Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself

Hang in there with the amitriptyline. I had that side effect too but it went away. I actually cut the dose back to half a pill a day for a few weeks and then went to the full 25 it doesn't make me sleepy anymore. Always take it at night.

The fact the drugs like Lyrica are so hit and miss for different people suggest to me that we need more testing like genesight testing which differentiates what drugs for depression ADHD mood stabilization and pain your body will react to well and how it will metabolize them. This hit-and-miss crapshoot system of choosing medications is just too hard on an individual's body and psyche. We need to do better.

Hi @aernst, I see that you have received some great responses and support from other members. Given your allergies and varied responses to drugs, I agree with @wsh66, that you should consider getting genetic testing to find out more about which drugs work or don't work for you and your genetic makeup. This is called drug-gene testing and is also called pharmacogenomics, or pharmacogenetics.

You can learn more about drug-gene testing here: http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/drug-gene-testing.asp

@whs66 @dawn_giacabazi and @kdubois can tell you more about their experiences with drug-gene testing and how it helped them find drugs that worked, and just as importantly which drugs didn't work and that they could stop taking. You can read about @kdubois's story here:
> Learning to Trust Again – My Journey with Drug Intolerance – Experts by Experience https://socialmedia.mayoclinic.org/2018/05/04/learning-to-trust-again-my-journey-with-drug-intolerance-experts-by-experience/

Another great resource for you @aernst is your pharmacist. They are well informed about drug interactions. You might ask your pharmacist about which pain medications are compatible with Klonopin.

@wsh66 you are so right .

@grandmar

Ronnie, I am again amazed by your positive feelings in spite of your extreme pain. You continue to look for the positive in each issue you have. You are an inspiration to others in pain, including me. My pain feels small after reading your posts. I hope your doctors find a conservative treatment for your spine problems. I have a compression fracture in my C7, and when it's inflamed the pain is excruciating. I also have ongoing osteoarthritis, DDD, lumbar issues, spondylitis, etc which I'm sure you've read in my previous posts.

While I am feeling better right now, I notice that my neck and back pain and leg weakness is slowly returning. Your experiences are helping me as I suspect I will be needing additional work one of these months. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and feelings on this site. You're helping so many others in similar positions, in spite of your pain.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

@gailb When I see my rheumatologist this week Im going to elaborate on the constant pain Im n,maybe I need new meds ,the ones Im on aren't working as well I stopped Lyrica as it wasn't helping all that much but like wsh said combining it with amitriptyline maybe it will .Im more of a loner I like being by myself but Im not antisocial . The pain in my hands are getting worse.

@lioness

It's good that you're asking your rheumatologist about new medications. You have several pain issues that you are experiencing, so discussing all of them will be helpful. By the way, it's nice to see your picture as I have wondered what you look like. My experience with Amitriptyline was negative as my blood pressure rose sky high the first 24 hours of taking it. The doctor immediately stopped it. Some people have that reaction to it.

Have you considered having a genetic test to determine what pain medications will work for you? They can also determine which antidepressants work. When I see my doctor next, I'm asking for the drug test for antidepressants, as I think I want to change to Lexapro, per a recommendation on this site. I want to check it out before I change.

I'm sorry your hands are hurting. Mine have been hurting lately more than usual. I'm having trouble pushing hard enough with my thumbs that I can get a drop of blood from my finger to test my glucose levels; it's too painful. I guess that's a lot of pain now that I've written it down. I try to ignore it.

Let me know how your appointment goes. Mine isn't until September 18. Hoping you have less pain today.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

@gailb thanks Gail for listening .Im going to take a smiling picture thats all I had ,never asked about gene testing till @wsh talked about it ,wasnt aware of this I will ask her.Back in the 90,s Dr had me on it but maybe with age or they changed formulas it will work ?don't know I,ll let you know.Have an appt Sept18 with neurosurgeon then wondering what he can do for my bulging disc. My thumbs are bone on bone so this is another issue .Do you let your hand hang down after you prick it ?this might help

@galib
Hi Gail,
Thank you for your kind words.
I find it interesting that you feel I am positive. I have to laugh because my hubby and I always feel I'm the person with the glass half empty.
I am sorry for all you are experiencing. Yes, I can actually say that I literally feel your pain. It sucks!!!!!
You said that the pain and weakness in your legs are coming back. Do you take injections in your back?
My shots used to work only a couple of days until I found my last pain doc. He was the only one out of 5 pain docs to help me. I would get 6-10 weeks relief as long as I behaved. It was amazing. However, when it wore off.....OUCH!!!!!!! If you do take shots, could they be wearing off? I know that when my pain is in full force, I become chair bound and barely walk. As a result, my legs become VERY weak. After the shot I walk as much as possible to build them back up. But when the pain reoccurs, I stop walking, again. A horrible circle.
I've done all the conventional and least invasive procedures. None are left to try. I am hoping they find something with the mylogram CT I took yesterday, that can be fixed. I know I need surgery on L4/5 but I don't know what kind or when. I think I will probably need more cervical surgery, too.
I hope you have a nice evening.....
Ronnie

@gailb I have been reading about genetic testing for different things. Does insurance pay for this type of testing? Probably varies.
A smiling flower face helps me. Hope it helps you and maybe someone else. I do enjoy my small secret garden with BIG color.