Pain Medication

[Guest guest]

SB, I find Celebrex does help my muscle/tendon pain, though I do not have the

kind of back pain you're talking about. I have not taken Vioxx, so can not

answer that one. I do have a problem with my insurance not paying for the

Celebrex, which I need to try to resolve.

Did you actually mean to say that your pain has INCREASED while taking Vioxx?

I'm sorry I don't have much in the way of advice to offer, except that you may

need to see a real pain specialist to get this under control.

Sharon

pain medication

after landing on my back when the chair I was sitting in broke at

work in November, the workman's comp clinic gave me some etodolac.

It worked very well for the pain, but I developed asthma and started

waking up in the middle of the night with horrible headaches after

taking it for a couple of months. My urine has also been testing

postive for bilirubin (but blood tests are ok). I have also been

feeling very sleepy all the time, but not sleeping well.

So, workman's comp sent me to a neurosurgeon last week who said the

new pain is just a bruised coccyx and that it will eventually go

away (but it feels like there is something moving in there, but it

seems to be just below the horizontal rod across my hips). He said

the scoliosis doctor I saw has a reputation for being quick to

operate, and it looks like it would be extremely difficult to remove

that horizontal rod, so I should just try to learn to deal with pain

and not consider having any additional surgery.

He told me to quit taking the etodolac and gave me some vioxx

samples instead. I have been taking the vioxx for a week now, and

my pain level has increased significantly.

I ran out of vioxx this morning and went to get the prescription

filled this evening. Apparently, my insurance requires telephone

authorization from the doctor for patients under the age of 65 OR I

would have had to pay $165 cash to get it tonight.

Has anybody had good results with vioxx?? Is celebrex and bextra

basically the same stuff or is one better than the other??

At this point, I am tempted to say to hell with my liver, I cannot

deal with this pain again.

After looking at recent xrays in the neurologist's office, I see why

the docs don't know if it is that horizontal rod or the SI joints

causing the problem. It looks like the bolt from the rod is on the

SI joint. I guess that is why I get the grinding sensation in my

left hip. Laying down does not help at all and sitting is extremely

painful. I was getting behind on my homework from being sleepy, but

now I can't sit to do it.

I am extremely frustrated. I had almost forgotten how bad this

chronic pain could be.

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

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

[Guest guest]

Hi, SB:

I started to reply last night but then my kids kinda went nuts, and

everything I'd typed was gone.

Celebrex and Vioxx are not exactly the same drugs, but they're in

the same class called -2 inhibitors, and they do basically the

same thing with slightly different chemicals. They effectively

control inflammation without the side effects of early anti-

inflammatories like Naprosyn, etc. I think, but am not sure, that

etodolac is an older anti-inflammatory with a different kind of

action than the -2 inhibitors. Unfortunately, insurance companies

are real pains in the rear about Celebrex and Vioxx, since they're

expensive and not yet available as generics, and typically require

additional authorizations to get them filled.

I'm sorry to hear your pain increased on the Vioxx. I guess I'd

suggest that you call your doctor back to let him know that you're

feeling worse than you were on the etodolac, and see what else he

can suggest. I assume from your original note that he took you off

the etodolac because of your liver problems? If you can't go back on

that because of your stomach, maybe he can supplement the Vioxx with

a mild painkiller. I can't imagine how you can possibly get your

homework done or do anything normal with a horrible grinding pain in

your hip that keeps you from sitting or laying down; someone really

needs to be taking your pain issues seriously.

FWIW, on a personal note, I never had a lot of luck with anti-

inflammatories because the source of my pain wasn't inflammation.

Because anti-inflammatories also have a general analgesic effect,

doctors tend to prescribe them more freely than narcotic

painkillers, but there are some kinds of instrumentation-related and

flatback-related pain that it doesn't help very much because the

source of the pain isn't inflammation, and the general analgesic

effect isn't enough to counter the fact that a big loose bolt is

grinding away at your bone (for example).

