Spinal fusion Surgery pain medicine

[floodmaster76]

I had a Spinal fusion surgery at L5 S1 level just about a month ago. I am still having a lot of pain and it is time for a refill on my medicine. I just needed Valuim 5 mg. and Dilaudid 4mg which my Dr. has me on. I called my Dr.'s office today but he is on vacation. The covering Dr. said he won't write that kind of prescription because he only writes for Lortab. I already have a few Lortab from before the surgery and they don't cut through the pain. ...and he said he won't write for Valuim at all. I asked them can't they look at my chart so they can verify what I was taken the Didlaudid and the Valuim and they told me they already saw that thats what I have been on but the covering Dr. won't write them he will only write me the Lortab prescription. My Dr. won't be back to the middle of next week and I can't sleep and I am in a lot of pain. Does anyone have any suggestions?  

[Tuckamore]

Hey Floodmaster,

You are so welcome. We are glad that you found us and hope that you will be active in our community.

Statistics prove that Chronic Pain Ppl and others with major medical disorders, etc do better when they are part of some kind of a Support Group. In my opinion MedHelp is the best. You can come here any time of the night or day. You don't have to wait for a group meeting on Wednesday, Friday or whatever day it might be scheduled and you're basically anonymous.

I am delighted that your PCP was able to help you and that your surgeon's appt is early afternoon tomorrow. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

My Best,
~Tuck

[floodmaster76]

Well I saw my Surgeon on Wednesday and he said that the incision looked great. Thats not what is hurting me!!! He did an Xray and said that his work looked good (Good for him) But the pain is still constant and even unbareable at times. He said it is going to take time and I will be is pain for a while thats the way it is. He really isn't helping my pain at all. He had me on Dilaudid 4 mg., Oxycontin CR 20mg.,  Valuim 5 mg.,and Zanaflex 6 mg. I was able to deal with it then but when I saw him he said he didn't want me on anything stronger then the Lortab 10-500 max 6 per day  and the Zanaflex 6mg. every 6 hours .but I explained that it isn't helping. He said that is all he will write me a prescription for. I asked him if there was something in between the Dilaudid and the Lortab and he said not really. My Fiance works at a pharmacy and he is full of s--t!!! I understand he wants to cut me down but I can't stand the pain with what I am taking. I don't even want to get out of bed let alone to to PT. I called a pain management place and made an appointment for next Wednesday. I hope they will be able to help me more cause I can't go on like this. I don't know if my pain is normal or if there is something wrong?? I feels like everytime I move my tailbone is disconnecting from my spine. It is a very shape pain and radiates around my stomach, up my back to my shoulder blades and shoots down both legs. I had the pain that goes down my legs before the surgery and a little around my sides and stomach but the rest is new and much, much more intense. I will keep you up to date and once again thank you. Tony

[nurseaudrea]

I can't believe with you being in so much pain he is doing this to you. That goes to show how some doctors just don't get it. He is probabley afraid of you becoming dependent on the stronger meds, but good grief you are just out of surgery. My last surgery two years ago when they took the instrumentation out I was allowed to stay on the Valium for three months and the higher level of Morphine also. I also worked with a pain management doctor,  but it was the surgeon who gave me the valium. How old is your surgeon and how long has he been doing this?

[floodmaster76]

I would say he is in his last 40's early 50's and he has completed his medical education in 1989, General surgery in 1990, Orthopaedic surgery in 1994, and Fellowship in Spine Surgery in 1995. I undrstand that he don't want me to become dependent on stronger meds but the one problem I have is that the Lortab has 500 mg. of Aceteminophen each X 6 for a total of 3000 mg. of Aceteminophen per day and my liver is sore sometimes.(That can't be good?) The other problem is that even taking the max of allowed Lortab doesn't even come close to taking the edge off. I'm not expecting to be painfree at all but I have a very poor quality of life as it is right now due to the pain. He said he won't write me the valuim because once people get used to being on it they can't get off of it. The only thing I can think of is that he had problems with Patients in the past and I undstand that. There is always that risk when your patients require pain medication when they have spine surgery. I just can't understand that you can just leave your Patient in pain that they can't deal with. What exactly does the pain management doctor do? I know they are all different but I was wondering what yours did for you?  

