Concerned about medication long term effects.

[Baggs]

Hi everyone!

I'm a male of 53 years old, I have been sort of diagnosed with nerve damage. I say sort of because there is only signs of arthritis in my X-ray so doctor's have come to the conclusion and are treating me for that and suspect nurve damage. I have had a procedure carried out where a needle is placed in your back and the nurve are burnt. However this seemed to work for a short time and then the pain came back. I'm currently on MST and have been for 3 years. I am very concerned that the tablets are having a detrimental effect on me and will possibly shorten my life, and or could cause problems for me in later life. Please can someone give me some advice??

[Bananas5]

Hello Baggs and welcome aboard.

I will answer here to both your 2 posts..

Firstly MST are anti inflammatory drugs and can cause problems to your stomach over long periods. They should be given with a protector like Omeprazole. or only taken after food. Has your GP prescribed anything?

You can ask your GP for an referral with the pain clinic. Sadly a long waiting list these days but well worth going.

They will discuss all aspects of your pain, hopefully diagnose, offer alternative therapy and teach you how to manage your pain. I am their number one fan!

x

[Baggs in reply to Bananas5]

Hi thanks for getting back!

I have been to pain management, but unfortunately found it unhelpful, I found myself listening to others telling how they get through the day. When really is all I want is to be able to get out of bed and get dressed without having to first wait 2 hours for meds to kick in. Or on a bad day hang around for my daughter or wife to put my socks on. I'm not sure I gave it the time it may have deserved but just couldn't get how talking about pain made me able to improve my mobility. It's got to the point where I just want a magic pill to make me able to get up and go.

[Bananas5 in reply to Baggs]

Oh that magic pill!

There is a device for putting socks on. I bought my husband one for when I'm not around. Yes it takes longer than someone doing it for you but...it gives you a little bit of independence.

Sorry you found pain management not for you. That is the fault of those arranging it. There are excellent residential courses...St Tomas's in London and one in Bath I think.

x

[Baggs in reply to Bananas5]

I seen that device hahahaha

[Hidden]

Hi baggs. Wish I could help mate I'm in same boat but if I don't take med I will be in agony as I have cervical myelopathy I understand about your worries about what the meds are doing to your body

[Bananas5]

Did you take on board about taking anti inflammatory?

x

[johnsmith]

What advice so you want? There is no advice other than investigate yourself. You live with the condition 24/7 and as such there are fluctuations in how you experience pain and the ability to do things. How long after I do "X" do I get an effect? If I modify how I do "X" will I see am improvement or detriment in function?

Everyone is different having the same symptoms and same diagnosis does not mean that the symptoms have the same cause. You need to develop tools to investigate your situation. Seeing an Alexander Teacher will enable you to develop one set of tools. Going to a T'ai chi class will give you another set of tools. Joining a buddhist meditation and mindfulness group will give you another set of tools.

Google "Thomas Myers" You will find some of the things he has to say interesting.

[Baggs in reply to johnsmith]

Thanks for taking the time to get back. I will have a look at what you have suggested.

Thanks again

Tony

[PollyAnn123]

HI what are the tablets called, i have been offerd these tablets TEGRETOL 1OO MG a tablet for nerve pain have not taken any like you i feel that could cause me in side problems as that 100mg is just a statrter it then goes up to 200 mg a tablet very worried so so far i am not taking them i know this don't help you thought i would say i understand the pain x

[Baggs in reply to PollyAnn123]

My daughter is a nurse and said to me that I don't want to be taking what your on. So please go back to your doctor and ask why you are been given these!!

[Hidden]

Methotrexate

This DAMARD Medication will reduce the white blood cell count this will prevent your body doing damage to your joints. You should be going in for blood test on a regular bases and if the White blood cells fall below a certain level they will stop the use of this drug and try something else. Have they offered -TNF Medications in conjunction with MXT.

Are they giving you any other medications for nerve damage, some AD drugs will reduce although not cure nerve pain.

Do you take pain medicines or use a TENS Machine

BOB

[Baggs in reply to Hidden]

I've tried cold laser treatment however it's expensive and the benefits are not good unless you can have it on a daily basis. I am only taking MST at the present, I'm not taking any kind of protection drug.

[morphalot]

MST is actually morphine sulphate, NOT methotrexate. I was on MST for 5 years, till I had a stroke, for which I blamed t he morphine. If you stop them do It slowly or you'll get withdrawal symptoms.

[Baggs in reply to morphalot]

Correct it is in deed morphine sulphate, and there are withdrawal symptoms if stopped without weening off. I can't ween off as I need to take them to have some sort of mobility. I'd love not to take them but am in a do or die situation. I'm sorry to hear about what happened to you and have you had any confirmation that the stroke was caused by taking the MST?

Thanks Tony

[Hidden]

Yes I was getting confused with my abbreviations sorry !!

BOB