Hey carrie,

I hope you do get better. You probably have spinal cord or nerve injuries for the pain to be that bad. Oxycodone and similar pain meds are opioid derivatives, so they are in general addictive. You'll probably need to undergo surgery to correct the problem.

Actually I am now on 40mg a day of Oxycotin which is a timed release Oxycodone. I am also on 10mg of Oxycodone up to 3 times a day for break through pain. He just up'd Oxycotin yesterday. I was supposed to be on 10mg twice a day of Oxycotin for 7 days then up to 20mg twice a day. But the pain was still so bad he up'd me two days sooner. He did say that surgery is out of the question due to the type of spinal problems I have besides this one. Ostoperosis, spinal stenosis in the thoracic area. He basically said that is not an option here and that between pain managment and PT hope to get it to a tolerable state. I will say this much. I started my higher dose of Oxycotin yesterday and I am almost pain free. I just can lift of get up out of bed in a sitting postition. I can bend over as little as possible. I just have to watch myself because the medication (as you know) is just a mask for the pain that is still there and the herniated bulging disc's. Many, think they are fine and start to try and live a normal life again and injure it even more. So, I have to be really careful on my daily routine. I tend to want to do all the things I was unable to do being in so much pain all the time ya know. Anyway, they are working thank goodness and I see him again on the 10th and he will write me a new script for both only this time write me on for 20mg Oxycotin twice daily and Oxcodone (short life span) for breakthough pain.

Hug and wonderful thoughts,
Carrie

Carrie,

I hope you feel better soon. I tried to call you a couple of times, I didn't know you were in so much pain. Love Linndie

Hello Carrie,

It really hurts to "hear" and read the pain that you are going through. It also "hurts" to read about the medication that your doctor has put you on.

As you have said so well Carrie, pain medication only covers up the pain at best. It does nothing to solve the problem. AND Oxycotin and others are so very addictive and "life controlling".

Carrie, I would highly recommend that you seek advice from another doctor. A Neurologist/spinal surgeon.

I hate to say it, but many doctors give out pain medication at the drop of a hat. I've been there. I just WISH they would consider the horrid side effects that can happen.

Carrie, PLEASE do see another spine specialist or two without delay.

MANY hugs (and prayers) for you my good lady.

RichT

Hey Linndie, yes that is why my answering machine is on all the time now. I spend alot of time on the couch sleeping and restin my spine. Sometimes ya just need to rest and be left alone. You know how it is. I promise, I will call you first chance I am feeling better. This has been a nightmare for me.

Rich: The medication is the only way I can servive. I ca't walk it hurts, bud over it hurts, sit to long etc. This is going to be a for the rest of my life thing he says. Guess they must be pretty bad. I really do'nt know why he said that I am not a candidate for surgery. I could go once a month for cortisone injections, but he say's half the time they work and with other do nothing. At least with the medication, I can now lead somewhat of a close to normal life as long as I am careful not to pick up anything or do anything crazy. Glad I am not sexually active since 2001 or so (my X hubby), cause that has gone to the no no list too now. My days of enjoying life are over now and I have come to grips with it. I had a wonderful rewarding active life and I am happy I was able to be part of caring for people.
Rich, I promise I will bring my X-Rays plus the new ones on Monday and look for another doctor for answers OK. If they are indeed conculsive with the other, then I know where I am and where I am not going anymore.

Bear's back to ya over the sea,
Carrie

Hello Carrie,

I am so very glad that you will be looking for another doctor. Do your search well so that you can find the best neurologist/spinal surgeon who is in your area. And if you find a super one a distance away, try to see that doctor too.

Carrie, I have been to six spinal surgeons and to my pain management doc for their advice. Oh yes, forgot to add the advice from the doctor at Laser Spine Institute. From the X-rays and MRIs and exams they pretty much agreed that there were a multitude of things wrong with my ole back. They did however have different thoughts on what should be done to help the ole back. All the information they have shared with me I have used to help guide me on my "path" at this time.