[kayrun1_2]

Be thankful you are not going through this is 2019!  Opioid Crisis has made it impossible to take any "benzo"--with any narcotic, unless you are terminally ill---and at the last stages.  People in pain with serious conditions are treated almost like criminals, even after failed spinal surgery.  The people that have abused the system  and the media have created a living nightmare for both suffering patients and the doctors.  A lot of people have, very sadly "gone to dark side" by purchasing 'street drugs' & heroin laced--or even straight fentynal.  It is a very sad state of affairs.  Some have committed suicide.....which purchasing street drugs basically does...….I pray that you are much better, years later!!!  God Bless and keep us all :0

[mombojombo]

Hi Kayrun1_2.  Such a difficult topic.  Many addicts became such after being legitimate pain patients.  But then their drug addiction caused current legitimate pain patients to suffer as they fight for the things that help them.  I am not sure what the answer is.  

Are you in this situation fighting for your pain meds after failed surgery?  Committing suicide just breaks my heart to think about due to inadequate pain control.  

Would love to chat with you.

[Tuckamore]

Thanks for the update. I am so sorry to hear about your surgeons reaction to your pain. My heart goes out to you. Unfortunately some physicians are not educated in pain or pain management... or something in their past limits their ability to prescribe opiates. I think your assumptions are correct.

I know it will be tough but your best bet is to see the PMP. They are the true experts in pain management and hopefully he/she will help control your pain. My experience has been that they evaluate your pain and its cause and treat you accordingly.

In my opinion it doesn't have anything to do with age.... I think it is education and compassion that makes the difference. I've had older physicians that have been great.... and younger ones that seem indifferent to pain.

Again I know it'll be tough to wait to the appointment but hopefully the PMP will be your best answer. Surgeons "fix" things and that's about where it ends. As a general rule they will not continue to prescribe past a few weeks before they cut you back to less potent opiates.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

My Best to You,
~Tuck

[nurseaudrea]

I agree with Tuckamoore. You need to see a Pain Management Doctor. Fortunately for me I was already seeing one when I had my last surgery. The surgeon and the PMD worked together to decide what meds I needed and how long I needed to stay on them. I also think it made a difference how long I had been a patient to this PMD. He knew me well and knew I am not the kind of person to take new drugs, especially valium, so if I asked to keep taking it they knew I needed it. They knew I was the kind of person that perferred to stay at the lower end of the doses and if I did ask for an increase that meant there was a reason and that was pain, due to surgery. And they knew when the surgical pain got better I would wean myself off the meds, as I have done before, no problems. Really knowing your doctors before having surgery can be a huge payoff.

You need to get into a doctor that will listen to you and will be compassionate and understand what you are going through. You need to be able to function so you can do PT without being in so much pain. 6 Lortabs a day could not cut it for anyone after a spinal fusion.  

I remember with my first fusion they put my on 40mg Oxycontin right after surgery. I had only taken Vicodin before. This med took care of all my pain. After one month that was it. No more Oxycontin . I went back to the surgeon and told him I was still in a lot of pain and he said I was young and should be able to handle it. Instead he gave me mega doses of Vicoden and Neurontin. I was allowed to take up to 8 Vicoden a day. I did that everyday. At that time that had to help so that is all I knew. I had to get a refill every Friday. It was so tiring always needing a refill and being so afraid I would not get it before the weekend came. I think he only wrote me a script for a week at a time back then, Something like 30-45 pills a week, can't remember. I didn't know anything about PM at that time. Wish I had. All I know is I got up and moving and that is how I got better. Yes it hurt more so that is when I would take the pain meds. But if you sit and don't move because you are afraid of the pain, then the pain will become more overwelming and take over you and you will not heal. You have to get up and go on with life. I promise it does get better. It's all a mindset.
Push on and push forward. You can do this, you have to. The more you do the better you will feel and the better and faster you will heal in no time. It goes by so fast.

I am not bsing you. I have gone through two fusions and two other spinal surgeries. You have to get up and out to heal. F the pain. Get it out of your mind. You are a strong young man and you will beat this, it is in you to do this. I know you can. Keep this mantra and you will do just fine. Now say it like you mean it.