Medication : Hi I'm looking to change my meds... - Pain Concern

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Medication

misstopaz profile image
26 Replies

Hi I'm looking to change my meds tomorrow at the gp as duluxotine and tramadol is not helping one bit . I'm at my wits end and I was gonna ask for morphine but I'm not sure he will give me it .

I've had gabapentin. Pre gabalin. Amitriptyline. Nortriptilyne. Tramadol. Duluxotine. And I forget the others

What meds did yous prefer as I am in agony every day

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misstopaz profile image
misstopaz
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26 Replies

I've been through all this too. Now I'm on Oramorph, it's the only thing that helps me. I take the smallest dose I can and I have no side effects. Good luck!

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to

I've not to get morphine based drugs

Mistee profile image
Mistee

Aw I'm so sorry to hear how much pain you are in 😩

Do you mind if I ask what type of pain you have? I'm guessing a fair bit of nerve pain based on the meds you've had before? I'm also guessing you've been referred to a pain clinic in the past based off your passed meds? Have they ever discussed any kind of nerve block injections?

My pain clinic/meds are officially for back pain, I have degenerative disc disease and initially had nerve compression from disc bulges although my latest mri shows this has improved!

I was given deep nerve root block injections for the compression and they were amazing, I got around 6 month of nerve pain relief each time!

Following my latest mri, I'm on the waiting list for facet joint injections and if they work, I'll be put on the list for some kind of electro/radio frequency thing where they go back into the facet joints but rather than injecting into the nerves, they partially burn them, sounds awful but it can give up to 18m of nerve pain relief!!

I've recently weaned off morphine and stepped back down to tramadol and have come off amitriptyline, though I still take paracetamol and gabapentin. After 5 years on morphine mst, I really didn't feel it was particularly more helpful than the tramadol for my back pain and I've also found (and it's been confirmed) that it's made the horrendous episodes of cholecystitis worse. In fact since my cholecystectomy, taking morphine on an empty stomach or at the same time/too close to other meds or taking oramorph can actually trigger an attack!! (This has of course been investigated as the op should have put an end to symptoms - I have a rogue stone lodged in my bile duct). I was given tramadol in place of morphine as part of my post op care while in hospital (3days) and it helped a lot more than I'd expected it to which really helped me with my decision to switch back.

I'd very much like to come off tramadol at some point too but I don't really know what other options there are. While the injections help nerve pain, I still need something for musculoskeletal pain 🤔

I'm not sure if I've been of much help, it's probably a bit disappointing to read that I prefer tramadol to morphine. One thing I've noticed this time around is if I take tramadol and paracetamol together rather than staggering it seems to help more.

I hope you're able to get somewhere with your Dr and hope you find some relief. Let me know how you get on ♥️

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to Mistee

Hi

Yes its nerve pain.

Delboy1 profile image
Delboy1

Hi there, sorry to hear your in such pain 😪

I’m sure if you ask for oralmorph thru should give you. It will only take the edge off but won’t completely get rid of the pain.

You could try and OxyContin which worked better for me!

Hope you find some release of pain😉

Kind regards

Del

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to Delboy1

I've not to get anything with morphine

bohunkbanks profile image
bohunkbanks

If tramadol isn't working, for a neuropathy, I presume, I would ask for a more potent analgesic. If you have good kidney function, a low dose extended release morphine product such as MSContin or (see TennysonBear below) or Oramorph is certainly worth a try. If your kidney function is compromised, I would ask for a low dose extended release oxycodone (Oxycontin). Even though oxycodone has a horrible reputation, it is a great analgesic. It should not be blamed if people are using it wrong, and that's typically the case although nobody will admit it. You've tried the gabapentin types as well as the various antidepressants and they apparently didn't work so I would suggest moving up the ladder.

