This thread has had my emotions all over the place-so many
well spoken postings... I wish I could express myself half as well as those of you who have shared such elegant, kind, informative and thoughtful posts.

Tony, I am so unhappy to hear how much pain you are in. I am way behind on reading due to a combination of things going on here, a very ill mother-in-law, and a husband home for spring break... When your picture popped up on this thread, I was again reminded how much you resemble my husband (and MrsD's, if I recall). I was so hoping for better news when I saw that handsome face...

I am in hopes that one of the members who PM's you can come up with some better ideas on how to give you more effective pain relief. It is just appalling to me that you are suffering like you are with little or no constructive input from your physicians on pain management.

Pain management is not supposed to be giving you a pill and then one that is stronger, if things get tough. It is supposed to be managing pain in a manner dictated by the individual needs of each patient. This may require juggling several different medications alone, or in combination until you find a formula that works. It could require considerably stronger medications than you have previously taken.

Some pain management here is done by anesthesiologists, other pain clinics are run by pain management specialists. Is there any hope at all that you might have your pain better addressed by seeing someone like this, rather than your own doctor?

I know you previously mentioned being limited on who you can see, once you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness, but it breaks my heart to see you like this and even considering dark thoughts.

I have had PN for over 15 years. One of the best favors any doctor ever did for me was to put a little Lidocaine in my IV just before surgery. It felt like heaven, no pain... I believe there is a drug called Mexedil (?) that acts in a similar manner, but this has to be managed by someone who does pain management...

I wish I had the magic answer to make it all go away.

My thoughts are with you,
Cathie