Had nerve block done end of Nov, pain has returrned

[lizzie1954]

Hi again, I thought I was home free for at least 4 months. No so... I can only have 2 a year and now I can't have another one for 5 months. That means back on the patch and even when I can get another block it will take me that long to wean off the patches and then back I go again. I have had to wean off narcotics so many times I can't count, and I don't think I can do it again. Each time gets harder and harder. Now what

[namnam46]

Hi Lizzie,

Sure, Break Through pain is when you are on a long-acting pain medication yet at different times during the day you may STILL experience some pain.  that is called "Break-Through" pain.  That's when you would use the short-acting pain medication such as Hydrocodone or Percocet, etc.  

I'm VERY glad that you are undergoing the RFA - nerve block!! I HOPE that this gives you the GREAT relief that I have received from them!!  :)

PLEASE keep us updated..........Sherry  :)

[lizzie1954]

Hi Sherry, I started with 2 herniated disks in my neck C5,C6? I think. I am having what you call RFA done now. In Canada it comes under the heading of a nerve block.
Can I ask another question? Can you explain with breakthrough pain is?
Thanks
Lizzie

[namnam46]

Hi lizzie,

I'm on the Fentanyl Patch - 87 mcg's - I've just come down from 125 mcg's after a Total Hip Implant in September - and I intend to stay on it for the rest of my life as it is such a WONDERFUL pain reliever for my Severe DDD.  

The Fentanyl won't have any effect on you liver or kidney's.  You don't have to worry about that at all.  :)  It may be the strongest med out there BUT it DOESN'T cause the effects to your liver that acetaminophen does!!  :)

You didn't say what the block is for.  The reason I asked is because I have had the RFA {Radio Frequency Ablation} in 6 places on my lower back and it has lasted for since last March.  IF you could tell us EXACTLY where your blocks are it would give us an idea if you were a candidate for the RFA.  :)  

I wish you the VERY best.............Sherry

[atonicat]

I just wanted to say that while yes the doctors do play a part in the poor pain management this country has, it's the DEA that's holding the stings. It's the "war on drugs" that has moved from targeting violent drug cartels to targeting doctors who prescribes opiates because they want to save all the kids that are getting these pills. That is their mission and that is the reason our care suffers everyday. Thank you Reagan, you jerk.

[lizzie1954]

Hi Tuck, thanks for the support. The frustrating thing is after a block I am completely pain free. To non pain sufferers and my gp who is 91 years old. this is completely unacceptable. To my pain mgmt doctor this is great results. To be 100% pain free for months at a time is amazing results. Everyone else thinks it a failure. The blocks are great but when I first started getting them they would last 8-9 months. Of course getting to actually have the block done took a few years of a pain and drugs and being off work and a husband who thought all the meds were rediculous. My first pain clinic actually thru me out, because I was taking ativan to sleep. So then it took me 6 months to get into another pain clinc.  They finally started doing a lesser block but finally worked up to the nerve burning. Now I am totally frustrated. I had the block done at the end of November and now I can't have another one until at least May or June. Everyone at work judges me constantly and I have had 1 co working now telling me that I was pretty out of it when I did this or that! That is bull, its not like im getting wasted on my meds. I do admit that last year was a rough year and I was on 100 mcg of fentayl, and they had to detox me slowly. but now everyone takes one look at my eyes and all of a sudden I am trashed. Frustration is becoming a way of life again.  Do you know of any othe kind of block?.
Canada is much different than the US and I read all these posts about DEA and testing and I can't believe how American's are treated by their " Doctors" I apologize for the long winded post. Since it is Sunday and I couldn't reach any of my regular doctors I went to a clinic this morning and after waiting about an hour I walked out with a perscrption for 10 25 mcg fentanyl patches. I thank God every day for our medicare system and compassionate doctors. Some of the stories I have read on this page have terrified me. I feel soooo sorry for the people who are treated so horribly by "doctor's"
Do you think it is unreasonable to stay on meds even when I am pain free. The yo-yo cycyle gets harder ever time. Being miserable has become a way of life now.
Thank for listening. You have done your "good deed for the day"
Thank you very much
ps Do you know the long term affects of fentanyl on your live and kidneys?

[Tuckamore]

Hi Lizzie,

Welcome back....you have been missed. I am sorry to hear that your pain has returned. My heart goes out to you.

Unfortunately you are experiencing what many of us do in the journey through Chronic Pain (CP)! I know that doesn't make it easier but you are not alone.

It took my a long time to accept the fact that I will always have pain....I will always have pain issues to deal with and will always require opiate therapy. It's a tough pill to swallow, pardon the pun!

We are here to support you. You can do it again. We CP sufferers are a tough bunch, contrary to the general conception. We can and do handle things that most strong, healthy ppl would have a major problem handling.

Just a thought....the times that you are off narcotics are you pain free? If not maybe you should be on a small dose and not have to struggle through withdrawals every time your pain decreases because of treatments. It's seems that the treatments are just a "temporary fix."  The Merry-Go-Round you are on would drive us all daffy!

Talk to your PMP .... or whomever is prescribing your opiates and tell them exactly how you feel. There must be better alternatives. Five months on a major opiate then off then on....then off....this very difficult cycle doesn't seem like it would be good for your body let alone your psyche. I think your physician will understand your frustration and fatigue.

Please keep in touch. I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take Care,
~Tuck