Pain All the Time

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Born_To_Lose

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I was helping a friend put put up a CB antenna using chimney straps. He was afraid of heights, so I climbed the ladder. We had a 30 foot extended ladder, which I was on the next to last step. It was a fairly windy day. I had strapped the main pole to the chimney and assembled the rest of it by standing on the roof. When I went to get back on the ladder, I slowly turned around and stepped onto the second step. When I stepped down 3 more steps, I missed the next steps because I was also holding a few tools and I almost dropped them, so when I tried to re clutch them, I lost my balance and I fell 22 feet.

I landed flat on my back. I broke my back, cracked my sternum, broke 2 or 3 ribs, strained my neck, but didn’t break anything and had some internal bleeding. I spent the next 5 weeks in the hospital with surgeries and therapies. Since that day, I have had pain every day. It runs from a number 4-8. I had been on OxyContin for months and became addicted. I went to a $40,000 rehab facility in California and was detoxed and then rehabbed. No more addiction, but I will always be known as an addict. That’s just the way it is.

I have tried every known remedy to mankind. I have a huge box of OTC drugs and another box of Rx drugs from 9 different orthopedics and neurologists. Right now, my pain level is an 8 and has been since about 3 p.m. yesterday. I called 3 different doctors, one recommended taking OxyContin, one said to lie on a heating pad and another said to take Ibuprofen 2 pills every 4 hours. I would go to the emergency room, but it’s been my experience that they do nothing, but give me Ibuprofen and send me on my way. No narcotics because I am a drug addict.

I am out of hope, which is why I am here. I will try anything and even if I can get the pain level down to a 5, I can get some sleep. Any suggestions besides,……?
 

First, know that I'm speaking from experience.

About 30 years ago, I fell off a rocky ridge and landed 60ft below it onto fairly loose sand and rocks. I might not have survived if I hadn't bounced like a pin-ball off a couple of outcrops on the way down.

I had spinal surgery that day and 2 more surgeries over the years since, the last one in 2016. Before the last surgery, I was in a wheelchair. I haven't needed one since. I've also had several trigger-point injections and a couple of RFA procedures. I used 3 different Rx pain medications off and on until 2014. That year I was prescribed 10mg Norco, and I've been taking 30 to 40 mg of that every day since.

Why do you say you became addicted to your pain meds? Were you taking them as directed, or were you taking too many? Did you decide you were addicted, or did your doctor diagnose you as an addict?

I'm asking this because, if you took them as directed, you might not be addicted to the medication. You might just be addicted to the relief, no matter how minor.

I know I will always be in pain and I'm pretty sure there's nothing more anyone can do about it....though, I am considering talking to my surgeon about one more surgery (I'm 67). My pain is mostly neurological, originating in my spine, but I'm sure another surgical correction would help a lot.

I exercise every day but it's not conventional exercise. I benefit most from hanging head-down for about 10 minutes in the morning and evening. I sit and do torso twists and some yoga positions. I don't walk much because walking causes too much pain from inflammation, so I ride my bicycle 2 or 3 times a week...outdoors. It's an actual bicycle, not a stationary one. A stationary bike would be just as good but it's nice to be outdoors.

I've been taking my Norco for almost ten years now. I'm not an addict. I don't have withdrawals if the doctor is late approving a refill, I just have a lot more pain. But I don't care whether I'm addicted to the Norco or not. It doesn't matter to me at all. The level of my pain matters. Uncontrolled pain effects every aspect of my life very significantly.
 
Muskrat said:
I agree you need the pain relief even if it takes more than a conventional dose. A friend of mine suffered a terrible fall from a cliff with similar injuries…except she broke more things. She was having a lot of pain untill they removed all the hardware in her spine.
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That's really interesting.

I have quite a bit of hardware in mine; a little bit from the original surgery, a lot from the last one, and some from the original was removed during the last one. But since bone heals, I wonder how it would be if the rest was removed. That's a good question for my surgeon.
 
I have spinal stenosis and for the past 2 & 1/2 months have suffered agonizing pain from a pinched sciatic nerve. Neither physical nor occupational therapy have helped. My doctor keeps feeding me Vicodin and Valium, but come Monday, I am calling a neurologist who specializes in spinal problems and sports injuries. I need something more than drugs to handle this pain.
 
