My pain med barely works anymore. Since getting this, I now have a phobia to pain and I used to be able to tolerate a lot of pain before this nightmare! I am now scared to death of pain! There have been times when my burning pain has been so bad that I cried and prayed for days for just a little relief! I have to stop my oxycodone completely because it now only only works about 2 hours instead of 6 hours. I see my doctor on May 20. Until then, can anyone please tell me how to get through this until May 20? Thank you all so very much!!!!

Hello Spiritscript.
I am so sorry you are going through this. For immediate relief, so to help you think straight, can you take a hot bath? Although it is a short-term remedy, it can give immediate relief. Even if it is 30 minutes, it is something.
In terms of coping, I don't think you should HAVE to cope until your next appointment! I think this is an emergency. Can you go to your local ER for help? Can you get your appointment moved up? Waiting that long is absurd in your condition.
Why did you have to stop the Oxy? Can't they increase your dose to a stronger one? I do not understand just stopping a medication. Do you feel an increase in pain from being without it?
Everyone her is here for you. If my suggestion does not help, maybe another RSDer can suggest something.
I'm saying a prayer for you.
Kind regards,
Morgan

Thank you so much. Our ER doesn't deal with chronic pain. I have to stop my pain med because if I take more than prescribed I could lose my doctor. So it's not working at this dose. Thank you for praying!!!

Hi Spiritscript,

I do not mean to question your decision, but why deny yourself even 2 hours of relief? Towards the end of a normal month (this one is exceptional), my Tramadol, Morphine and Ketamine take my pain down from 8/9 to 5/6. The rest of my relief is from Lidocaine Infusions which I missed this month, so I am already 'up there'.

The doses wear off as the hours pass, and the pains gradually increase back up to the original levels.

I could not consider stopping my treatment, I have a short break in February every year to guage true pail levels and check for underlying, masked problems. This year I lasted a few short days.

Here:

http://www.how-to-meditate.org/breat...ditations.htm/

Is a link to my Teacher's (Geshe Kelsang Gyatso) Breathing Meditation page. It is simple to learn if you are patient, and is aimed at anyone - not just Buddhists. All you need is a peaceful room with no distractions for 10 minutes to start with, and aim to have Clarity and a peaceful mind for just 2-3 minutes to start with. Once the technique is learned, everything becomes easier.

A strong, calm mind makes living with Chronic Pain and conditions that much easier. I suffer multiple neck/spine injuries, TN, Chronic Cluster Headaches, severe Neurological Hypersensitivity, heart issues, cancer survivor, Depressive Personality Disorder, Severe Anxiety… If I didn't have a regimen including Meditation I would have given up years ago. As you can tell from my mental issues, it is not a Cure-All, but it does help one Cope - and it's free with no side effects.

I'm also a strong advocate of humour as a distraction. Being Depressed and in pain, there are few things better than finding something funny on tv or YouTube. It doesn't beat stroking your cat or dog if you are lucky enough to have one, but it helps.

Always here.

Dave.

Hi Spirit,
Sorry to read what you're going through. I've been there too.
If nothing else take a copy of your prescription to an ER.
In my case I at least got a doctor to get me an amount of meds to help me get by till my next visit. Or try calling your doc. Maybe you'll luck out.
I wish you all the best...

Hi spiritscript

I agree with Dave's suggestion about a breathing meditation - I do one every morning as part of my routine.

I don't live with chronic pain but I see my meditation as part of my mental health self-care - it helps me to stay in remission from Major Depressive Disorder.

All the best.

Hi Spiritscript,

Are you feeling any better today? Did you take any suggestions that helped you? I am thinking of you today.

Kind regards,
Morgan

Just got your post....are you any better today? Rest helps if you can get it...have you been able to sleep and have the 2 hours relief? Keep us posted...and keep up the fight....

Sorry, spirit. I use ibuprofen and Tylenol w/codeine. You can combine the 2 for severe situations. Be careful not to overdose.; I talked to a pharmacist for dosage due to lack of medical help. I had nights like you described also. God is the great physician and prayer is a wonderful thing. Take care and let us know how you're doing. Many prayers, suz66