Re: Medication issues

[Guest guest]

--- Patti wrote

> My doctor did a radio frequency on my back. Has anyone had success with

this?

>

> When I saw him Friday he wrote down a list of pills and said to try Vivactil.

I am so done

with trying these types of pills. The side effects are unreal.

Hi Patti -

First, lots of people have very good luck with radio frequency lesioning. It is

not

permanent - the nerve can grow back, so it might have to be repeated, but it

does work.

The big question is whether or not your first procedure did any good? If it

helped, but just

not in a big enough area, then I would definitely have the second step done. If

you saw no

effect, then talk to your doctor about why not and why he thinks it will work

this time.

As for anti-depressants for treating nerve pain. Yes, they have been used in

the past, but

not with a lot of effect. They are not designed or approved to treat pain!

(Except for

Cymbalta, which is approved for pain but is first and foremost an

antidepressant.)

Has he not ever let you try actual opiate pain relievers? They are the only

medication

actually designed to treat pain! They are extremely safe, with minimal side

effects for most

people, and they actually work. If he won't prescribe pain medications for

pain, ask him

why not. If he gives you a bunch of lies about addiction etc, then find another

doctor.

Some doctors will try to tell you that opiates do not work on nerve pain. This

is an out-

and-out lie. I'm personal living proof of that. It is true that opiates don't

work for a VERY

small percentage of pain patients, but that is true of any drug for almost any

condition.

The only way you'll know if they'll work for you is to be allowed to try them.

Be aware that they won't make your pain completely disappear if your pain is

severe.

Nothing will. But they can GREATLY reduce your pain if you are dosed correctly,

making it

possible to live and enjoy your life again.

Cheryl in AZ

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