I don't have much more to add as far as possible pain relief methods go--I think trying something local, like the TENS or the Lidoderm patches, would be worth it before going onto heavier meds or considering a spinal implant, just to see if the edge can be taken off--but I did want to send you empathy and gentle hugs (really gentle, I know).

I've used the tens, used the Lidoderm patches, used the muscle stimulator, had PT for pain, I've just been there done that with all of the less invasive things. They take off the edge, but it's just not enough. I've even combined some of them. I used Lidoderm patches at night, Tens and pain med in the daytime and Muscle Stim. in between. Brian, I bought the magnets but can't find any place where they seem to do any good.

I do think it's possible there is some nerve damage in the tailbone, sacral area because one of the breaks was accross the S3 area. But nothing shows in the MRI's. The neuro says that doesn't mean there isn't damage there tho. It wouldn't be the first time that someone had pain that no source could be found for. And I've had this tailbone area pain for so long. We've done all kinds of testing to find the source of it. There is restriction on that side in the knee area, ankle area and some in the hip area. Like there is a giant spasm that won't let me go. I walk one sided like my spine is twisted some. And I lean to one side, one hip higher than the other.

I'm just so tired of the pain. Just don't know what to do and I'm very afraid it's not going to leave.

Billye

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering so much - but you cant give up.... I'm not expert on the meds at all - but did have a friend with severe autoimmune issues that also were accomanied by severe back pain - she was on constant morphine - which cut the pain but caused constant nauesa that she also had to take meds to control, and made it dangerous to drive on the med combo.... is morphine an option for you however maybe just at home? She also had a morphine pump put in her back - it cut the pain a great deal and reduced her dose of the drug - but she had a slow spinal fluid leak from it and resulting headache and had to have it taken out... this was several years ago - maybe they have perfected this technique more?

I sure hope they can find you some relief - sending good thoughts....

Hi Billye:

Besides echoing all the sentiments that others have wished you, I have only one question.

What does your doctor say about your pain? Does he truly think it's okay for one human being to be in pain like that?? I know physicians differ as far as pain management goes, but I haven't read where you mentioned how your doctor is addressing this.

Is he saying "we can get you a morphine pump because a morphine pump is what you need" or is he perhaps saying "what you need for your pain is this,(and he mentions some kind of product) THIS WILL DO THE TRICK".

Just curious.

No one should suffer like that. NO ONE!!!

I hope your doctor comes through for you. Sending you a gentle hug.

Melody

If only I could have the magic ability to take some of your pain onto me even for a little while, I surely would!
I only wish I could come up with some medical 'magic' from somewhere. I'm not tho.
Just sending you as much extra love as you want or can handle and know you are near my heart and in my mind. - j

Melody,
He's not pushing anything. He is entirely leaving this up to me. He tells me after seeing the xrays and ct scans that he has no doubt that I'm in lots of pain. He is letting me call the shots. I have opted not to increase the medication up to this point. But I'm weakening. I just want a little of life. I've been "wearing" a lot of pain for years and then this year it all increased. My husband tells me I have new wrinkles around my eyes and mouth and he can tell they are pain lines. Grimaces, squints, tooth gritting, etc. They aren't an issue with me. But his ability to tolerate my crabbiness is.

I was just looking for more information. I'm not ready to make any decisions.

Thanks for all the inputs and good wishes.

Billye

Billye:

I'll make is simple for ya!!!

Pain stinks!!! No doubt about that.

It also changes your personality and makes you go from a loving, sweet person, that you probably are, to a grouch. Can't help it. That's what happens to people when they are in pain.

AND YOU ARE IN PAIN!!!!!! Not some headachy, little elbow, arm achy, kind of pain!

YOU ARE IN PAIN!!!!

The kind that needs to be addressed.

So get crackin!!! Go to the doctor, and start on a dose that you can live with.

You have no idea if you can be maintained on this dose or if you will someday need to increase it. I've read on these boards where many people have stayed on that one dose and they have had their lives back.

Just remember that pain meds DO affect the digestive tract.

And if you are on pain meds, eat more fibre and have some Dulcolax in the house.

It's a lousy subject to touch upon, I know, but Alan lived with it for a few years when he was on the fentanyl patch, and believe me, when you have your pain taken away, you can LIVE!!

You deserve to be happy and to be pain -free.

We love you.

have you read Jane Brody in the New York Times? She is their longtime health writer and has been doing a series on Pain management (and the lack thereof in this country). I remember when she found out that hydrocodone is not for pain management but only for breakthrough pain, after she had been in tears over the pain after her knee surgery. Sufficient pain relief has been proven to speed healing, and increase the level of healing. You just don't want to ignore it. My rare and completely disabling condition can only be caused by ignoring pain. You can find some really wise, down to earth articles by her at nytimes.com. Try searching on "Jane Brody pain management". You can get opiates that can probably make you MORE functional, not drugged out.
Good luck,
Jane

The morphine pumbs are fine,i fough my Dr. on taking Morphine for 3 yrs.
I don't know why,nurse thing ,silly your in bad pain ,they would start
with morphine er tab.30 mg. it not going to know you for a loop,like
after sugery. But it does help,i'm on 30 mg 3 times a day. now but
that's enough. She said i could use Fentanyl transdsdermal or like mrsd
said the l patch and cut it up small. I am finally amazed that so many
Drs. are taking pain more serious. Billlye it doesn't havee to last for
a long time..When I finally said ok i'll try it what a relieef on her face.

I aways felt if you found yourself angry,you got to speak up to your
dr. and tell him-or-her the truth this is bad not only am I in pain,I find
myself angry at those who love me...Tell he -she- it the way you told us
that was brave and that's wonderfull ,but that kind of pain is mot,
I sure he already knows but at the same time he can't guess..A dear
one has let me know that,if you can make it to Mayo in a strom.
You can tell your Dr. this is just to much pain right now.. You
been hurting for some time now. Good luck and hugs Sue

The suggestions I'd be able to make here all would be under-whelming. You're out of the range of expecting them to make a huge difference. Be that as it may: why not switch the narcotic to Oxycodone IR. It doesn't have to have the tylenol, so there's no cap to how much you can take. The combinations with hydrocodone make it hard to up the dose appropriately.

After surgery, I was giving Oxycodone SR (Oxycontin) and oxycodone IR (Immediate Release) for "rescue". In the end, I never used the long-acting, just the short acting.

There's also dilaudid and methadone.

I don't know a lot about the pump, but I see people on the spinal forum sometimes get spinal stimulators implanted to stop pain signals from travelling upwards.

Here's a video on the stimulator from my back surgeon's website.

http://www.pfol.com/newsroom.html