What Meds Are Good For Back Pain (seeing new Dr 2mrw)

Hi guys -

I've been on Norco 10/325 for 4 yrs and I'm seeing a new Dr tomorrow and showing him my bottles and MRI.

I'm hoping he can put me on something that will help me more than the Norco.

Norco's seem to wear off fast and then don't work as well after a while.

I hate having to take so many.

What is GOOD for long lasting back pain relief? Something without so much APAP in it? That possibly won't be so far stretched for him to try me out on in the first visit?

Thanks a bunch!

 

I don't know. What kind of back pain is it?

 

I have moderate facet athropathy in my L4-L5 & L5 S1 - also Siatica.

 

How about some Medical Marijuana ..

 

OH yea, what's a normal pain level to tell the doctor? Well, not normal? But... I've never had kids, I've only broken my baby finger- and that felt like numbing pressure mostly, I've had 2 breast augmentations, and that hurt pretty bad, but my back pain is worse than my breast augmentation pain.

I don't know what to rate it? Isn't it different for everyone? I would SAY like a 6 or 7, but I don't want to sound like a baby either.

It hurts me 24/7 and I can't even get comfortable sleeping.

I feel like a jerk if I say the pain is a 6-7...?

 

Wow I sorta hoped you'd have said pinched nerve or something...

That sorta diagnosis is out of my league. I was gonna tell you to take some aleve anyway.

 

If you want meds, just tell 'em to give you some loratab or oxy....if you are serious about Not Wanting Pain - you will NOT find it in pills.
From personal experience (back pain resulting from swimming into the side of a swimming pool many years ago ), I can attest to acupuncture. I've taken about everything. I've been stumbling around my house and STILL hurt, stoned on meds.

Acupuncture is the only way you will find true pain relief. period...and it's going to take more than once! But (and THIS is the most important think, imo) acupuncture works!!!

 

I've tried Medican MJ - Indica for a body high, and the GOOD stuff too - But NOTHING. Doesn't help me. Just makes my body feel kinda weird. It helps take it down from a 7 to a 6 MAYBE?

 

I will try accupunture. I've thought about that - thank you!

Also, I've been on Norco 10/325 for 4 years and it doesn't help me anymore... that's why I'm asking this, is there something better than that?

The norco's use to help but they just wear off to quick now... or make me feel high but no pain relief

 

Hey, you're living with it 24/7 - don't feel bad about telling a doctor 6-7 "level"...it's like many doctors don't even register a person a being ill or having pain unless they are in a coma or bleeding with fever.

Most meds that actually help pain relief also cause constipation. (Can anybody say tmi?lol) Anyway, most of the time one must get a referral from a regular md in order to been seen by an acupuncturist. Here in SC I know you have to get that "referral"...so when you see your doctor, you might mention would an acupuncturist help, or you might want to find out beforehand if you would need a referral such as I needed.
Most of the medical community scoffs at acupuncture - tho' the orientals were performing intricate brain surgery and acupuncture when we were using leeches and cutting ppl up all day long with the same knife at a barber shop! yay us.

 

you need a medication that targets this. opiates dont target pain... Robaxin ,Etoricoxib, Meloxicam, Toradol..

Opiates are great for a flare up.. They are not good for pain everyday...

 

I've got robaxin - melexa - toradol - that doesn't help

 

Ok guys, getting ready to see Dr in an hour - any last advice?

 

I think you're on a one way road to nowhere taking drugs for pain for years and years. Acupucture may relieve pain ,but masking pain will not fix what could be wrong with your spine. I broke a disc in mine and had I seen a chiropractor beforehand ,I could have precluded an operation. You may be past having a chiro do you any good,so it may be time to operate. Face up to it--BUT-do not undergo an operation in a small town hospital. Research and find an excellant spine specialist and do what is necessary. You may find even after an operation ,a chiro will do you some good. It did for me. I live with a minimal amount of pain every day and sometimes it gets bad depending on what I do/lift. Hope this helps you--not many understand what serious back pain can do to your every day life. Take care.

 

I don't have insurance, and they say I'm too young for surgery because I have a degerative disease so I'll have to keep having surgery... it's not an option for me at this point, as I have no insurance.

 

Alright, wish I had seen this thread in time, So this may be for nothing. I have been a pain aptient for a year ro so. I don't recommend asking for an increase in whatever Med you are taking. Provide the Dr. with your history, tell him the Meds you were taking before are not working any longer, he will expect this simply due to tolerance, and will most likely move you to the next logical Med, and stop there. The last thing Drs like is the Patient trying to be the Dr. even though you know more about whats going on with you than he does. For lack of better words Stroke his ego a bit, aks him questions and leave it where he gets to make the decision, dont push anything on him because he doesnt know you and may retreat. If you start your initial visit this way, his first impression of you will be good ( not a drug seeker) and ur relationship with him will be alot better. remember, this is a long term deal, not a one time visit. Even if you don't get what you want this visit, it will make it much easier in the long run, trust me on this.

 

And thank you

 

I haven't left yet babes... thank you So just show him my MRI and my empty bottles? (to prove I have been on stuff and not just asking for it out of the blue)

I'm sure he'll probably give me the norcos again. Ughh.

If he does move me to a stronger Extended Release Med, does that mean it's going to be a massive price jump? I have no insurance... If it's going to break my bank, I'd rather stay on the Norco or Percs.

 

Pixie darlin, Drs deal with patients with no insurance all the time. There are plenty of narocotic pain relievers out there that are relatively cheap. Make sure you tell him about your financial situation so that he could possibly, perscribe you a med that he may have a Discount card for that he can give you. Good luck!!! Remember, be the patient, not the Dr. I could go on and on about dr/patient relationships when dealing with Pain management, but i know you dont have time. You will get something for the pain so if anything that will give us some time prior to your next visit. Good Luck!

 

Just remember, telling him your previous meds were not working is the exact same thing as asking for an increase, only this way, its alot less likely for him to think your a drug seeker, which BTW he deals with all the time.....!