Murrmurr said:
if you took them as directed, you might not be addicted to the medication. You might just be addicted to the relief, no matter how minor.
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This is something I’ve wondered about. If someone needs a drug for pain and it’s not interfering negatively, why not let them have it. Sometimes doctors are more concerned that they’ll be considered a drug pusher instead of caring for what the patient needs.
 
It's the pharmacies the feds are going after here. Rite-Aid & CVS are the accused. I use CVS. Every month now I it's grief to get those pain meds. Every month it's something, every month I have to remind, cajole & get some sort of problem anyway. Late, short, I'm now running two weeks behind.

I definitely agree with Murr about addiction and the guilt trips placed upon a sufferer. It's a disgrace. If it works and you're not pining for it then I'm addicted to insulin. I see nothing wrong with needing pain meds legitimately.
 
Jules said:
This is something I’ve wondered about. If someone needs a drug for pain and it’s not interfering negatively, why not let them have it. Sometimes doctors are more concerned that they’ll be considered a drug pusher instead of caring for what the patient needs.
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Pepper said:
It's the pharmacies the feds are going after here. Rite-Aid & CVS are the accused. I use CVS. Every month now I it's grief to get those pain meds. Every month it's something, every month I have to remind, cajole & get some sort of problem anyway. Late, short, I'm now running two weeks behind.

I definitely agree with Murr about addiction and the guilt trips placed upon a sufferer. It's a disgrace. If it works and you're not pining for it then I'm addicted to insulin. I see nothing wrong with needing pain meds legitimately.
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Pepper's right about the pharmacies, but my doctor told me she now has to fill out a questionnaire every month about my health issues and about why she's keeping me on my medication. I think it goes to the FDA, and they have doctors like her on a Watch-List. She assured me she'll keep filling these things out, but she said it's a pain in the ass and it effects how she treats (medically) all her current chronic pain patients and what she prescribes to new patients.
 
Murrmurr said:
I think it goes to the FDA, and they have doctors like her on a Watch-List. She assured me she'll keep filling these things out, but she said it's a pain in the ass and it effects how she treats (medically) all her current chronic pain patients and what she prescribes to new patients.
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I know that it’s the doctors here who are afraid of prescribing some drugs. Whenever I would ask for a renewal of diazepam, the doctors became hesitant. I’d used if for decades. Since it was mainly for sleep they agreed to some extra Zoplicone. As soon as something becomes thought of as addictive, the doctors have to report it to their governing body. That governing body needs a kick in the butt to use some common sense.
 
Born_To_Lose said:
I was helping a friend put put up a CB antenna using chimney straps. He was afraid of heights, so I climbed the ladder. We had a 30 foot extended ladder, which I was on the next to last step. It was a fairly windy day. I had strapped the main pole to the chimney and assembled the rest of it by standing on the roof. When I went to get back on the ladder, I slowly turned around and stepped onto the second step. When I stepped down 3 more steps, I missed the next steps because I was also holding a few tools and I almost dropped them, so when I tried to re clutch them, I lost my balance and I fell 22 feet.

I landed flat on my back. I broke my back, cracked my sternum, broke 2 or 3 ribs, strained my neck, but didn’t break anything and had some internal bleeding. I spent the next 5 weeks in the hospital with surgeries and therapies. Since that day, I have had pain every day. It runs from a number 4-8. I had been on OxyContin for months and became addicted. I went to a $40,000 rehab facility in California and was detoxed and then rehabbed. No more addiction, but I will always be known as an addict. That’s just the way it is.

I have tried every known remedy to mankind. I have a huge box of OTC drugs and another box of Rx drugs from 9 different orthopedics and neurologists. Right now, my pain level is an 8 and has been since about 3 p.m. yesterday. I called 3 different doctors, one recommended taking OxyContin, one said to lie on a heating pad and another said to take Ibuprofen 2 pills every 4 hours. I would go to the emergency room, but it’s been my experience that they do nothing, but give me Ibuprofen and send me on my way. No narcotics because I am a drug addict.

I am out of hope, which is why I am here. I will try anything and even if I can get the pain level down to a 5, I can get some sleep. Any suggestions besides,……?
Click to expand...
I am so sorry that happened!! I hope you find a solution.
 
