Prescribed Vicodin 10mg 6 Times/day
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I am sorry for including all of this info but I am being as detailed as possible.
I am a 57 year old woman. 5 years ago a swarm of bees hit our horses as our work team building trail ride crested a small mountain. I was thrown off my horse, broke my pelvis, severe damage to back & neck, and was trampled by three other horses causing organ damage and internal bleeding. Ambulance couldn't get to me so I was strapped on an ATV and bounced down the rocky slope. A medi-vac took me to a trauma center. Several days in ICU, 3 weeks hospital stay, a month stay in a rehab facility to learn to walk again. Then in-home therapy, followed by in clinic therapy for months. Repeat last two sentences for the follow up Surgeries: spinal decompression and laminectomy at L4, L5, S1 which resulted in moderate/severe, EMG documented, L5 nerve damage because the nerves were all tangled, a follow up surgery to remove the hardware that was poking out of my back due to soft bones and an L3-L4 clean-up while they were in there, cervical decompression and laminectomy at C3, C4,C5.
After I could walk I went back to work and came back to work after each surgery, although at reduced hours. My superiors, Human Resources, my PCP, Neurologist and Spine/Pain specialist all agreed that I had tried my best and it was time to go on disability.
I have tried physical therapy, epidurals, SI injections, trigger point injections, acupuncture, Prolotherapy and Plasma Rich Therapy. Sometimes I receive short term relief from the acute pain but never more than a week. After 3 visits the acupuncturist told me that he really couldn't help me because the thickness of the scar tissue made it impossible for him to insert the needles far enough for the electrotherapy to be effective. My Spine/Pain Doctor has also suggested Stem Cell Therapy, but insurance is dragging their feet on approving the procedure. I have also seen a Mental Health Therapist who specializes in Pain Management to help cope with my pain.
I am now taking up to six 10mg Vicodin a day and a Percoset for break through pain on occasion. I also take Zanaflex nightly for severe and painful muscle spasms. I use a Flector pain patch daily and I use a pain cream compounded to address my various pain and spasm issues.
The L5 nerve damaged has made me prone to falls because of the balance issues the leg numbness causes so I walk with a cane or often in crowds or uneven terrain I use a rollator.
On Wednesday an overwhelming pain hit me in an area a bit higher up on my spine causing back spasms,and pain and spasms in my SI and pelvic region. The pain radiated to the thigh muscle and down my inner leg which I hadn't experienced before. I call my Doctor but the earliest I could see him was Friday. Also, in addition to my normal balance problems, when I stand up I am involuntarily rocking back on my heels. The Dr. noticed the heel imbalance in his office on Friday along with all the other symptoms. He gave me a trigger point injection and a Medrol Pack and said I had inflamed my L4 nerve. He said I should take the Vicodin 10 every four hours, take the Percocet as needed and rest to let the steroids do their repair work.
This is my concern: Both my Orthopedic Surgeon and Neurosurgeon pronounced me at Maximum Medical Improvement over 2 years ago and told me to tolerate the pain as long as possible because further surgery is bound to lead to more permanent nerve damage. IF this inflammation causes additional chronic/acute pain on a long term basis I don't think I can handle it. Can you recommend a better, stronger or combination of pain medicine. My Cymbalta has been increased to 90 mg several months ago in hopes of helping with the pain. Can you recommend a better or stronger medication for my unique situation or perhaps a combination of pain medicines that I could research then propose to my doctor if this additional pain lingers? I appreciate your dedication just reading through this post. Any incite or advice you have would be wonderful.

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Yes, I am seeing a pain specialist. I was on the patch for 5 years after a bad car accident. A patch every 3 days. It did help with the pain but I really felt addicted to the patch. I stopped cold turkey and it was very difficult. My pain specialist talked about a once a week patch and I declined. I guess I may have to reconsider. Many thanks for your reply.

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Hi, Bonnie! Sorry that you're suffering and that you didn't receive a response, yet.

Have you ever tried the Fentanyl patch?

Learn more Fentanyl details here.

It's a very potent narcotic patch that's usually worn for 48 to 72 hours, since it's time released.

Thus, it has the potential to be habit forming and it may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation and dry mouth.

Are you seeing a pain specialist?

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Good luck getting a response. It seems so many Drs. Rather than war on pain and joined band wagon of all people on pain medications for more than after surgery are addicts. Good luck. Report any Drs. You try to get help from and get nothing. Don't know how to do this yet but I'm researching.

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No one has replied to my post in a week. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Feedback? I'd appreciate any help or other comments. Many thanks.

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