chronic intractable pain

Dr. Smith · 08-19-2012, 10:23 AM

Dr. Tennant has done and written about some great (some groundbreaking) stuff, but as he himself notes, pain endocrinology is "early in what is clearly an emerging practice". It, or something very similar, has been hyped in 'pop alternative medicine' for some time as adrenal fatigue/exhaustion. Either way, it's not yet recognized by mainstream medicine. Your doctors may raise an eyebrow.

I've been following some of his recommendations for some time, chronicling it here, with what have been for me, great results.

Doc

Lesley McPhee · 09-16-2012, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pebblebeach2

Good morning all.

I am fairly new to "NeuroTalk" and I am looking for some input. I have already posted several times to the section on Peripheral Neuropathy & the Spine section.

Here is bridfly my story.

I have been thru 7 spine surgeries which includes surgery to implant and remove a spinal cord stimulator. I have severe cervical and lumbar issues and have had surgery where Harrington Rods were used. I still have spine issues and ongoing problems that include: weakness in my arms; radiating pain into my shoulders; numbness in legs; loss of balance issues; An EMG was done and showed severe nerve problems in my cervical and lumbar regions; severe arthritis in cervical and lumbar regions and neuropathy.

Other healh issues include; Type 2 diabetes; congenital absent left kidney; right kidney disease; surgery for a blood clot on my left leg and surgery for pancreatic cancer.

I started to see a new neurologist about 8 months ago or so. He started me on medication for pain management. Initially I was on Oxydodone and baclofen but was taken off of it because of side effects that didnt go away. I had trouble breathing and lightheadedness.

So I was put on Hydrocodone/Tyelenol 7.5-750 mg and can take a maximum of 6 tablets per day and Tizanidine 2 mg tablets where I take 3 tablets per day.

But here is what i noticed on the Rx. He put down a diagnosis of "Chronic Intractable Pain."

From what I saw when I googled it, it said basically that with all that is wrong there is no other treatmet options left. So does this mean just medicate me at this point that I am at the end of the road for finding any answers or treatment for what is wrong.

I'm finding that when I see him and the meds arent working the answer is just increase the medications. How long can you go on and just increasing the medications so that I can survive and function during the day?

I guess I am frustrated beyond belief at this point. I find it difficult getting thru the day without the medication. But on the medication I find it difficult as well due to side effects.

I guess I am just looking for input on what Chrong Intractable Pain is and how to deal with chronic pain when there may be no answers or treatment left.

Thanks for listening.

Allan

Hi Allan,

I have had much experience with narcotic pain med's, and have also had the experience of doctors just increasing the dosage if they have no other solutions to treatment of severe chronic nerve pain. I started with demerol, then was switched to morphine (when bad side effects occurred), then to fentanyl (when I was completely disabled with narcotic bowel syndrome). The dosage on the fentanyl was slowly increased over the course of 7 years, until I was rendered completely bed-ridden for 1.5 years with terrible side effects, which included not being able to eat. The bottom line for me was to taper back down to a very low dose of fentanyl. It took much effort and determination, but I am back on my feet and enjoying life again, on a wellness program which includes 2 hours of walking 5 - 6 days a week. I still have to deal with a lot of pain, but at least I can function at a minimal level.
I am very careful about what I eat, trying to make the most healthy choices that I can, no alcohol, no junk food, etc. The conventional medical community has given up on me, telling me that I just have to "live with it" for the rest of my life. However, I am not going to give up, and when I can plan to investigate naturopathic medicine.

Super Nice 007 · 09-18-2012, 11:10 AM

Hi Allen,

I am new here and just wanted to say hello. I too am in a lot of pain, and have been through it all.

I am so sorry to hear about all of your multiple back surgeries, and I hope they find you a cure for you real soon. Have you looked into TENS units or pain management treatments.

All the best to you, Allen

pebblebeach2 · 09-21-2012, 08:50 PM

Hi all. It's been awhile since I've posted here.
I am still on hydrocodone and tizanidine.
Usually if I take the hydrocodone I find that it may take some of the edge off. But other times I am climbing the walls.
I'm concerned about side effects. For one thing I feel lightheaded and usually at nights I break out into severe sweats.
But one thing I've noticed is weight gain. I've always had weight issues but if I put my mind to it I usually lost the weight. I have been pushing myself to go to the gym doing the treadmill anywere from 10 to 30 minutes. I do some weights to work on my shoulder problems and I do the sauna which helps the arrthritis and is good for metabolism etc.
But nothing. the weight is not changing. I usually have eggs and a piece of bread in the morning and usually some type of chicken lunch & dinner.
I am not going to lie and say I never cheat but that is a rarity.
In looking up the side effects of hydrocodone I found something about weight gain. Any one have issues with this as well.

Also side effects of the medication indicates mood changes; anxiety. I found I am cutting myself off frome everyone. More short tempered. And I am thinking the medication is contributing to this.

I spoke to a pain management doctor that I know today for guidance. He deals with pain but for cancer patients. He is referring me to someone that deals with pain for spine issues. Yet he gave me a general understanding of pain and medication. His thought was about possibility of my using the "morphine Pump" But that will be up to the doctor he is referring me to.

I am so worried about being able to control the pain but I have severe nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy and I feel things are getting worse.

While the meds may control the symptomss it scares me that more and more damage is being done. And if there is more damage and its progressive then what am I supposed to do?

Any thoughts on the morphine pump? Any thoughts on the fact that the symptoms are progressing?

I just dont know what to do any more.

Thanks for listening.

razzle51 · 09-30-2012, 04:28 AM

pebblesbeach from another thread you wrote about waiting for 2 yrs for pain clinic what ever happen with that..

pebblebeach2 · 10-31-2012, 04:09 PM

Hi all. It's been a while sine I've posted.

Ive been on hydrocodone and tizanidine which I dont think are really doing much to relieve my pain.

Today I saw a NEW pain management doctor who I really liked. Well the bottom line is that we are proceeding with the "trial" Intrathecal Pain Pump -- morphine. Getting the usual precerts from the insurance company and then hopefully it will be done the 2nd week in December. It will address really the mid/low back pain. then after that we will address the issues in my neck. I do have myelomalacia and focal cord atrophy as per the cervical MRI.

We will do a further workup, not sure what that involves just yet, to see how to deal with the neck issues, the weakness in the arms etc.

One thing that may or may not end up happening but he suggested that I be seen either at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC which I was there years ago for a previous surgery or to be seen at John Hopkins down in Maryland. Whether that comes to pass will depend on what we come up after the morphine pump is implanted. But we did briefly discuss that being an option.

So the trial will be done and if all goes well then a permanent implant will be done as well.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I get some relief at this point. Some days I am not functioning at all or barely.

I need to do something. Hopefully this is the beginning of being on the right course.

pebblebeach2 · 10-31-2012, 04:12 PM

Razzle as to the appointment that you are referring to waiting 2 years. I spoke to a pain management doctor who I respect and felt I shouldnt even bother setting up the appt. He knew of the doctor that had the long waiting lost and didn't feel that the treatment that would be offered would be beneficial for me. So I moved on.

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