Non surgical pain management ?

[MakinIT]

Hi all

I have an appt tomorrow with my GP and part of our appointment is our usual discussion of meds. I am currently on 30 mgs of MS contin 3x per day, valium 5 mgs 3/perday, small dose of lexapro,(antidepressant), small dose of Topamax (controls seizures, migraines, and theoretically;pain)

So, my problem is that I think I've developed a tolerance to my morphine because the pain in my pelvis just never lets up any more. Now my bladder is reasonably managed by the valium. I'm doing ok there, some spasms but not too bad. It the pelvis. So, something tells me my doc is not going to increase my morphine...Is there another option you all can think of? (NOT SURGICAL OR INVASIVE at THIS POINT) I'm still wincing from the nerve block a couple weeks ago. Should I be looking at a breakthrough med (although the pain isn't really breakthrough) or something else, all together. I'm so tired of trying to figure out what would work, or what my insurance wouldpay for, or what my doc will give me. He's wonderful but also scared of a addiction. FAct is, at this point, its there...(I've been on this stuff since July, this dose since October) I think the point this time is I am a hurting pup and need some more help.

Any suggestions :) - Tracey

[ICNDonna]

I don't have any medication suggestions for you. I just want to tell you I hope your doctor visit goes well tomorrow.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[rachelm]

Tracy,
I would suggest discussing a change in meds with your dr. My pain dr. changes me as soon as I start to build a tollerence so that we can cylce through some of the immediate release drugs instead of going on the sustained relief. The main reason for me doing this is that I have severe pain with flares that sometimes lasts several months but I'm then able to taper off the pain meds and just maintain with my gabitrel (anti-seizure), Zoloft and Elavil to intercept pain receptors. I also take Zanaflax a muscle relaxer that seems to help with achy pain some in my pelvis. I've just gone off 30 mg of morphine was taking it every 4 hours but I cut it down gradually. I'm having crampy twist pull pain in my hips and pelvis since my temp. stim came out so I've had to take 15mg every now and then. Another tip that my pain dr. told me about is the cough medicine dextramorpholone. It will sustain the effect of the narcotic pain meds. longer and help to slow down the tollerence to it. I can't take it though because it makes me feel very weird. It's funny how the one over the counter drug is the one I can't tollerate and I'm on a dozen drugs from Elmiron to anti-seziure drugs and narcotics. It's the ingredient found in Delsym cough suppresant and most other ones like Robitussin for supresing coughs. If your dr. is aftraid to switch your drugs until you find one that relieves your pain you may need to find a pain specialist. They are experienced at many options and will prescribe you what you need to drastically reduce pain. Most other dr. are afraid of writing RX to the extent of pain clinics. Just a thought.

Let us know how it goes! Also you might ask your dr. for a referral to physical therapy. My Occupational therapist has been very helpful in teaching me self-help strategies and exercises that reduce my pain and tension in the pelvic region.

Rachel

[MakinIT]

Hi...I've been doing PT well since November, and I've been seeing a pain specialist. Thanks for the idea though.....