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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2006, at 15:01:19
OK, I'm trying a new med regime to try and get this pain under some control, but its leaving me feeling sick and constipated.. and quite woozy.. The meds are (4 times a day) -
100mg tramadol hydrochloride
1000mg paracetamol (um, acetaminophen to people in US)
100mg diclofenic
20mg omeprazoleI've tried accupuncture, and while it does, sometimes, give me some relief for a few hours, it doesn't last and costs so much.. and sometimes has triggered off alot of pain.
The nerve block hasn't worked, but has made everything so much worse.. the doc says he can't see me again till October, so I have been referred to see someone else, but it will be beginning of August before they even see me for consultation.
Its getting me down. Today is a bad day with it, but its really really starting to grind me down. I wish someone could give me some hope.. Tell me this might, eventually, go away.
I've had to change life plans over this.. HUGE plans.. and it feels unfair. So very unfair. OK, so the plans could change back again, but right now it annoys me.
I'll tell you something.. if amputation was an option, I'd damn well go for it at the moment.
Nikki
Posted by Deneb on May 6, 2006, at 19:29:13
In reply to This pain is just getting me down.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2006, at 15:01:19
Do you mind if I give you gentle hugs?
(((Nikki)))
I'm understanding pain a lot better now, with my toothache experience. Unrelenting pain is a horrible horrible thing. It's difficult to think of anything besides the pain and sometimes when it gets bad you're willing to do almost anything to get rid of it.
I think it's very important to control it. I feel bad for you for having to wait so long for just a consultation.
Having a week of toothache pain really wore me down...to the point of spontaneous crying. I can only imagine how it would feel if the pain lasted longer. I'm still experiencing pain now, but only when I do certain things to trigger it. The triggered pain is very intense, but at least it leaves me alone now if I don't trigger it.
Are your meds helping you some?
When I had my toothache, I started a pain journal. I would write down what time it was and whether or not I was experiencing pain. Then I would note things that I did, like what time I took a certain medication or activity. I would write down how much pain I was feeling after the medication or activity. I didn't do this very long because my pain stopped, but I was hoping to find some pattern of what helped the pain and what made it worse. It might be worth a try.
I'm not a religious person, but I will help pray for your pain to stop.
Deneb*
Posted by MidnightBlue on May 6, 2006, at 21:28:45
In reply to This pain is just getting me down.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2006, at 15:01:19
Hi Nikki,
In my own way, I SO understand. I have moderate or worse back/leg/hand pain. It is not to the level you have, but it hurts terribly to walk more than 10-15 minutes. And I have problems using one hand from severe arthritis.
The tramadol makes me sleepy/fuzzy headed/dizzy and that is just on 37.5 one time a day. I too take it with acetaminophen. And I take omeprazole 20mg. And Celebrex 200mg instead of diclofenic. That tears up my stomach. And honestly, I don't get enough pain relief.
I eat prunes almost every day and try to take extra fiber, but it wasn't enough. My doctor said to add magnesium. So I added a 200 mg magnesium supplement. That helps with the constipation.
OH and I suspect the tramadol is causing a resurgance of hot flashes. NOT happy about that! It makes it harder to sleep. But I know SEVERAL people who take tramadol and just love it! I think you get used to some of the side effects over time. I am very sensitive to pain meds when it comes to side effects.
I too would do accupuncture if it were cheaper. I'm sorry I forgot what kind of pain you have. Is it nerve pain? If so they are recommending Lyrica here in the States. My doctor has asked if I wanted to take it, but I'm not that desperate yet.
My brain seems to stay a bit fuzzy these days so please forgive mistakes, etc. I SO love your pictures and think you have found a wonderful new calling. I need to try to find one of those books you suggested. I NEED to laugh!
Hugs,
MidnightBlue
> OK, I'm trying a new med regime to try and get this pain under some control, but its leaving me feeling sick and constipated.. and quite woozy.. The meds are (4 times a day) -
> 100mg tramadol hydrochloride
> 1000mg paracetamol (um, acetaminophen to people in US)
> 100mg diclofenic
> 20mg omeprazole
>
> I've tried accupuncture, and while it does, sometimes, give me some relief for a few hours, it doesn't last and costs so much.. and sometimes has triggered off alot of pain.
>
> The nerve block hasn't worked, but has made everything so much worse.. the doc says he can't see me again till October, so I have been referred to see someone else, but it will be beginning of August before they even see me for consultation.
>
> Its getting me down. Today is a bad day with it, but its really really starting to grind me down. I wish someone could give me some hope.. Tell me this might, eventually, go away.
