Vent as much as you want... that is what we are here for. The problem with medications for pain is that if you have severe pain it is often only the 'heavy duty' meds that will have an effect... which means narcotics. It is unfortunate that the docs don't have much else to offer us apart from surgery... and surgery does not always fix the pain, and can even make it worse. Have they tried you on other narcotics apart from the Fentanyl patch? Perhaps starting you off on a low dose of something like Oxycontin, and then building up the dose after you adjusted to it, would not cause such a reaction for you. Wishing you all the best with it.

I agree with GTK.........trust me, surgery does not always work. I hope it does, but in the meantime, you should try to stay as comfortable as possible and if that means drugs...then so be it.

I could not function without pain medicine. My life would be worthless, Not all meds will make you sick, you just have to be honest with your pain dr so he can help you better.

Darvocet is a complete waste of a drug. It's right on up there with Lortab on the "suckass" scale.

It sounds as though you are getting desperate which will only make your situation worse. Be honest with the doc, tell him how you feel.

None of us "want" to be on these drugs. However, for many of us, we have no choice.

Good luck today and keep us posted

No need to apologize, when you're in a lot of pain sometimes you can't think clearly and things get jumbled up and you worry over everything - this is normal.

I agree with the other replies, you may have to take medications to help you get some quality of life back. I know I sometimes have a hard time coping with the fact I'm on some serious meds that have annoying side effects, BUT I can actually walk now, otherwise I'd be stuck in bed permanently, barely able to move. And you're right, the doc does have to go through ALL the noninvasive treatments before he can recommend surgery - which as others have said, may not work anyhow. The best thing to do right now is work with your doc, be honest and follow what he has to say, you just may find an answer.

thanks guys i had a question though for ya kinda thinking a little better right now. when you stop feeling all the side effects like the nausea and the vomitting, dizziness. does that mean you are used to the drug, does it still work?

"when you stop feeling all the side effects like the nausea and the vomitting, dizziness. does that mean you are used to the drug, does it still work? "

Megan-
When your body adjusts to having that type of med it doesn't mean that the drug isn't working anymore, it just means your body is "ok" with it. The dose still may need to be increased depending on how much pain you have left.

ok i was just wondering if i needed to give the fentanyl more time. It did make me seriously ill though and i did freak out lol called 911 i was spinning so bad the other night. thats not the whole story but i wont go into it ,hubby was at work and had a call couldnt help. but i had no pain.

when you stop feeling pain, you know it's working.

the side effects usually either go away or get better.
only if the side effects are "MILD" should you try it again.

Otherwise, I'd wait until someone was with me before I tried it again.

thanks guys i actually went and i have good news. I have name for all of my pain!! pelvic (something in the middle) neuropathy. i am so happy right now. but basically all the nerves in my pelvic floor are damaged. he also said i was allergic to the fentanyl patch and not to even touch it. he gave me percocet to deal with the breakthrough pain and is keeping me on the 400mg of neurontin and the lidoderm patches. im hoping this works i would feel really bad to tell him otherwise and i dont know why but probably because ive had it always drummed into my head that pain medications were bad. my dad tonight even got on me yelled for 30 minutes i didnt get one word in then i ended up hanging up on him i couldnt deal with it anymore and i dont need to.

was your dad angry b/c you are on pain meds, percocet?

Hi,

I am curious to know if your fear has diminished since going? I will admit, I have had a few procedures done regularly there. Some less painful/some more painful than others.

However, for that brief amount of pain, the outcome is worth it for me. I have also develped a much higher pain tolerance.

I have trigger (pressure point) injections, sometimes botox for my TMJ. But the one that scares me the most, is "Pulsed Radiofrequency Neurotomy". In some more advanced hospitals, they have begun to "stun" the nerve rather than burn it. I get mine burnt. I get 3 to 4 needles inserted. Once the nerve is found, another needle is slipped inside it, and the machine does the rest.

No, it's not fun. However, they do give me an IV and slight sedation. And the next day, I feel like a new person.

I have not gone for a while. Too much of the cortisteroids can cause many side effects for me. But right now, the way I feel, I am looking forward to returning.

I must say I know how you feel about the surgery "Get it done right now so this agony will go away and I can resume what is left of my life." And wanting it now and not later, not wanting to take all there painkillers they give you to "help" with your pain. Yes there is Pill A. for this Pill B. for that and of-course Pill C. as in see you in rehab if you ever want to get off all the chemicals, that these learned professionals have given you to "help" with your pain. Yes these days the Doctors seem and most likely are concerned about there malpractice insurance rates because he/she doesn't know if you are going to sue them if you are the slightest bit unhappy with the the outcome of the surgery. So I guess it all comes down to does your Doctor as sad as this is, feel comfortable enough with you to pro-form the surgery that you so clearly want. I know how desperate some one in severe none stop pain can get extremely desperate, and in a hurry. But then again you don't wanna find some half wit Doctor that will operate on you and mess you up for good. I wish there where some magic spell or fancy trick that could fix all that is wrong with the system today, but there is not. So cope if you can cry if you wish just know that there will one day be an end to this..