Also, and entirely FWIW, I really don't like to hear doctors

say " You shouldn't have surgery, you should just learn to deal with

your pain. " First, I think I'd get yet another opinion about your

situation -- you have one doctor who wants to operate, and another

who says the first doctor is too quick to operate. I think you need

at least one more (if not many more) assessments of the situation,

because now you have two conflicting opinions without much

information to help you evaluate either of them.

And as far as " learn to live with pain " goes -- my response to that

has always been " OK, if you want me to learn to live with pain, then

are you going to take responsibility for helping me with pain

management -- changing drug regimens as needed, prescribing PT and

helping find the right providers, etc.? If not, then you had darn

well better refer to a pain clinic who will, because I'm -sure-

you're not telling me to just suck it up and learn to live in this

agony when there are so many documented, effective non-invasive pain

management techniques that can help improve my quality of life. "

Again, as always: I'm not a doctor, I'm totally ignorant I'm kind of

a bombastic jerk, and yet, I mean no offense.

Best,

Elissa

> SB, I find Celebrex does help my muscle/tendon pain, though I do

not have the kind of back pain you're talking about. I have not

taken Vioxx, so can not answer that one. I do have a problem with

my insurance not paying for the Celebrex, which I need to try to

resolve.

>

> Did you actually mean to say that your pain has INCREASED while

taking Vioxx?

>

> I'm sorry I don't have much in the way of advice to offer, except

that you may need to see a real pain specialist to get this under

control.

>

> Sharon

> pain medication

>

>

> after landing on my back when the chair I was sitting in broke

at

> work in November, the workman's comp clinic gave me some

etodolac.

> It worked very well for the pain, but I developed asthma and

started

> waking up in the middle of the night with horrible headaches

after

> taking it for a couple of months. My urine has also been

testing

> postive for bilirubin (but blood tests are ok). I have also

been

> feeling very sleepy all the time, but not sleeping well.

>

> So, workman's comp sent me to a neurosurgeon last week who said

the

> new pain is just a bruised coccyx and that it will eventually go

> away (but it feels like there is something moving in there, but

it

> seems to be just below the horizontal rod across my hips). He

said

> the scoliosis doctor I saw has a reputation for being quick to

> operate, and it looks like it would be extremely difficult to

remove

> that horizontal rod, so I should just try to learn to deal with

pain

> and not consider having any additional surgery.

>

> He told me to quit taking the etodolac and gave me some vioxx

> samples instead. I have been taking the vioxx for a week now,

and

> my pain level has increased significantly.

>

> I ran out of vioxx this morning and went to get the prescription

> filled this evening. Apparently, my insurance requires

telephone

> authorization from the doctor for patients under the age of 65

OR I

> would have had to pay $165 cash to get it tonight.

>

> Has anybody had good results with vioxx?? Is celebrex and

bextra

> basically the same stuff or is one better than the other??

>

> At this point, I am tempted to say to hell with my liver, I

cannot

> deal with this pain again.

>

> After looking at recent xrays in the neurologist's office, I see

why

> the docs don't know if it is that horizontal rod or the SI

joints

> causing the problem. It looks like the bolt from the rod is on

the

> SI joint. I guess that is why I get the grinding sensation in

my

> left hip. Laying down does not help at all and sitting is

extremely

> painful. I was getting behind on my homework from being sleepy,

but

> now I can't sit to do it.

>

> I am extremely frustrated. I had almost forgotten how bad this

> chronic pain could be.

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod

Malalignment Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control

ads or endorse any advertised products.

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

[Guest guest]

VIOXX never worked with me.

ANybody ever hear of Neurontin? The name kind of scares me. But that's what

was recommended. I'm ready to just not take anything until I see Dr. Rand.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

- Re Neurontin

> I think you will find several ppl on this site who have taken it. It was

originally an anti-seizure medication but in prescribing it docs have found that

it also helps nerve pain and prevents migraines. I was originally puton it for

migraines occuring as a result of my interferon treatment for Hepatitis C

(contracted from transfusions during original Harrington surgery). i have

remained on it for migraines and nerve pain. I take 300 mg am and pm. I am

supposed to take one in the aft also but it makes me sleepy so I do not. I

personally have not had side effects from it but would say I am taking it

PRIMARILY for migraines.

