subsailorslady1980

I am a 31 year old woman who is married to a 44 year old man. Together we have 5 children, ages 29, 23, 15, 12 and 3. We also have two grandchildren... read more

I am a 31 year old woman who is married to a 44 year old man. Together we have 5 children, ages 29, 23, 15, 12 and 3. We also have two grandchildren (my stepgrandchildren) that are 10 and 5. I am currently a pain management patient with migraines, occipital nueralgia, severe sciatic nueropathy down my right leg to the point where my ankle gives out and makes me fall so I must use an ankle brace with metal supports, a back that locks up for absolutely no reason, both shoulders that have issues with the rotator cuff, bursitis that cause a lot of pain. I also have been diagnosed with ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, an autoimmune disorder), Anxiety, Panic attacks, Mild depression (mostly due to under managed pain control), PTSD, RTS (Rape Trauma Syndrome), a tenative diagnosis of Bi-Polar II Disorder, and have had Bi-Lateral Pulmonary Embolisms several years ago. I am a domestic violence survivor. I do not consider myself a victim and I do my best to not let my life be defined by my past and my level of chronic pain but by who I am and what I can accomplish despite and inspite of any obstacle. I am a military wife and enjoy that lifestyle. I am looking for support to be able to ask questions about medication experiences and ways to deal with chronic pain using the least amount of narcotic medication possible. Unfortunately, I am allergic to all NSAIDS and several different drugs including two narcotic medications (demerol, and nucynta). I do develop a tolerance to medications very quickly so I have to increase dosages about every 4-5 months. This seems to be a trait in my family. Everyone in my family has the same problem with a quick tolerance level. I am including my own personal list of medications and an abbreviation key for a better understanding of dosing and scheduling. {Abbreviation Key: Q=Every; ^=hours; QHS=taken at bedtime; BID=Twice Daily; TID=Three Daily; PRN=As needed; [ ]=What the medication is used for, Brand medication names followed by Generic Medication Names in parentheses ( ) are included if available}. Current Medication List is as follows: [Pain] Duragesic Patches (Fentanyl) 75mcg Q48^; [Muscle Relaxer] Soma (Carisoprodol) 350mg Q8^ PRN; [Breakthrough Pain] Opana IR (Oxymorphone) 10mg Q4-6^ PRN; [Anti-Anxiety/Muscle Relaxer] Valium (Diazepam) 5mg BID/10mg QHS; [Depression/Pain Management] Cymbalta (Duloxetine) 60mg QHS; [Cholesterol Lowering] Zocor (Simvastatin) 20mg QHS; [Seasonal Allergies] Allegra-D (Fexofenadine/Pseudoephedrine) 120mg/60mg BID; [Anti-Emetic/Nausea] Phenergan (Promethazine) 25mg Q4-6^ PRN; [Anti-Emetic/Nausea] Tigan (Trimethobenzamide) 300mg Q8^ PRN; [Migraine Abortive Treatment] Migranal Nasal Spray (Dihydroergotamine Mesylate) 4mg/ml PRN at onset of headache and may repeat in 30 mins if there is inadequate relief; [Stool Softener] Colace (Docusate Sodium) 50mg Q 2-4xdaily PRN. Seems like such a long list but they do help with managing my symptoms and I have had many Nerve Ablation Procedures to help manage the pain caused by nerves and while it works it is short lived lasting only about 3-6 months before pain begins to return and by 12 months I am repeating the same procedure. I just wish there was another way. I am happy for all the people who can deal with severe amounts of chronic pain without any pain meds or just OTC meds but I do wish that people like that who say "Oh just go take some tylenol and you'll be fine" would be a little bit more understanding about other people's pain levels and tolerance to pain. I hope that this site can help me get a better grip on medications that are out there to help me and that maybe my trials and errors may be able to help them.