Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE RIGHT HIP

[Guest guest]

What is the effect of using on going narcotics for pain if it becomes

necessary to have additional pain medication for some other medical procedure.

To

be specific, my 21 year old son is on pain medication through town

University Hospitals pain management clinic. GUH is where his ortho surgeon

practices and were he has had his 2 scoliosis surgeries. The medication seems

to manage the pain fairly well but now he needs to have his wisdom teeth

out. When my older son had his wisdom teeth removed they prescribed

percocet.

I am wondering how effective that would be for my son considering how

'tolerant' his system has become to narcotics?

[Guest guest]

Thank you all so much for, most of all, understanding. One thing I forgot

to mention is that I am not affected in any negative way by my medicine. if I

didn't tell you I was taking my medication for pain you would never know

it. I am not sloppy, loose, heavy, or any of the typical signs that one thinks

of when they think of someone who is using narcotics regularly. I have a

very high level job in state government, very high level, am a mother to two

wonderful boys I am totally normal. Ordinary. I mean it, you would never

know. AND.....I live without pain. I can only say.....that it works for me.

And as many of you said....so, I am addicted. I will need to do " something "

forever (unless there is a miracle) and so who really cares. I think that

there is sometimes so much hype and bs about " addicts " from people who have no

idea what they are talking about that the negativity that exists is far worse

than it should be. I am certain that the people worrying about me taking

narcotics to control my pain are the same people who are against cancer

patients having marijuana to reduce their problems caused by their cancer.

People

who really have no idea...and yet have so much to say about circumstances

they want to control. Perhaps one day, they will understand from personal

experiences what people with such issues must deal with and how we will do

whatever we must to live life well. I appreciate, so much, all of your

understanding and suggestions. I will look into the clinics......I haven't

done that and

it sounds like a terrific way to deal with my need for medications when

doctors and pharmacists just do not understand. I wish everyone well.

Carol

[Guest guest]

Tina, are you located in the baton rouge area?

>

> Hi,

> I also have pain down my left leg (I have a double curve, all

thoracic and lumbar are fused), had an MRI and found I have spinal

stenosis in the L3 level where the nerves go down. It's closing off

in there and causing me pain right there and down my leg. I had an

injection there a couple weeks ago and it helped for a short time

but it's starting to flare up again, so I'm heading back to the doc

the end of the month. He mentioned the possibility of surgery to

fix it but they want to explore other options first.

>

> Tina Cochran (1976 fusion, lots of problems since)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carole M,

So glad to know that you are feeling better. Here's to continued recovery.

Bonnie

Re: Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE RIGHT HIP

, I was going to answer " somuchwhining " , but you did it so well! It is

good to see you posting.

One thing I would add is that it is much easier (at least in the US) to

renew pain prescriptions if one belongs to a Pain Clinic. Most of the

hospitals

have one. The doctors are mostly anesthesiologists, and I've found the staff

to be very empathic. I highly recommend Pain Clinics to people with bad

chronic pain.

I got home yesterday from a 52-day hospital/rehab stay. On 4/19/06 I had

emergency surgery for two herniated small bowel obstructions. That put me in

the ICU for eleven days, then one more day in a room, and off to Rehab. It's

all sort of a bad dream now! I am not very strong, but am feeling much

better and hoping for the best.

My best to you, as well.

Sincerely,

Carole M.

[Guest guest]

Hey, Bonnie,

Thank you so much for your good wishes! Everyone has been so kind to me --

I'd better get well! And, I shall!

Sincerely,

Carole

[Guest guest]

Tina,

Had my fusion in '75 for congenital scoliosis. Just fusion in lower

lumbar, no rods or complications. I now have lateral listhesis at L3-L4

with facet hypertrophy, neural foraminal narrowing & lateral recess

stenosis.

For others, if pain is radiating to your hips from your spine without

the problem actually being in your hips, then narcotics may not be

needed or on their own may not be enough. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is

doing a very good job for my nerve pain. Am lucky that my back pain

itself is relatively mild & controled with ibuprofen. When there is

axial pain, like the pain in my back, plus radicular pain, that

radiating from my spine from compressed nerve roots, then depending on

the cause a combo of gabapentin & a narcotic may be good. If you have

nerve pain, narcotics alone may not be as effective.

