I have been on Vicodin and it has been 3+ years now, they are changing my dose from 7.5 to 10. but actually I already usually take 1 1/2 at a time anyway so it will be the same just dont have to break them up as often..,
But regently the Doctors PA had suggested that I eleminate the asperin or Ibrophen or what ever over the counter filler they add into so many of the narcotic meds . She though it may be too much of that effecting other organs.
She suggested severeal names I had not heard of.. I can't recall but one started with or sounded like norco? and she listed others.Any one know which meds these are and have experience with them?
I can't ask her what she suggested we try because shes out of the country for a family death and may not be back for a few months because she will need to settle her moms affairs before her return.
Can you all let me know what you use for your most severe pain, keep in mind I need to take up to 120 Vicadin now a month for pain control round the clock. I still am always in pain but it does help alot.
I also use other methods, baths, chiropractic adjustments Bi-weekly, triggerpoint injections Bi-weekly.
Traction on neck, Other meds such as prozac which is for depression which I have but it can aid in lowering pain too, mucles relaxers, massage,swimming,heat, ice ,and am preparing for multiple surgeries in the next couple of months to hopefully aleave a couple of the painful areas..
Just trying to chip away at the pile a little.
To give you a partial picture of the pain situation..With Lyme I have nerve, bone and joint pain & damage.
I also have degenerative disc/ bulging discs- more than 10 , and a multitude of other back, neck, hip problems and multiple masses and cysts in wrists, hips, nerve root sleeves in back, and can barely walk many days now. edema in hands, legs, and Bi- latteral carpal tunnel, including multiple torn ligaments - that is about to be worked on.
If I change it should be a effective med. I am open to suggestions if you have had actual good experience with one that might be good in my situation.
my GP will allow me some to likely change as I have never asked for stronger meds in the three & half years , but only increased amount as problems as pain level increased in frequency.
If anyone knows what some of the ones that are equal to Vicodin ..or better or without the extra ibprophen products that may prove more harmful for long periods at round the clock doses
( which is what I require now, I currently take pain meds every 6 hours..)
-------------------- Sandi ( badkitti30043) Posts: 664 | From Atlanta Ga. | Registered: Aug 2002
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
oh my heart goes out to you...pain is so debilitating and depressing no matter what the cause. I have back issues too. Someone on here a few weeks ago posted regarding Piriformis Syndrome.
My pain management doctor says lots of sciatica is due to the piriformis muscle functioning incorrectly.
I had to google it and sure enough it described most of my symptoms.
ordered their back program and began the specific stretches for my "body's muscle imbalances" this past week.
I have forward tilting pelvis, forward head & shoulder, and high right hip. From the side I look like a S, head forward, and butt sticking out.
I already have an inversion table to stretch the spine but the stretches are helping me to stand straight. I have cut back on my Flexeril & Vicodin, by one dosge a day... but it's may be just the "excited to try something new" effect.
The stretches have calmed some of my pain. They are much more targeted to specific muscles...more so than my physical therepy. PT tends to be alittle too generic.
I still am far from pain free but I am trying to take charge of my future...I figure, heck,I feel at times, like I'm 90 yrs now, what's it going to be like when I get to 50...60...70 etc..
Hope you find a recipe that works for you.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I got on Fentanyl patches. They have worked great! It's a very small patch that you were on your body, and change every 2-3 days. They made a big difference in my quality of life.
For breakthrough pain, I have Demerol suppositories. You have to order them from a compounding pharmacy.
My advice is keep searching until you find the right pain dr. for you. And, DON'T LIVE WITH THE PAIN. I really regret that I lived with it for so long before treating it prophylactically.
Anneke
Posts: 364 | From California | Registered: Sep 2005
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Hi - dmc Anneke I really appreciate both your responses.
Thank you for the helpful website Dmc ,
I had not heard of that diagnoses or muscle before.
So far that sounds very similar to some of what I am dealing with, as I also have loss of cervical lordosis - ( meaning degeneration of neck- its curved wrong now, head sits wrong- but people can't tell, just causes pain unless recently adjusted to relieve the pressure.it also caused headaches that last for days, Where my lyme headaches never lasted as long.
I did also have vax D( similar to tye inversion you mentioned) which should have helped more than it did for me.It did help but only for a little while. My insurance wont let me do Vax -D again- which was recommended by the MD and Chiro.
Anneke , Are the fentenyl patches very expensive/monthly? Do you think they would been more effective or the same effectiveness. Will they work on more than one location, as pain is worst in low back and hips but considerable in many areas.
