Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hi,
I have severe arthritis in my right hand. I have tried many different supplements from off websites with little relief. I've tried cream and icepacks with little relief. Sometimes I wish I could sleep long enough for the pain to be gone when I wake up.

Have you gone to hand surgeon I just had an injection that hand surgeon did which has provided relief for me and I have a brace. Great relief to this point in time, although I know things can change. Also a good physical therapist that practices many modalities. There is a line between doing too much with arthritis and not enough exercise in my experience. I had RTS AND TKR
resulting from old injuries tears and osteoarthritis. Try to see hand orthopedic surgeon Best of luck.

Hello Jill @jillo65, welcome to Connect. Having lumps from head to toe must feel awfully painful, I'm sorry. I don't have much knowledge about lipomas specifically, but I do understand living in chronic pain.

Here is Lipoma information from Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lipoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374470
Do you mind sharing a bit more about your journey, like when your lumps began, what doctors have you seen so far, and what treatments have been recommended?

Hi every one. My name is Darryl and I found Connect this past June and it has been a God send. I fell on ice 2/21 and shattered my elbow. In august of 21 pain began to intensefy. Had second surgury on elbow 2/22, Since then my pain has been severe. Surgeon diagnost with CRPD 4/1/22 but stated most likely I have had since 9/21. Since second surgery my pain med dr. has had me on several opiods. From oxicodone to morphine. I know that opiods are not good for my body so last monday I told my pain dr. that I wanted off of them. With his worry of withdrawl he suggested we reduce to Norco for 30 days and then talk about it. Since switching to Norco's I have been in terribe pain. At this point I'm fighting with myself to keep from picking up phone and calling pain med dr. to put me back on something stronger. Any suggestions!

Hey, Darryl @drg24242. Thank you for being honest about the difficulty your having with a current opiate switch. You're brave for recognizing opiates aren't good for your body and wanting to discontinue. It's a big step and you're not alone. Glad you reached out here.

Perhaps your doctor was too aggressive with the dose reduction and shifting of narcotic. Did your doctor discuss how this may make you feel and offer advice or guidance? I recommend contacting your doctor and letting him know how you feel.

@drg24242

Although we here on Connect are not medical professionals, I found this past discussion which contains information and links regarding opiate prescribing guidelines, discontinuation guidelines, and an opioid-epidemic chat by Mayo Clinic's Dr. Hooten.

Here is the discussion:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-guidelines-for-long-term-long-acting-morphine-withdrawal-plan/
And here is the specific response from our Connect Director, Colleen @colleenyoung, offering helpful links and the video chat.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/128253/
Darryl, what occupies your brain from pain? What do you get engrossed in that provides a temporary escape? Books, puzzles, word searches, a movie or show, coloring, podcasts?

what is your history of Physical medicine? I'm a retired P.T.

Hi! I'm Darryl. I've, in the last week been trying to get off opiates I have been on some form of opiate for about 9=10 months. The 2 most recent were Xtampa Er 13.5 mg (oxycodone) 2x per day. That raised my anxiety through the roof. When I took it, for the next 3-4 hours , I would screem at anyone that called me. I don't get as many telemarketers calling anymore. When that didn't work for me my pain med dr. put me on Buprenorphine Transdermal System patches(morphine) for a month. After that I told him that I wanted to get off opiods completely. He was concerned about withdrawl symptoms, so he suggested trying Norco 5-325. I've been on that for a week now and I'm suffering a lot from all the pain I'm in. I know that I should call him and tell him how I'm feeling but I keep telling myself that tommorrow I'll start to feel better. I'm not sure what I should do. I want to get off these unhealthy opiods really bad. Please advise. Darryl

@drg24242 How has today been going for you so far? Keep in mind your body is adjusting and it may not feel comfortable as it adjusts to a different medication. Pain and symptoms may naturally increase. If you have concerns or don't feel educated enough on what to expect, there is no shame in calling your doctor, that's what they're there for. It doesn't mean you're giving up or giving in, you just need clarity and reassurance.

Educating yourself on the process may help empower you. This Mayo link has information on tapering off opioids and what to expect:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/tapering-off-opioids-when-and-how/art-20386036
Will you keep us posted on how you're doing?

Hi this is Darryl. I finally gave in and called my pain med dr. this afternoon. I could not continue the way I have been feeling. The pain has been getting worse rather than better. Whem the nurse called me back she told me that this is what the dr. was afraid this might happen. I have an emergency appointment for thursday. I was told to bring the Norco's with me, because he can not order any other opiod until returned. She also told me that he want's to perscribe Buprenorphine 5 mcg/hour. It is 5 mcg lower than I had been on but I'm not sure about that. I'll talk to him about his reasoning at appointment.
I also have that day a first time appointment with a reccomended neurologist to discuss my worsoning crpd. Big day on thursday. Thanks for listening.