For those on narcotics who develop a tolerance to them there is

interesting information that ultra low dose naltrexone in combination

with some narcotics increases their analgesic effect & reduce or reverse

tolerance to them. Meaning it has the potential to improve pain relief

with lower doses. I think it also reduces dependancy. The amount of

naltrexone used is absolutely tiny so don't confuse this with the doses

used to traditionally treat drug dependancy.

http://cancer.med.upenn.edu/resources/article.cfm?c=3 & s=8 & ss=23 & id=8489 & month=06\

& year=2002

This isn't new news but I've not heard of anyone whose doctors are aware

of it. Just thought it was worth mentioning in case someone wants to

talk to their doctor about it.

--- " Cochran " <cochrankennels@...> wrote:

>

> Hi,

> I also have pain down my left leg (I have a double curve, all

thoracic and lumbar are fused), had an MRI and found I have spinal

stenosis in the L3 level where the nerves go down. It's closing off

in there and causing me pain right there and down my leg. I had an

injection there a couple weeks ago and it helped for a short time

but it's starting to flare up again, so I'm heading back to the doc

the end of the month. He mentioned the possibility of surgery to

fix it but they want to explore other options first.

>

> Tina Cochran (1976 fusion, lots of problems since)

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much, Bonnie!

[Guest guest]

What an unexpected surprise! Thank you for such sweet words. I do get

accused of being too positive.....Pollyanna Caprarola! But it works for me and

seems to move me along a little better than what I see in cranky people.

Hey...you have to use more facial muscles to frown than to smile. Call me

lazy,.....but !!

[Guest guest]

Carole,

You know how in real etate the 3 most important things are Location, Location,

and Location? Well, in helping oneself recover, I believe the three most

important things are Attitude, Attitude and Attitude. Your attitude is so

positive that I have no doubts you will get well!

Bonnie

Re: Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE RIGHT HIP

Hey, Bonnie,

Thank you so much for your good wishes! Everyone has been so kind to me --

I'd better get well! And, I shall!

Sincerely,

Carole

[Guest guest]

Tina, are you located in the baton rouge area?

Nope, I'm actually from the Pacific Northwest.

[Guest guest]

I am impressed that you are doing so well. I have a lot of time

where my nerve pain is still so bad I want to withdraw from life.

When my pain is controlled I am ready to charge ahead. The bad

times are really stinky and I wondered if marijuana would help to

gain controll during these times. It seems like when the pain gets

ahead of the med I am at a real loss as to what to do.

Congrats to be doing so well. It gives a lot of us hope.

marti

>

> Thank you all so much for, most of all, understanding. One thing

I forgot

> to mention is that I am not affected in any negative way by my

medicine. if I

> didn't tell you I was taking my medication for pain you would

never know

> it. I am not sloppy, loose, heavy, or any of the typical signs

that one thinks

> of when they think of someone who is using narcotics regularly.

I have a

> very high level job in state government, very high level, am a

mother to two

> wonderful boys I am totally normal. Ordinary. I mean it, you

would never

> know. AND.....I live without pain. I can only say.....that it

works for me.

> And as many of you said....so, I am addicted. I will need to

do " something "

> forever (unless there is a miracle) and so who really cares. I

think that

> there is sometimes so much hype and bs about " addicts " from people

who have no

> idea what they are talking about that the negativity that exists

is far worse

> than it should be. I am certain that the people worrying about

me taking

> narcotics to control my pain are the same people who are against

cancer

> patients having marijuana to reduce their problems caused by their

cancer. People

> who really have no idea...and yet have so much to say about

circumstances

> they want to control. Perhaps one day, they will understand from

personal

> experiences what people with such issues must deal with and how we

will do

> whatever we must to live life well. I appreciate, so much, all

of your

> understanding and suggestions. I will look into the

clinics......I haven't done that and

> it sounds like a terrific way to deal with my need for

medications when

> doctors and pharmacists just do not understand. I wish everyone

well. Carol

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

remember to try other things as well. If the medicine doesn't do the trick,

the very best thing to do along with it is Yoga or any other type of

physical movement that provides the relief you need. I have found one or two

positions that help soooooo much.....and while I touch on a few others, it

isn't

l;ong before I am in those positions, stretching and holding while I can feel

the relief settling in. I have found that there isn't one thing that does the

trick and what everyone needs to do is find out what works for their

individual pain. Doctors I have seen do not ever seem to sympathize with the

pain

part of my spine. I can't figure out why that is since it is such a real part

of all of our conditions. Pharmacists are the worst. Good luck to all. I

have even tried to find medications on the internet but have had no luck with

that. I'm afraid of most of what I have found and the prices are

ridiculous. Isn't it a shame that we have to go through all of this after also

having

endured the pain of surgeries and recoveries? Unbelievable. Good luck to

all.

