oops yes that's what it means

Hi Jamy...........being in pain is certainly a crappy place to be.

2 "technically" antidepressants that also work well for nerve pain, if that is your issue, are Cymbalta and Nortriptyline (? spelling). They have both helped me alot, but I still need Vicodin too.

Can you say directly "I think I need something stronger" ? If the doc says no, or hems and haws, can you ask for a referral to a pain clinic for eval ? Will your doc order interventions that are not medication, like a TENS unit ?

I know that I have a problem with being too submissive, being afraid to ask for more relief, because they might feel I am drug seeking (when, in fact I am, because I want to feel better ! ). Having hubby come with me has helped.....having him paint the doc a picture of how miserable I am at times, unable to take care of the kids, the house, etc.

Good luck. It's an awful spot to be in. I hope the surgery helps you.

Thank you again guys for answering my post.

I did take Nortyptaline (sp?) for a while and didn't feel any different...plus I couldn't sleep on it. I did use Elvail years ago when I had severe TMJ problems...I haven't had it in recent years though.

Work is definately the #1 issue and I have asked my doc about this and I have an appt this month...I can't keep doing this. I come home at night, sometimes in tears, wondering how I will go in tomorrow. It doesn't help we are currently understaffed and you can guess who is picking up the slack.

I have thought that maybe I need to drag someone to my docs appt with me...I am not sure how she would react to my BF being there but I suppose if all else fails I could drag my mom along...mind you if I am having one of those days I will no doubt just end up in tears...maybe that will finally get the message through.

Finz - I have a TENS unit and it is a so-so thing. Somedays it makes me feel worse. It did help when I got it about a year ago. I am guessing the wait for a pain management clinic will be about as long as I have to wait for surgery.

Chronic pain is a crappy place to be - this emotional roller coaster sucks. I know my BF is worried about my mental health - and quite frankly I wonder how somedays I go from Jeckel to Hyde in minuts

I am hoping thay since the weekend is here I can relax and get feeling a bit normal...I hate snapping at everything...I just want to feel normal.

Thanx for all your suport

ok girl
lesson one with chronic pain...there is no normal anymore!!! you have to go with the flow.....take it one day at a time and deal with things as they arise knowing each day may be differnt.....and of course you need to get off work....not brainer.....to get the EI you just need a note from your dr to say you are off work you need a record of employment with your income on it and send it off you can apply online and send the info by snailmail or take it to the office in Ham....on th mountain....I can tell you where.....snailmail works just as well ....my Mom has just gone through this so I am relally up to date on the process..lol....

Amitriptyline (red you forgot one E on the end...but great job most people cant get past all the i and y issues of the word!!lol....)
is a Godsend med!!! go back on it if you can I have worked up to 20mg od....I take in the afternoon as it makes me sleep so long in the am if I take it at night but if I am awake it dosn't make me sleepy...weird but that is me!! best to take at night due to side effects start at 1omg and then work your way up....
ask for a pain consult with dr Purdell-Lewis he is in Burlington and is great he will give you triggerpoint injections of anesthetic as well as meds if u need thme and you do so go to college of surgeons an physicians and get his name he is at burlinton chronic pain clinic downtown burlington...he is great...will do an amazing consult and your doc will be put to shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
he is great so get his info he is anesthesiologist when looking him up....so get his info and go ARMED AND DANGEROUS to your doc!!

take care girl you are in my prayers....
Victoria

Hi
I'm feel so much for you I am in much the same shoes as you. I haven't worked since March a year ago. I'm on oxycotin, percocet, soma, wellbutrin, cymbalta, xanax and still the pain never lets up. I also am a loner and my husband isn't real good at being there for me. The only thing I know to offer you is my understanding of what you are going through and to pray for you that you soon get the help you need. I went through bilateral knee replacement surgery a year ago and that was my 6th surgery in my life, a seventh surgery because of restricted nerves in my right leg last Sept. and now am waiting to see the neurosurgeon to see if he is going to do surgery and after all the surgeries I've been through this is the one I am afraid of. I am petrified that it won't work and this is all I have to look forward to for the rest of my life. Good luck, I'm posted as distress100