[ncchief30]

Ok, since Nov 2009 I have Pain in my neck,shoulder and middle back on the right side. I also have a burning feeling down the left side of my back. This has been going on for over a year now. I have done PT,Injections,used a TENS unit, Patches and other stuff but the pain will not go away. I really do not want to live anymore. This pain sucks. The pain killers I am on help a little but does not do the job, I am on Oxycontin 10 mg twice daily, and 4 norcos a day. How do you all cope. Because to tell you all the truth I really do not want to live.

[frenchfri1003]

Have you gone to an orthopedic /spine surgeon and or had an MRI to see if you have any major issues in your neck or back. No reason to live with pain if you don't have to. Do yourself a favor and get checked out.

[Leesa]

Hi ~ I'm sorry you're suffering so bad, but please don't talk like that. We need you. Are you seeing a pain management doctor? If you are, TELL HIM that your pain is not being controlled and you need something to knock it down!! I've been in chronic pain for 26 years, and it was just recently that I FINALLY found something to REALLY ease the pain. I'm now on the Fentanyl patch along with Methadone ~ this combination really works!! it is supposed to be for hard to treat patients. Maybe this combination would help you too ~ I found out about it from a doctor online. Then I asked my own doctor if we could try it and he said yes!

Please if you're NOT in pain management, get a referral. If you ARE - talk with the doctor and MAKE him take charge of your pain. God bless. Hugs, Lee

[Dr. Smith]

You need to talk to your prescribing doctor about your pain.
Google: talking to your doctor about pain

Doc

[Colin Street]

Originally Posted by ncchief30

Ok, since Nov 2009 I have Pain in my neck,shoulder and middle back on the right side. I also have a burning feeling down the left side of my back. This has been going on for over a year now. I have done PT,Injections,used a TENS unit, Patches and other stuff but the pain will not go away. I really do not want to live anymore. This pain sucks. The pain killers I am on help a little but does not do the job, I am on Oxycontin 10 mg twice daily, and 4 norcos a day. How do you all cope. Because to tell you all the truth I really do not want to live.

I have been in continuous pain since September 2006. I had op (spinal decompression etc) in December of that year, which may have prevented the condition from worsening but did not remove pain. After that I tried most if not all the recommended drugs but none proved effective so now I only take painkillers when I have headache etc.
I felt like you do at times but have gradually progressed from mostly negative to mostly positive through various stages. I could detail those stages to some degree but my belief is that everyone needs to make their own journey. Just remember that it is a journey, and that the direction can be upwards, although there may be periods when things regress. Hope this helps.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Colin Street

Just remember that it is a journey, and that the direction can be upwards, although there may be periods when things regress. Hope this helps.

Really good answer and very well put.

I have likened it to the stages of grief, which journey is also different for each of us.

The Intractable Pain Patient's Handbook for Survival has helped many of us.
http://pain-topics.org/pdf/IntractablePainSurvival.pdf

ncchief30, depending on where you are geographically, there may be a live face-to-face chronic/intractable pain support group. These groups can be immensely helpful as well. Hopefully, you are, or will be, in a pain management program. The folks there may/should be able to direct you to a support group. If not a group, there is pain counselling - ask your doc or PM doc about that.

Doc