Stray dog is right. Opiates typically do not work that well at nerve pain, especially shingles type pain. There are others that do much better at treating that type of pain, and may be an option to...
I am confused. Are you taking 2 40 mg OxyContin per day, or 40 mg of Oxycodone twice a day? Or are you taking more of either one? The 10 mg of hydrocodone how many times per day? Which opiate are you...
Addendum to my previous post- I had gone to an optometrist 3 months prior and gotten new glasses. They weren't equipped to diagnose a retinal tear....
When was your last visit for a thorough eye exam with an opthalmalogist, not an optometrist? The reason I am asking is that Mothers day, two years ago, I suddenly lost vision in my right eye. Out of...
My PM doctor encourages patients to try MMJ. It took him a few months to convince me to consider it. I asked about the testing and from what I was told, there are variations in MMJ that have minimal...
I would never suggest that anyone taper meds without their doctors knowledge, so if I gave that impression, I apologize. It is very important to include your PM doctor in this decision, for many...
Jodi, I found part of tapering these meds is mindset and knowing what to expect. I kept reminding myself that for a time my pain levels would increase, and eventually they would level off. I used...
I have, several times over the years of pain management. At times I haven't been thrilled with increasing doses, in my opinion, too often, so decided to take myself off, with my doctor knowing ahead...
I have a tea cup shizo-maltese. Her name is Hunni, because of her golden apricot color. She weighed 2 2 lbs when we got her. She turned 6 years old this past November. She is my joy, my baby, my best...
Worried, I started down the spinal road after a motorcycle/deer accident that made me a human projectile, 100 feet in the air, then another 60-75 feet on my spine, knees, shoulders on the highway....
Worriedgirl, We ALL get being frustrated and being in pain. We ALSO all get wanting answers and a fix right away. I just want to caution you about a couple of things. You seem to be giving tremendous...
Since you already stopped the meds, I wouldn't restart them either ,unless and until you have seen the perinatalogist, and the pm doctor, to see what they suggest....
There are medications that can not be taken when pregnant, and others that while pregnant are considered safer, but still can effect the baby, and cross the placenta , and result in possible damage...
Are you taking hot baths or showers, sitting in an overly warm area? The only time that I have ever had issues with the patches being inconsistent, was if I took a longer than normal or hotter than...
Normally, if a person is expected to be on pain meds for an extended period of time, they are converted to a long acting pain medication, instead of increasing dosages of immediate release/short...
Even with the methadone, the baby will go through withdrawal once they are born. A neonatalogist is the best option when it comes to a neonate and pain meds, along with a pm doctor who works with...
I agree Vickie.....I didn't know that newer scanners did the interpretation now. That's kinda cool. Hopefully, it will lead to better , more consistent reports and then better overall care....
Thanks Cary....I appreciate the support. I really wasn't trying to hurt anyone, but rather explain that these terms in reports don't really mean much without the severity and whether or not there are...
There was no intention to "burn" you at all. I was trying to help you and explain what those terms meant, in case you didn't know. I apologize if you took anything I said in the wrong way, but I...
One thing that you might want to consider is that the lack of physical excercise, is going to lead to flare ups, at least until you build up some strength and endurance again. Start small, walking a...
First, while we all understand being in pain is difficult, you have to calm down because yelling at any doctors usually winds up with you getting dismissed. Who went over the MRI report with you? One...
The nurse practioner who specializes in spinal issues is usually well trained in determining whether or not surgery referrals need to be made. There are specialized physical therapists who work...
Just so you know, stenosis is simply a word meaning narrowing....what's important is the whether the narrowing is located, either the for Amina , or the central canal, and whether or not it is...
After only being on the patch for two weeks, there would be no withdrawal. Follow the directions given to you by your physician regarding the switch. One thing to keep in mind is no opiate is going...
I just submitted a long reply. Thank you for providing the links to allow us to comment....
Many of your symptoms can also be related to side effects from medications you may be on, and those side effects can be cumulative . It might be worth talking to your doctor's about reducing the...
Running out 6 days early means that you had to have taken 24 additional doses of your oxycodone , and assuming you also ran out early for your extended release , an additional 12 doses of those as...
It is not unusual for a pm doctor to increase an extended release medication and decrease the amount of immediate release meds in either dosage or quantity or both. Immediate release meds are not...
You got lucky because they only did an apparent in office screen so far. What you not know is whether they also send out for specific level testing , and if they do, you may not be so fortunate after...
There is a specific, separate test done to check for the presence of fentanyl but the percocet will show up in the standard opiate testing. Someone just being put on fentanyl and going for the...
It's a real problem. If a patient is seeing or hearing of shady dealings going on at their doctors office, the smart thing to do is get out quickly and find a new doctor, instead of waiting hoping...
There was just last month a doctor here who apparently lost his license for over-prescribing, early fills, diversion in NJ. He apparently was disciplined prior in NJ as well. His clinic in a nearby...
No offense intended, however, anyone who is in pain management absolutely needs to understand that if they run short, loose or have their meds stolen, no matter what specific wording is chosen in the...
There must've been some issue either with the validity of the prescriptions, or the RPH 's were dispensing without prescriptions. Not accepting insurance is illegal in all states....
A huge part of learning to live with chronic pain is adjusting our expectations regarding successful pain management, and that includes learning to cope with a certain level of constant pain. My pain...
Actually , having a clean screen for prescribed meds is just as bad,as having meds not prescribed to you in your system. There is no legitimate reason to have none of your meds show-which to almost...
If what you meant by "clean" ua is that the prescribed norco didn't /won't show in the last testing , and you are planning on telling the doctor that you are self dosing, meaning not taking them as...
Being dismissed for violating an opiate agreement does not constitute patient abandonment, it is dismissal for cause. No physician must continue a relationship with someone who is non compliant with...
Upjo, A RFA procedure burns the nerve fibers. It can take a week or more for the nerves to die off after the procedure, which is likely the reason you are experiencing this burning sensation. It...
Depression is a side effect of the anesthesia and medications used during surgery. It is quite common post op. Shoulder ,neck and upper back pain is also normal post op....
Thanks Rick. If my lumbar wasn't in the shape it is, I wouldn't mind going back to pt, or giving injections a try, but to not even look at the images to see for herself whether or not there is even...
Thanks Vicki....I tried methadone a few years ago, and it made me so oversedated, even after a month on it at 5 mg, along with it worsening that prolonged Q-T syndrome, methadone is the last...
After three appointments with a potential new PM office, I have decided on the one that I will be transferring my care to. He is the one that I consulted with a few years ago, and I saw him...
It depends on what you are taking it for. Gabapentin has a huge dosage range, from 100 mg to 3600 mg per day. For nerve related pain, the typical dosage is somewhere between 1800-2400 mg per day, but...
Tylenol in hydrocodone causes stomach issues for many of us. The trick is to make sure you have something protein based in your stomach before taking the medication....
The first PM office was a complete bust, although the doctor was very nice and spent an hour and a half going over everything....he does only interventional PM but stated that the risks of permanent...
Thanks Rick....We'll see how this goes. At least making an appt to discuss my issues ahead of time and proposed treatment plans gives me and the doctor a chance to see if we are going to fit well...
MsLouise, Part of the reason that you think the ER meds don't cover your pain sufficiently is directly related to taking your IR meds too regularly. The way it is supposed to work is that the...
Well, this afternoon I have my first appointment/interview with a possible new PM doctor. I make a first appointment to sit down with the new doctor to interview him, discuss my history and discuss...
You can also time taking the med, just before going to bed, which should give you better when you first wake up coverage....