Pain control-suggestions

[w00dsmoke]

Hi there, does anyone out there know anything about chronic pain control? I've had a frame in my spine since Dec 95 and I'm lucky to walk (and canoe and hammock etc...), it's all catching up now and soon I may have to give up my work as the pain is that bad. I'm not looking for sympathy folks, just honest straight advice.

I've been on Dyhydrocodeine 50mg-for years but gave them up x 8 daily
Amytryptaline neuropathic blocker-doc took me off them as long term they are no good.
For the last 12 years co-codamol 30/500 x 8 daily but they are not near strong enough to deal with the pain
I tried tramadol but was violently ill with them.

I use daily a heat pad (microwavable)
TENS machine

Has anyone got any suggestions for non oppiate based pain control- apart from a trip to my local vets?

I've tried all the homeopathic stuff-pain too chronic for any of that!

Any sound advice appreciated folks.

WS

 

[Andy2112]

Have you tried Chinese accupuncture, colleague at work had it done on a shoulder and it cured the problem, it was expensive but if it gets rid of the pain it's worth it.

 

[w00dsmoke]

Thanks Andy, yes I've tried that but to no avail, EFT works on a short term basis-like for an hour or two at most.

 

[JohnC]

You may already see a pain specialist. Where I work, they are part of the palliative care team, which often puts people off as it seems to imply doom, but it isnt the case. This isnt knocking a GP, just a specialist team. There are trials of new methods that may be suitable, but a reassessment of the causes of the pain even after a time might help or open new avenues to try.

Sorry to hear you're in distress with it though..

 

[Andy2112]

Canabis is supposed to work for arthritis suffers, i think you can get it on prescription. I had a day and a half off last week with upper back pain and that was from decorating, only did a bit of painting with a roller, sorry i can't help more mate.

 

[verloc]

Heres the link to the CNS (central nervous system) - analgesic section of the BNF (British National Formulary). You will need to register on it if your not connecting from a NHS terminal.

Don't know if its any help but maybes worth a shot.

Theres also a pain clinic in secondary care - might be worth speaking to your GP about it. - a pain specialist like JohnC mentions could be the way forward?

tom

 

[scanker]

You could try reflexology. I can't believe I've just said that. I'm more cynical than most, so that's an odd thing for me to say. Basically I did a massage course a while ago and the teacher also taught reflexology. I watched a video of the teacher treating an arthritic horse, and the difference reflexology made was astounding. Part of my cynicism surrounds the influence of "suggestion" with such practices, so I was utterly convinced when I saw the process work on an animal (that wouldn't be susceptible to such things).

Can't personally recommend it, as I haven't tried it, but might be worth a go.

 

[Tadpole]

Hi there, does anyone out there know anything about chronic pain control? I've had a frame in my spine since Dec 95 and I'm lucky to walk (and canoe and hammock etc...), it's all catching up now and soon I may have to give up my work as the pain is that bad. I'm not looking for sympathy folks, just honest straight advice.

I've been on Dyhydrocodeine 50mg-for years but gave them up x 8 daily
Amytryptaline neuropathic blocker-doc took me off them as long term they are no good.
For the last 12 years co-codamol 30/500 x 8 daily but they are not near strong enough to deal with the pain
I tried tramadol but was violently ill with them.

I use daily a heat pad (microwavable)
TENS machine

Has anyone got any suggestions for non oppiate based pain control- apart from a trip to my local vets?

I've tried all the homeopathic stuff-pain too chronic for any of that!

Any sound advice appreciated folks.

WS

I would guess you have been through the Diclofenac route, as it is the current favourite NSAID of British Dr. I've cut out nearly all pain med's and have resigned my self to sleeping on the floor and waking up half a dozen times in the night. which is better than it was when I was sleeping on a bed (sleeping in half hour bursts) Diclofenac works but you have to be mega careful with it. make a mistake and you will know about it.

 

[Sniper]

Chronic pain suffering is in many cases treated as Andy2112 says by the use of cannibis nowadays on prescription and it's use is increasing everyday as more and more GPs see the results of it's use. Many people with chronic pain from artheritis and MS use it daily and benefit from it, perhaps a word with your GP for this or possibly Morphine pain control. Bear in mind though the GP is the man in the know and myself, like everyone else here, are only concerned laymen, we can only suggest, but he has the facts and your history and condition notes to go on, not to mention many years in medical school, have a sit down chat and explain the problem you are having with pain with him. I hope you get some relief soon buddy as it's no fun being in constant pain I can certainly testify to that.

 

[Doc]

A lot depends on the type of pain. Looking at your drugs I wonder if at least some of your pain is neuropathic.

Neuropathic pain does not respond well to conventional analgesics. Even diamorphine does not work well for it - you have to use particular drugs for it. Amitriptyline and/or tramadol are used first line but gabapentin and pregabalin often work better.

As John says, I think review by your GP with a view to a pain clinic referral might be a good option.

There's fairly good evidence for acupuncture in chronic pain and some pain clinics offer this.

