I hope this brings you relief! You deserve it.

Have you tried therapy? It's a big help for those of us who have had our lives suddenly changed by things such as chronic pain. Some ppl cope and handle stress better than others. A good therapist should help you out a lot because medication is only a small part of the process.

There are many different pain meds, and you have to work with your doc to figure out the best combo for YOU. It can take years to figure it out.

Generally the best idea is to start with a low dose Extended Release opiate. Dosages and amounts are steadily increased until you get to a level where you're at your highest level of function--where the side effects of the meds such as drowsiness don't make you sleep too much for example.

Then, an Immediate Release opiate can be added in to help with pain spikes.

You must work with a doc that is experienced with RSD and or severe pain patients. To do otherwise could be dangerous. It's a good idea to find a pharmacist that will pay attention to your RXs, and will refuse to fill if they're written wrong or if it would be dangerous to take as prescribed. Docs are human and make mistakes!

I am seeing a Psychologist, who does bio-feedback and Hypnotherapy. It does help a LOT. It's just for some reason the last few weeks my arm has been getting worse. Believe me I didn't WANT to be on opiates for a long length of time, I have issues with constipation. But I'm kind of afraid it's progressing. Even with the therapy, physical therapy, and other medications that we have tried. Unfortunately I'm pretty much down to opiates for the pain relief because of all my reactions to the other meds...... it was a last ditch resort. But, I seriously couldn't handle the level of pain it had gotten to. I had been trying self-hypnosis and Epsom baths and everything before calling my doc's office who then told me to go to er......I hate the ER. lol

try 50mcg fentanyl patches,they work for me,however they are 80 times more potent than morphine,and pregablin,good luck

Hi,
Just wanted to tell you that senna tablets help with the constipation. I take three of them a day and it usually keeps me going pretty good. I have to take opiates daily also. You gotta do what you have to do.
Hope this new combo of meds works out for you. Good luck.
Much love,
Brain

By the way, I take MS Contin 30mg twice daily. They are long acting (twelve hours). I have found relief with these. But have been on them since 2009 and am finding I may have to add a short acting pain med at times due to seizure pain and migraine headaches.
Brain

Not to hijack your thread, Songbird, but I was just wondering, Brain, if the senna tablets have any side effects. I'm taking a couple of things that are causing "problems".
Thanks!

They stop working effectively with prolonged use IMO. 1-2 apples per day can provide significant help.

When I'm late taking my neurontin the sharp pain becomes unbearable. I think docs say you're supposed to take it every 8 hours, but that's not often enough for me. I take it every 5 or 6 hours and that heads off some of the pain. So neurontin--the good old stand-by works best for me and lots of people in forum say same thing. Some like lyrica better but, like you, this med makes me sick.

Other things that work for me: Fentanyl patch, MSIR (quick acting morphine), and, definitely Biofeedback and deepbreathing exercises.

I've also learned that each med hits a different type of pain.