Thanks Lee for explaining it that way- that puts my mind at ease a bit. Ya know, I know there are people out there who do abuse the system to get narcotics, but because of them, its so hard to even get painkillers when you need them sometimes, and the fact that I have to ration my own each month and suffer some days because I know I can't get a refill before a certain date just really makes me feel like an addict already. I know I need them for the pain, but they sure do make people feel guilty for taking the needed meds, let alone asking for something different or stronger. There have been times that I've hurt so bad I've gone ahead and taken more than I'm "supposed to" in order to last the whole month, and I think, 'Screw it, i'll deal with it then" but its always a trade off of hurt now or hurt later.

I appreciate the compassion I've found here- it means a lot if only to have folks to talk to about the whole bit.

I think we ALL have taken an extra pill at one time or another when we were in excruciating pain. We ARE, afterall, only human! And the medical community UNDER medicates us so terribly that they MAKE us feel guilty for trying to find some shred of comfort. Like I said, I've had this nasty pain for 26 years, and I do not remember what it feels like to NOT have pain. I think I would feel like I'd died and gone to heaven if I did NOT have any pain. LOL

Try to be open and honest with your doctor. You'll get further with him if you are. As for the burning type pain, the zapping/etc., I have better luck with Topamax. The Neurontin made me feel like a space cadet. With Topamax, I don't have ANY side effects - and I even lost weight on it. LOL You might ask your doc about it - it took ALL the burning, zapping, stinging away completely. I love that drug. No highs, no nausea, etc.

Good luck ~ keep us posted on how you're doing. Hugs, Lee

An older couple is lying in bed one morning, having just awakened from a good night's sleep.

The husband takes his dear wife's hand and she responds, "Don't touch me!"

"Why not?" he asks.

She answers back, "Because I'm dead."

The husband says, "What are you talking about? We're both lying here in bed together talking to one another."

She says, "No, I'm definitely dead."

He insists, "You're not dead. What in the world makes you think you're dead?"

"NOTHING HURTS!"


Doc "I Don't Write 'Em" Smith

Workers comp throws a whole new problem into the mix - that's for sure.

Nothing like delayed or denying care to make everything get worse

With my RSI wc claim - I finally sought some care on a cash pay basis (outside the wc system) with a very nice knowledgeable chiropractor that also used the PT therapeutic modalities that I needed.
I also found an advanced PT and paid cash for a comprehensive evaluation from him. He also gave me some very good advice & tips on things to help me long term.

But paying cash and not using private ins was the thing - so not to mess up or complicate the work comp claim with other bills or paperwork showing on your medical records.....but sometimes ya gotta just help yourself to feel better...
Just my thoughts on that.

Well, so now I've got new complaints about w/c to throw in the mix-
My PA who has been providing my care and advise and pain med refills for 2 + yrs has now been told by the docs at the clinic (which he relays to me) that he is supposed to be for 'back up care' in case the docs are unavailable and should not be providing primary care- therefore he can no longer treat me or refill my meds. Of course, this comes just after w/c judge finally orders HIM to provide pain management. (I posted all of this on the w/c forum thread...)
So, Idk if they'll pay for another dr at the same clinic to treat, and Idk if another dr will continue my medications. Just one big hassle after another, or just when I think one thing has been resolved, here comes another problem...ugh.

So anyway, now a couple of other questions...given that I may not be able to continue receiving the pain meds, I'm more desperate than ever to find alternatives...

Does anyone have experience with ultrasound therapy? For example, they sell these ultrasound therapy wands and machines, etc, with the transducer gel, online, and I wonder if they work for deep pain?

Does anyone know anything about making a homemade topical cream/ointment with crushed medication? I read on some other boards some recipes for cream with emu oil, capsaicin, etc, but those kinds of creams haven't worked for me before. And then I have seen others discuss maybe crushing the vicodin in a cream base of some sort to apply topically. Anyone know anything about this?

Finally, and if this is a 'taboo' subject, I apologize, but medical marijuana. Anyone know if it works for pain? I honestly haven't smoked pot since high school 20 yrs ago, but if I knew it would help...I've also heard that this can be made into a topical product, but I have no idea how or with what, etc. If anyone has any info or thoughts about this at all, PLEASE let me know- and if you'd rather not post in the forum for all to see, don't hesitate to PM me instead. Let me make clear, I am NOT a narc, or cop, or whatever, and I don't care who uses or doesn't, not interested in getting anyone in any trouble. I am just asking *hypothetically* for information.

