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Due to ongoing back pain for the past 8 years

Sent to Health Experts February 16 12:48 PM

Due to ongoing back pain for the past 8 years I've been taking Lortab, about 10 per day. It doesn't seem to touch the pain any longer as would obviously be expected. But I don't tell my Doctor this because I'm afraid he'll just cut me off. I have been wondering if just changing the type of pain medication would help me with this tolerance I've built up. And if so what would be a good alternative? I've seen every kind of Doctor possible to help fin the problem, I tried every other alternative possible including physical therapy over and over again. I've even heard there are people that have had nerve surgery to resolve such pain.

 

Optional Information:
Male , Age: 46

Already Tried:
Everything my Doctor could come up with. The problem is they cannot find anything but buldged disks in my back, but they're in the Lumbar area and my pain is in the T Spine.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
February 16 2:05 PM (1 hour and 17 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
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MasterDoc -- Doctor (MD) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1033 Health Accepts
Emergency Physician for 20 years
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February 16 8:40 PM (6 hours and 34 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
But you're not answering the actual question. Can the medication be switched to help with the tolerance I'm building up? I've literally spent close to $20.000 in tests over the years, I've seen a pain specialist and he did multiple injections and put me on a tense unit? (not sure of spelling) the electical unit I used for over 2 years. I built a tolerance for that as well. It got to where even at it's highest setting it did nothing for me. Thanks, Jeff Nelson
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
February 16 9:07 PM (27 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I'm sorry I didn't initially answer the precise question. Years ago, narcotics were the only "type" of medicine used for severe pain. If the is not holding the pain anymore then you need a stronger narcotic. I would be surprised if your MD would "cut you off" if you told him it wasn't working well any more (though I guess it is possible).
There is a possible alternative, however. Over the past twenty years TCA's (tricyclic antidepressants) have gained increasing use in the treatment of severe, chronic pain. They might be VERY helpful to you and you should ask a pain MD about their use. You should be aware however that while they have been a godsend for MANY, there are definite problems. First of all, it takes a month or more in most cases before they begin to work. Secondly, the side effects start IMMEDIATELY and while they lessen over time many people give up before they begin to work (imagine a month of only side effects and no relief of pain from them!). Here are a link:
http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/mngmnt/depression.html
Please click ACCEPT. Feel free to ask a follow-up question.
And a BONUS is always appreciated.
In rereading I wonder if you want a suggestion re a stronger narcotic? I would recommend AGAINST asking your MD for a SPECIFIC, stronger narcotic as that might make him concerned. However, if you want I will tell you of possibilities.
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MasterDoc -- Doctor (MD) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1033 Health Accepts
Emergency Physician for 20 years
Reply
February 16 11:12 PM (2 hours and 4 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Reply to MasterDoc's Post: Thank you for responding again to my question, You've been helpful. I have one last question concerning the TCA's you're refering to, would Arecept fall under that same group? I have been on it for that past 18-24 months. Though I think it's help me with Depression, I've never noticed anything with the pain. We, my Doctor and I, think the Depression most likely stems from the pain.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
February 16 11:15 PM (3 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
No, Aricept is NOT in the class of drugs (TCA's) that work on pain.
Please click ACCEPT.
And a BONUS is alwyas appreciated!
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MasterDoc -- Doctor (MD) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1033 Health Accepts
Emergency Physician for 20 years
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February 16 11:33 PM (18 minutes and 29 seconds later)
         
Also, I was on a very high dose of Efexor for several years. Never helped with the pain but sure made me useless as a husband and father. When I finally got off of it I realized I had lost several years of my life. Bad stuff in my opinion.
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February 16 11:48 PM (14 minutes and 45 seconds later)
         
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MasterDoc -- Doctor (MD) -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1033 Health Accepts
Emergency Physician for 20 years
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