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to bohunkbanks

He told me no as too many get hooked on it .I've to get nothing with morphine in it

Doghouse6463 profile image
Doghouse6463 in reply to misstopaz

You should not except that answer as its complete bollocks (pardon the French) . I have been taking OxyContin since the 90s early ones at that I also take oramorph for breakthrough pain but I have a good GP . Had a three level fusion in 2003 that did not go well and have struggled ever since . Please do not worry about taking oxy or oramorph if you are truly in pain you will not become addicted you should insist that you are listened to by your GP and bloody insist that he gives you something better OxyContin if you wish to try it . Do not suffer because you are worried about a certain med my surgery has a In house pharmacist that you have to see if you need strong meds she explained in detail how your body reacts to opioids if you are in chronic pain please don't worry and get yourself sorted

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to Doghouse6463

Are you in the uk

Doghouse6463 profile image
Doghouse6463 in reply to misstopaz

Yes sorry forgot to say are you

Doghouse6463 profile image
Doghouse6463 in reply to misstopaz

Sorry I'm in the midlands if you are in uk and you are close to the Midlands there is a fantastic sports injuries clinic in Compton Wolverhampton . The reason I mention this many years ago before I had bloody scrap metal put into my spine I had a treatment there and it was the best treatment I ever had can't have it now because of the scrap in the back . It kind of works like a microwave without the cooking hey hey . No joke it was fab for me and I had a very manual job at the time it works by sending heat very deep around your spine feels a little odd as your skin doe not get hot the heat only works deep down where they want it honestly if you can research that and get treatments local to you it was a lifesaver for me at the time and my spine was falling apart got smashed up in an aeroplane accident . Sorry I can't remember what it was called but if your intrested just message me and I can explain it a bit more and then maybe you could find someone local . All the best anyway wish you luck and relief from pain

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to Doghouse6463

Thank you any more I formation would be very helpful

micox profile image
micox

Hi. There have been many postings about Duloxetine (brand name Cymbalta) here. When I started taking it I found it was banned in USA and Holland. It has though, been widely reviewed since then and it is currently generally approved "as, on balance, using it has more gains than negatives." Today, I find the statement by the EU European Medicines Agency (EMA) most helpful:

"Cymbalta should not be used in people who may be hypersensitive (allergic) to duloxetine or any of the other ingredients. Cymbalta must not be used together with monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (another group of antidepressants), fluvoxamine (another antidepressant), or ciprofloxacin or enoxacin (types of antibiotic). Cymbalta must also not be used in patients with certain types of liver disease or patients with severe kidney disease. Treatment must not be started in patients with uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), because of a risk of hypertensive crisis (sudden, dangerously high blood pressure). As with other antidepressants, isolated cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviour have been seen in patients taking Cymbalta, particularly in the first few weeks of treatment for depression. Any patients taking Cymbalta who have distressing thoughts or experiences at any time should tell their doctor immediately."

Personally I went through six months of hell coming off the drug and, although it does provide effective pain relief for some conditions, I qwouldn't go near it again!

tduvall68 profile image
tduvall68 in reply to micox

Hi there . I live in the states and I have been on Cymbalta for 6 years now, and you can get it in the states. for here, but they really push for you to go to a pain specialist/specialist which I have for the last 5 years every month.

I am also in the medical field too and they also push that you get regular blood work done to make sure that it is not causing problems. I get blood work done every 8 to 12 weeks, which is required in some states, but not in all which is sad. You are right about they will not give this medicine if any kind of other issues like kidney, high blood pressure,etc. That is why it is so important that you ask questions, and like I said before, if you feel something is not right, speak up and tell your medical professionals . They are not also right and some just read text book, and not outside the book. For me, working in hospice for 26 years now, I make them see outside the book.

I have been living with lupus and RA for many years and have had cancer 4 times in my life time and I am only 52 years old, the last cancer was a year ago and still going good. The man upstairs is not ready for me and I am not ready either. LOL

Just please , listen to your body and don't let anyone tell you what you are feeling, or the pain is not real. If you don't feel good and pain is real, don't stop to get answers, take care of yourself. Some doctors do not see that the patient in front of them needs help, but also, there is so much BS, when it comes to pain medicine and the ones who abuse it which makes it so hard for people like us, that really need the help and can't get the right things. You have to understand that I am on the fence because I work with patients who are in hospice ,of all ages, and have the same problems in same areas of this. It really , well SUCKS.

