Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

heisenberg34, Amen and amen!

Marquis113. It sounds like you could be my double. I don't find Tylenol Arthritis very helpful either. My PMR has me on 50 mg Tramadal 3 times per day. Since I do not have pain standin and sitting, I will take one, two, or three at bedtime. It is not as addictive as some pain medications are, however it can cause constipation. Small consequence for pain relief. I also have a scs in my Lumbar which has given me 100% relief in that area. I do still periodically receive injections for my Thorax, Cervix, and the area at the top of my tailbone. Do you receive any treatments beyond the scs? I hope the info that I have given you helps a bit. If you would like to call me, I can be reached at 805-551-8734. God bless you. brotherchuckles80

Well I was not only addicted to tramadol I now have Castro parents and restless legs from it. Would never recommend. I am basically in pain all the time. I wake up with it and go to bed with it. Tylenol helps enough so I can tolerate it. Injections never helped and surgeons destroyed my back. Stimulator helps slightly. Like I said, I have dealt with daily pain for over 20 yrs.

Do you get any pain mitigation from your pump? I've had mine for well over a year and have never had any pain relief. Mine has hydromorphone. Trial with morphine offered no positive results.

Have you tried the fentanyl derma patch. It is a lot less intrusive than a pump an surprisingly small. It comes in several dosage too.

How often have you had the dose increased? Have you told your Dr that it is not helping? I've only been increased about 4 times since 2012. The only other thing I can think of is the addition of a pain stimulator. I knew someone who had both and it seemed to help him. What other things do you do? Hot tub, swimming, meditation or yoga might help. as you know this is a journey of trial and error. For instance, heat helps me. The only exercise that seems to help is warm water exercise, like the one at PT. Have you tried Voltaran? The anti- inflammatory gel that you apply on the skin? I hoped this helped.

Thanks for your reply. I have had this pump output increased more times than I can recall. It got so high that I was beginning to get dizzy along with a host of symptoms that I can't remember. I'm in the process of reducing the out put so I can have it removed. Yes, this doc added some kind of anesthetic, but it only made things worse. You name it, I've done it. I am hoping to get a trial of Boston Scientific's waverider SCS soon. In my current state, I can't do much...no walking much, no cycling. no working in my shop, no long didtance car rides.

I hear you, over the past several years I have had a lot of adjustments. don't drive anymore, my lack of mobility is a constant battle. Thank Gxx I have great friends that give me rides, visit, etc.
For the most part I am house bound; I was the epitome of independence previously. This process just keeps advancing, I'm learning to accept it, but I don't like it. Another thing that helps is a 12-step program that I have been a part of for over 40 years, some components consist of mediation that I practice, fellowship and prayer. Although it is not religious it provides me with me with spiritual guidance that puts my life in the framework of one day at a time. So, I live 24 hours at a time. I don't know if all this rambling has helped in any way, but I hope you find some relief. Good Luck.

I hear you. Losing independence is so difficult. I was cycling, skiing, and working around the house. Then, I slowly began to experience the severe pain that I had under control for so long.
The pain began to really ramp up about 6 months ago to the point where I have limited mobility. As usual the local docs put very little effort into getting to the bottom of my pain.
New pain doc has recommended a trial of a new spinal cord stimulator. Been waiting over two months. One of the worst things ever.
I have Jesus to hear my prayers and guide me in this journey.

Hi, I'm Barb. In 2020, a few weeks after colorectal cancer surgery, headed to rr when I got lightheaded/fainted and went straight down on my butt. I ended up with 3 lumbar compression fractures (1 later collapsed). (I almost died at my cancer surgery - took 4 months to get back home after hospital stays and physical rehab hospitals to be able to walk again.). The orthopedic surgeon wouldn't operate cuz I wasn't strong enough for rod, brackets, screws to fix my back. So now I have hump back and wear 100 Mcg Fentanyl patch. I tried different pills, and would actually like morphine, but my PCP wouldn't scribe it. Fentanyl helps a little, but now my cancer is back (recurrent) and am having new butt pain and numbness down to my knees, sometimes to my toes. I get so tired of repeating problems to all the Drs.