[Joe M]

I really am blessed to have found this site. For those of you with a serious head trauma that have had experience ... I could use your help here:

I have a traumatic brain injury from an auto accident in December of 2006. I rolled over on I-95 many times. I was in a coma for 31 days and woke up in mid-January. My brain injury has caused me to have complete amnesia for roughly 15 years. Now on top of this, I suffer from BRUTAL chronic pain. In August of 2007, I was put on Fentanyl 25 mcg. and it was wonderful. After a few days my pain just began to vanish.

On Jan 17th of 08, I had to have surgery on my leg which removed a tumor that had been there for a while but was aggravated by the accident. So now, the post surgical docs have me on Oxycodone 5mg.

I quickly came to realize that the Oxycodone removes NOT ONLY the surgical pain but ALSO makes my nerve pain about 75% better!!! It's wonderful not having the nerve pain!!

My question for those of you who've been down this road ... Do I explain this to my pain management doctor and see if I can stay on this for good?? Will 5mg Percoset work for BT pain or do I graduate to something stronger b/c I will get used to the Percoset like I did every other opiate pill? Also ... now I know an Oxycodone based drug will kill the nerve pain. Like I said, mine is about 75% gone, but I'd imagine with something stronger or a more effective medication ... it'd be 100% gone!!

What route is the best to take here? **ANY** feedback would be much appreciated!

J

[RisibleGirl]

This is a great site, isn't it! I feel blessed that I found it too.

I had an interesting experiment last week after cracking my head open. The ER doctor prescribed 10 pills of Oxycodone 5 mg. That worked pretty well. I went for a follow up with my PCP on Tuesday and she gave me 5 mg. hydrocodone- didn't work as well. Thankfully, the pain wasn't nearly as bad as it was in the beginning. I honestly didn't know there was a difference. I think one is percocet vs. vicoden, right?

Frankly, neither of them completely took away the pain- just kind of took the edge off.

I have a hereditary liver disease which causes flare-ups and a lot of pain. The pain med my gastro gives me is Dilaudid, which is a pretty hefty pain med and does the trick. Thankfully, I have to take it only 1 or 2x a year for a few days.

I'm THANKFUL that I don't have ongoing pain, and I feel so bad for you and the folks on the board that do. It is so draining to be in pain- I can't imagine not getting relief.

I'm glad you've joined us!

[jeffn]

Hi Joe M Welcome to this forum theres a great deal of useful information here in regards to people who suffer with TBI/PCS.

You may want to read the post by arthurhlevine / The Pain of Pain Management and the use of opioids pro's and con's.

Theres also a good link to pain management written by Dr. Forrest Tennent on the use of opioids for pain management.

HTTP://PAINTOPIC.ORG/PDF/INTRACTABLE PAIN SURVIVAL PDF.

Useful information on the use of opioids for pain management.

I have considered the use of opioids for pain management as a short term solution for chronic pain. I was hit by a drunk driver 4 years ago and have suffered TBI/PCS as a result of my injuries and there was a great deal of nerve damage in the muscle tissue. I don't use pain medications at this time as I'm looking for a natural treatment for my injuries.

Hope this information helps and you find a solution for your health issue

Take Care Jeffn