I do not know if the FDA has yet approved it for nerve pain, meaning that using

it as such would be an " off label " use, but this occurs frequently with drugs

that are intended for one problem and then found to help others. I would say it

is certainly within the standard of care for a physician to be recommending it,

depending on your symptoms.

As another example, I think Viagra was originally intended for another use, but

did not become a huge drug til docs began prescribing it and found out what else

it did. I'll try to google it and see.

In meantime, I am sure others can weigh in on Neurontin.

> From: USNAWIFE@...

> Date: 2004/03/12 Fri AM 12:53:22 EST

>

> Subject: Re: pain medication

>

> VIOXX never worked with me.

> ANybody ever hear of Neurontin? The name kind of scares me. But that's what

was recommended. I'm ready to just not take anything until I see Dr. Rand.

> xoxo's

>

>

>

>

>

> Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

>

[Guest guest]

,

I took Neurontin for quite a while. I am not taking it right now. The only

reason is that my pain doctors worked out kind of a cycle for me. I stay on a

certain " cocktail " until it seems to stop working, and then I move to the

other one. I'm told that Neurontin can be increased until the dose is quite

high

and that it gives good pain relief to a lot of people. It is another one of

the " seizure medications " that help with nerve pain. There are several others

quite a bit like Neurontin. It certainly is worth a try if that is what your

pain doctor recommends. I found that it (only at first) made me a bit

sleepy, but that wore off after my body got used to it. I've had several meds

that

did that.

I hope that it will work well for you!

Of course you know that I am not a doctor; just another scoliosis/pain

sufferer. The best of luck to you!

Carole M.

[Guest guest]

,

I was prescribed Neurontin for my nerve pain. I couldn't take

it because it made me too sleepy. My neuro then prescribed Trileptal

which is a similar drug. I take it AM and PM and it seems to take

the edge off the nerve pain although I still have a tingling and some

sharp pain. Trileptal like Neurontin is a seizure medication but my

neuro explained that it works by calming the nerves, hence it is

prescribed for nerve pain. Hope this helps. Barbara

> VIOXX never worked with me.

> ANybody ever hear of Neurontin? The name kind of scares me. But

that's what was recommended. I'm ready to just not take anything

until I see Dr. Rand.

> xoxo's

>

[Guest guest]

WOW! I had no idea Neurontin was used for those things. Thanks for the great

information.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

Thanks Barbara,

It helps LOTS!

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carole M.

I don't feel so scared about taking it now that I've heard how it works for

others.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

,

I took Neurontin for several months. Built up to 900mg daily (at first it made

me a little sleepy). It did take care of the terrible nerve symptoms I was

having from the bone donor site & the leg pain. I wasn't crazy about being on

something so strong long term so weaned myself off. But as a nurse in a high

stress area felt I needed to be clear headed (if possible ).

Then when I went to court with my ex his lawyer made a big deal out of me being

on it at all, what a jerk!

You can always give it a try.

Joyce

[Guest guest]

,

Voixx is an anti-inflammatory. It reduces pain causing swelling

(inflammation) of joints. Neurontin works on nerve pain, helping to block

the pain message before it reaches the brain. I have been on both for over

a year. Neurontin is introduced gradually. Generally, 1800 mg a day is

considered pain reducing level. I am just now increasing from 1800 to

2100. If that helps, fine. If I don't see much difference, I'll add

another 300 and see what happens. Neurontin is often given in conjunction

with Nortriptylene or another of that type. They work together, often more

effectively than alone. Side effects of Neurontin the doctor told me to

watch out for are dizziness, drowsiness and difficulty thinking. The only

side effect I have had is the drowsiness. It's not so bad that I can't

push myself through it, and the pain relief is worth it. Hope my experience

helps some.

'Ellie

At 09:53 PM 3/11/2004, you wrote:

> VIOXX never worked with me.

> ANybody ever hear of Neurontin? The name kind of scares me. But that's

> what was recommended. I'm ready to just not take anything until I see

> Dr. Rand.

>xoxo's

>

>

>

>

>

>Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

>Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

>advertised products.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Joyce.

