I have two different pain origins: P/N of the feet and lower legs, and perianal fissures and strictures at my j-pouch anastomosis. The shooting and burning of the feet can be quite sudden and difficult, but the burning, searing, cutting pain from the fissures can stop me in my tracks and take me to tears.

I am struggling to maintain some level of control (the pain will never be completely gone) with 250 mg of vicodin and medical marijuana. I often can have several very pain free hours using this combination, and have told my doctors that I hope to not have to graduate to anything stronger.

However, I would like to try tramadol, unless there are any negative side effects that I am not already exposed to.

I am lucky to be in a medical state and to have access through a very good patient coop for my "herbal" remedy. As often as I can I bake "medicated" gingerbread cookies that give me up to 5-7 hours of relief. These I can tote with me and don't have to worry about the social factors of using marijuana medically.

I have recently begun working with a pain specialist, but have a long way to go. I am just coming through a period of severe exacerbation, which I really hope to get a handle on through the pain clinic. They only use morphine and methadone . . . neither of which do I want to, nor am I at the stage, to use.