Chronic Pain Support Group

I do know that if it is nerve pain there are drugs out there to treat nerve pian. I ffel for you. I am in pain 24/7 too and if I could only take Hydrocodone I would be up the creek without a paddle!!
If you feel that your pain is not being treated correctly then I would go to see another doctor. So you already go to a Pain Management doc?
I do not know what other type of doc you could see but you definately need to get some relief. I wish you much luck and hope that you can find someone to help you.

I have nerve damage from a c-2 , c-3 tear . Due to a auto accident also going on 3 yrs. I only got pain meds when it first happened unfortunately! Had to suffer through finding the right drug to deal with the nerve damage b/c they say pain meds dont help? Been on a long list of junk I finally ended up on cymbalta and zonegran. Never thought I would see the day I could do normal activity again! I feel for you I have done all the nerve blocks too. I ended up having severe spasms in the muscles after that.Ugh! You need a good pain management doc! Hope you get what you need.

YUP, is time to fired that pain specialist and time to find yourself a new one! Just remember.. The Doctor (s) work for you, not vice-versa, you have the right to hired and fired anyone that is not treating you correctly.
You have a right to be treated for your pain, so is time to give the boot to that Doc, and find another one that might help you out.

I agree that you should get a 2nd opinion. Vicodin is better than nothing, but you may need a long-acting opioid (morphine, methadone, Dilaudid, Opana ER) + a drug for nerve pain. Have you tried Lyrica, neurontin, Cymbalta? These help nerve pain. I tried Lyrica for fibro but couldn't handle the side effects. It's one of those drugs people love or hate. I also had a hard time obtaining decent opioids until I was 37. Before that, I could get Vicodin starting at age 36, and nothing before that. I have neck pain, but mine is the result of discs that are aging prematurely, getting all dry and crunchy, so it's a different situation than an accident.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Yes, I just started taking Cymbalta yesterday. I have tried Lyrica and Neurontin. I am not sure if the Lyrica was maybe helping. But, the pain doc stopped it. I don't know why. The Neurontin did not help. I am looking to get that 2nd opinon, if the Cymbalta is not effective. Thanks everyone!
nsm

One thing to keep in mind is that while technically the doctor works for you, you don't want a doctor that is going to fold and give you whatever you want. I greatly appreciate a doctor that is caring enough to tell you something even if you don't want to hear it. I have a doctor that refuses to give people antibiotics unless the CBC shows that your body is reacting to a bacterial infection. This is how all medical professionals should behave. Yet there are some doctors that will prescribe an antibiotic just to get the patient off their back. Studies have shown how overprescribing these meds will affect us in our lives and future generations. I know this is not the situation you are in, but it is an example that helps illustrate what I mean.
I think your pain management doc is looking out for your future. Opiods become ineffective after a while. Your liver gets to know the schedule and starts producing enzymes to counteract the medication. Eventually, your liver is in control and you have to move onto something else. Not much has changed in narcotic meds in the last 20 years, so there is no reason for him/her to expect a new discovery soon. So likely the doc is trying to make sure your pace on narcotics is not so fast that you outrun the medicines that are out there.
That is not to say that you shouldn't get more meds. I am just explaining why your doctor's actions may seem cruel but actually in your best interests. You may just need to explain that you are no longer able to cope with the pain and are desperately in need of some help. You are willing to try whatever to get rid of the pain, but are in need of some temporary relief while you find what works. This worked for me.
Finding another doctor isn't always the answer but only you are the only one who can make that decision. And remember, when you go to a new doc, you may be forced to start all over again. The best way to go may be to see someone for a second opinion. If at that time, you really feel your condition has been mismanaged then make the change at that time. Good luck!

I think the Cymbalta is somewhat helpful for the nerve pain. Thank you for the suggestion! It has not taken the pain away completely, but it is more tolerable. This is the first med, that I have noticed that has helped it. And, it seems that the Lortab is more helpful now since the Cymbalta is starting to help. This may be a good combination of meds to try for this type of pain. And, I have only been on the Cymbalta for 1 week.

I have chronic pancreatitis and am on oxycontin (long acting med) and dilaudid for breakthrough pain and I just turned 23. You should be on a long acting pain med (morphine, oxycontin, fentanyl) plus something like Neurontin for nerve pain as well as a short acting pain med for breakthrough pain such as dilaudid or vicodin. My mom has HNPP (hereditary neuropathy with pressure palsy) and is on Neurontin, Morphine, and Vicodin. Try seeing someone in a Palliative care clinic. They are generally nicer, more helpful, and won't treat you like a junkie looking for a fix. I tried a few pain clinics and finally was referred to a palliative care clinic. I walked out of my first appointment with RXs for dilaudid (which I had been on) and oxycontin which no other doctor had even offered me. Hope you find someone willing to help you, I know from my mom how horrible it is. Good luck!

Hi Nicole. I have found Lyrica has made a big difference for my nerve pain. I have tried Neurontin before,but it did nothing. My pain specialist told me that Lyrica is 90% absorbed and works on different pain receptors,whereas Neurontin is only 60% absorbed and works on other pain receptors

Hello,I would find me some1 else.I have C5,C6,S1,S2 discs are herniated and T6 - T10 area of my spine have a syrinx and also T2- T5 are buldging.I tried Lyrica and neurontin for long term and they didnt work and alls I was getting was vicodin es which wasn't cutting it so I had to change PM Drs. now I finally am getting some drugs that actually work for me. MS Contin for long acting pain releife and norco for breakthough pain and it seems to be doing a great job. Hope you can get the right help you need for your pain. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS