meds
 

Neurontin (1800 mg/day) and Cymbalta (60 mg/day) are essential. For flare-ups, I usually take a long hot shower and/or extra Neurontin (followed by a long nap).

Thanks again. I take a long list of supplements too. Also at times baths for me help. I do agree keeping ones mind busy is helpful as well. Many thoughts

2 things I can't live without....sorry 3.

1. Opana ER 20 mg 2 x a day

2. Opana IR 5 mg. for as needed

3. Cymbalta 60 mg. (I need more) :D

Hugs
Mary

combos
 

Oxycontin 40mg twice a day, percocet 7.5mg for breakthrough pain, 4 daily, if needed, serax 15mg, 3 daily for panic attacks/anxiety (real bad flare trigger), soma 350mg, three daily, although I am slow to take all three, make me sleepy, I time them away from my other meds, only take half of one at a time, and welbutrin for depression, 150mg once daily. Tried two 150s daily, but I got way twitchy, made me too amped and the pain consequently got worse. I know it sounds like I ought to be living in a daze, but the truth is quite the opposite. The pain puts me into a fog that I'm not even aware of until my meds kick in, and then I can actually see a thin foggy kinda thing evaporate over a few minutes, my head clears, and I can think. Tried Neurontin and most all of the other new drugs that are available and they messed my head up worse than the 'evil opiates'. I have fairly good pain relief from this combination, although I can always feel the pins and needles and such, but it's a damn sight better than the weak help the new stuff gave me. It seems to be easier to moderate the pain, taking a half of a perc and half a soma and knowing that within an hour life will be better. Sometimes I need another half a perc, but that's rare. I was concerned when this all started that I'd be living as a zombie, and I hated the idea I'd be addicted to the meds, but aside from feeling like crap for a half an hour in the morning if I sleep too long and most of the meds wear off, I haven't a complaint. Not a zombie, not jonesing for a 'fix', just living my life. God Bless my doc, he's a good guy, doesn't assume I'm a liar or a doper, just a man in pain who needs his help. May you all find your own combo and live pain free, or better yet, be healed of this nasty business. Later all, Smoke

Hi thank you to your response on this thread too. I am glad you like your doctor. I finally have one that I have a better feeling and at least works with me. Like I stated though my doctors are not into the opiates and I have seen many for other opinions that deal with rsd. I am not saying for you this is wrong because I feel what ever gives you a better quality of life. You know another person I know was stating the same how they can take opiates but not meds like neurontin. Well sending thoughts

I can't say as I blame the docs trying drugs that are more dangerous than opiates first, although I find it in contradiction to their oaths. They must be very careful not to have someone play them for drugs, there's a lot of people out there like that, for example; a friend of mine has this 'wife', and I use that term only in a legal sense. She cheats on him, blatantly, hooks for cocaine and whatever else, bugs the ****out of a person if she knows they have pain meds, she's really a piece of work. I found it amusing when I had the pain coming and going, before this last time, if she knew I had some pills, she'd all the sudden have a terrible flare up of 'fibro'. If I didn't have any, well, she was all the sudden fine. She went to the extreme of having spinal shots to convince the docs she had it, and I know ****** well she doesn't. She threw herself down the stairs to get meds, punched a window to get some, you name it, the woman is insane. Her familiy has a history of schizophrenia, so I guess she got it naturally. The best/worst was when her husband had to have some nerves in his back chemically killed. I drove him to the first appointment when they figured out which nerves needed killed, and after we left, he in horrid pain, he called her. She called back, and asked what he got for the pain. Not 'how are you?' or 'oh my poor baby', no no, what did you get, and hurry here (at work) so I can get them. He's a ****, she's worthless, yet she still scams docs out of meds. People like her make it hard as **** for people actually in pain to get relief. Another time, he was lying on the couch, on methadone and several other painkillers, still crying in agony, and this ********* tells him to get her some chips from the kitchen...and he did it! She'd steal his meds, and he'd be in agony for two weeks out of the month, and yet he stayed with her. I simply don't understand that. Anyway, the point is that docs need to be careful, but the scorched earth policy of some who will not script any opiates at all is unethical, and directly goes against their oaths. Sorry I wrote a novel, but just thinking about her makes my blood boil. She's currently a resident of the state, bad checks, false id to a policeman, wrecking a car wasted on xanax, and it couldn't be a better thing for her hubby and their son. There are more insane things she did, but I've already gone on for too long. Oh, and in case anybody was wondering, I avoided her like the plague even though he is a good friend. Lost a great deal of respect for him, and just being around her makes me think unchristian thoughts. I know I didn't see him for a good two years prior to her getting locked up, she's just too much for me to bear. Later, Smoke

Smoke,
You simply need to STAY AWAY from trash like that.
Even though you draw blame on her, her husband (your friend) is directly liable for putting up with it.
STAY AWAY! for your own good, OR, you'll find yourself not being able to get the meds, that YOU NEED!

Pete
Asb

I understand docs have concerns for addictions but that has not been in my case though I did meet a few people at the Cleveland program that had chronic pain but also had addiction issues. The thing I saw with them though is they also used other not rx meds. The docs though feel for me that since this would be for long term that it actually makes the brain more sensitive to pain in the long run. I understand this but I need something better in terms of pain control when I get into the crying pain. I already wait to long to take as I had the same vicodin bottle for more then the year. I am sorry about those people in your life. I agree that people who do abuse rx drugs are not just harming themselves but also people who are in chronic pain because it does impact our care. That is why when the stars on tv have abuse like this and there is such a negative focus on meds it even sheds more of a negative light. I am not sure the answers but I do feel that if one can be given proper pain meds for times but it can be given in small amount like even 2 weeks worth and then to revalutate. Anyhow many thoughts

Staying away
 

Not a problem. Even though she's in prison I haven't seen him other than in passing for at least two years, probably more. I lost a great deal of respect for him because of his putting up with her insanity, and just seeing his face makes me think of her. Makes my blood boil.

An aside; I used to watch Nascar a good bit, but after I heard her shrill voice proclaiming 'loser! loser! what happened to your boy!?!' I simply can't watch anymore. I used to like to watch Gordon, although Stewart is my favorite driver, (good aggressive half a fifth in his head, gun in his hand on the beltway kinda style), Gordon's clean style of driving makes one see the control he has over his machine, but...she rooted for him. Haven't watched a full race in three years. Can't get her ugly voice out of my head, and that too ****** me off. I should hope she comes to her senses, as does he, but it's too late, if I see her again it will be too soon. As far as her keeping me from getting the meds I need, well...I think I'd be on CNN, in a bad way. For that reason, if no other, I'll avoid her like the plague.