I am a 23 yr old who fell off an assembly line and and was hit from behind while my car was stopped (twice). I have a herniated S1 L5 disc, Sciatica, Fibromyalgia and S1 Ridiculotherapy.I think my current Doctor is great but others say he's wrong with my pain medication regimen. I am currently taking 2 100mg Duragesic patches every 48 hrs, 480mg of Oxycontin (6x80mg) every 8 hrs thus 18 80mg tablets daily, Valium 10mg 3 times a day, Ritalin 2 20mg in the morning and than one at noon and one at 4. For breakthrough pain I am taking Actiq 400mcg suckers one every 3 hrs, and Oxyfast 2cc every 3 hrs.I am unable to work right now but am trying to go back to college. Currently I'm at home (Doctors orders). My pain level is around 6 down from a previous 9. I really like my Doctor because he's at least made me it possible for me to stop crying myself to sleep at night. He's also doing Prolotherapy and I'm also seeing a pain psychologist that he recommended so I can vent my pain frustrations. I was 18 and playing college sports when God had me fall off that assembly line and then two whiplash's. (My Doctor also thinks I suffer from a Closed Head Injury). So do you think my medications are ok? Or will they hurt me in the long term? Would you change any of them? Thanks for listening, Justin Thank you for your Inquiry, In my opinion, considering your injuries, you are on a proper pain medication regimen. Since you are still young, over time you can probably phase out many of them. You are lucky to have a Doctor willing to prescribe these medications, considering the present stigma surrounding proper use of narcotic pain medications. Unfortunately, many pain sufferers like yourself are not so lucky and continue to suffer for lack of proper pain management. Finally, there are no long term effects from continued usage.As I tell all of my patients and site visitors who write me, try to get out for a walk or if possible, treat yourself to some warm water therapy. Do not attempt any future surgeries if possible. Good Luck, the Doctor at Painlab.com _____________________________________________ I had back surgery back in August of 98 due to a ruptured herniated disc (L3/L4). The injury was due to an accident. (Pressure being applied to my back.) I have since been experiencing pain. I was told by my spine surgeon It's something "I have to live with" (Not the surgeon who did the surgery). I had 2 MRI's which show I have scar tissue around a nerve root. I have chronic lower back pain, left leg sciatica. I've had epidural injections which got rid of half the pain. I take Ultracet, 2 tablets a day x3. I have been on IC Carisoprodol 350mg. for years now. I take 1 tablet 3xdaily. I was given a medical retirement form from my employer due to my back (Non-work-related) My job required alot of lifting, pulling, and pushing of heavy equipment. I worked for 27 years at my job . I'm only 48 years old. Is there anything I can do to help with the chronic pain? Thanks, Eddie Thank you for your Inquiry. Experiencing chronic pain following spinal surgery is all to common these days. The United States performs the most surgical surgeries per capita than any other country in the world. Your Doctor is incorrect though in stating "you have to live with it." I have many patients who share your chronic post surgical pain. I recommend a combination of therapies that can prove effective. At least they may provide you with some relief.First, for pain medication, I would suggest you try Duragesic (Transdermal Patches) and/or OxyContin. Consult with your physician for the proper dosage level. Also browse to their very informative web sites. In addition , some light walking or warm water therapy can be beneficial (swimming/Jacuzzi etc). Take it from me, I also suffer back pain and swimming or just wading in warm water works wonders. Good Luck, the Doctor at Painlab.com _____________________________________________ I am praying that someone can give me some resources or information. I am 27 y.o. and am 3.5 mos. pregnant. I also have a condition called "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" or "TOS". It is a very painful condition and I am having great difficulty finding any care providers who will help me and monitor my care regarding pain management. I have OHP, and have seen my OB/GYN only one time but am going again on June 2nd for my second visit. When I requested information regarding how I might handle this problem, she only said that,"one had nothing to do with the other." It has a great deal to do "with the other". I am unable to rest because of the constant pain. Upon discussing my problem with a Pain Management Doctor of a friend's, he said it is very difficult to find physician's willing to work as a team in the care of someone who is pregnant and also in chronic pain. Although he did state that it is not impossible and you just have to find an OB/GYN and a Pediatrician that will work with you throughout the pregnancy and delivery. Some days when I now awaken, I feel I cannot go on because the pain is so dehabilitating. The changes in my body brought about by the pregnancy are also causing additional pain because this disease is affected by blood flow.We want to have this child more than anything, but currently I am feeling hopeless. If you can provide any assistance in this situation, it would be greatly appreciated Thank you for your Inquiry. In my experience, narcotics are safe at any time during a pregnancy, especially after the 1st trimester. Of course not in large doses and with the strict control of a physician. Although, like your friends Doctor mentioned, it is very difficult to find one willing to work with the other. If you have access to a