Im hearing alot about this medication Oxycontin. What is it specifically for? Does it have side effects or long term bad effects? Is it a daily medication or is it good to use when you can no longer stand the pain and need fast releif? (I cant remember if it is something Ive tried or not, guess I need to ask my doctor again)
Ive been on several pain medications, most never helped. Vicodin seemed to take the edge away but Im not sure if it was because it made me silly or if it was actually working. Morphine helps alot, but I have bad panic attacks from it. I am currently not on anything (except for a bed). Ive always been a chicken when it comes to taking medications. I hate the feeling of not being in control.
My doctor told me to watch my limits carefully and also not to over exert myself or do anything to aggrevate the adhesions, avoid the drugs as much as possible as it will affect the success of future surgeries (if you can call them successful) as well as builds up a resistance to pain medication when needed during surgery. It was also explained to me that when adhesions and scar tissue are irritated, they tend to grow even more thicker and tighter as the body thinks it needs to strengthen the weakening areas which are irritated. Because of this, the physical activity causes the adhesions to become irritated and then pulls on the organs they are attached to. Right now, we are trying to do as much as possible to avoid more surgeries as long as we can as each surgery has a very long recovery time and can create additional complications and health problems.
Thirteen years ago I had an emergency c-section with severe toxemia and three months of staph infection complications afterwards. (my incision had to heal from the inside out as it had to be re-opened and cleaned of infection) My first initial surgery for adhesion removal was in 1999 and it was two years prior to that before I was diagnosed. My pain was severe on my right side near my appendix which they originally thought I was having a pendacitis attack. I had been poked and prodded and jostled around to numerous specialist who all told me there was nothing wrong because nothing showed up on their tests. However, I found one doctor who did exploratory surgery on me. They first tried a lapraoscopy (sp?) which the instrument couldnt make it far enough inside as the adhesions were too thick, then they opened me up 5-6" along my c-section incision and went to work. After they had finished the initial surgery they were in shock at how severe my adhesions were. My adhesions were attached all over my lower abdomen; on the intestines, uterus, muscle wall lining, etc. It took several hours to cut them all away and I was told that it wasnt the adhesions that were creating the pain, it was from being attached to my organs so severely that they were on the edge of being torn apart by the pulling of the adhesions. The surgery took away the pain immediately and I was pain free for four months before they started gradually growing back. We tried physical therapy, hypnotherapy, massage therapy yet nothing seems to help. Now when the pain is intense, I get scared. (will something rip open this time?) I have no other health problems other than my adhesions and I had not been through any other surgeries or problems prior to my c-section. I had a very active and healthy life.
Now, being on my feet or moving alot for more than two hours creates alot of intense pain which puts me in bed (and sometimes into the ER) for several days. I mostly relax and do as much as I can on the days I feel good enough to but even visiting the grocery store can be a real battle. I go to the stores which have those electric riding carts and think how convenient it would be to use them while shopping but I feel like if I use them then Ive let the pain defeat me. My body gets cramped up from sitting and lying down alot. I try to do minor exercises and stretching to keep the muscles from being so cramped but it just doesnt have quite the same 'good feeling' as regular exercising. Nothing else seems to increase my pain except for physical activity and lots of tea. (maybe the tea makes me move around alot when Im sleeping? hmmm)
Its not only been physically challenging to have a normal life, but it also is a mental challenge. So many things I use to enjoy doing, I can no longer do. Then there are the doctors, friends, family, who do not understand and say 'its all in your head' or 'you just want access to drugs' (a real comment from one of the specialist doctors I had seen who couldnt figure out what was wrong!). Its frustrating on days that I feel good because I want to get out of the house and go do something fun but I cant because the price of the intense pain afterwards is often too high. On occassion, I enjoy going to the movies or eating at restaurants as I can sit and relax. Even going to the mall and sitting on a bench watching the people is entertaining. Its a real treat when I can but its a huge struggle getting there. Ive noticed I get depressed easily now as well but am afraid to take anything for depression. I also feel like a burden to family members.
Several questions pop up when thinking about taking medications. What if what the doctor said about the cause of my pain is correct? What if its because of the organs on the edge of tearing apart from the adhesions pulling at them? What if I take medication that eliminates that pain then over exert myself? What if I no longer feel the pain to know my limit and end up tearing my organs because of it?
- K.
>----- Original Message -----
From: "Lynn Creacy" <anonymous@medispecialty.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS"
<adhesions@mail.medispecialty.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: Thank you all
> At Wed, 21 Aug 2002, K. wrote:
> >
> >I have just recently found this site and forum and I must say
> >that it is the most wonderful place I have come across. Reading
> >all the stories and experiences is like reading a mirror image of
> >my own life. Its good to know there are people who understand
> >exactly what you are going through, from understanding the intensity
> >of the pain to being told by doctors its "all in your head" just
> >before they have to do multiple surgeries to remove the adhesions
> >which are about to tear apart your organs.
> >
> >I really needed a place like this. I no longer feel alone.
> >
> >Thank you all. - K.
>
> Welcom K,
>
> My name is Lynn Creacy, right now my pain is under control due to my
> medications. I actually got started on the Oxycontin 40mg 3 times a day
> and Norco 10mg every 4-6 hrs for breakthrough pain due to by back
> ploblems. But fortunately for me it also works on my adhesions. I had
> to quit work because I was in pain all of the time. Now I take it easy
> and do some things aound the house. I know that if I do too much, I
> will have to pay for it the next day. Ooops, I was suppose to be
> welcoming you to the group not telling my story. Keep in touch and let
> us know how you are doing.
>
> Lynn
>
> --
> A new friend
>