Rheumatoid Arthritis - I have ra / lupus / fibromialga / cronic pain from a mass on my spine and?

I've two fussions (C1 C2) twice first operation the bone graph didn't take so they did a second operation & put 4 screws in. I would suggest getting tough with your doc. I get 2 100mg M.S Contin a day with 3 8mg dilaudid for break through pain. I also get temazapam for sleeping & it works great. It doesn't make you tired but when you want to sleep your mind isn't racing,you fall asleep,stay asleep,and when you wake up there is no hangover. Most doctors are so afraid of writing narcotics because of all the news of overdoeses. I could ask. my doctor to double my morphine but if I mentioned Oxcycontin she wouldn't even think of it because of all the news,it's sad but true there are alot of people in pain because of drug abusers,I'm seeing an add right now from some ambulance chasing attorney wanting people to call if someone you know gas died from the Duragesic patch. You need to find a doctor not afraid to treat you.

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I also get klonopin(another benzodiazapine) which is so rare to have a doctor write two benzos. All I can say is keep on your doctor or get another who is understanding. Hope this helps,i'm in the same boat but with a better skipper.

I also have fusions on my C-5 and C-6 and 3 months later they did surgery on my shoulder. I still had the pain when the doc said the C-5 & C-6 would take care of it? My shoulder was ripped like a chicken bone. I'm a small person 5'3" 115 lbs and then they said I have lupus along with arthritis beginning stages. My numbers are above 900, I have been trying to fight the cronic pain for the last couple of days.

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I lost my job and insurance because of the economy and I have been taking over the counter medication which really doesn't do a thing for me. In order to sleep I was taking Tylonel 4 with coedine and that seemed to help but I have ran out so what do you do when medication in the US is so high and insurance is just impossible when you have no job. I sleep with a heating pad to relax my muscles and that seems to help me out. But the truth is cronic pain is cronic pain and when you have no support with loved ones you tend to try and remain positive for yourself and realize that you have to make the choices to help yourself for your own mental mind. Take one day at a time and just be thankful if you have the proper support.

It is very hard to go through a spinal fusion, I've gone through five of them, and most recently in the last year a laminectomy. The latter due to the adhesions formed from the previous fusions. My fusion was also L-4 to S-1 , I had at one time plates and screws put in, however the doctor messed up stripping one of the screws, so he cut a stephie plate off in the shape of a horseshoe, and used it as a spacer to take up the slack from the stripped screw, long story short, they ended up having to remove all the metal from my body and this Dr. wouldn't even admit he messed up, try getting a lawyer to touch that one! This Dr. left the practice and went to another state all together, I couldn't even find out where he was, until it was too late, statutue of limitations I was told had passed and I had no case! I was angry beyond belief.

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However, too many horror stories about surgery to mention, to address your question, I do believe the "drug seekers" have made it nearly impossible for us with true "chronic pain" to recieve the proper treatment when we do need it. Oxycontin and Percocet are pretty strong, and can and do cause respiratory depression in some folks, it is in my humble opinion this Doctor may fear that you'll over dose on medication, and he/she is not willing to take the chance. That being said, I am on a lot of medications also, however I sometimes will take about 50mg of Benydryl to make me sleepy, sometimes it works and I can sleep about 4 hours, other nights "nothing" no sleep at all. I understand how you feel, some people are forced to change Doctors simply because the PC they have will not listen. I do hope you soon find a resolution to this problem, going without sleep is the most frustrating situation anyone can have. My Lupus and Fibromyalgia also cause my joints, knees and fingers to cramp up and become extremly stiff. Since my Doctor put me on Valium, I have not had a problem with that so far, for me that is the only medication that has helped thus far. I wish you well, and pray you soon find some help. Bless You.

Hi again harley hon, I shattered my mid spine, 80% spinal cord compression due to bone fragments in the canal. Permanent nerve damage and I need more surgery. Still waiting for approval. Hubby is 3 months post op from his 3rd cervical surgery. He's now fused from C-2 thru C-6 or 7. The good news is he has never felt better. His range of motion is better, headaches gone. The bottom line is, each person handles pain differently and you have the right to be as pain free as possible. My hubby doesn't even need meds anymore. Me on the other hand, need an increase at my next appt. With all your conditions, please talk with your doc about better pain control. I'm not pushing anyone to take opiates. I'm only telling you if you need better pain control, don't be afraid or intimidated to ask for it. When you see your doc at your next visit, read off the list, all your conditions, symptoms, and the surgery coming up, and the fact you can't sleep.

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Then look at the doc and ask, "If you had all this going on what would you take to control the pain"? Put the ball in his court. It's a cop out for a doc to be afraid to prescribe opiates for conditions like yours. No doc should ever feel intimidated by any agency for providing pain control for legitimate chronic pain sufferers!!! I wish you the very best. Please keep us posted.
Chris