Psycho-Babble Health Thread 392870

Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Breakthrough Pain

Posted by corafree on September 20, 2004, at 7:15:24

In reply to Re: Thyroid » Sad Panda, posted by Cairo on July 22, 2004, at 17:41:40

I really need help with my breakthrough pain. I take Endocet 650 x3 day (generic Percocet) for chronic pain. I have C2-3, 3-4, and 5-6 extruded discs. I cannot afford surgery and surgeons say I'm not bad enough, and, of course, I know it's because they think it's not bad enough. I am having extremely horrible breakthrough pain at this moment. Usually lasts 2-3 or 3-4 days.

This is the second breakthrough in a bit less than 2 weeks. My PCP doesn't prescribe a different med, just allows me 10 extra Endocets per month. IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!! Once he gave me some Vicodin, but messed with my head. And, I cannot take morphine because it does the same.

I feel fortunate that my PCP gives me what he gives me, and am afraid to tell him I need more.

On my back w/ a rolled towel under my neck, lying there crying. I am trying to go full speed ahead at working on myself, emotional illnesses, and other physical illnesses. I am so overwhelmed.

My anxiety med is Klonopin 2mg x2 a day, which isn't working either.

I think a lot of suicidal ideation involves chronic physical pain.

I am trying to get a TENS, but was just at therapy FRIDAY, used a TENS, and then had the breakthrough later in day. It was a very busy day, running here and there.

Seems like I do so much better in a quiet, calm environment, slower environment. Two men are calling me constantly and I'm crying over that...don't know what to do...need them, don't know if want them, but too much pain to pick up phone. They cause me stress. I would have to block quite a few phone numbers and there goes $ again. One guy is very nice and helping me through things; but he just clinging/crowding.

My intended focus right now is DBT therapy, and there is so much anxiety and pain interference. I don't know what way to turn.

Well, it's the next day, and last night my son took me to hospital where they gave me some Xanax 2mg and a shot of Toradol which didn't work, then later a shot of Demerol (which did work) and some Ativan.

I shouldn't have to go to the hospital ($) everytime I have breakthrough pain. Definitely can't afford.

Now, sitting here, I can feel the pain at 2:20p today, waiting like a crouching tiger between my shoulder blades. Need feedback ... cf

 

Re: Breakthrough Pain » corafree

Posted by Barbaracat on September 20, 2004, at 7:15:25

In reply to Breakthrough Pain, posted by corafree on September 19, 2004, at 16:44:13

Can you somehow get acupuncture? It's not effective for everything but for nerve generated and spinal pain it works very well, and on many levels. Even HMO PCPs will prescribe it if indicated for pain relief and they want to avoid strong opiods. But of course, you usually have to beg and plead to convince them.

As far as meds, sometimes docs are more comfortable with something non-narcotic. Ultram and Ultracet work as well and better than narcotics for me. And they surely do give a righteous buzz as well. They're weak serotonin and norepinephrine agonists as well so there's the add AD benefit.

But in the end, the root cause has to be dealt with. Used to be that surgery for this kind of thing involved spinal fusion and other drastic measures, but recently things have advanced very far surgically. A friend of mine who was bedridden with severe pain had two extruding herniated disks 'cleaned out' recently and was back to work within 2 weeks feeling great.

Good luck. Pain can be so debilitating and despiriting. I have fibromyalgia and when I'm having a flair up and in pain, everything is so much more difficult. If I can motivate myself to stretch and stay limber, it helps to keep things from seizing up. But it's the last thing I want to do when in pain.

 

Re: Breakthrough Pain » corafree

Posted by Sad Panda on September 21, 2004, at 7:02:28

In reply to Breakthrough Pain, posted by corafree on September 19, 2004, at 16:44:13

> I really need help with my breakthrough pain. I take Endocet 650 x3 day (generic Percocet) for chronic pain. I have C2-3, 3-4, and 5-6 extruded discs. I cannot afford surgery and surgeons say I'm not bad enough, and, of course, I know it's because they think it's not bad enough. I am having extremely horrible breakthrough pain at this moment. Usually lasts 2-3 or 3-4 days.
>
> This is the second breakthrough in a bit less than 2 weeks. My PCP doesn't prescribe a different med, just allows me 10 extra Endocets per month. IT'S NOT ENOUGH!!! Once he gave me some Vicodin, but messed with my head. And, I cannot take morphine because it does the same.
>
> I feel fortunate that my PCP gives me what he gives me, and am afraid to tell him I need more.
>
> On my back w/ a rolled towel under my neck, lying there crying. I am trying to go full speed ahead at working on myself, emotional illnesses, and other physical illnesses. I am so overwhelmed.
>
> My anxiety med is Klonopin 2mg x2 a day, which isn't working either.
>
> I think a lot of suicidal ideation involves chronic physical pain.
>
> I am trying to get a TENS, but was just at therapy FRIDAY, used a TENS, and then had the breakthrough later in day. It was a very busy day, running here and there.
>
> Seems like I do so much better in a quiet, calm environment, slower environment. Two men are calling me constantly and I'm crying over that...don't know what to do...need them, don't know if want them, but too much pain to pick up phone. They cause me stress. I would have to block quite a few phone numbers and there goes $ again. One guy is very nice and helping me through things; but he just clinging/crowding.
>
> My intended focus right now is DBT therapy, and there is so much anxiety and pain interference. I don't know what way to turn.
>
> Well, it's the next day, and last night my son took me to hospital where they gave me some Xanax 2mg and a shot of Toradol which didn't work, then later a shot of Demerol (which did work) and some Ativan.
>
> I shouldn't have to go to the hospital ($) everytime I have breakthrough pain. Definitely can't afford.
>
> Now, sitting here, I can feel the pain at 2:20p today, waiting like a crouching tiger between my shoulder blades. Need feedback ... cf
>
>

Hi Corafree,

You should ask for more of what works, the worst thing that can happen is he says no. Have you tried any NSAIDS such as Voltaren or Celebrex? Also, Valium might be better for you because it has more muscle relaxing abilities than Klonopin.

Cheers,
Paul.

 

Re: Breakthrough Pain » Sad Panda

Posted by corafree on September 21, 2004, at 7:02:29

In reply to Re: Breakthrough Pain » corafree, posted by Sad Panda on September 20, 2004, at 7:22:46

Thanks SP.....will check out V w/ my PCP or Pdoc!! bw cf

 

Re: Breakthrough Pain » corafree

Posted by Pfinstegg on September 27, 2004, at 22:35:25

In reply to Breakthrough Pain, posted by corafree on September 19, 2004, at 16:44:13

A month ago, i had *minimally invasive* laser surgery for three bulging and one ruptured disc in my lumbar spine. I feel wonderful now- had a rapid recovery- and NO MORE PAIN! Shouldn't you get your cervical discs fixed? It sounds like you might run the risk of relying on narcotics, which just gives you one more problem.


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