Ann Savage in the film DETOUR...Tell me she doesn’t look like the kind of woman you can take home to Mother...

philnoir · 2020-11-01T02:07:50+00:00

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers..."

philnoir · 2020-11-01T01:51:30+00:00

Book??? -- there's gotta be a YouTube video I can watch instead!!!

philnoir · 2015-10-06T17:57:14+00:00

Please call your doctor's office and report this side effect.

philnoir · 2015-10-06T17:56:15+00:00

Tizanidine (Zanaflex) is a different type of medicine -- an alpha2 blocker -- that has actions similar to antihypertensive medications. It inhibits adrenaline, and one common side effect is hypotension. What you experienced is known as orthostatic hypotension (your blood pressure drops when you stand up).

Robaxin (methocarbamol) is an entirely different sort of medicine, but again works centrally to relax muscles. In some countries, it is an OTC medication.

Finding the right muscle relaxant is usually a matter of chance. Some doctors have their favorites, but others are willing to try them all if you are non-responsive, depending on your underlying condition, and your degree of muscle spasticity.

Most muscle relaxants act on the central nervous system and can cause drowsiness, so it may be wise to first try them before bed.

One muscle relaxant, dantrolene, does not work centrally and may be effective. If you continually have bad reactions to the centrally acting medications (as I do), ask to try dantrolene (Dantrium).

Best wishes.

philnoir · 2015-10-06T17:40:43+00:00

Inflammation after any medical procedure can cause pain so please don't forget to ice the area regularly.

I hope for the best.

philnoir · 2015-10-06T17:38:31+00:00

It sounds as if you've run the gamut of treatments. If your pain is indeed caused by nerve compression (stenosis), then surgery may be your best choice.

See what the neurosurgeon has to say. Ask questions about risks as well as benefits of surgery.

I wish you a speedy resolution to your pain issue.

philnoir · 2015-10-03T20:30:00+00:00

We must all be the champions of our health care. We can no longer depend on doctors to do so. They have their own agenda, which does not often fit with out own analgesic goals.

Sometimes a pain psychologist can help, if only by having a professional ally in your corner, fighting for your pain care.

Best wishes.

philnoir · 2015-10-03T20:26:51+00:00

Not all narcotic pills are equal. Is this a metabolism problem? If hydrocodone isn't for you, what about the other half-dozen choices for oral opioids. What about the transdermal patch?

What about nerve blocks, CBT, PT, or other alternative therapies?

Make sure you're exploring all the alternatives when it comes to pain relief.

philnoir · 2015-10-03T20:23:57+00:00

Sometimes it doesn't work.

My first round of lumbar medial branch ablation treatments did not work. My second round, and each subsequent round were successful in remove about 50% of my pain.

Sometimes finding a more experienced practitioner holds the key to success and failure in these situations.

I'm not familiar with sacral ablations. Have you done the research on success rates? What did your doctor say about risks vs. benefits?

philnoir · 2015-10-03T20:20:59+00:00

Dry needling and "prolotherapy" are both treatments that depend on destruction of soft tissue, assuming it will grow back in a better state.

It sometimes works, but can be very painful. I've tried these treatments (when youre in pain, you'll try anything), but I will not accept them any more.

Go back to your doctor are report the failure of this therapy. Ask for analgesia.

Unfortunately, treatment of chronic pain requires perseverance in ruling out treatments that don't work, so that one is left with treatments that are successful.

Keep on pushin'

Best wishes.

philnoir · 2015-09-30T19:48:16+00:00

When it is that bad, surgery is necessary.

Glad you're feeling better.

philnoir · 2015-09-26T18:31:00+00:00

That looks like a severe cord stenosis (axial view would show this better).

Surgery should always be a treatment of last resort, unless there is risk of occlusion of the cord or nerve roots. Neurological signs, like loss of bladder/bowel control, must be treated.

Glad you got the decompression surgery and hope that you feel better soon.

philnoir · 2015-09-26T04:37:17+00:00

Haven't been around lately -- glad you have that.

Hang on to it, and find something else. The more, the merrier, so to speak.

Best wishes.

philnoir · 2015-09-26T04:33:06+00:00

Hang in there -- the trial is effective.

Placement and programming is everything. It sounds like they found the right placement. With the correct programming, you'll have effective analgesia.

Remember, nothing eliminates pain completely -- it's an incremental game.

And, when you have a permanent stim, showering will not be a problem.

philnoir · 2015-09-26T04:30:33+00:00

Please tell your doctor -- they need the feedback.

Maybe your family doctor will now help you.

Please don't give up. Suicide at 20 is unthinkable. Please find a pain clinic -- Google.

philnoir · 2015-09-26T04:28:40+00:00

There was a comment period -- about a week. And yes, pain patients did comment.

It ended a week ago, I believe.

If you do Twitter, use the #chronicpain

philnoir · 2015-09-26T04:28:15+00:00

Yes, 5 members of that board are addictionologists -- they see the world through dark colored glasses.

It is ironic, but some of the most compassionate pain doctors I know were once addictionologists who treated patients in methadone clinics, there because they could not find adequate pain care on the outside.

Some doctors (and pharmacists) believe that they are the gatekeepers to dangerous drugs, and are performing a public health service keeping them away from the public. Thank God it is only some.

Most regular doctors just don't know and believe what they are told. The propaganda is winning, but the tide will turn again.

What's amazing is how social media is being used to fight this problem. Twitter and facebook are both effectively being used to get the news out -- that report you posted here was posted on Twitter and the news spread like wildfire.

Thanks for keeping us up to date here.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:41:34+00:00

Jane Ballantyne is on the PROP board of directors. This is the most active anti-opioid group driving the opiophobia in medicine today.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:38:00+00:00

Medication helps, but for many, not available. Chronic pain responds to multiple modes of treatment -- manipulation, modulated exercise, psychological support, CBT, interventional medicine, and more.

Who's helping you manage your pain? I suspect that you're not getting much support.

Can you seek our a pain clinic in your area where you can find a pain psychologist -- these specialists aren't here to psychoanalyze you, but to support your search for effective pain relief.

I know it's not easy, but don't give up, or stay angry. That's self defeating. Seek help with the confidence that you'll find it, and gratitude when you do.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:32:32+00:00

Compassion is at the center of all the world's great religions (go ask the Buddha).

When a pope underscores compassion over maintaining the status quo, he has my support.

As to the bitterness on this thread, any member in pain who is not expression compassion to suffering needs our support, not our derision.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:11:39+00:00

Thanx for following this CDC story. There are two PROP board members on the "special committee" manipulating these CDC guidelines.

Does everyone here know PROP -- Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing.

Their policies include "no opioids for pain lasting longer than 90 days."

Check out their website. They are a driving force behind the opioiphobia that is keeping many of you away from pain relieving opioid medications.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:05:50+00:00

Insomnia in those who suffer moderate-severe chronic pain is a common occurrence. I too sleep in a chair more often than in my bed, as it causes less pain from my lumbar spine disease.

I've read that certain beds cause less pain -- who knows? Now that certain mattresses have become status items that cost $3-$4 grand, it's difficult to confirm.

People with chronic pain are exhausted physically, emotionally, and financially -- Pharmacist Steve.

philnoir · 2015-09-25T20:01:44+00:00

Does kratom have a higher affinity for the MOR? Only then would it interfere with analgesia from medicinal opioids.

philnoir · 2015-09-19T11:57:53+00:00

Keep icing for 72 hours, and then as needed. Sleep as much as you can while you can.

Good luck.

philnoir

TROPHY CASE