And just in general, if anyone has any ideas of something I can try, suggest or mention to a new dr, or thoughts of how to approach the pain management strategies with a completely new doc, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

I have a family and friends, all of whom I feel like I am burdening with my pain and limitations, so this is my outlet and resource. I am so thankful to have found this board, if only for the emotional support, so THANKS TO ALL

Well, so now I've got new complaints about w/c to throw in the mix-
My PA who has been providing my care and advise and pain med refills for 2 + yrs has now been told by the docs at the clinic (which he relays to me) that he is supposed to be for 'back up care' in case the docs are unavailable and should not be providing primary care- therefore he can no longer treat me or refill my meds. Of course, this comes just after w/c judge finally orders HIM to provide pain management. (I posted all of this on the w/c forum thread...)
So, Idk if they'll pay for another dr at the same clinic to treat, and Idk if another dr will continue my medications. Just one big hassle after another, or just when I think one thing has been resolved, here comes another problem...ugh.

So anyway, now a couple of other questions...given that I may not be able to continue receiving the pain meds, I'm more desperate than ever to find alternatives...

Does anyone have experience with ultrasound therapy? For example, they sell these ultrasound therapy wands and machines, etc, with the transducer gel, online, and I wonder if they work for deep pain?

Does anyone know anything about making a homemade topical cream/ointment with crushed medication? I read on some other boards some recipes for cream with emu oil, capsaicin, etc, but those kinds of creams haven't worked for me before. And then I have seen others discuss maybe crushing the vicodin in a cream base of some sort to apply topically. Anyone know anything about this?

Finally, and if this is a 'taboo' subject, I apologize, but medical marijuana. Anyone know if it works for pain? I honestly haven't smoked pot since high school 20 yrs ago, but if I knew it would help...I've also heard that this can be made into a topical product, but I have no idea how or with what, etc. If anyone has any info or thoughts about this at all, PLEASE let me know- and if you'd rather not post in the forum for all to see, don't hesitate to PM me instead. Let me make clear, I am NOT a narc, or cop, or whatever, and I don't care who uses or doesn't, not interested in getting anyone in any trouble. I am just asking *hypothetically* for information.

And just in general, if anyone has any ideas of something I can try, suggest or mention to a new dr, or thoughts of how to approach the pain management strategies with a completely new doc, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

I have a family and friends, all of whom I feel like I am burdening with my pain and limitations, so this is my outlet and resource. I am so thankful to have found this board, if only for the emotional support, so THANKS TO ALL

ok - before you dismiss my suggestion -- please give it a try --
-
i have had multiple sclerosis over 40yrs now -- so many muscle spasms and falls and broken bones --
-
now i have herniated disks and the pain from my back - down my tush all the way past my ankle and top of my foot --
-
i have tried everything you have plus some -
-
the one topical pain cream that really has worke is the generic pain cream from -- target --
it really works - to the point where i wish i could take a bath in it --
-
if you need to use heat or cold -- do it -before - you apply the cream -
a warm shower first helps it work quicker --
-
i wish it will bring you the relief it does me --
if you must check with a dr before using otc meds do so --
-
i wish you less stress and pain -
- dvora -

In Dr. Tennant's article, Hormone Treatments in Chronic and Intractable Pain
http://www.practicalpainmanagement.c...tractable-pain
I found mention that:

It says animals - not humans (because the human studies haven't been done yet) I'm not saying to jump in and take it; hormones are serious stuff not to be messed with w/o a knowledgable doctor's guidance. I'm just mentioning it as something to look into and, if it makes sense to you, discuss it with your docs.

Doc

I had a bout with sciatica a couple of years ago while I was in hospital. They started me on PT, which they said would continue 3x/wk for 3 months.

When I was released from hospital, the pain was worse that ever. It took over my life, ironically hurting the most when I lay down. I couldnt imagine putting up with this any longer, & really couldn't fit the time-consuming PT into my schedule if it was going to continue to prove useless.

I haven't seen acupuncture mentioned in the thread. I opted for acupuncture, which I used first for pain management when I had shingles.

This time I had three treatments a week for two weeks, then once a week for two weeks, then monthly for two months. The last 2 were my idea, combined with a general energizing treatment. By the fifth treatment, all pain was gone.

15 months later I felt some twinges in the affected butt-to-ankle area & I had a week of 3 sessions. It didn't come back.

Any question...ask away.

Any idea what happened physically that it worked so well for so long?