Also how about much is cost on the monthly supply of demerol suppositories? Is there a difference between using dem. pills ( which I doubt she would give ) and sup.? how long do those last -as far as pain releif.does insurance cover them even if compounded specially?
Thanks so much for all the great info from you both! I look forward to more replies, you two have allready thought of things I've not previously heard of.
The problem I am having is in the last couple of years I seem to be experienceing gastric issues, bowel, and stomach distention on top of the Lyme weight gain.I have changed some meds , elliminated others , and still I bloat , gain weight, retain fluids.
I also have asthma and the stomach distension is affecting my breathing as well. I am wondering if all the fillers in medications are too much and partly causing some of these issuses in stomach, and I think since I have kidney damage its also not good for them..
-------------------- Sandi ( badkitti30043) Posts: 664 | From Atlanta Ga. | Registered: Aug 2002
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Sandi,
Have you ever tried Flexeril? It's a muscle relaxer. I was taking 30mg a night and it really did amazing things in reducing my pain to a tolerable level and reducing the amount of Vicodin I needed.
It won't work immediately, like a narcotic. You want to start low and slowly increase it to a point that works which means it could take a month. But it gave me my body back.
I should add I was not in as much pain as you seem to be.
Are you working with a pain management specialist? It's usually a combination that you need, not just one drug. You want a drug that reduces overall pain (maybe more since you might need something like Neurontin for the nerve pain) and something for breakthrough pain.
I also found that once the pain was getting under control, physical therapy was necessary to help my muscles relax and recover. I did myofascial release. But it only made things worse before the Flexeril.
Have you tried Ultram/Tramadol? It's like a narcotic, but no other additional. Ultracet is Tramadol plus Acetopminophen.
You may also want to try Bromelain, a supplement that is an extract from pineapple. It's supposed to reduce inflammation. It might not make a huge difference, but it might reduce your need to take Advil so much.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
AVOID Morphine. The combo of ethanol (all spirochetes ferment sugar to ethanol) + a lot of morphine can be deadly.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Tramadol aka Ultram works for me!!
I used to take Neutrotin (generic version, grapetin'sp') but discontinued because of cost reasons.
The tramadol is about as cheap as they come. Wonder why or when it is going on the $4 dollar list?? Maybe because of dosage difference for some people(amount or number taken)
Think it costs me about 6 or 7 bucks for a months worth. Reminds me, I gotta go order some RIGHT NOW!!!IB--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Thank you all, Anneke, Mrnie , just Don For each of your replys
Just Don :Hi there,I was on Neurontin, for two& half years .I originally had seizures within 10 days after starting Neurontin, It occured during the ramping up stage after I past 1000 mg. - trying to reach the 1200 mgm prescribed ..
This lasted for three months back in the beginning .I also tried tramadol and Ultram but neither helped at all. Glad to see you are still on the board
I lowered my dose because the LLMD didn't believe it was causing my seizures,But I just knew. The seizures went away and I have not had any the last couple of years - so think it was the med & not the Lyme. I know its an antiseizure med.
Neurontin was tollerated well at 800 mg. daily but no higher could be used by me.l got off it recently due to alot of weight gain over the past two+ years on top of the weight I had gained from Lyme.
I am hoping neurontin may have been caused the additional wt. It was a good suggestion though. . I did not notice a significant pain increase after stopping the Neurontin meds. But had been on so long they might not have been even working anymore.
MARNIE: Hi There,I doubt Doc would let me have morphene mainly just due to the extra high potential for addiction,and the ammount needed but many others she likely would be open too.
I did not know of the issues it could cause though Thank you for that warning Marnie!I never would have known and lord knows if it were ofered I likely would have said yes.Thank you so much for the info. Glad to see you are still here.
Anneke, I tried flexxiril & still have some w/ refills I can fill. No problem getting it either. I was only told to take 10 mg. at a time so I never tried taking it at 30mg.
I will check w/ doc and see if thats cool and then give it a try. I am currently using parafon Forte, At first I though it may be stronger than flexiril but not sure.Glad to hear back from you too.. thanks for taking the time to reply.
Take care
-------------------- Sandi ( badkitti30043) Posts: 664 | From Atlanta Ga. | Registered: Aug 2002
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Sandi,
It was a pain specialist who put me on the 30mg of Flexeril. I just took it once a day though, before bed. And I increased by 5mg a week.
Also, so you don't get confused, there are two Anneke/Anieks replying to your message
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I take one dose 15 mg morphine every morning. Mornings are the worst for me, and if I treat the pain before it gets bad, I can handle the rest of the day. I went off morphine for three weeks a while ago, with no withdrawl or problems. It has been a lifesaver for me.
My PCP highly recommends medical marijuana for people in chronic pain.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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