I really hope you all are well and safe. Much love from the states!

Terri

Suzyque profile image
Suzyque

I actually thought that Amitriptyline wasn’t helping with pain until I tried to come off it however I realised quite soon that it was! I’m on low dosage and happy to take it to be pain free. Hope you find a pain relief medication soon that works for you. x

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to Suzyque

Thank you

scattienattie1 profile image
scattienattie1

Hi misstopaz, why are you in so much pain? I was the same tramadol stopped working for me as well. I'm currently on morphine 60mgs twice a day, as well as sertraline 150mgs, duloxetine 60mgs, gabapentin 600mgs and amitriptyline 75mgs. I take oromorph for breakthrough pain. I can say all those meds work if I'm not doing anything and sat down with my legs up but as soon as I start walking the pain comes back, I can tolerate the pain better with all those meds. I hope you have some luck with your gp. I have heard many GPS do not like prescribing morphine so fingers crossed for you. Take care

Natalie

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to scattienattie1

Hi . I have chronic back pain. My sciatic nerve is permanantly damaged from previous back surgery

My gp would not prescribe morphine . Any medication I mentioned which contained morphine is a no go.

I got my bloods taken so need to wait till they come back on Monday before anything is done

scattienattie1 profile image
scattienattie1 in reply to misstopaz

I suffer with my back, I've got degenerative disc disease and fibromyalgia so I'm in constant pain. Have you asked your gp about fentynol patches, I asked mine about them but she said my morphine tablets do just the same. I hope you get something sorted out its no life for you being in constant pain. Take care

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to scattienattie1

Yes I've asked for these before and they said no

elizabeth1975 profile image
elizabeth1975

Hi misstopaz so sorry that you're in so much pain I am on Fentanyl patches morphine based also Amitriptyline I have had injections into Fawcett joints steroid injection in my hip nerve block procedure to burn away nerve ending in my back which never worked. Has your doctor talked to you about Lrycia medication I don't know if I have spelt that right another one is Butranis patches don't think I spelt that right either .I hope you get some form of pain relief that helps you soon. Keep us updated on what the doctor says good luck with him at your appointment. Stay safe .

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz in reply to elizabeth1975

When I mentioned the different meds that others on here are prescribed he said most if them are American and we are in the UK

Entela15 profile image
Entela15

Have you tried any anti-inflammatories such as naproxen or indomethacin? I took them for fibromyalgia pain and chronic headaches and they worked. Duloxetine might help a little but don't expect much from it. I don't know why is doctors love to prescribe it, might work for depression but very disappointing for pain relief. I also found muscle relaxants more effective than opioids. Have you tried diazepam or lorazepam? They helped with back pain . I couldn't find any relief with opioids and they gave me noise in my ears. Everyone is different, don't give up till you find the drug that works for you. X

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz

Oh I have noise in my ears that I never used to have. I just need to swallow or hold my breath and it happens.

I get my blood results back tomorrow and if I wasnt tested for lupus I'm gonna ask as 2 of my cousins have been diagnosed with lupus.

I think I have fibromyalgia as well as my chronic back pain

I will feedback tomorrow

misstopaz profile image
misstopaz

Hi sorry but I've just had results back .... I was tested for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and it has came back clear . I now have an appointment for a hand xray tomorrow as my knuckles are swollen and they dont know why.

So all blood tests are clear.

I am unable to speak some days due to being lethargic. I have sore skin to touch on these days. My full body aches and I'm so tired .

Then I have my damaged sciatic nerve with chronic back and leg pain.

But I did get morphine. Which did help for 5 days but I'm not too sure yet if its gonna help

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