My pain management doc is FANTASTIC. The two epidurals have made a HUGE POSITIVE difference in my life. No I'm not 18 again, just 71, however I can function very well.

Carrie, I really hope and pray that you too in the near future will be able to get a goodly amount of pain relief so that you can enjoy life. You need to search out the doctor who truly knows how to correct the source of your pain, not just cover it up.

Take care.

RichT

Well Rich, all I can say at this point is the two herniated buldging disc's at L-2,3 stuck out like sore thumb even my son was able to point them out. Lets see what a second neuro surgeon has to say. Just want to let you know how much I appreciate your advice. And yes I take every word to heart. I am 60 years old and though maybe I was a little to old to have to go through all that but, maybe not eh?

More from across the bay,
Carrie

Back again Carrie,

"Across the bay". Okay, where in fantasyland do you live if I may be permitted to ask?

You gave me "a lift" when I read that you will be seeing a neuro surgeon for your second medical opinion. GREAT!!!!!

I totally believe that something CAN be done regarding your two herniated bulging discs to help relieve your pain.

HUGS back over the bay.

RichT

Hey, at my age I would give any fantasy land a try if he were there. I know, OFF TOPIC....LOL Just call it a childhood crush at age 60.
Yes, I have to call Medicaid on Monday to find out of another neuro surgeon on the list. I know one but, not sure if he is on the list. He took care of me after my (stroke) brain bleed (small) back in 03. And yes he is a surgeon. Keep you fingers and toes crossed Rick for me.

In my thoughts,
Carrie

Dear Carrie,


Good luck with the new Neuro on Monday, back pain is the worse pain there is.

If you need anything let me know, it isn't that far from my door to yours, anything I can do, or anything you need please call. Love Linndie

Hello Carrie,

AHHHHhhhh you are teasing one!!!

Fantasyland I take to be Disneyland in LA. The bay would be SF. Carrie, Carrie, you are driving me CRAZY!!! LOL

AND then Linndie seems to know exactly where you live. That REALLY is making the neurons in my brain not "connecting".

Very wise of you Carrie to get in touch with Medicare to find out of the doc is on the "the list".

Wish you the best (wherever fantasyland is LOL).

RichT

Carrie....Hey girl, just a note to tell you that you have now reached the situation I am in. I was on all the different pain meds for four years so I could function at work and became dependent on them. I finally got off them last May and now am trying massage and acupuncture in managing my pain. As you know, once you start taking the major-league pain meds, your body requires more and more of it just to dull the pain. It's a slippery slope, so I caution you to stick to the prescribed amount.

Like you, I was not a candidate for surgery and was stuck not being able to sit very long and not being able to stand very long. Sort of a Catch-22. If anyone knows how you feel, it is me and I'm so sorry you find yourself in this place. I have degeneratve disc disease, which will only get worse as I age. Like you. I try to keep a good attitude, but it's difficult when your quality of life is not good.

I have corresponded with RichT many times over the last few months on the Laser Surgery thread and that is a great place to get pointers from other back pain sufferers.

I hope you do find someone who can help you and good luck Monday. If you need to talk, just PM me.

lonestarguy

Lol
Posted: 01-05-08 3:32pm

------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------

Rich you are too funny. I'm glad with all our back problems(including lonestarguy ) we can still look at a bright side and have some sense of humor. Just feel bad I scared the dog last night when I was in such pain and was yelling with ever move I made. Yes Monday I will call Medicaid for a list of Neuro Surgeons.
As far as David Morse goes, well lets just say I would go to any fantasy Island if I kew he would be there. Linndie and I have known each other for almost a year now. She lives about a hour away from me. We met on another board.


lonestarguy, Great to hear from you. Also sorry to hear the story on your back to. Guess the three of us know the pain and how unbearable it can be sometimes. And you are right. I am aware that these drugs do have a tolerace template. The drug wears off in you system after awhile and you keep needed to increse the dose. I also will look into massage theropy and acuputure. I know there has to be more options out there.
Well gang. I'm off to go lay on the couch for awhile since I ca'nt lay in the bed anymore. Now, I am really glad I am not married anymore.