Jacuzzi or heated pool, water therapy could be very helpful in relieving your pain temporarily. Ask your OB/GYN for a low dosage prescription of OxyContin (Time Release) or OxyIR 20mg. These will provide you with relief for 4-5 hours at a time. Good Luck, the Doctor at Painlab.com _____________________________________________ Dear Sir, I was recently treated in the ER for a migraine headache that had not responded to 2L of NS, 100 mg Meperedine and 8 mg of Zofran. I have a complicated history. I suffer from 2 clotting disorders and have multiple drug allergies that make "non-traditional" treatment my only real option. I am so ill that I am unable to keep my PO med's down. When the treatment had not sufficiently reduced the severity of my headache, one of the physicians suggested that nothing more could be done because "the protocol had been followed."It was suggested that I leave the ER, try to sleep and return to try the protocol again if the headache did not abate. Having been a longtime sufferer of migraines, and having just recently suffered a head injury after an attack with a bat, my migraines have been more severe and more frequent. I understand this is quite normal.I explained to the physician that I was still dry-heaving and reminded him that I also suffered from diarrhea along with my migraines, which is why suppositories were not a viable option. He insisted that no other medications could be administered because the protocol had been followed. After further consideration, however, he agreed to give me 25mg of Phenergan via suppository and MSContin via suppository. When the nurse asked why the medications were being given via suppository when they finally had a line in me, he ignored her. Even after 2L of NS, I was still quite dehydrated and the IV staff had an extremely difficult time placing a line in me.MSContin does not come in a suppository form. When I have had to take MSContin, both the brand and generic types, they have always been blue/coated with a blue covering. Upon hearing that MSContin did NOT come in a suppository form, the physician said he had spoken with a colleague and told the nurse to simply place the pill in my rectum. When I asked about the problem with the diarrhea, I was told to "hold it."I "held it" for about an hour, but on the trip home, I had to stop at a visitor's center and rush into the bathroom. Out came the pill...a purple/red pill nearly wholly undissolved. I was so upset by the experience in the ER and by the treatment by of the physician, that I thought to try to "catch" whatever came out. Since I hadn't been able to eat for several days and had had diarrhea for several days, I had a feeling it wouldn't be anything too terrible. I am an MD/PhD student with a degree in biochemistry. I will be receiving my MPH in June and have worked for several years in the field of inflammation/immunology for a well-known pharmaceutical company. I have found no information regarding the use of MSContin as a suppository and have not heard this to be a common practice amongst pain specialists. I am turning to you because I have been told that I ask too many questions of this physician and he finds me "difficult". Unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. I have focused on Shared Decision Making in my MPH and asked him how he felt about it; he'd never heard of it even though the office is only 50 ft from his department. Moreover, I have worked with one of the individuals that pioneered the idea of the use of protocols to improve patient care, but learned that they are not meant to be written in stone and, if deviations are made, that they should be logical, ethical, etc. Thanks in advance for any help you could provide. I. Hashimoto Thank you for your Inquiry. A very interesting story. For many of my patients with Migraine attacks, I prescribe the line of Imitrex. (Make sure to visit the makers web site for more detailed information).I am unsure what the treating physician in the ER meant by "protocol". The nurse was being attentive in questioning the physicians decision to administer a suppository. Added to the fact that you had already told him you suffer from diarrhea. Very strange. Although not uncommon. I have heard many stories from patients about their own "traumatic" experiences in ER's. I am also unaware of MSContin being available as a suppository. In addition, as you discovered through your research, they are not very effective in relieving Migraines. In general, pain medications are only helpful alongside proper Migraine treatment medications. Good Luck, the Doctor at Painlab.com _____________________________________________ Hello my name is Margaret. I have Interstitial Cyctitis, also a Internal Infusion Pain Pump (by Medtronics). I am taking Oxyir, Neurotin, Elmiron, Nexium, Noratriptyline, just to name a few. I am writing to see if you know if any of these have alternative drugs that will do the same thing, for I will be losing my drug insurance in June 2003 and will not be able to afford my usual medications. I would appreciate anything you can tell me. Thank you Margaret. Thank you for Your Inquiry, Simply put, all the drugs you mention above only OxyIR makes sense to someone in your predicament. OxyIR is not very expensive, so you could possibly continue with its usage. I also would recommend Roxicodone 10 to 20 mgs. Also a good option for a pain sufferer on a budget. It's a haunting predicament to have your treatment plan discontinued by your insurer. One that is faced by thousands of Americans daily who suffer from chronic pain. Good Luck, the Doctor at Painlab.com.
		Previous 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I 11 I 12 Next
		©1999-2007 Painlab.com