I wonder if I should be taking such medication with a small baby. Probably not.

That's pretty low to have somebody use that against you in court. I'm sure the

judge saw that as a low blow...at least I hope so.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ellie,

That does help.

xoxo's

[Guest guest]

We had Tyler on Tylenol and Motrin alternating them every 3 hours.  This would

help keep the fever down some, but Motrin was hard on his stomach and he often

threw it up.  We were referred to a rheumatologist who put him on Naproxen twice

a day.  He took that daily, even when not fevering, because his cycles were

every 2 weeks and she said it needed to be in the system a few days before the

fever hit to work best.  She said daily was fine so we did that.  I supplemented

with Tylenol during his episodes to help keep the fever down and we went from

episodes that were 105-106 high and never under 102 when the medicine was

onboard to highs of 102 and lows 99-100 when we switched to naproxen.  I would

make sure he took it with food and only had 2 vomiting episodes in 1.5yrs on

naproxen versus nearly every episode before that. 

 

I did not want to use steroids as his fevers were already so close.  Naproxen

was a wonderful breakthrough for us - but it still did not stop the episodes. 

We ruled out FMF and NOMIDS/Muckle-Wells syndromes with DNA testing then...

 

He had a T & A Aug 5th and has so far skipped 3 fevers. 

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed he will be one of the lucky ones it works for in

the long haul.

 

Pruden

Tyler Pruden 2yr9mo old fevering since 3mo old - T & A Aug 5th skipped 3 fevers so

far

Dylan Pruden 6 months old

Vancouver WA

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response.  I truly hope your son will NEVER fever again. 

Kassidy's pediatrician has her on Lortab and started her on it in Oct.. 2007. 

We were already alternating between Tylenol and Motrin with absolutely NO

RELIEF.  I was so scared -- but he assured me that it would be ok.  After I gave

her the first dose(and it started working), she laughed.  It was the first time

she had laughed and played in 4 days.  I do not give it to her except when she

is completely lethargic, but it is effective in pain management.  I still have

to give her motrin to " help " with the fevers, but that is not very effective.  I

am currently trying to sell Kassidy's doctor on T & A surgery.  I hope he will be

willing, if he is not I believe I will find someone who is.  I do not want her

to be sick every two weeks for her young life.  That doesn't seem to be a real

good quality of life and don't we all want our children to have a better life

than

we did?

Thank you again -- I will have your son in my prayers

Kristy   

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group! You may not always find the answers you are looking for

here but you will always find our support. Unfortunately, with these periodic

fevers, we usually have alot more questions than answers!

When my sons episodes were at their worst, probably between the ages of 5 years

and 9, one of the hardest things to watch during an episode was the pain

involved. At times it was so severe that he would not move or change positions

for hours. I would go to rub his back just to try to offer some comfort and he

wouldn't let me touch him because the pain was so intense.

  You have to understand that while we watch and treat the symptoms on the

outside, mainly the fever and tummy aches, you can't see what is going on on the

inside. These periodic fevers are inflammatory system disorders. NIH told me

that during an episode, he was experiencing inflammation in the lining of the

stomache, the lining of the lungs, the lining of the heart and in the joints. It

all sounds pretty painful to me!

  Unfortunately, during most of that time period we went to a pediatrician who

did nothing to treat any of PJ's symptoms, all because she had no idea what we

were dealing with so she did nothing. As soon as we started being seen at NIH,

PJ was 8 and 1/2 years old, Dr. Kastner made me stop seeing that pediatrician.

He said that he would have nothing to do with a doctor who would leave a child

untreated. Even if she didnt know what she was dealing with, at the very least

she should have treated his symptoms.

    For the worst episodes we usually wound up in the ER, mainly to treat for

dehydration and the docs there kind of developed a standing order for him.

Fluids for hydration, Zofran for the nausea and vomiting and Toradol for pain.

Toradol is kind of hard-core, you cant give it on an ongoing basis but for

intermittent relief, it was great.

 

I am so thrilled that you have found a physician who is willing to take care of

your child! Mine went along untreated for so long, it makes me feel great that

yours doesn't have to.

