Hi Finz,
Very nicely put! I guess I should say that after 5 years of trying everything and all meds, pain meds, etc. nothing worked for me except Fentanyl patch. I wore it for over 5 years and actually lowered it over the years too (along with everything each doctor had me on). I agree that each person is different and we all have different severities of rsd or other diseases. I have never had my pain totally gone and never get a buzz either on any of the meds. What works for one won't work for another. I think there are times when our pain is worse (like Pete said when weather changes come through) and we all have to do what helps us. I try to not take any pain meds but the burning pain is so bad I get severe chest pains every 3 hours and it feels like I am having a heartattack (EKG is normal) and if I can take something (after meditation, walking, trying everything, etc) that works like someone else said even 10% then it helps us be able to be somewhat "normal." But I think for a doctor to say opiods don't work and expect you not to have anything in case of severe pain is crazy. My thinking is: "We have a hard time getting pain medication from doctors yet...illegal drugs are everywhere (as I have been told by others and it is in the news too). I think the powers that persuade need to give the pain medicine to those like us that have pain and figure out a way to get the drugs off the street...that is the problem not people with rsd or chronic pain getting the medicine they need for when they need it. ok now I am off my soapbox for the moment. Just my two or three cents.
kathy d
Quote:
Originally Posted by finz
KyMarie,
I think your doctor is an idiot or severely opiod phobic.
I could understand if he said he didn't think opiods were the optimal treatment, or talked about rebound pain, or that opiods are often not as effective with nerve pain, but to say they just don't work on RSD is just plain ignorant.
Different solutions work for each of us. I can certainly understand a doctor prefering if we can manage on a combo of the right exercise, relaxation, topical treatments. Neurontin/Lyrica, antidepressants like Cymbalta or Elavil, muscle relaxers, etc. I think as patients, we have the responsibility to try to incorporate other treatments before relying on just opiods, but for some of us, opiods are also a necessary part of the mix if we are going to be able to enjoy life at all.
The blanket statement that opiods just don't work says he doesn't understand nerve pain or just is not willing to try prescribing them.
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