Back Pain Support Group

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical care. In fact, about 3 in 4 adults will experience back pain during their lifetime! The term back pain includes pain affecting the neck, midback and low back. Acute back pain may begin suddenly with intense pain but typically lasts fewer than three months. Usually, chronic back pain is persistent, steady, and...

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HappyNonie 05/11/2011

The doctors in my area are very stuck in their view of pain medication. I have been taking Lyrica and Tylenol #3s since I got hurt last summer. I've had to increase the Lyrica twice already and I'm taking more T3s more often than I was in the beginning. I had a horrible week last week with far too much pain and the T3 just wasn't cutting it. Monday I had a doctor's appointment so I brought up the medication. I wanted to try cymbalta as I've heard here and on other forums that alot of people have had good luck with it for chronic pain. My doctor looked at me like I had three heads and said its just for depression. I pointed out that I had even seen TV advertisements promoting it as good for people who suffer with chronic pain from a number of different conditions. She then just said it wouldn't work for my kind of pain (whatever she thinks that is). When I asked what else I could try she offered me percocet - I didn't want to take them but she didn't give me any other option. She said if the T3 is not working then percocet is the next step so that's what she gave me. I'm so tired of this small town doctors that won't think outside the box. Don't they read medical journals and stay up-to-date on what's going on in the medical world? So now I've got these pills I hate to take... at least I won't go through alot of them. As I told her, I will only take them on the really horrible days when nothing else will even touch it. I hate the way they make me feel. Is anyone taking something that works well and doesn't make you feel stoned?

e4now 05/11/2011

hi im sorry you are in so much pain... with little relief...im on morphine for 12hr relief,gabapentin 300mg 3xday and hydrocodone for break thru pain as needed ..i hope you find relief soon

deleted_user 05/11/2011

I am truely sorry you are surfering with so much pain.....life is hard.
I know about pain but that doesn't help you one bit. I have a little story to share with you......left out parts just a bit of it...ok

A friend of mind told ME to go and see a doctor in a Teaching Hospital. They are suppose to be better?
I don't know if this is true? But it can't hurt and see one in a bigger city if you can at a teaching hospital can it?
I don't know either why your doctor keeps you where you are....they must have a reason they aren't sharing it looks like with you.
Fustraion I can imagine going thru you now.

just a fyi thought you don't have to do what I put here it's all in your hands.
Good Luck or Best Luck for you.

deleted_user 05/12/2011

my mom has been in pain for yrs and has gone thru ALL of the different pain meds and now her only choice is the percocet. since she is not thrilled with taking it she cuts them into quarters and add on only what she needs. be careful with them. my moms dr will only give her 30 pills a yr b/c they are such a strong drug and so addicting.

HappyNonie 05/12/2011

Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I'm in a small city with very few options. The nearest teaching hospital is at least a thousand miles away... I can't even go 50 miles without suffering for days after. I have my name on the waiting list to get into the only pain clinic in the city but they have a very long wait time... I might get in by Oct. or Nov.

My doctor apparently isn't too worried about me mis-using the percocet as she gave me 60 and prescribed to take them 4 times a day if needed. I would never take that much, I'd be knocked out all the time. But I tried just taking a 1/2 and it only just took the edge off the pain for about an hour or so, not good enough. I will take one if I really really need it but 60 should last me for months. I was really hoping to get on something that didn't make me stoned so I can go back to work. As it is now I'm either in too much pain to work or too 'loopy'... can't win.

deleted_user 05/12/2011

ask if you can take hydrocodone or oxycotin (sp?)... and come with descriptions and uses for your dr.

deleted_user 05/12/2011

I'm so sorry for your pain and for ignorant doctors. I have the greatest pain management Dr. He is up to date on every medicine for Fibro and speaks across the country about fibromyalgia to Drs. who are not as well read as he is. I am on Cymbalta, Lyrica and Hydr-ocodone. Before I found this Dr. I was in the 8-9 pain level, ending up in the ER for shots for the pain. Now on these medications I am at 4-5; 7 at the worst. Yes,I am still in pain, but not at such a level that it is intolerable and I have not been to the ER in at least 4 years. Hope this helps a little, and I hope you can find a Dr. who is up to date on fibromyalgia. Take care and (gentle hugs)

MaryKathryn

deleted_user 05/13/2011

Hi, I'm new to this group and really appreciate all your posts. I had back surgery in February and am in pain whenever I walk or rest (sitting seems to be OK). Have been on Percoset since the surgery, but I live in Maryland and they are clamping down on my surgeon's ability to prescribe it. I'm seeing a pain management specialist today and am hoping he prescribes something like Cymbalta or Lyrica to help me manage the pain. I experience the pain when walking mostly, and also when lying down - nerves in my right leg were temporarily damaged by the surgery, so my left leg is over-compensating and thus in almost constant pain when moving. I wake up at night in pain with a feeling of paralysis in my legs, but I think what's happening is muscle spasms, and I know that if I move my legs, the pain will be excruciating. I believe that this will all be resolved in time. I just have to make it through the depressed tiimes when I feel that the pain will never end.

deleted_user 05/13/2011

@MTHope (and everyone else of course), have you tried epidural injections ( for the nerve issues down your leg), or trigger pt injections (for the spasms)? they have been a life saver for me. My pain level is much lower b/c of them.

deleted_user 05/16/2011

I don't think they can get rid of the pain all the way.

It took me a decade to get enough relief that I can go out of the house.

Feel better soon, hope a new doctor comes to your town

deleted_user 05/16/2011

I agree with Sam; I have an injection in my knees & my shoulder. It does help with the pain. If not, surgery on both knees & my shoulder is the next step. (not gonna happen,lol)
The epidural injection also helps my back apasms. I was on Soma, but he said it was real bad for the liver (what med isn't)? He tried me on Zaniflex also.
I hope that you can find a pain management Dr., before I found mine, my family Dr. didn't want to prescribe anything. I also take Cymbalta for about 8 months now and it does make a difference. '
I wish you luck, hopefully I have been a help to you. TAke care.............love & hugs,
MaryKathryn

deleted_user 05/19/2011

sam1966; My doc has me planned for an epidural. I'm so scared of it b/c I had one with my baby and I got that headache with it. Good LORD, I wouldn't be able to drive back to hospital to get blood patch, it's so far away. Have you ever experienced that?
I have the exact same as the pain in hip but when I lay down, no feeling in feet they feel hot and numb. And pain all day. I take mobic, or advil, naproxen or nothing. I have gabapentin but I haven't tried it for my back. Thanks guys!

deleted_user 05/24/2011

sorry...i just got back from vacation.
i did have a headache but not too bad. this epidural is done under a sonagram (sp?), so the dr can see exactly where they are headed with the needle. the headache that goes away in a day or 2 may be worth the relief you may get from the shot. i have had 3 1 down each arm lasted only a month or so but the 1 down my leg has lasted so far...for a yr. good luck with it.

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