just curious what pain meds fellow sufferers find the most effective, I'm taking oxycodone and neurontin, hate taking them but the pain is unbearable at times.

I take Darvoset but skip days when I can and usually only take 1 a day. I'm afraid of getting addicted. Also Lunesta for sleep.

It is important to have a pain mgt. specialist who will use a mix of drugs, spinal cord stimulants, tens units, pain implant, etc.

For me, I quickly went up the drug ladder - Darvocet, T-4s, Norco, none of it touched the pain. I had to take oxy with Cymbalta, Lyrica, a sleep aid, a muscle relaxer, and more. The Lyrica brought on severe diabetes, where there had been none...the Cymbalta was weight gain. I didn't try seroquel, as my brother warned me, he'd had bad side effects. I can't take other muscle relaxers or inflammatories as I've had way too many crisis in allergy.

I think I covered it all. It's all a crapshoot, a try, and try not to do anything BAD to your body as far as drink, smoke, nutrition - I mean, we've got no room here for it, really. (Or, who cares?)

I just try to figure out how to make the next day better. I usually fail, and the next day is worse, but once in a while, something I've done works, and I do have a better day.

I need to stay away from the computer, but this is where I come to meet all of you, and get my support to keep going!!!

I take hydromorphone contin 12mg twice a day then if the pain is really bad i take 4mg of hydromorphone. I use to take sleeping pills and i went through a lot of them but they never worked. I have also been through a long list of drugs but they never seem to last long the worst part of it is i can't take any type of antiinflammatory because of ulcers.

Well yesterday was another painful day. I am still itchy from the allergic reaction to the Zanaflex but I'm better. I am still taking the Cymbalta which helps some. I am just sitting around doing nothing. That helps too...lol. The more I do...the more pain I have. I crashed on the couch last night and woke up at 12:01...missed the ball drop...oh well. 3 years ago I was in NY city for New Year's Eve...what a time that was. We took the kids and had a blast. It was an experience but I'll never do it again! I just feel like I can't win anymore. I can't do anything...I don't know when I'll ever be ME again. I am such a tough person..stubborn and strong willed...but this is more than I ever bargained for. It's so hard because people can't see the pain you are in. I also hide it well sometimes.

Well I hope everyone has a better 2008! I hope for a pain free year! A person can hope!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Momz

I had some of the same thoughts you're now having. It's really like a death we're mourning-our old life. People (family) don't want to hear how you hurt because they can't see anything wrong with you. How about sitting on your *** for 2-3 years, that should tell someone what you're feeling, how bad you're hurting and afraid to do anything-even vacuum because of the pain you know you will have later. I've been through all the surgeries (except rib resection on my right side, they took my rib out on the left side and sent me home the SAME DAY, I live alone, and do not want to ever go back to that kind of pain. and now WC wants me to get a job using my hands and start the whole cycle all over again...I know I can't do that but am at a loss as to how to convince them of that. TOS is a long hard journey. Good Luck.