identification by the patient of the transverse abdominus muscle and a long program of exercises to strengthen this muscle.  The trans ab is the deepest abdominal muscle.  It sweeps around the lower abdomen and attaches to the spine at rear.  Picture a basket at the bottom of your abdomen that holds upright all your organs - bladder, uterus, lar
64308
Those two are opiate derived and will be hard to get. You'd have to find a site in a country where opiates are over the counter, and I don't know of any. Many other pain medicines however can be obtained from Europe or Canada. As long as they aren't a class controlled substance you should be fine.
223700
I have severe nerve damage to s-1 and l-5. I have been on Oxycontin and percocet for many years. If your husband is not taking these for recreation and taking them as needed for actual pain, That is why there is pain management. It is not addictive, it is called physically dependent. I am relatively young (45) and have been in this condition since 1997 due to an accident that was no fault of my own. I have to work everyday to support my family (5 girls) and a wife. I would much rather control my pain with medication than to risk being down for 6-8 months without a guarantee of less pain than I am in now. Maybe when i get older i will reconsider the surgery, Right now i get up and go to work everyday and can still provide for my family. I think that if you have pain and do not abuse your meds, it is a better quality of life than being in chronic pain and suffering on a daily basis. Don't abuse and you will not be addicted, just physically dependent. Also i have had a disco gram and it is no picnic. It is more like several epidural injections at one time. Zanaflex works pretty good for the skeletal muscle relaxer without the side effects of zanax. Also a narcotic without all the Tylenol like low doses of Oxycontin and immediate relief Oxycontin are not going to destroy your liver like narcotics with the Tylenol in them. Have your liver enzymes checked on a regular basis 3-4 months apart.
661355
First of all when a person is diabetic, using tight control of blood sugars will help a lot with neuropathy pain. If blood sugar is out of control, even a little, it makes the neuropathy a lot worse. \n\nMy Neurologist has me taking Cymbalta 60mg once a day and Lyrica 50mg three times a day. \nCymbalta helps with stabbing pain. \nLyrica with burning. \n\nCymbalta and Lyrica work very well together for peiripheral neuropathy. In my experience, narcotic type drugs like hydrocodone don't help this condition very much at all and are a waste of money.\n\nFor out of control pain, I soak my feet in icy cold water for about 20 minutes. that really helps when my feet burn really bad. I also ice pack them. If you don't have ice packs, a bag of frozen veggies work nicely. Distrtactions will sometimes help as well. Not passive things like TV, but something that will keep my mind busy enough to ignore the pain. It doesn't always work, but is worth a try. For stabbing pain, I try to massage the spot where the pain is. Sometimes it is so bad I fall. For me Cymbalta has really helped here.\n\nAnd even though it hurts, walking as much as I can even just up and down the block or around the house can help. (But it sometimes hurts like the dickens)\n\nNeuropathy is a miserable condition, and my best wishes go to both you and your son. It is hard to live with chronic pain, and hard to care for someone who has this condition. Bless you both.
215402
In larger cities you can probably find pain clinics.  Typically, methadone isn't used for simply pain management any longer, there are newer treatments that have been widely studied as being more effective with a lower risk of long term dependancy-  the pain clinics or pain management centers can determine from your medical past what has not worked and formulate a new and hopefully effective care plan for you.  It may be something as simple as a fentanyl lollipop or patch or it may be a drug combined with biofeedback therapy.  \ngood luck
59453
I'm no expert, but here's what I know:\n\nRSD is a neurological disease where, essentially, your nervous system sends pain impulses even though whatever trauma you had is healed.  Do a Yahoo search for RSD, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, CRPS, or complex regional pain syndrome & you'll find lots of information and support groups.\n\nMy sister-in-law has had rsd for the last 3 years.  She's gone through a number of different procedures.  Some have worked better than others.  Some (done by drs who don't know anything about rsd) have made her condition MUCH worse.  As of last week, she was pretty much confined to bed because she was in so much pain & on so many drugs.  She couldn't take care of her 2 kids and had to hire daytime help.\n\nBut here's the good news!  Last Monday, she checked into Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia to undergo ketamine treatment with Dr. Schwartzman.  She could barely walk into the hospital.  She walked out of the hospital the following Sunday with NO PAIN whatsoever feeling the best she's felt in 3 years.  We'll see how well the treatment lasts...technically, it should go into remission, but might come back.\n\nI wish you the best of luck!  Just make sure whatever drs you go to are familiar with RSD.  It's very important!