Hello Paul. Thank you for the update on your spinal cord stimulator and what is happening with your pain meds.

You may want to also pop in to the discussion Postherpetic Neuralgia here, http://mayocl.in/2iiJEo7.

Actually, I believe that the opioids are no longer effective. I was warned by a surgeon about 7 years ago that if you take them too long, they won't work when you really, really need them. That is where I am and have begun a program to wean off gradually. I will just have to deal with the pain I have. So within 6 months or less I will really know how much pain I do have.

I concur that the opiods are less effective for me now, after 15 years, and that I would benefit from a dosage increase. In my situation, I do not respond to pain preventives or the usual pain abortives for my condition. Going without opiods would confine me to bed at least 5-6 days per week. As it is, I take opiods only twice per week, which allows me limited hours being upright and functional, without immense pain, vomiting, vision problems, and extreme dizziness and vertigo. My pain level averages 8 on a 0-10 scale; 9 sends me to the ER. For me, I would question the value and point of my existence without the few hours per week on opiods, which take the edge off my pain, to a more manageable 6-7. I hope and pray that you are able to wean yourself off opiods. I have decided that is not an option for me, and I will continue to self-advocate for better pain management. I appreciate and take to heart your thoughts. I wish you all the best.

A few months ago, after I started Cymbalta, I wondered how much Cymbalta was doing, so I weaned off morphine sulfate contin 90mg/day. I gave myself 3 weeks off morphine, and went back to morphine because the pain was too much. But, so far, I only take 15mg tid, half of what I was before. I plan to ask the doctor to increase the midday dose to 30mg , hoping that afternoon and evening will be more tolerable. I still have a few more things to try, so I'm still holding out hope.

Jim