[Guest guest]

The problem with pain control is drug abuse, and doctors and

pharmacists know that they could loose their licenses if they make

just one little mistake with someone. It sucks!

My husband was on a controlled substance for 8 years following a

serious accident - he took the same exact dose all that time. With

his pain meds, he lead a successful career, and was one of the tops in

his industry. Then his doctor got called into court when another

patient on the same med was caught selling some. This doctor then

started giving all the other patients on this med (inlcuding my

husband) contracts to take the med. They all had to check in each

week and were only allowed so many pills a week. One week my husband

had an issue and took two extra pills. He called to see if he could

get two more to last until his next check in, and the doctor refused.

When my husband said " Well you have to give me something, " the doctor

called the police and reported him as a drug addict. You cannot

believe all we ended up going through - including my husband almost

dying from an asprin overdose months later - they had convinced him

his pain didn't exist and his only issue was drug addiction.

No, doctors don't know what it's like to have chronic pain. They only

know what they've been taught and what they're told - and they won't

put their careers on the line. Fortunately, we now have a great

doctor and my husband is living life again. However, in the mean

time, he lost his job, we lost everything, and we'll never get back to

where we were before.

Sorry, reading about what all of you are going through brings me to

tears. I hope my son doesn't have to look forward to this.

>

Doctors I have seen do not ever seem to sympathize with the pain

> part of my spine. I can't figure out why that is since it is such

a real part

> of all of our conditions. Pharmacists are the worst.

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I know how hard it is dealing with the doctors - I have been cut

off. Someone has recommended pain clinics to me - but I don't know

much about them. Do they accept Medi-Cal? Can they provide

prescriptions for pain meds, if needed?

Glad you are feeling better Carole

>

> Carole M,

>

> So glad to know that you are feeling better. Here's to continued

recovery.

>

> Bonnie

>

> Re: Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE

RIGHT HIP

>

>

> , I was going to answer " somuchwhining " , but you did it so

well! It is

> good to see you posting.

>

> One thing I would add is that it is much easier (at least in the

US) to

> renew pain prescriptions if one belongs to a Pain Clinic. Most of

the hospitals

> have one. The doctors are mostly anesthesiologists, and I've

found the staff

> to be very empathic. I highly recommend Pain Clinics to people

with bad

> chronic pain.

>

> I got home yesterday from a 52-day hospital/rehab stay. On

4/19/06 I had

> emergency surgery for two herniated small bowel obstructions.

That put me in

> the ICU for eleven days, then one more day in a room, and off to

Rehab. It's

> all sort of a bad dream now! I am not very strong, but am feeling

much

> better and hoping for the best.

>

> My best to you, as well.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> Carole M.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Carole,

I kinda feel the same way - but as my doctor's are starting to cut

me off, and I have 'mild to moderate' scoliosis, but now they're

saying I could also have fibromyalgia, and so I've been working

out..but even working out consistently will take 6 - 8 weeks to show

improvement. I take pills and they help me to work, and function, and

I don't look like I'm on meds either, but..and, of course, my

situation is not as bad as yours (health wise) but pain is pain, and

it's awful..so I can relate. But, I'm still hoping one day, if

possible, to not have to take anything at all - not so much as a

tylenol - just because I'm tired of running from doctor to doctor,

begging for relief.

Carole, I'm glad you're feeling better and take care of yourself.

Thanks guys, for listening to me ramble..

>

> Thank you all so much for, most of all, understanding. One thing

I forgot

> to mention is that I am not affected in any negative way by my

medicine. if I

> didn't tell you I was taking my medication for pain you would

never know

> it. I am not sloppy, loose, heavy, or any of the typical signs

that one thinks

> of when they think of someone who is using narcotics regularly. I

have a

> very high level job in state government, very high level, am a

mother to two

> wonderful boys I am totally normal. Ordinary. I mean it, you

would never

> know. AND.....I live without pain. I can only say.....that it

works for me.