I am sorry that you have had such a bad "accident", I am sorry
to hear that you are having recurring problems, I can't suggest
what to do for a previously broken back, there are suggestions
for other kinds of sore backs, that might work, it sounds that
after some time you have acute pain, this suggests that it might
be a trapped nerve, is there any way that you can stretch your
back, like hanging from a bar, maybe with weights on your ankles,
a hot shower in the morning helps my back, "Deep Heat", is a red
tube of gel that really help sore backs, lie flat and somehow get
your ankles pulled to stretch the spine.

Mike.
 
Jules said:
I know that it’s the doctors here who are afraid of prescribing some drugs. Whenever I would ask for a renewal of diazepam, the doctors became hesitant. I’d used if for decades. Since it was mainly for sleep they agreed to some extra Zoplicone. As soon as something becomes thought of as addictive, the doctors have to report it to their governing body. That governing body needs a kick in the butt to use some common sense.
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My doctor prescribed Zopiclone because I had such a hard time regulating my sleep. I took it for two days and had to quit because I hated the side effects. For one thing it stayed way too long in my system and made me drowsy for hours after I got up, for another it caused blurry vision, as well as an extremely bitter taste in my mouth that kept lingering.

I had also been on Clonazepam and Oxycocet for years but weaned myself of both without any problems when they no longer worked for me. This is the truth, after I stopped the Oxycocet (Oxycontin) my back pains actually lessened! Go figure!
 
I always feel embarrassed when I buy a very light pain reliever like Tylenol # 1! Up until a few years ago it was always handed out without any questions but then someone decided it was a "gateway" drug leading to stronger opioids and addiction, and now I stand and wait while my medical details are being fed into a computer before they issue it to me. Makes me feel like an addict.

I always tell the pharmacist I am taking them for the Placebo Effect! :LOL: I know up here (pointing to brain) that they won't do any good, since a much stronger pain reliever didn't help with the pain, but it nevertheless makes me feel that I am doing something when the occasional neck-or back pain strikes!

Why in heaven's name are they worried that a man/or woman in their eighties might become addicted? From taking Tylenol # 1? Really? After all, they know, it's in their computers, that I weaned myself successfully, and without a problem, of a drug (Oxycontin) that is considered to be one of the more potent pain relievers?
 
Lawrence00 said:
Does cannabis help?
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I tried it once or twice, when it became legal in Canada, but with or without HTC it didn't do me any good. Just once in my life I wish I could get high! :) Honestly, I do not get addicted to anything because my brain does not react to stimulants. Never understood how some just had to have that first cup of coffee in the morning. I drink it but could do very well without it. Same with alcohol, I get sleepy before I get to feeling buzzed! Same with Opioids? Could I be a Zombie, maybe?
 
Lewkat said:
I have spinal stenosis and for the past 2 & 1/2 months have suffered agonizing pain from a pinched sciatic nerve. Neither physical nor occupational therapy have helped. My doctor keeps feeding me Vicodin and Valium, but come Monday, I am calling a neurologist who specializes in spinal problems and sports injuries. I need something more than drugs to handle this pain.
Click to expand...
The trouble with Vicodin is that the body quickly gets used to it, and in order to fight the pain effectively should be increased in dosage on a regular basis, and doctors are reluctant to do this because then addiction becomes a problem.

I took it for years (as oxycocet) and it stopped working for me because I stayed at the same level of relief. Everybody warned me about taking myself off this opioid without help, until my brother in Germany wrote: Here in Germany doctors believe that once the medication stops working for you, you can remove yourself from it without side effects. Which turned out to be true for me. However I did do it gradually, just in case!
 
I've had back issues since I was kid. I question being "addicted" to pain medication for chronic pain. Are diabetics "addicted" to insulin? Of course, I'm not talking about opioid abuse. But I do know that if you have chronic pain, and you are on a pain med, most docs assumed your "addicted". Normally, I don't like doctor shopping, it usually leads to the wrong doctor. But I would get an appointment with a reputable pain management specialist.
 
Murrmurr said:
First, know that I'm speaking from experience.

About 30 years ago, I fell off a rocky ridge and landed 60ft below it onto fairly loose sand and rocks. I might not have survived if I hadn't bounced like a pin-ball off a couple of outcrops on the way down.