>
> I've had to change life plans over this.. HUGE plans.. and it feels unfair. So very unfair. OK, so the plans could change back again, but right now it annoys me.
>
> I'll tell you something.. if amputation was an option, I'd damn well go for it at the moment.
>
> Nikki
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 7, 2006, at 16:52:52
In reply to This pain is just getting me down.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2006, at 15:01:19
> OK, I'm trying a new med regime to try and get this pain under some control, but its leaving me feeling sick and constipated.. and quite woozy.. The meds are (4 times a day) -
> 100mg tramadol hydrochloride
> 1000mg paracetamol (um, acetaminophen to people in US)
> 100mg diclofenic
> 20mg omeprazole4 times a day, you take that much paracetamol? That's a pretty solid liver stressor, to have that amount on a chronic basis.
That must be a very challenging drug regime. I'm sorry it also involves pain to the extent that it does. I just had conductance tests on my injured nerve yesterday. I understand your situation.
What I don't understand is the source of your pain. I don't remember individual details so well. I need reminding. Do you mind talking about it? Babblemail?
Also, I wonder why you are using tramadol when there are better pain management agents out there. From your tone, I suspect that your pain management is substantially below the ideal.
> I've tried accupuncture, and while it does, sometimes, give me some relief for a few hours, it doesn't last and costs so much.. and sometimes has triggered off alot of pain.
>
> The nerve block hasn't worked, but has made everything so much worse.. the doc says he can't see me again till October, so I have been referred to see someone else, but it will be beginning of August before they even see me for consultation.Isn't that delay incredibly frustrating! Every second counts, and they're measuring time in months.
> Its getting me down. Today is a bad day with it, but its really really starting to grind me down. I wish someone could give me some hope.. Tell me this might, eventually, go away.
My own nerve is at about one third recovered. It does take time, significant time, for nerves to heal. It all depends on what's happened to them, of course. Some injuries do not, strictly speaking, have the chance to heal. They do, however, generally have a chance of being stabilized, which goes back to the focus and extent of the care you receive. Some medical practises are such that the patient cannot find sufficient relief from pain, and to those who make those decisions, I almost wish they knew what it was like.
> I've had to change life plans over this.. HUGE plans.. and it feels unfair. So very unfair. OK, so the plans could change back again, but right now it annoys me.I hear you, Nik. I do.
> I'll tell you something.. if amputation was an option, I'd damn well go for it at the moment.
>
> NikkiI, too, faced similar thoughts. What a horrid place to find oneself, to perhaps wish for the loss of my body's wholeness, in return for my body's peace. Unfortunately, they say that the pain might survive amputation, such is the irony of it all.
I'm sorry, Nikki. I'm sorry because I get good pain care. I pushed and I got it and I am damn glad. I still suffer, every day, but I suffer less than I might, I'm very sure. Too bad I couldn't sneak you a little bit of it. I'm sorry I can't.
Lar
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 8, 2006, at 17:02:02
In reply to Re: This pain is just getting me down.. » NikkiT2, posted by Larry Hoover on May 7, 2006, at 16:52:52
Thankyou larry, and everyone else..
I've cut the paracetamol to 500mg each time.. Apparently it improves the action of the tramadol.
What would you suggest over Tramadol by the way? I'm not handling it great I don't think.. and it gives me muscle stiffness I think. As you say, my pain management support is almost none existent.. but I do have an understanding gP who is willing for me to take ideas to her.
OK, the story of its origins.. a asic RSI type injury, with tendonitis.. left untreated or rested way too long, got tenosynavitis.. Lived with both for about 8 years, and they *think* (though not sure) that the constantly swollen tendons have damaged the nerve..
But thats just their best guess. No one seems really sure, other than I started getting arm pain 13 years ago during a few months of very heavy data input typing... and its progressivly got worse. Now the pain seems to affect the ulnar and median nerves (I had an ulnar decompression in the elbow 4 years ago).. so who knows..
Thanks Larry..
Nikki
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 13, 2006, at 14:48:07
In reply to This pain is just getting me down.., posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2006, at 15:01:19
I have been giving the dihydrocodeine a try..
nothing.. not a thing.
I'll give co-proxomol a try next *sighs*
I had to resort to the tramadol again last night as the pain was keeping me awake.. but it leaves me so groggy and wierd theres no way I can do that once I return to work (or rather, driving to work) on monday.
No news of a new appointment with pain management clinic yet..
Nikki
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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