I feel really bad for the moms of toddlers and infants who cannot begin to

communicate

exactly what hurts or how they feel.

 

I hope this helps. I wouldn't give pain medication lightly but as Kassidy's mom,

if you think she needs it, I would go for it.

 

Pat, PJ's mom

[Guest guest]

>

> People almost never become addicted if they are in pain.

>

And that's why I'm asking those of you who have researched this for your

resources. I'd like to read the research because I'm interested and enjoy that

sort of thing. Hope you can help!

Thanks,

Alice

[Guest guest]

Alice,

Here's one more example. I have many others on anothr computer which I am no

longer using. I'll try it in a while and see if it's still working and I can

locate the others.

Jeff

PS: You can also google chronic pain and opioids and you'll probably get some

info there.

________________________________

From: aliceinboulder <aliceinboulder@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 1:10:17 PM

Subject: Re: Pain Medication

>

> People almost never become addicted if they are in pain.

>

And that's why I'm asking those of you who have researched this for your

resources.  I'd like to read the research because I'm interested and enjoy that

sort of thing.  Hope you can help!

Thanks,

Alice

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

[Guest guest]

Sorry here it is:

http://www.ampainsoc.org/advocacy/opioids.htm

________________________________

From: aliceinboulder <aliceinboulder@...>

Joint Replacement

Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 1:10:17 PM

Subject: Re: Pain Medication

>

> People almost never become addicted if they are in pain.

>

And that's why I'm asking those of you who have researched this for your

resources.  I'd like to read the research because I'm interested and enjoy that

sort of thing.  Hope you can help!

Thanks,

Alice

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

[Guest guest]

Can tell you after 50 years working as a nurse, in all kinds of settings: 

effective pain management with proper use does NOT lead to addiction.  Some of

my career was spent in a drug rehab, so have knowledge from that angle as well. 

Don't be afraid to utilize pain medication--and, as people have said, best to

" get ahead " of the pain instead of controlling once it comes.  This will aid in

rehab, and is necessary to the best of recovery. 

From: Scharff <zinsdad@...>

Subject: Re: Re: Pain Medication

Joint Replacement

Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2009, 3:24 PM

 

Sorry here it is:

http://www.ampainso c.org/advocacy/ opioids.htm

____________ _________ _________ __

From: aliceinboulder <aliceinboulder>

Total_Joint_ Replacement

Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 1:10:17 PM

Subject: [Total_Joint_ Replacement] Re: Pain Medication

>

> People almost never become addicted if they are in pain.

>

And that's why I'm asking those of you who have researched this for your

resources.  I'd like to read the research because I'm interested and enjoy that

sort of thing.  Hope you can help!

Thanks,

Alice

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

[Guest guest]

As a former RN I should know the answer to this question, but I don't. I hate

taking pain killers but realise that at times thay are necessary. I recently

had an excruciating tooth abscess and the dentist was able to prescribe

medication to control the pain. I asked him how I would know when the pain had

eased if I was still on the pain killers. He just said to ease off a little and

see what happened ... not quite as precise an answer as I was looking for.

I realise I am a bit off-topic but exactly the same argument could be applied to

pain after hip surgery.

Aussie

[Guest guest]

For me, I could tell when the meds were starting to wear off how much of the

pain returned. I only took the meds if the pain got to a certain level. In

the beginning I took them like clockwork, but after the first couple weeks I

was more aware of the level of pain I was in after the meds wore off.

Everyone has a different pain threshold and some people are totally anti

pain meds so I think it's a very personal choice.

On Sun, Sep 4, 2011 at 8:29 PM, Chapman <ltcol@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

>

>

> As a former RN I should know the answer to this question, but I don't. I

> hate taking pain killers but realise that at times thay are necessary. I

> recently had an excruciating tooth abscess and the dentist was able to

> prescribe medication to control the pain. I asked him how I would know when

> the pain had eased if I was still on the pain killers. He just said to ease

> off a little and see what happened ... not quite as precise an answer as I

> was looking for.

>

> I realise I am a bit off-topic but exactly the same argument could be

> applied to pain after hip surgery.

>

> Aussie

>

>