I had spinal surgery that day and 2 more surgeries over the years since, the last one in 2016. Before the last surgery, I was in a wheelchair. I haven't needed one since. I've also had several trigger-point injections and a couple of RFA procedures. I used 3 different Rx pain medications off and on until 2014. That year I was prescribed 10mg Norco, and I've been taking 30 to 40 mg of that every day since.

Why do you say you became addicted to your pain meds? Were you taking them as directed, or were you taking too many? Did you decide you were addicted, or did your doctor diagnose you as an addict?

I'm asking this because, if you took them as directed, you might not be addicted to the medication. You might just be addicted to the relief, no matter how minor.

I know I will always be in pain and I'm pretty sure there's nothing more anyone can do about it....though, I am considering talking to my surgeon about one more surgery (I'm 67). My pain is mostly neurological, originating in my spine, but I'm sure another surgical correction would help a lot.

I exercise every day but it's not conventional exercise. I benefit most from hanging head-down for about 10 minutes in the morning and evening. I sit and do torso twists and some yoga positions. I don't walk much because walking causes too much pain from inflammation, so I ride my bicycle 2 or 3 times a week...outdoors. It's an actual bicycle, not a stationary one. A stationary bike would be just as good but it's nice to be outdoors.

I've been taking my Norco for almost ten years now. I'm not an addict. I don't have withdrawals if the doctor is late approving a refill, I just have a lot more pain. But I don't care whether I'm addicted to the Norco or not. It doesn't matter to me at all. The level of my pain matters. Uncontrolled pain effects every aspect of my life very significantly.
Click to expand...
I took OxyContin as prescribed, however after taking it for months, the body develops a dependency for the drug. If I missed a few days, I would start withdrawing with the sneezIng, constant yawning, restless leg syndrome (RLS), insomnia, nervousness and feeling terrible inside. The doctor referred me to an Addictionologist, which is a doctor (M.D.) that specializes in addictions to drugs and alcohol. This doctor started weaning me down by taking lesser pain killers like Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Lorton and Norco. They are all the same. Vicodin is the brand name and the others are generics. I spent 5 weeks in rehab. I knew people that were addicted to Norco. When I first went to the hospital, they started me on a morphine drip for a few days, but I was having breathing issues, so they switched me to Oxy.

I can’t do many exercises due to the pain they cause. I was given a book with all types of exercises “The Permanent Pain CureI spent almost all day yesterday at the emergency room and after discussing my condition, they told me I was on the state’s narcotics database (PDMP), so they had to fill out paperwork and explain as to why they gave me any narcotics. All they gave me yesterday was 2cc’s of Dilaudid, but even though they make a pill, Hydromorphone, they wouldn’t give me a script for it. I asked them if I had to go home and suffer. The Dilaudid lasted about 4 hours, so I was able to get some sleep.

I don’t understand if they have a pill that will take about 75% of my pain away, why I can’t have it on a regular basis. I have used so much of narcotics that I don’t get that high feeling anymore. Maybe my endorphins are gone. I don’t know, A year ago, the Addictionologist gave me a script for medical marijuana, but that was a waste of money. I have another MRI coming up this Thursday and if it shows any new issues, I may be able to go back on Oxy.

The man that I helped put up his CB antenna stops by from time to time to ask how I’m doing and if I needanything. I think that’s really nice of him. It wasn’t his fault that I was being clumsy. I don’t have anyone with me anymore, but friends stop by or call and I use the local grocery store delivery service and a few times a week, I use Door Dash to bring me food from my favorite restaurant. I ordered Brisket for this afternoon.

I do have good days, If my pain level drops to a 4, that’s a good day. I have kind of a pen pal that I met while in rehab. He is or was addicted to Heroin. He gets the urge from time to time, but he is a member of NA and has a partner he calls when he has the urge to go buy some off the street. I thought about getting some Oxy off the street, but it’s dangerous and with my luck, I would get arrested.

In your case, if you are certain another surgery would help, I would suggest to go for it. The sooner the better. I didn’t exactly break my spine, but some of the nerves are damaged and the surgeon won’t do nerve replacements because of the risk. I don’t have any feeling in the front half of my left foot, including the toes. The surgeon that did the first operation, advised me to continue treatments with the VA. I have other insurance, so I’m very well covered. No co-pay, no out of pocket.

