Hi I have just received a 4th operation on my cervical spine , I have been off & on pain medication for 8 years now, usually endone but for the last 7 months I have been increasing dose because the nerve
pain on arms was unbearable . I was taking 4-5 200mg sr tramadol & 20mmg nor span patches & 300mg lyrica a day the endone doesn't work for nerve pain .. Operation was 8 weeks ago , I have stopped nor span & trying to stop tramadol , taking either none or 1 x 200mg pill a day . I except I have to go through withdrawal but it's the pain in my arms that I can't live with, I don't know if it's "pain memory " because I have been in pain for so long or if the operation hasn't worked or if it's just part of the withdrawal I need to get back to work but I wanted to be pain free & p.k free before returning to work. I suffer withdrawal & nerve pain all week but I take one tramadol & several endone at weekend just so that I can be normal & have some sort of life . I guess I am just prolonging the inevitable should I stop everything & try & suffer the pain long enough to see if it is real or just withdrawal ? I know nerves heal in time but they won't heal whilst they are in pain , at least that is what I have been told
Have you any advise ?