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Pain Pill Addiction and Neuropathy - Looking for Guidance
I am a neuropathy sufferer, CMT, with minimal pain right now. However, my mother suffers from painful peripheral neuropathy. She is the reason I joined this group. I am looking for advice and guidance. My mother was treated by a neurologist for years and prescribed Percocet. She became addicted. Recently, her neurologist referred her to a pain clinic. Her Percocet prescription needed increased and he told her he could not do it. At the pain clinic, she was prescribed methadone. Upon her return visit, the doctor at the clinic "released" her, said she was an abuser of her pills. So, she not only is dealing with chronic pain she is suffering from withdraw symptoms from years of pill addiction. Watching this is heartbreaking. I am desperate to get her treatment for both conditions but she isn't making it easy. I am looking for suggestion for successful treatments that don't involve opioids. I was going to encourage her to try laser therapy but don't think that will be an option due to how expensive it is. Any guidance, suggestions, etc. would be so greatly appreciated.
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I tried gabapentin and it didn’t work so now I take generic lyrica and cymbata for relief
Tramadol works for me -- I take 1/2 of a tablet when neuropathy is flaring and overpowering my anti-seizure medications. It dulls the pain and doesn't make me sleepy or 'high'. Peggy
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1 Reactionwilcy, I, too have spinal stenosis with neuropathy in my feet. I haven't heard of Kratom but I do go to the local hospital's pain clinic. My doctor has prescribed three pain pills which I take three times a day. Gabapentin is one of them. I don't know all the side effects but I do know if I forget to take my pills at a certain time, my pain tells me I forgot. I wanted to ask you, "Have/has any doctor(s) told you that you need surgery? Seven of the best surgeons told me I need a rod, cage, fusion, I can't remember what all. I don't want it so that is why I go to the pain clinic. Even a pain clinic doctor said I really need surgery! I worry about my feet and legs because they don't get the circulation they need. I have pain in my feet, do you?
I have a real problem with doctor's prescribing addictive meds and then cutting the patient off abruptly. Do they think that this elderly person is going to be knocking over banks to get their fix!? Really. I think the pain mgt. Clinic that you went to should be reported to sone medical board as acting unprofessional. I have some experience with addiction with valium (use to be called mother's little helper). Thank God u went thru that withdrawal when I was young as I am not sure I could physically get thru anything like that withdrawal at my age of 77. Anyway back to your mother. I can't blame her for not trusting the medical profession now. I mean that's how she got in this mess to begin with. Please find a different pain mgt. Clinic. The right one doesn't judge and offers other alternatives. I am taking lyrica (pregabalin). I have to show my license when I pick up at drug store. I also see my doctor there every 6 mos. Am I likely to commit a crime to get more?!!!!! Listen old age has to be worth something in society. Please take your mom out to lunch and tell her how sorry you are for her to have this problem especially at her age. I think if you find a clinic (mine is at a hospital where I see other doctors for other problems. Having complete access to a patients health care gives the pain doctor more confidence in who they are treating. Good luck and please let us at least give grace to elderly people who find themselves addicted. It is so insidious.