How do you cope with the pain?

I am 82 and have chronic back pain for 2 years. Using a cane for serious balance problems and have had to start using a rollator which does not make me happy. Had cervical neck surgery 4 months ago. Surgeon told me it may help with my severe dizziness (24/7 for 7 years) but would do nothing for back pain which is all arthritis. I take gabapentin which helps a little bit. Have tried everything (steroid shot, ablation, acupuncture, red light therapy, spinal decompression) to no avail. Finally after pleading with pain clinic, they let me try hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5-325 mg) one tablet per day which I split in two with 1/2 in morning and 1/2 at night. It definitely helps but wears off mid day . They will not let me have any more. They are super concerned about addiction.

@ichbindck Your 82, and they're worried about addiction? You have got to be kidding me.

Penny
I sympathize with you. I am in constant pain in my right buttock and lower back. Often it is excruciating . I just keep hoping and praying. Try to keep up hope. It's hard to keep busy because most days its too painful to sit. God bless you
Marlie

try B vitamins + iron. (which can be 2 eggs EVERY morning for a while.) plus I take B (self-inject) + Bisclycinate Iron pills. Helped TONS. Healed the nerve sheaths that transmitted the pain. I don't think our bodies absorb or get the nutrition we need when we age. Our bodies start failing because of it.
For chronic pain (I have degenerative disc disease + a really messed up tailbone of arthritis and broken for which there is no solution) I have been taking Percocet (Oxycodone) for 25 years. 5 milligrams 4-6 hours for pain, 3 to 4 times a day. Couldn't handle the nerve meds. The NSAIDs will kill you.

@loriesco I have been prescribed Oxycodone since 2010 following failed spinal fusion. I recently moved and cannot find a local pain management specialist who will continue the rx. I've been told I will be weaned off both short- and long-acting scripts. I assume this is in response to the change in CDC guidelines. All to say I wonder if you have any suggestions regarding my need to continue meds. I cannot walk without them (also have several autoimmune issues that heighten pain). This change in protocol is barbaric. Thanks for any input.

@loriesco I have been prescribed Oxycodone since 2010 following failed spinal fusion. I recently moved and cannot find a local pain management specialist who will continue the rx. I've been told I will be weaned off both short- and long-acting scripts. I assume this is in response to the change in CDC guidelines. All to say I wonder if you have any suggestions regarding my need to continue meds. I cannot walk without them (also have several autoimmune issues that heighten pain). This change in protocol is barbaric. Thanks for any input.

@debec OK I found several links, but I don’t have time to go through and give you the one you might specifically need so why don’t you go through them? I don’t see any evidence that anything has changed long-term. Chronic pain is still managed by opioid and there’s a guideline. https://www.google.com/search

@loriesco I have been prescribed Oxycodone since 2010 following failed spinal fusion. I recently moved and cannot find a local pain management specialist who will continue the rx. I've been told I will be weaned off both short- and long-acting scripts. I assume this is in response to the change in CDC guidelines. All to say I wonder if you have any suggestions regarding my need to continue meds. I cannot walk without them (also have several autoimmune issues that heighten pain). This change in protocol is barbaric. Thanks for any input.