Did you ever try a whirlpool? I did while in therapy. It helped for a few hours. I am thinking about having one put in. Anything that will give me relief. I tried massages. Another short term relief. At the insistence if my barber, I tried his Chiropractor. No good. I went to the Arkansas Surgical Hospital, which was considered the number 1 Spine Surgercal hospital in the country. After their number one doctor evaluated me, he said there wasn’t anymore he could for me that wasn’t already done. That’s when I decided to hell with it. I gave up.

I would be interested in how you make out if you have the other surgery.
 
Born_To_Lose said:
I took OxyContin as prescribed, however after taking it for months, the body develops a dependency for the drug. If I missed a few days, I would start withdrawing with the sneezIng, constant yawning, restless leg syndrome (RLS), insomnia, nervousness and feeling terrible inside. The doctor referred me to an Addictionologist, which is a doctor (M.D.) that specializes in addictions to drugs and alcohol. This doctor started weaning me down by taking lesser pain killers like Vicodin, Hydrocodone, Lorton and Norco. They are all the same. Vicodin is the brand name and the others are generics. I spent 5 weeks in rehab. I knew people that were addicted to Norco. When I first went to the hospital, they started me on a morphine drip for a few days, but I was having breathing issues, so they switched me to Oxy.

I can’t do many exercises due to the pain they cause. I was given a book with all types of exercises “The Permanent Pain CureI spent almost all day yesterday at the emergency room and after discussing my condition, they told me I was on the state’s narcotics database (PDMP), so they had to fill out paperwork and explain as to why they gave me any narcotics. All they gave me yesterday was 2cc’s of Dilaudid, but even though they make a pill, Hydromorphone, they wouldn’t give me a script for it. I asked them if I had to go home and suffer. The Dilaudid lasted about 4 hours, so I was able to get some sleep.

I don’t understand if they have a pill that will take about 75% of my pain away, why I can’t have it on a regular basis. I have used so much of narcotics that I don’t get that high feeling anymore. Maybe my endorphins are gone. I don’t know, A year ago, the Addictionologist gave me a script for medical marijuana, but that was a waste of money. I have another MRI coming up this Thursday and if it shows any new issues, I may be able to go back on Oxy.

The man that I helped put up his CB antenna stops by from time to time to ask how I’m doing and if I needanything. I think that’s really nice of him. It wasn’t his fault that I was being clumsy. I don’t have anyone with me anymore, but friends stop by or call and I use the local grocery store delivery service and a few times a week, I use Door Dash to bring me food from my favorite restaurant. I ordered Brisket for this afternoon.

I do have good days, If my pain level drops to a 4, that’s a good day. I have kind of a pen pal that I met while in rehab. He is or was addicted to Heroin. He gets the urge from time to time, but he is a member of NA and has a partner he calls when he has the urge to go buy some off the street. I thought about getting some Oxy off the street, but it’s dangerous and with my luck, I would get arrested.

In your case, if you are certain another surgery would help, I would suggest to go for it. The sooner the better. I didn’t exactly break my spine, but some of the nerves are damaged and the surgeon won’t do nerve replacements because of the risk. I don’t have any feeling in the front half of my left foot, including the toes. The surgeon that did the first operation, advised me to continue treatments with the VA. I have other insurance, so I’m very well covered. No co-pay, no out of pocket.

Did you ever try a whirlpool? I did while in therapy. It helped for a few hours. I am thinking about having one put in. Anything that will give me relief. I tried massages. Another short term relief. At the insistence if my barber, I tried his Chiropractor. No good. I went to the Arkansas Surgical Hospital, which was considered the number 1 Spine Surgercal hospital in the country. After their number one doctor evaluated me, he said there wasn’t anymore he could for me that wasn’t already done. That’s when I decided to hell with it. I gave up.

I would be interested in how you make out if you have the other surgery.
Click to expand...
Nerve replacement? Maybe sometime in the future, but I don't think they can do that yet.

Imagine how great that would be, getting damaged nerves actually removed and then replaced with brand new ones cloned and grown from your body's own nerve cells, functioning perfectly.