Sails upon the water,
Carrie

Hello Carrie,

Enjoy your "sails upon the water". A little birdie indicated to me that I had you pegged living on the wrong coast.

Time to lay on the BEACH, not the couch!!!

Okay David Morse, you better be ready for one heck of a "fun" evening with Carrie!!!!

RichT

Hello Rich!
Fancy metting you hear again. Better be careful, might give our members the wrong impression of our friendship in illness here. Just kidding. I'm sure they know we share the same pain and can empathize with one another.

I live on the southern central west coast of the east coast of the U.S. Actually I am about 45 min south of Tampa. I live right smack in the middle of a pinennsula hanging off the left side of a larger pinennsula. Saint Petersburg Fla.

Now, Monday morning (as I told ya) I go for my re-X-Ray of my L-Spine. I have an appointment with my neuro on Thursday and have asked me son if he would accompany me in the office. I would like to hear what he has to say and ask any questions he may have. He needs to hear alot of this for himself. He is in denial big time. I dream this stuff up right. As I said, he saw the MRI views himself and was able to see the affected areas and point them out to me right away. If they are that easy to see and I am on such a large dose of medication, it does not take a rocket scientist to know I am in bad pain. I am just praying that my fall did not make it worse but, it seems ever since it happened is when the really bad pain began.

Like an bluebird she flies,
Carrie

Good Morning Carrie,

Sorry for getting off topic yesterday. My ole back was thankfully having a good day.

So nice of you to let me know where Fantasyland is.

I hope and pray that the new X-rays they will take tomorrow will not show any additional damage from your fall.

An excellent idea to invite and have your son with you when you see your neurosurgeon on Thursday. Hope all goes well. Giving your son the opportunity to ask questions and hear what your doctor has to say will make your son/mother bond even stronger.

May your doctor be able to help you in reducing your severe back pain you are now experiencing. And hopefully to do so without medication or surgery.

My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Thursday.

Take care.

RichT

Rich there is nothing wrong with a little humor in a thread. That is what keeps it alive and interesting. I use to get angry when I had my own boards and members would be so eager to yell "Off Topic" when indeed the thread itself was well on target with just a little spice added to the pudding.
BtW: I slept in my son's bed last night which is alot softer then mine ans slept like a baby. Guess he looses his bed for while eh?

Also, I wanted to let you know that "David Morse" is a T.V, star and fantasy land with him is in my mind. Hehehehe. He also does movies. Ususaly plays a cop or investigator of some kind.

Glad you back had a good day and I hope and pray there are more of those to come for you my friend.

The Eagles Eye,
Carrie

Carrie,

Glad to hear your back is doing better in your son's bed. Isn't being on the computer bad for your back? Take it slow and easy. Was hoping you would call me when your relaxing on the couch, but like you said sometimes you just want to be left alone, I understand. Also it is refreshing to be on a forum where a little humor is apperciated. Talk to you when you are able to. Hope you have a great day, and tomorrow you get some good news and answers too. Love Linndie

No, I have not forgotton about ya girl. I really have been in some serious pain here. I just do'nt know where to turn sometimes. Actually, I ca'nt turn at all. I have to change my whole medication sheduale around going to bed at night, so I do'nt suffer so much pain as the Oxycotin is wearing off. So I though I would take a nap on the couch every day and then take my pain med about 8pm or so. I usually get up early anyway, you know that. Please do'nt ever think I have forgotton you. I just do'nt answe the phone untless it is family for now. I can stay sitting for about a half hour. Like now, I am ready to go back and lay down for a bit. But, I will be talking to you very soon.

Love,
Carrie