 

[RobertRogers]

I feel for you, when I blew a disk in back twenty years ago in an accident at work the intense pain lasted for some 6 months without letup. When the accident first happened if I'd had a gun handy I would have used it, it was that bad.

Short term, until surgery fixed the problem, I stayed pretty much drunk and laying flat on my back with a heating pad watching television. I even had to have my meals brought to me. Sometimes I used morphine.

I do not have an addictive personality so self medication with booze and anything else I could get my hands on was only temporary and I had no problem giving them up once the pain was eliminated.

Other things that helped were long hot showers, daily use of a hot tub kept so hot I could barely get into it, and careful stretching.

I also discovered that using a swimming pool for exercise really helped since the water supports a fair percentage of the body. In this way I could at least get some exercise. Keeping muscles strengthened helps support the body especially in the area of the injury.

Curiously, eating hot peppers - the hotter the better - also relieved pain to some extent. I discovered this by accident, and would roll up the peppers in bread or something so that I could swallow them without burning my mouth. Since then I see there has been some discussion about hot peppers and pain relief, which may have something to do with natural endorphins the body releases.

 

[firecrest]

I used to work with a guy with a spinal problem (he was very disabled) and a nurse used to rub a numbing cream into his back. I dont know the name of it though.
Some issues were raised recently with co-codamol, that paracetamol and codine don't work as well together as they do on their own, but I really should look that up somewhere. but if you can get hold of it, pure codine should be better than cocodamol, but I find both have a real space out effect on me, as I take them for severe migraines. Unfortunatley when having a migraine attack , I have found if I allow to get to full force, there is no pain relief I have discovered that will calm the pain.

 

[Scally]

long sufferer too use tens machine, tabs, the thermacare heat pads that stick to you are good use neck ones but on my back, but has someone has already suggested reflexology i went every week for about 8 weeks then started spacing out between sesssions now going every 2.5 weeks Unfortunatley what helps one may not help another worth a try though.

 

[squantrill]

Hi there, does anyone out there know anything about chronic pain control?

Im not a doctor but somebody suggested Devils Claw to me I used it and alot of my general muscle aches and pains were no longer a problem. My dad tried it with his arthrhytis and solved his problem to..

Im not saying you should try it but its worth while looking up information to see if its something that could help..

Simon

 

[jojo]

Have you seen the Pain Control Service homepage?

Also hypnotherapy maybe of use.

I hope you can find some relief soon, mate. I have had bad back pain for many years and also had a trapped nerve in my neck that caused a lot of pain in my shoulder , arm and fingers for about a year and had to have Amytryptyline too, the side effects were quite unpleasant.

 

[Bernie Garland]

Carling does the trick for me.

Bernie

 

[Barn Owl]

Sympathies mate,

I still have to rely on tramadol / amyt/ne and co-codamol.

I just try and manage it myself tbh by doing what I want and suffering a bit more afterwards.Been like that for about the same time as you.

Sorry I don't have an easy answer.

Tom.

 

[andywinkk]

i have had spodolitis for 23 years was taking 16 cocodamole in 24 hours even waking up in the night cause the pain kept me awake.
i got the most pain in my hips and some pain in my back but my medication keeps my back pain in check,

i have been on all sorts of medication over the years naprosyn viox diclofenac prednisolone asprin paracetamol cocodamole dyhydracodine, beer

ive also had crotazone injections hydratherapy and massage,

nothing really worked for me and the pain was shear hell so i know what you are going through, i was very moody and bad temperd,

i insisted to my gp to send me to my specialist doctor for hip replacments, he said i was to young but sent me anywa\y,

i had two hip operations and im pain free now,

have you been back to your specialist recently to discus othe options surgery ect

 

[w00dsmoke]

Thanks very much for all your information and help :You_Rock_

As for diclofenac-it gave me stomach ulcerations... Which means I can no longer enjoy a nice beer when I'm out and about! Lucky white heather!

As for neuropathic, yep I'm sure you are right, there is paresthesia and the nerves are damaged as it has affected bladder/bowel etc...

Thanks very much for all of your suggestions ideas, it realy is astounding the response, thanks ever so much. I've repeatedly asked for referral to a pain clinic but my doc is old school and will not entertain it, I'll keep hassling him! My wife is a nurse and she suggested the gabapentin and I've not heard of pregabalin but I'll certainly be asking my doc if he thought it would be appropriate.

Pain is the greatest motivator to go out and do stuff, because when you are less painful you really appreciate what you have and you go out there and do it! But sometimes we all need a break from it, I guess I feel I need it now!

Thanks again folks for all your suggestions, I find it helps hearing from real people with real experience.

 

[jojo]

I've repeatedly asked for referral to a pain clinic but my doc is old school and will not entertain it, I'll keep hassling him!

It maybe that a change of doctor is in order? I'll never understand doctors that behave that way, these are services that are there to help them and their patients but they still make life difficult I can think of a few choice names for them other than doctor...