Hip/Spinal Stenosis pain.

[gilliedew]

Hi, yesterday was told I needed a hip replacement because of serious osteoarthritis. I also have long term Spinal Stenosis and am on Fencino 50 morphine patches. I was told to stop taking these patches because of the hip replacement op which now could be months and months away. At no time was the Stenosis addressed or the returning pain along with the hip, groin and sciatica/cramps currently suffered. I am so fearful of this added pain as for me the patches work although guidelines from those physicians who are not suffering pain like me, assure they are not working. My back pain is now tolerable unlike before when it was agony. I am at my wits end, am 72 with these conditions plus asthma and am high risk for the Corona virus.

Thanks everyone

[Elaine105cat]

I was prescribed Neurontin hard capsules. 100mg. Three times a day. They are a Gabapentin drug and have to be signed for at the pharmacy. May be your dr would let you have them instead of the Morphine patches. They do make you sleepy though.

[gilliedew in reply to Elaine105cat]

I am also already on Naproxin x2 per day. I also was on Gabapentin which did nothing for my pain but when I titrated off them the withdrawals were awful even though it was a slow process. The Naproxin did help initially but now it is an acute problem, It is not as good as before. He did not mention whether I should come off this for the operation.

[Karjade]

Hi. First of all you cannot just stop taking morphine patches as you have to ween yourself off them. I would definitely have a word with your GP to see why you have to stop taking them as they help with the pain for your spinal stenosis. As you say it will probably be months before your hip operation and it is not fair that you have to suffer a lot of pain until then. Good luck xx

[Poohbear76]

I think if you get some pain relief from them then you should be allowed to continue taking them. I am sorry that you are in so much pain contact your GP tell them I hope you get sorted sending gentle hugs xxx

[gilliedew]

Thank you very much for replies. Have booked a call back from my GP today and will let you know the outcome. Xx

[ellj]

I hope your gp was helpful '.

I. am trying to. reduce my pain meds and have moved from25mg fentanyl patches to 20mg morphine patches then the plan is to go to 12.5 then 10

I hope you can either go back to your patches or at least a lower version.

[Stobban]

Yea, I'm 75 years old with osteoarthritis in the same places you indicate, also spinal pain. I too need the painkiller morphine to quell the constant severe pain. When I went for my knee operation recently they froze my lower body with injections to my spine, thus I was able to continue the morphine to quell my spinal pain and hips. All the other patients present and suffering additional pain as I do still maintained their pain medication It would be my guess that this would probably happen to you too. If you are in doubt ask your surgeon, but only your surgeon, your doctor wont know. Good Luck.