Or maybe not so perfectly. Imagine you could say, "Yeah, you know what? I tend to be a little clumsy, so I wouldn't mind if the nerve you're putting in my big toe was kind of on the sluggish side...less *responsive* than the old one." 😊

I've had 3 surgeries, BTL. The emergency one immediately after the accident, then another a few years later to correct and adjust the first one, and then another in 2016 to replace old hardware, shave off a bunch of arthritis, and straighten my spine more. And during that one, the surgeon spotted a tiny, probably genetic deformity of a nerve root that was an obvious source of pain, and he did what he could to make that less deleterious.

Weeks of physical therapy always followed the surgeries, but I was lucky to get excellent PT technicians. Probably because the fall happened in a state park and it was due to negligence, so the state provided the therapists (and ultimately covered the costs). I haven't had really good physical therapy since 2016. The only thing on offer is the one-size-fits-all routine that hurts more than it helps, so I do my own routine here at home. Mostly body-weight traction, certain yoga positions, and some Tai chi soft-moves for balance.

I've also had acupuncture and lots of chiropractic and massage therapies. The relief is always temporary. Since pain is an energy thief, and my liver damage is, too, I take energy-boosting supplements everyday; mostly B vitamins but also iron, niacin, ginseng, and taurine. I also take several hundred mg of magnesium every other day and I drink a lot of herbal tea.

There isn't much anyone can do for nerve pain because medical science doesn't know as much as they need to yet. As long as pharmaceutical companies are allowed to fund the research, all we're ever gonna get is pills that are more magical than the previous ones and barriers to obtaining unprofitable, more natural ones like opiates.

"I asked them if I had to go home and suffer." The industry doesn't care about your suffering. Your doctor might care very much, but s/he has to play ball with the industry. His or her career depends on it.
 
Murrmurr said:
Nerve replacement? Maybe sometime in the future, but I don't think they can do that yet.

Imagine how great that would be, getting damaged nerves actually removed and then replaced with brand new ones cloned and grown from your body's own nerve cells, functioning perfectly.

Or maybe not so perfectly. Imagine you could say, "Yeah, you know what? I tend to be a little clumsy, so I wouldn't mind if the nerve you're putting in my big toe was kind of on the sluggish side...less *responsive* than the old one." 😊

I've had 3 surgeries, BTL. The emergency one immediately after the accident, then another a few years later to correct and adjust the first one, and then another in 2016 to replace old hardware, shave off a bunch of arthritis, and straighten my spine more. And during that one, the surgeon spotted a tiny, probably genetic deformity of a nerve root that was an obvious source of pain, and he did what he could to make that less deleterious.

Weeks of physical therapy always followed the surgeries, but I was lucky to get excellent PT technicians. Probably because the fall happened in a state park and it was due to negligence, so the state provided the therapists (and ultimately covered the costs). I haven't had really good physical therapy since 2016. The only thing on offer is the one-size-fits-all routine that hurts more than it helps, so I do my own routine here at home. Mostly body-weight traction, certain yoga positions, and some Tai chi soft-moves for balance.

I've also had acupuncture and lots of chiropractic and massage therapies. The relief is always temporary. Since pain is an energy thief, and my liver damage is, too, I take energy-boosting supplements everyday; mostly B vitamins but also iron, niacin, ginseng, and taurine. I also take several hundred mg of magnesium every other day and I drink a lot of herbal tea.

There isn't much anyone can do for nerve pain because medical science doesn't know as much as they need to yet. As long as pharmaceutical companies are allowed to fund the research, all we're ever gonna get is pills that are more magical than the previous ones and barriers to obtaining unprofitable, more natural ones like opiates.

"I asked them if I had to go home and suffer." The industry doesn't care about your suffering. Your doctor might care very much, but s/he has to play ball with the industry. His or her career depends on it.
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I feel so humbled by your story and that of others who have spoken out! You've had such difficult and painful lives and I empathize greatly and admire your courage. Makes my aches and pains seem miniscule and I will not speak of them again since, compared to many of my fellow seniors, I led a charmed life!
 
Old Salt said:
I feel so humbled by your story and that of others who have spoken out! You've had such difficult and painful lives and I empathize greatly and admire your courage. Makes my aches and pains seem miniscule and I will not speak of them again since, compared to many of my fellow seniors, I led a charmed life!
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Complain all you like, Salt. Pain is pain and no matter how the levels compare, when pain is chronic, it's devastating.
 


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