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Suggest Treatment For Intractable Back Pain, Radiculopathy, DDD And Spinal Stenosis
Question: I have intractable back pain, radiculopathies, lumbar, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica since 2002. I finally had to give up a six figure job and go on disability. From 2013- current I am 98% home bound. I have tried everything out there with no pain relief. Since 2006 I have been on Percocet and Oxycode HCL. My pain management doctor did some trigger point shot's that have made it worse.
I have done a lot of research and want to know if my tolerance to that medication has built up. I had to use all of my monthly "allotment" due to the pain from the trigger point shot's and none of it gave me any pain relief. Am I out of line asking to try the only medication I have never used, hydromorphone?
I am tired barely getting pain relief, not being able to do anything but sit at home, that is NOT who I am. I don't know what else to do. The doctor can't believe "his" way of doing the trigger point shot's couldn't work.
So what are your thought's on this and trying the Hydromorphone?
I would like to correct the part of my statement about having to finally give up my job. It was from 2006-current, that I am home bound. I get out only for doctor's appt. and do my grocery shopping same day. Then I am stuck at home for a minimum of a week. It used to be worse, had home heathcare for years doing my shopping and driving me places.
I still have cleaning people.
I don't have the luxury of going to salon's, getting nails done, etc.
I have done a lot of research and want to know if my tolerance to that medication has built up. I had to use all of my monthly "allotment" due to the pain from the trigger point shot's and none of it gave me any pain relief. Am I out of line asking to try the only medication I have never used, hydromorphone?
I am tired barely getting pain relief, not being able to do anything but sit at home, that is NOT who I am. I don't know what else to do. The doctor can't believe "his" way of doing the trigger point shot's couldn't work.
So what are your thought's on this and trying the Hydromorphone?
I would like to correct the part of my statement about having to finally give up my job. It was from 2006-current, that I am home bound. I get out only for doctor's appt. and do my grocery shopping same day. Then I am stuck at home for a minimum of a week. It used to be worse, had home heathcare for years doing my shopping and driving me places.
I still have cleaning people.
I don't have the luxury of going to salon's, getting nails done, etc.
Brief Answer:
Try medicines other than pain killers
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Pain killers only give you temporary relief and as you have noticed, you have to keep increasing doses or change to more powerful ones to get the same relief.
You require to use other groups of medicines which are not pain killers but help you find relief. These are 1. Neurontin ( Gabapentin) which interfere with the transmission pain from your impinged nerves 2. SSRI like Fluvoxamine which would help you by increasing your ability to bear the discomfort better and uplift your mood also. Also it would be worth checking your Vitamin D level as you would not have been getting much sunshine. Correction of Vitamin D deficiency which is likely to be present will also improve your symptoms.
I think you should go for the Hydromorphone option only if the above do not work.
Best wishes,
Try medicines other than pain killers
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Pain killers only give you temporary relief and as you have noticed, you have to keep increasing doses or change to more powerful ones to get the same relief.
You require to use other groups of medicines which are not pain killers but help you find relief. These are 1. Neurontin ( Gabapentin) which interfere with the transmission pain from your impinged nerves 2. SSRI like Fluvoxamine which would help you by increasing your ability to bear the discomfort better and uplift your mood also. Also it would be worth checking your Vitamin D level as you would not have been getting much sunshine. Correction of Vitamin D deficiency which is likely to be present will also improve your symptoms.
I think you should go for the Hydromorphone option only if the above do not work.
Best wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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