I have had no luck in getting a narcotic pain medication I guess is what you call it. I just came back from my neurologist today barely able to walk holding onto my son. (cant put any pressure on my right heel) my doctor and I guess he is from the ol skool and does not believe in prescribing them. He says lyrica, cymbalta, neurontin are pain medications....He came into the rooom after me waiting and 1 and 45 minutes stating I can only see you for a few minutes I have a lecture to give. grrrrr. ... (my appointment was at 10am and I was there) he then asked me what my pain threshold was as usual I said 8 if I stand a 9 and he said okay have you tried the tylenol. Oh great tylenol ...nope didnt work...hmmm if it did then why prescribe tramadol???
I am at the max level for tramadol 400mg and max of gabapentin 4800mg. He said there is nothing else that we can do. grrrrrr...makes me mad but that is okay I have an appointment with a pain management center on the 15th cant wait. Tired of living like this I wish the shoe was on the other foot.
I am thinking of switching doctors and going back to my local small town doctor at least he sympathized with me and did not want to see me in pain...I regret leaving him for what I thought would be a more knowledgable physician. Sorry people I had to vent.

I've been sober 24 years (come Tuesday) and a lot of doctors haven't wanted to put me on narcotic pain medications because of that. I'm 63 years old, I've taken Vicodin before, and I know it works for me for the pain Trileptal and Lyrica don't reach. It works, I don't abuse it, and with the three medications, I have a relatively pain-controlled life now. Not pain-free, but much, much closer to it than I used to be. But I told my doctor to begin with when I first went to him that I'd be more inclined to drink over long-term uncontrolled pain than from taking Vicodin. I had just spent a hell on earth for several years with no insurance and no medical care for my neuropathy. I've been taking Vicodin for six years now, I don't abuse it, and don't take it unless I need it.

I'm surprised, though, to see that people here are able to be prescribed such things as Percocet and Fentayl patches and big things like that. I didn't know doctors would give you those for PN, even though my neurologist did ask me once if I "really got any relief from the little Vicodin". For myself, I don't think I'd want to go bigger, even though at the small dose of Vicodin and the other drugs I take, I don't have complete freedom to stay on my feet, go for walks, etc. I just got a Hoveround chair and that will make it possible for me to be out in mainstream life more now. I think if I went to more hardcore narcotics, it might just make me dopey and sleepier. Oh, I forgot----I also have Flexaryl I can take when my back pain is really great but I mostly use that at bedtime. I feel like "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and maybe doing what I'm doing now is the best thing for me even though I do have to use a power chair for shopping and such.

Colbeymoore, my heart goes out to you because I've been there! I'll keep you in my prayers that you can find a doctor who will be more understanding and give you something more for pain. Can you change doctors to maybe find one with more compassion? I, of all people, understand the concern doctors have for not giving patients drugs they can get addicted to, but like I said with myself, I think sometimes they push people the other way by not giving relief when they really should. I was at the end of my rope when I finally found the doctor I have now.

Whoa Colby, I've had no problem with my meds, I take Flexerall every day(2x) and Norco 325/10 four times a day. I've been doing this for three years along with my neurontin and lorezepam...it's my pain reduction cocktail and allows me to be almost normal. My neuro sent me to pain & spine clinic and recently like last year to rheumatologist....no messing around with him. He listens to me as do my other three physicians, I can't imagine any of them discounting my pain! I have idiopathic neuropathy, degenerative disc disease and rheumatoid. I've been in pain since I injured my back in 91, but it was the neuropathy that sent me over the top....a different kind of pain, it is soooo all consuming that you can't even function sometimes. You would be well advised to find a better neurologist and heading to the pain clinic is definately a super wise move. Best wishes for your pain relief.

do not give up.
 

Read my posts. stickies, Neuropathy does improve. page #3 post# 22


Not absolutely certain diagnosis, page #2, #11 and- #15 post.


My heading. George 75

I'm taking gabapentin. It took a couple of weeks, I noticed some improvement. The pain was still there,but significantly reduced. I then started exercising, which helped me even more.

The problem is if I sit for prolonged periods of time, my symptoms come right back. Is it possible to have PN from a repetitve strain injury? I don't have diabetes or history with alcohol abuse.

Due to multiple major issues with my spine I have neuropathy in my legs, feet, arms and hands. I also have a multitude of drug and food allergies, which prevented me from being able to successfully take all the medications already posted by you and others in response to your issues. With every step I took came pain that nothing but steroidal epidurals relieved and that relief has been very short lived. Recently my pain mangement doctor asked me if I would try Nucynta and Nucynta ER. Currently I am taking 60 mg every 8 hours of brand name oxycontin and 150 mg of Nucynta every 8 hours and I swear this is THE FIRST medication I have used that has FULLY provided pain relief from the neuropathy! I am actaully walking and walking without a tear on my face! After I complete my next seriies of epidurals in 5 weeks, I will happilly swtich over from the oxy to Nucynta ER. Once you see a pain management specialist, I hope you bring up the option of taking Nucynta. This medication has already begun to change my life in ways I cannot explain to anyone but those of us who live with the never ending lpain from neuropathy. Seriously, I can walk with my grandkids and play with them...no rough housing, of course, but the difference in my life is black and white! I've been seeing pain managment doctors since 1988 and this is the best I've felt since I was in three accidents that totalled all the vehicles in less than a 6 month time in 1988.

If that was me at that appointment, had that doctor not referred me to the proper facility, pain management doctors, I'd file a complaint against that doctor with the state licensing agency.

Hi Colbey
 

Hello, and I sure do understand about your pain. Since you have complications with kidney disease, yes for sure a pain specialist is the best choice. They do know how to deal with multipal conditions, that effect your pain. I hope you can find a good specialist. I wish you all the best. ginnie

National Pain Care Policy Act of 2009
 

Senators Hatch and dood have been working VERY hard in our behalf. The following has been taken, in part, from the most recent Act.

Every person that suffers from acute or chronic pain:

Suffers the adverse physical, psychological, emotional, societal, and financial consequences that can result if pain is not appropriately assessed, diagnosed, treated, or managed;
`(3) has) the availability, benefits, and risks of all pain treatment and management options;
`(4) (right to) have pain promptly assessed, appropriately diagnosed, treated, and managed, and regularly reassessed with treatment adjusted as needed;
`(A) appropriate assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management options for all types of pain and pain-related symptoms; and
`(B) conditions for which no treatment options are yet recognized; and
`(7) other issues the Secretary deems appropriate.... this was taken from the

Please check out my posts below re medication Im on now