[QUOTE=en bloc;1137681]If it works, is he actually considering keeping you on Codeine until this resolves (which may be years)?? That's really unusual to start with a narcotic and to go with more likely drugs that will help, second. Not sure how much he Rx'd for you, but large or frequent doses of Tylenol are horrible for your liver.

At least you will know if narcotics will help, though. but I wouldn't stay with that if it helps...you should still try other options first.[/QUOTE

He prescribed me 40 pills and wants me to try taking them 3 times a day for 5days. I'm not sure what his plan his... He said if that doesn't work we can try Gabapentin. I took the Tylenol last night cus I needed pain relief, I had a bit less pain but not enough to keep on it for an extended period of time. I'll take it for the 5 days until I can back in to see him and say "ok, I tried it. Not working, so PLEASE advise me on Gabapentin. He also gave me a compounded cream to put on the acupuncture sites, and that actually worked and gave me the most pain relief (compared to nortriptyline, and Tylenol 3). However, I have already used up half of the tiny container it came in so.....
Sometimes he lets it slip that he feels that this is anxiety b/c by mri, emg, and bloodwork are normal. Other times times he says it definitely sounds like neuropathy...So who knows. Just have to wait for the skin biopsy on may 20.

I'm not an expert at this (MrsD would know more), but Codeine is not nearly as strong as pain meds like Percocet (Oxycodone). I doubt 30 mg of Tylenol 3 is even equal to 5 mg of Percocet. Therefore, I'm not surprised it didn't help.

But like you said, finish the 5 days and go back for the next suggestion (Gabapentin).

I'm glad you got some relief from the compound...something is better then nothing.

What is in that compound cream?

I find it puzzling that you can see the acupuncture holes/location after all this time. Are they red, inflamed, raised, discolored, what? Can you photograph them and post them here?

T-3's are 30mg of codeine. They have a slow onset because the codeine has to be activated in the liver into a morphine analog. I personally find them very strong but then I am an opiate naive person. When I had my C-section-- a long 12 inch vertical incision, I was given T3's for the pain. People who take other opiates, would find them very weak and ineffective for the most part. 2 of them at one time give 60mg of codeine, and that is stronger, obviously. Did your doctor write for 2 -- 3 times a day? 40 would be then a 3 days supply just about. The over the counter codeine/tylenol products in Canada have 8mg of codeine in each tablet.

[QUOTE=mrsD;1137840]What is in that compound cream?

I find it puzzling that you can see the acupuncture holes/location after all this time. Are they red, inflamed, raised, discolored, what? Can you photograph them and post them here?

Yes, my doctor was surprised at being able to see them as well. they are red and raised. They look like small red bumps. the cream has amitriptyline, and two other ingredients (I'd have to look at the bottle at home). at least one of the two is an anti-inflammatory.

Red and raised suggest infection/inflammation to me.

They should not be this obvious after all this time.

Can you take a photo of them?

T-3's are 30mg of codeine. Canada have 8mg of codeine in each tablet.[/QUOTE]

Wow, I wonder why in the US T-3's have 30mg of codeine but in Canada they only have 8mg. That's a big difference. Maybe that's why they didn't help much.

The bottle said to take 1 tablet 3xday for 5 days. My doctor ALWAYS prescribes more pills than I need.

Wow, I wonder why in the US T-3's have 30mg of codeine but in Canada they only have 8mg. That's a big difference. Maybe that's why they didn't help much.

The bottle said to take 1 tablet 3xday for 5 days. My doctor ALWAYS prescribes more pills than I need.[/QUOTE]

I think you misread my post.

T-3's in US have 30mg of codeine in them. In the US we do not have a tablet with codeine at all that is OTC.

The OTC codeine in Canada that does not require an RX has 8mg of codeine in them.

Are you sure you know what your RX in Canada has in it? It should say on the label of the RX or you can ask your pharmacist for clarification.

In the US T2=15mg codeine and 325mg of Tylenol
T3= 30mg of codeine and 325mg of Tylenol
T4= 60mg of codeine and 325mg of Tylenol-- All are RX only.

Red raised sure does sound like infection or inflammation. Makes me think of Gutatte Psoriasis too (NOT saying it's that!) where the skin is having an immune response inflammatory thing. Unless you just make lovely raised red scars like I do Do they respond to anything like Benadryl or steroid cream?

Careful on the narcotics, over time they can actually increase sensitivity to pain through activating the glia which make up 80% of our nervous system. That's part of why they are often avoided for CRPS.

[QUOTE=mrsD;1137840]What is in that compound cream?

I find it puzzling that you can see the acupuncture holes/location after all this time. Are they red, inflamed, raised, discolored, what? Can you photograph them and post them here?

Cream says: diclo 10% + ami2%diffu. I don't know what any of that means other than the amitriptyline cus I recognized the name when he said it.

Tylenol 3 bottle simply sàys Tylenol 3 doesn't say how codeine and Tylenol is in each tablet. I'll have to call the pharmacy.

How do u upload a picture to a reply ( sorry not the most computer literate) I have been thinking about the possibility of infection like u said. Maybe that would explain the throbbing and internal heat that I feel. But, those two symptoms are body wide ( or maybe just feel body wide bc there were so many sites, maybe it just feels like that and I just can't tell the diff? It does seem stronger at the sites) Not all the tiny bumps r red though, some r just tiny bumps, some r red tiny bumps, some sites I don't see anything.

Thanks mrs d

Hi canagirl,
You can add images as an attachment.
This is from the FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. FAQ - attachments