[DinaRaye]

hello there, I have been on Methadone for Pain Management. I have had now 6 reconstructive Spinal surgeries. My actual Diagnosis include Degenerative Disc Disease, Radiculitis, Cervical Displacia, Failed Back Syndrome and on and on. And like most other Chronic Pain Patients I also went through all the wonderful Dr's treating me like I was just a addict and pushing me out the door with Motrin etc. I finally found a WONDERFUL Dr. who took the time to read my medical history, at that time I had 4 back surgeries under my belt, He consulted with my Neurosurgeon and learned it is a degenerative disease moving fairly quickly. I went from a simply herniated disc at L3 L4 to now my entire spine in a matter of 6 years. So my Dr tries to help me with the pain since that"s really all they can do. I was concerned about Methadone since it is usually associated with heroin Addicts. But I did some online research and gave it a try. The first two years were as close to fantastic as I can expect to get! I could cook and clean and basically live again on a slightly limited level.

Now here is my problem, I have been on Methadone for almost 4 years and it just isn't taking care of the pain. I am sure my body has grown tolerant. But I don't know what to do next. Mr Dr is fantastic as long as I research it and take in notes off websites etc he will let me try whatever, such as Fentanyl Patches I tried those for two months. Really didn't help. So now I see my quality of life going back down the drain, some days unable to even stand long enough to make the simplest of meals.

Can anyone give me some suggestions of what might be a good next step? And just alittle more information, I do take "Breaks" from my meds so I am not totally addicted. I have seen what addiction and withdrawals can be like so I normally will take a 7-10day break every 6 or 8 weeks when my kids are with my ex-husband to keep my physical addiction down to a minimum. Not sure if thats relevant to my question but just in case. Any help would be appreciated!

[Freedom4me]

Dina,
I am so sorry about your pain. That must be horrible. I don't really have any suggestions but I did want to offer some support. I think the breaks are good. Do you have physical withdrawals during the breaks? Can you function?

[DinaRaye]

Thank you very much for your support. Sometimes you really do feel all alone in this. As for the breaks as long as I get the chance (Meaning as long as my Ex helps with the kids) and I do them regularly I don't have too many physical withdrawal symptoms other than no sleep. I of course don't do much at all I really just lay on the couch with a pillow between my knees, rotate cold and heat on my back and just try to not aggravate any of the pinched nerves etc.

But if I have things going on and can't take my breaks I did go one time for 5 months with no break and I had the muscle aches, hot and cold chills, and the bowels problems. It wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be though and it only lasted about a day and a half - two days.

Thanks again for your post, Dina