> And as many of you said....so, I am addicted. I will need to

do " something "

> forever (unless there is a miracle) and so who really cares. I

think that

> there is sometimes so much hype and bs about " addicts " from people

who have no

> idea what they are talking about that the negativity that exists is

far worse

> than it should be. I am certain that the people worrying about

me taking

> narcotics to control my pain are the same people who are against

cancer

> patients having marijuana to reduce their problems caused by their

cancer. People

> who really have no idea...and yet have so much to say about

circumstances

> they want to control. Perhaps one day, they will understand from

personal

> experiences what people with such issues must deal with and how we

will do

> whatever we must to live life well. I appreciate, so much, all of

your

> understanding and suggestions. I will look into the

clinics......I haven't done that and

> it sounds like a terrific way to deal with my need for medications

when

> doctors and pharmacists just do not understand. I wish everyone

well. Carol

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I realise that it might be different here (Canada) but most pain

clinics are run out of our hospitals with neurologist, work or

rehabilitation doctors and other related doctors. I would ask your

family doctor if he knows where they have one.

> >

> > Carole M,

> >

> > So glad to know that you are feeling better. Here's to continued

> recovery.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> > Re: Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE

> RIGHT HIP

> >

> >

> > , I was going to answer " somuchwhining " , but you did it so

> well! It is

> > good to see you posting.

> >

> > One thing I would add is that it is much easier (at least in the

> US) to

> > renew pain prescriptions if one belongs to a Pain Clinic. Most of

> the hospitals

> > have one. The doctors are mostly anesthesiologists, and I've

> found the staff

> > to be very empathic. I highly recommend Pain Clinics to people

> with bad

> > chronic pain.

> >

> > I got home yesterday from a 52-day hospital/rehab stay. On

> 4/19/06 I had

> > emergency surgery for two herniated small bowel obstructions.

> That put me in

> > the ICU for eleven days, then one more day in a room, and off to

> Rehab. It's

> > all sort of a bad dream now! I am not very strong, but am feeling

> much

> > better and hoping for the best.

> >

> > My best to you, as well.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Carole M.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Yeah, with medi-cal you get a 'primary care physician'. mine is nice, but not

too knowledgeable on some things. but, he's given me referrals/tests..

thanks

Leger - C74 <legerpj@...> wrote:

I realise that it might be different here (Canada) but most pain

clinics are run out of our hospitals with neurologist, work or

rehabilitation doctors and other related doctors. I would ask your

family doctor if he knows where they have one.

> >

> > Carole M,

> >

> > So glad to know that you are feeling better. Here's to continued

> recovery.

> >

> > Bonnie

> >

> > Re: Re: SCOLIOSIS CRONIC PAIN IN THE

> RIGHT HIP

> >

> >

> > , I was going to answer " somuchwhining " , but you did it so

> well! It is

> > good to see you posting.

> >

> > One thing I would add is that it is much easier (at least in the

> US) to

> > renew pain prescriptions if one belongs to a Pain Clinic. Most of

> the hospitals

> > have one. The doctors are mostly anesthesiologists, and I've

> found the staff

> > to be very empathic. I highly recommend Pain Clinics to people

> with bad

> > chronic pain.

> >

> > I got home yesterday from a 52-day hospital/rehab stay. On

> 4/19/06 I had

> > emergency surgery for two herniated small bowel obstructions.

> That put me in

> > the ICU for eleven days, then one more day in a room, and off to

> Rehab. It's

> > all sort of a bad dream now! I am not very strong, but am feeling

> much

> > better and hoping for the best.

> >

> > My best to you, as well.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > Carole M.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

That is horrible but i can completely understand how it could happen from

all of my own personal experiences with pain management and

doctors/pharmacists. I hope God is watching over you and that you have found

some type of

peaceful existence now. Things are not all that different out there though.

We

are all trying to handle this miserable pain while trying to convince everyone

that it is real and deep. Look at the cases of medical marijuana.

Legislators actually will not permit cancer patients to have pot to

smoke...when

doing so helps them control their pain, nausea etc. I am forever amazed at the

hypocracy of that one. You and I both know that these are the same

legislators who are downing too many martinis at home or at a working lunch.

But they

tell these very ill people that they cannot have something that will help

them control pain. Go figure. It is gonna take awhile I think before sanity

will win out.

[Guest guest]

Oh...that running from doctor to doctor. I HATE it as well. I too was told

that a Pain Clinic is a good option for me and they actually will help me

with the medicine. I am in the process of checking that out and going to

seewhat they are aout. Iwilll be able to tell you the answer to that soon

enough

and I am praying that the response is a good one. Be back soon!!

Carol

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much. I will do that and pray that it sends me in the proper

direction.

My best to all who are continuing to try to find answers.

Carol