[alwayshope]

Hi I've found a lot of great info here. I was DX with DDD and spinal stenosis lumbar apine in April. Since then I have been on Hydromorph contin 3mg 3x/day plus dilaudid increased to 2mg 4x/day. Plus was started on lyrica 75mg 3x/day and baclofen 10mg 3x/day. Had to stop the baclofen as it caused urinary retention(just couldn't pee!). At the same time my lyrica was decreased to 150mg 2x/day due to severe edema in my legs not helped by a diuretic. lyrica decreased over 3wks and then started Neurontin 100 mg 3x/day with no effect!! Have now increased to 400mg 3x/day still poor effect. Now also have more pain lower back down outer and back of legs and feet with tingling and heavy feeling,lack of strength in legs. Muscle tension like a tight band in my mid back. Am also on Clonazepam 1mg 3x/day and had an increase in my dozepin to 75mg at bed. REALLY need suggestions for what to try next for the pain and what dosesto start when pain this bad. Also if I were to switch to MS contin(which makes me itch from eyebrow to toenails)what could I take other than Benadryl to conteract the itch. I am a fast metabolizer and have allergies/ sensitivities to a lot of meds. Including opiates. Looking forward to any and all help. See my GP towmorrow June 24.:

[Jomar]

I wonder if a SCS or pain pump might be worth looking into for your situation..
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum118.html

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by alwayshope

REALLY need suggestions for what to try next for the pain and what dosesto start when pain this bad. Also if I were to switch to MS contin(which makes me itch from eyebrow to toenails)what could I take other than Benadryl to conteract the itch. I am a fast metabolizer and have allergies/ sensitivities to a lot of meds. Including opiates. Looking forward to any and all help. See my GP towmorrow June 24.:

That's good, because I think those kinds of questions are best left to be asked of/discussed with your doctor.

Everyone is different; what works for one may not work for another, and as you're already aware, medical history can bear a lot on these kinds of questions/decisions. Your doctor is in a much better position to know these things than anyone here.

General information-wise, you've tried 2 of the 3 anti-seizure meds most commonly prescribed for pain; the third is topiramate.

Another class of medications commonly prescribed for chronic pain are antidepressants, like duloxetine (but there are many others as well).

One thing you should know is that most medications currently prescribed for chronic pain produce physical dependence, and can be difficult to very difficult to discontinue in the future. This is may be a non-issue for patients expected to be on such medication for the rest of their lives.

Medications for Chronic Pain

Doc