Pain meds questions

[Guest guest]

Dear friends from two support families...

I am currently using 4 to 5 Norco 10/325 per day for pain.

I have pain issues relating to recent surgery for Tethered Cord that

has caused a flare of Arachnoiditis pain, and pain in my right thigh, and

headaches from high intracranial pressure.

When I came home from the hospital, the PA had proscribed pain meds

for every 4 hours, which lasted me almost 6 weeks. That was 180 pills.

I talked to my doctor two weeks ago about continuing this level of meds, and

he seemed ok with it, although he has been pushing me to try Oxycontin, which

he feels might be better for me since it would be time released.

I just don't know about going " up there " to Oxycontin just yet. The Norco

works

well for me, and when I can use 5 per day, I function really well. Well, when

I ordered

my refill, the doctor only approved 4 per day. So I don't know if he did not

remember

our conversation about increasing to 5 since I have the new dx of

arachnoiditits and

the complications from the surgery, and am still dealing with the headaches,

or if I should

just give in and go to the Oxycontin.

Another medication he has suggested is Avinza.

So, I need some feedback on what to do. Yes, I gradually have had to increase

my doseages over the years of hydrocodone (the narcotic in Vicodin and Norco) as

I have been

on this medication for about 3 or 4 years now.

I just want to be able to function, and not lay on the couch in pain, or have

to lay down because that is the only position that my head doesn't bother me.

I'm not laying flat, just

reclined. So I don't think I have a spinal leak, or am having low pressure

symptoms.

I hate having to talk to the secretaries, and the nurses asking about why my

pain meds aren't what I expected. Makes me feel like I'm sort of scummy in some

way. Its been

a painful day on top of it. Our weather is radically changing, and that

doesn't help.

My head is a walking barometer. Thunderstorm warnings two counties away can

lay me out. And living on the Great Lakes...oh Gosh, there are lots of weather

changes.

I just drove today for the first (well any real distance) time since surgery.

Handling the

the clutch with my back the way it is...not too fun afterwards I must say.

How many people

with Arachnoiditis still drive a manual 5speed shift? Both of our cars are 5

speeds. The other car has a much easier clutch, but it is a very low car to get

into. Oh well.

Ok...thanks for listening! I appreciate any suggestions that you have...

Peace be with us all,

Betsy, Erie PA

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