real pain what works for pain besides opiates

[bashful444]

I've had several back surgeries and have real pain in my lower back and both legs. I have been taking 3 10 mg hydrocodone per day. I dread them in half and take 5 mg every 4 hours instead of 10 mg every 8 hours. I know my body has built up a tolerance because the pain relief isn't what it used to be. A year ago my dr. Changed me med to Fentanyl 25 Mgr I was on that for 1 month and was not in any pain but felt high and realized I was sliding down a slippery slope and went back to the 30 mg hydrocodone per day and pain. I'm 45 and don't want to have to take meds the rest of my life to somewhat function.  I can't stand the pain tho. I also take alive and asprin and other over the counter pain reliever.  What do you do to live when you are in constant pain other than narcotics. I know at this point I will go through withdrawal and I'm willing if I can find something to help me live without so much pain.  I take my medication as directed but I realize that is something I need to be aware of that I'm not exempt from crossing that fine line. My family is aware of my issues so they keep a eye on me and I believe they would alert me if they saw something change in me that I didn't.  So simply is there a viable solution to chronic pain that doesn't cause dependence?  

[house2]

Weaver you are the man,you have helped me more times than I can count.Thank you for sharing your heart and experience.I did the shots,not much relief for me.Two decompression surgeries,finally my back is better thank God.I'm a lucky one.Now to get off these little devils that have taken control of me.I will with Gods help !!

[msdelight]

Many patients have had great success with spinal injections. Its a short procedure where they inject marcaine and prednisone directly into the nerve root. It can give months of relief and you can get up to 3 shots per year. It works very well for that sciatic type pain you are having. Ask a pain management doctor about it. Good luck and feel better!

[NeverAgain127]

Weaver, your post is wonderful.  

I agree with everything you said.   There are ways to control pain, but each person has to find their own "magic combo" of stuff that works for them.

For me, I simply cannot be the powerhouse superstar I used to be.  I was a sales maniac, had big numbers that got applauded, won cash and prizes.   And where did I end up?  Broken, defeated, addicted to prescribed oxy.  

Do I have pain now that I"m opiate free?  Yup.  Sometimes it is really bad.  And when that happens, I get OFF the computer, I come home, and I lay down.   Period.   It means we have less money, but that's okay.  

I'll eat pancakes for supper if I have to.  It's a whole paradigm shift without drugs.    But you can do it.  I won't repeat Weavers list, but its a good one.

Good luck...

[davers716]

If you are in serious pain theres always medical marijuana.  i hear it helps a lot of people with there pain.  Just have to move where its legal   but it could potentially be life changing as long as you could deal with the stigma

[CRSeaside]

Have you and your Dr talked about beta blockers?

[weaver71]

I was told I could get a surgery to deal with my broken vertebrae and degenerative arthritis. I am 44 and worked my body hard since 8, so this was to be expected. I am the definition of, "working like a maniac," as mania is a major part of my life. So, I almost died on opiates, I cannot take them, not even one. About a year off pain killers, I felt lots of pain still, the rebound opiate pain lasted that long for me. This is what I did.

Yoga and exercises to strengthen core muscles.
Acupressure and meditation to relieve stuck tension.
Watch posture and overextension to prevent bone friction.
Chiropractics and sauna helped pinched nerves.
Swimming for cardio and toning.
TENS unit to stop phantom pain and muscle tension.
I take breaks and learned to say, "no, I can't do that."
Most of all, worked on my attitude and hope, believing I could heal was really the first leap of faith that made it all possible.

I have less pain than I did for the last few years of opiate use. Retraining my brain and nervous system to live off meds was harder than the detox. Quitting drugs requires we not do something, take drugs, healing from drugs requires we do a lot, whatever it takes in fact. So, patience is a huge asset learned in this process. Not giving up and keep trying different things, until you find what works for you, that is the process I have seen work. There is no one thing that helped my pain or addiction to narcotics, it is a combination of many failed and successful efforts that ultimately lead me to MY solutions. Try it all, Practice patience, and I am certain you will not regret it. I am certain about few things, but this I know. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow, but the promises will manifest for those who work for them, this is a universal truth. One of my favorite promises is this, "You will instinctively handle situations that used to baffle you," sound good? Never stop growing.

[Krissy_123]

I think they're tons of things,your pain managent doctor should have been looking into ideas with you instead of throwing drugs like fentanyl around. That's what most doctors do unfortunately though. Then you get addicts then you get treated like crap by your doc that turned you into one. You're on such a low dose now,so I'd start looking into different pain managment ideas. Acupuncture is a good one. Physio. Lots of diff things.