Hi Guys

[IChaseDreams]

Hi, I’m not sure if you can help, but I’m in a bit of a pickle ! I have history of back problems (double replacement disc in 2012). There have been lots of things in between, however my problem is TODAY.

I am used to pain, like us all, but today my back went into spasm (happened before) but the pain in my back and hips is horrendous and more acute than before, it brought me to crying.

I requested a callback from my GP’s surgery and they advised to up Zomorph by another 10mg making that 100mg plus Oramorph. When I asked why, she just said sarcastically “for the pain”

My predicament is not only the amount of Zomorph but just upping meds without examining, even seeing me and not knowing why this is happening.

I do not have a named Consultant at the moment, and I have no idea what the heck to do.

Thanks

[weathervane]

If your pain is really severe you should go to A&E as you may need an xray or phone 101 for advice. Hope you can get some help .

[IChaseDreams in reply to weathervane]

Not a route I wanted to follow really, I do however think your right. Thanks Weathervane.

[Numbum]

Agree with weathervane. A&E best option - your just masking the pain. If you don't know the cause how can you find the solution?

[IChaseDreams in reply to Numbum]

My sentiments exactly Numbum, just throw another pill at it seems to be their solution.

Another night of no sleep hasn’t helped - looks like A & E

Thanks Numbum (I have one of those laying on ice sheets for a little relief 🙄)

[Bazer-Sci]

Hi I can empathise with your situation in the short term A&E would seem to be your only option. I did this route once in the past when I had numb legs and started to get worried re claudia equina syndrome.

My local NHS route for back pain is GP then Pain Clinc but neither is set up for acute situations. Like you I have no named consultant and have been written off in terms of any interventional medical options. So my GP consultations over the phone are similar to yours.

I have had two fusions (thirty years apart) and a later decompression but now having to deal with pain from general arthritis in the same areas. My mix is matrifen patches for baseline (25 to 40 microgram/hr) and fentanyl rapid absorption buccal tablets (200microgram) for flareups. I have been pretty low with at times but things always seem to get better eventually and I guess that's about as best I can expect.

Barry

[IChaseDreams in reply to Bazer-Sci]

Hi Barry, do your flare up meds take the edge off or give you a little relief. How often do you take them ?

[Bazer-Sci in reply to IChaseDreams]

Hi yes really good, I have been taking them on and off since last November. The trade name is effentora I use 200 microgram. They have got less effective with time but that happens with all opiods unfortunately normally one gets me through on very bad days 1 or twice a month I find I now need 2. They are only reccomended on most NHS formularies for cancer based pain but am fortunate that my GP is ok with them. The advantage is that the active ingredient is absorbed in the mouth and you don't get so much constipation/bloating. They act within 15 minutes, on the occasions my pharmacist has been unable to source them I have been prescribed severadol 10mg and in my case I need to take at least 2 of these to get anywhere the relief I get with the effentora and then it's nowhere near as fast. My GP suggested increasing my baseline dose but that makes me spaced out when I am in less pain. Have anyone ever suggested that you need to have your testosterone levels checked if your taking longterm opiods? This seems to be a recommendation that's going around I had mine checked and it's fine :).

[Trillion79]

Find a good chiropractor. Gp's just deal with the symptoms, chiropractors put the problem right.

[IChaseDreams in reply to Trillion79]

Hi Trillion, I’m unable to go to a chiropractor because the discs in several places are weakened either grinding together due to loss of fluid or tears - although in the past I had an excellent one. Thanks

[Hidden]

I think taking the meds trying and getting Chiro not to crunch you but to manipulate and maybe massage it a bit keep trying to move a little slight side to side bends and the topical stuff in the areas I only stop moving part of the day but I try to walk and do slight movements or it seizes more ever so slight

[IChaseDreams]

Hi guitara69

Oh how I would love to do these things, I’m bed bound at the moment, although I exercise my legs, arms and neck areas. I am absolutely positive that this immobility is responsible for some of the daily pains - I’m naturally a very active person so am dealing not only with the pain but the mental health problems that come with this situation ! My husband says they should just give me sleeping shots (in jest I think) as when I get to sleep I constantly move as though I am trying to get comfortable or out of pain - so maybe that’s me exercising 🙄

[Bazer-Sci]

I can really emphasise with your bed/sleep issues. Prior to my current meds I used to sleep very poorly and dragged the pain from the day with me (even with matrifen and oramorph). I would turn from side to side every few minutes and move my legs and arms around and up and down. Now I find the Effentora taken just before I go to bed when I am often in most pain helps me sleep and my spouse find rest. I still hurt getting up first thing but know that things ease off with movement and am spending less and less time lying down. Making a routine of getting up and about has also helped my mental health a lot although I have to avoid the news.

Compared to many I am very lucky in that I can still get a lot done and walk a couple of miles on occasion without pain. But doing any bending can cause it to suddenly flare up and/or spasm. I have found typically reccomended exercises such as knees side to side and pelcic tilts are bad for my condition so perhaps like me you need to find what best suits you best initially in bed and then around the house if you can manage it. Traditional massage has helped me along with some degree of physio based manipulation but they don't do it any more on the NHS. Before lockdown I had a visiting masseuse £20 for 45 minutes which was great and someone to talk too. Lying flat in bed can really help my pain but too long and it makes things much worse so if you can get up and about a bit I am sure it will help both sleep and mood. Have you told your doc re the movements, perhaps you have restless leg syndrome which can be due to a number of factors which they may be able to help with.

Keep well

Barry

[ZeN01]

Hi I can see you predicament and have found myself in the same situation I have had days where i Literally have to fall out of bed I always get up early anyway but when the pain is so severe its hard to know what to do with yourself I suffer with depression and anxiety so that makes it worse for me I have a named surgeon but with the lockdown everything went crazy I was sent for an emergency MRI just before lockdown and then waited months to get the results the pain after the Op got worse then I was told the Op hadn't worked and the disc is pressing more on the nerve the answer was to try yet another blocker which has never worked so I am at a loss at the minute as what to do also they gave me some really strong meds which zombify me who wants that and the pain is there anyway as to going to A n E I think that it would be a futile wait but who knows but the world at the moment is upside down so that does not help matters hope you get some resolve I would like to know if you do GOOD LUCK

[IChaseDreams]

Hi ZeN01

Yep, it’s hard to know how to get through isn’t it? I did have a couple of counselling sessions, which did help, but of course you then go through another 6/12 months and back to square 1.

What was the Op you had ? How long ago ? Blockers unfortunately didn’t work for me either, I do wonder how these things work for some and not others

[Coastwalker]

Check your vitamin B12 and vitamin D Blood Levels.

Low in range or deficiencies in vitamin D and/or B12 can be linked to your conditions.

[IChaseDreams in reply to Coastwalker]

Really ? Which in particular ? I will most certainly mention this to my GP thanks

[Daz75]

Hi IChaseDreams,

I can certainly empathise with you when it comes to pain and spasms. I have a degenerative disease of my lumbar spine. I have been suffering with chronic spasms lately. I was taken to A&E a fortnight ago. Last night being another sleepless night. There's far to many of them.

With regards to Oramorph, I have been prescribed it many times and it has always helped me. Its especially good for break through pain (flare ups). I was perscribed 12.5ml every 4 hours but now I am taking MST Continus. As for Zomorph I never got on with it.

I wish you all the best in the future.

Darren