Hi dear Patty ~ I can certainly relate. I've had severe chronic sciatica for 26 years -- and there have been times I've wanted to just pack it all in. This pain is just agonizing. The ONLY thing that has given me ANY relief at all has been the Fentanyl patch along with Methadone. We came across this combo after I wrote to a doctor online and she used this for hard-to-treat patients. That's me -- I wake up on operating room tables during surgery!!! It takes 3 men and a horse to medicate me -- and doctors aren't comfortable giving me the amount of medication I need.

It's surprising tho that I don't need a large dose of the Fentanyl patch. I'm only on .75mcg., and 10mg of Methadone 3 times a day. I switch the patch every 3 days, but it really should be changed every 2 days - I'm working on my doc to let me change it every 48 hours instead of every 72.

I know what you're going thru. This is horrible pain -- it feels like it goes right down to the bone. Perhaps the patch & methadone would work for you too. Oh -- and i know all about family too. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee