Hi Tonya,
At first after my surgery I had vicodin. Then I went to a paindoc......he is
just a one man show but he is great, he didn't try to sell me on pain blocks
,which for the most part do not help with adhesions. But I understand some
clinics put everyone who comes in the door on the blocks, big money in it.
They are great for other types of pain,back problems etc..........
I did go to another pain clinic to compare treatment options, they wanted to
do blocks. They try to get to the source first,in my case , some bloodwork to
rule out things like pancreatitis, .........most of the test they suggested I
already had done like endoscopy to rule out ulcers....(some of my pain is
upper ab).
So my paindoc after reviewing my med records was like this is simple "you are
a chronic adhesion maker). So I went from Vicodin to Percocet, gradually
things got worse then oxycodone, slowly higher doses, closer together. I was
trying very hard to stay off the patch, because I had an unpleasant
experience four years ago on them from a hospitalization with bleeding
ulcers. Anyway, things got really bad , the end of October I was
hospitalized with pain out of control and have been on 50 mg Duragesic patch,
with Oxy for breakthru pain. I feel better being on it with my paindoc, he
is just better, obviously specialized, in dealing with these meds and
getting me off after the surgery slowly and correctly. My GI doctor had me
on the patch for ulcers and told me very little and I just yanked it off one
day and had terrible withdrawal. But that is not how you do it and some
people have no trouble...........I really wish I didn't need them and can't
wait to get off. I can drive fine, but it took a couple weeks to adjust. I
don't drive if I need breakthru meds.
We experimented with other stuff, neurotin, elavil.....etc. I think neurotin
is a great drug, many have been helped, but my stomach couldn't handle it,
but other wise I could feel it helping, I really gave that one a goo long
try, I wanted it to work. Elavil also helped, but I found it too
constipating. But everyone has different experiences.
I will say if it wasn't for my paindoc and meds , I would have no life at
all, I would be in bed all day from exhausting pain. With the meds I am able
to get by, I havent been able to work in a year, but I can do some things at
home and some social things to stay in the game of life.....so thank goodness
for docs and meds............and hopefully this upcoming surgery will get me
just enough relief to keep moving..........
Hope this helps you a little and I hope you get understanding and a good doc.
Your freind,
April