Opiate Dependence - I have serious pain from cervical and lumbar L1 to S1 fusion and take oxycotin?

I took MS Contin for pain for a while, and talked to my doctor about whether I could be taking something else instead. She had me go to a pain clinic, which I thought would help me deal with the pain, but I was wrong. They did say they could do an injection into the spine of medication that would dull or numb the nerves in the area of pain. Since I am allergic to lidocaine and benzocaine, they couldn't do it. That is something that might benefit you though. The other thing was a Fentanyl patch, but that is still a narcotic. I don't have much experience with fusion in the spine, mine was just curved weird so I saw a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and an orthopedic specialist until the issue was resolved. I did have something that I used - Flexor Patches. It is like applying an analgesic directly to the location that hurts, but without the medication being processed systemically.

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They are 12 hour patches, but I am thinking if you are already at a point where you need the medications you are on my information might not provide the relief you need. If I may ask, how did your spine become fused? Was is surgically induced or did it happen from disc degeneration? I am sure there are other reasons why it would happen also. I could only think of those two at the moment. Hope you get some answers! Terra

Hi, Kpaula... I was wondering how you were feeling. In your profile, you mentioned something about your legs and feet. Is there just numbness or also nerve pain there? For nerve pain, besides Lyrca, neurontin, and occasional percocet, I have some other tips that are pretty safe- I know you're not crazy about the narcotics that you have to take. I have used Dr Bronner's Magic Peppermint Lotion (it's all organic). Though pepperment essential oils and most over the counter topical creams and lotions with peppermint or menthol in them have been a bad mistake- driving my legs and feet crazy, Dr Bronner's lotion in peppermint is soothing. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not so much, but it has never bothered them. I have also tried Aloe gel with lidocaine (sorry, you might have said in your profile that you are allergic to lidocaine?). Also, I find some relief from heat- not ice even though my pain is a burning sensation.

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Maybe it could help, even for your back? I rely on an electric heating pad often both at work and at home. Exercise can help, even though we don't feel much like starting the exercise because of the pain. Hot epsome salt baths can be beneficial. The best muscle relaxer that I have ever come across has actually been xanax. It works great for that. I don't take it anymore because most Drs don't lke writing it when you are also taking narcotics. No other muscle relaxer had done anything for me- I feel like I took a tic-tac! I know we might not have the same pains, but maybe something that helps me can also help you? Feel better ~Shannon