Re: Thanks - and questions about impending surgery & stronger narcotics??(SCC)

[Guest guest]

,

You might have to try a lot of different meds. But, I

also believe that the fact that meds don't help also

points directly to the fact that surgery is needed.

The issue is structural.

I found that triptans, for migraines, is about the

only med that gets rid of my pressure issues and most

of the pain. Migraines were being triggered by the

chiari, and/or the chiari was causing similar

reactions in my brain, so the triptans worked, and

still do. Its' non-narcotic.

Before it came out in pill form, and when the pain was

unbearable, I took it by injection. Now, I don't let

the pain get far enough along to need the injectable

form. And yet, I had a migraine a few weeks ago that

was so bad it took several doses over 6 hours before

it calmed down. I could have used an injectable form

that day.

I use a TENS unit on my chronically tense shoulders.

I see you are in VA. My neurologist is in andria.

He is well versed in Chiari and is good with trying

to find meds that help. Dr. Stuart Stark.

Agreed on the use of narcotics, but well monitored,

you may find some relief. Sounds like this med is not

working, call and see what is next on the list.

Sometimes a diuretic will help relieve pressure.

Before my surgery, the only things that worked for me

were a diuretic, Imitrex (a triptan), and abnormally

large doses of powdered aspirin like Goody's or BC

powders. The docs were alarmed at the amount of

aspirin, but it worked. They insisted I stop the

aspirin ASAP and I went downhill soooooo fast without

it. I don't recommend it, I am just saying that

sometimes odd combinations work for a short time.

Hopefully, you can find a combination that works to

while you wait for surgery. But, sounds like you need

to set a mental date for it, this will not get better

with meds, though you might find some relief.

H

decompressed 2002

soon to be de-tethered

--- flvamom wrote:

> >

> This past week - has made me WANT surgery. I have

> been miserable (my

> head, my back, my neck, etc).

> My doc did prescribe Opana ER since he completely

> understood about

> holding off on surgery. I was hesitant to take it -

> as I've heard

> bad things about stronger narcotics.

>

> But since the flexeril isn't working