Pain meds and fibromyalgia

[Drummer76]

Recently got diagnosed with bulging disc in my lower back. The pain meds don't work for it,So I had an injection done this past Friday. Not sure if it worked yet since it hasn't had time to work,but so far the pain seems worse.
What's the best way to approach the pain management dr about this without him thinking I'm looking for a higher dose to use and not look like I'm an addict who is pill seeking? I honestly hope this shot helps because it's the last step before surgery which I will not do.
I'm not even sure pain medication will work for me. I don't get any sort of buzz off them at any dose but it doesn't really touch the pain much. The only thing that helps isn't legal in my state and the muscle relaxers put me to sleep. Having a parent that is terminal,I can't sleep all the time. It's been a rough year for me and my health.

 

[sunkacola]

What's the best way to approach the pain management dr about this without him thinking I'm looking for a higher dose to use and not look like I'm an addict who is pill seeking?

I honestly wish I could give you excellent advice on this, but how a doctor will respond is very individual. About the only thing I can say is that it usually works better to describe the level of pain you are in and talk about how debilitating it is for you on a daily basis, than to ask directly for medication.

It may be that a higher dose isn't what you need, but a different medication altogether, and perhaps your doctor will suggest that.

Also, unfortunately there is no medication that really works all that well for most of us with fibromyalgia. Other things, such as exercise, eating a healthy diet, managing stress and getting plenty of rest and sleep, while pacing our activities carefully, are the things that seem to help all of us. But, those things do not mean we are not in pain, just that we may not be in as much pain. Most of us just learn how to live with it and manage our lives with it.

I wish you good luck and hope you will let us know how it goes.

 

[JamieMarc]

Recently got diagnosed with bulging disc in my lower back. The pain meds don't work for it,So I had an injection done this past Friday. Not sure if it worked yet since it hasn't had time to work,but so far the pain seems worse.
What's the best way to approach the pain management dr about this without him thinking I'm looking for a higher dose to use and not look like I'm an addict who is pill seeking? I honestly hope this shot helps because it's the last step before surgery which I will not do.
I'm not even sure pain medication will work for me. I don't get any sort of buzz off them at any dose but it doesn't really touch the pain much. The only thing that helps isn't legal in my state and the muscle relaxers put me to sleep. Having a parent that is terminal,I can't sleep all the time. It's been a rough year for me and my health.

I feel for you. I am fortunate enough that the pain medication I am prescribed works wonderfully, but it is as the previous poster said, just one of the many different things that I take or do to manage my pain.
I won't take injections and my pain management doctor has even told me that they frequently are ineffective for people with fibromyalgia because of the way the brain processes pain. But I know there are some people here that have been helped by injections. I just won't take them because I've heard too many horror stories of people actually being worse off after injections. But I digress.

I agree that I think the best way to approach your doctor is to describe in detail and at length specifically how your pain is debilitating, the things you can no longer do that you need to do, the fact that you need to be able to care for your parent, and yeah you may find that a different painkiller works better for you. Personally, I found that I could not tolerate hydrocodone, but tramadol works great for me and still does after 2 years. Knock wood!

When I had to approach my doctor for an increase in dosage, I came prepared with a written speech. For me, and especially with fibrofog, I knew that would be the way I would have to do it. I sat down with my doctor and told her that I had written down some things that I wanted to say to her about my condition. She was very receptive, listened to everything I had to say and immediately agreed that a higher dose would be appropriate for me.

Like the previous poster said, every doctor is different so some may not like this approach. But don't go in there being scared of your doctor's reaction. Be calm, open and honest, sincere and genuine. I would hope that most doctors would appreciate this but sadly that's not the case. I hope that you have a great doctor.

Like @sunkacola said, please follow up with us and let us know how it went.
Big hugs!

 

[Ian waxman]

Recently got diagnosed with bulging disc in my lower back. The pain meds don't work for it,So I had an injection done this past Friday. Not sure if it worked yet since it hasn't had time to work,but so far the pain seems worse.
What's the best way to approach the pain management dr about this without him thinking I'm looking for a higher dose to use and not look like I'm an addict who is pill seeking? I honestly hope this shot helps because it's the last step before surgery which I will not do.
I'm not even sure pain medication will work for me. I don't get any sort of buzz off them at any dose but it doesn't really touch the pain much. The only thing that helps isn't legal in my state and the muscle relaxers put me to sleep. Having a parent that is terminal,I can't sleep all the time. It's been a rough year for me and my health.

Hi!sorry for your ongoing back pain.i too suffer with lower back pain and its agony.degenerate disease.i had the steroid injections in the lower back six days ago and still in agony.you need to wait 2 weeks for it to work apparently.the next stage is burning the nodules in my back which i believe is to numb the nerves.i think if i was given the choice I’d go for the op but that’s not everyone’s choice.back pain cripples you and it’s constant.your situation is a lot worse due to your family issues.i hope you find the right doc that gives you real answers and help but it isn’t easy when it comes to docs.keep pressing for the right meds I feel your pain and I know it’s a nightmare to get the right help.don’t give up we’re all in the pain battle which unless you suffer from it nobody understands

 

[Trisha2727]

So sorry to hear your story. Stay strong. And I agree, muscle relaxers give some relief but can be very sedating. Also, for me, injections can take 10-14 days to start working. Good luck to you.

 

[JeannieC]

Hi, in addition to fibro have multiple prior conditions. Arthritis neck, hip replacement gone bad, knee in need of surgery, neuropathy of feet, lower back stenosis. Sooo, regarding lower back stenosis only - the back ablation (radio frequency nerve burning) worked for me. Have had it done twice (lasts about 10 mos.til nerves grow back) and helps immensely with THAT pain. Unfortunately, two temporary trial runs of this procedure have to be done to evaluate whether it is the right fit for you before the actual procedure.
Feel your pain, most days do not want to get out of bed.
Best, J

 

[sunkacola]

Hello @JeannieC and thank you for coming here to tell us of your experience. The more we hear from different people, and the more information we share with each other, the better each of us can make informed decisions for ourselves.

 

[mikepahr]

I have 3 bad discs in my back, and 3 in my neck(c6/c7 fusion) … been on pain meds 10yrs now… with them, the steroids shots and the nerve burning (RFA - Radio Frequency Ablation) I have up and down periods, but lately the steroids injections L5/S1 have been the key, and the difference between walking with a cane, and easy hiking on the weekends and loving the freedom of movement. I am also about to do another round of RFA in my neck, 3rd one, plus 2 in the back….so i am pretty familiar with the process… the results vary, but some relief is better than none, and again for me its a combo of all three that helps the most.

Mike

 

[Ian waxman]

I have 3 bad discs in my back, and 3 in my neck(c6/c7 fusion) … been on pain meds 10yrs now… with them, the steroids shots and the nerve burning (RFA - Radio Frequency Ablation) I have up and down periods, but lately the steroids injections L5/S1 have been the key, and the difference between walking with a cane, and easy hiking on the weekends and loving the freedom of movement. I am also about to do another round of RFA in my neck, 3rd one, plus 2 in the back….so i am pretty familiar with the process… the results vary, but some relief is better than none, and again for me its a combo of all three that helps the

I have 3 bad discs in my back, and 3 in my neck(c6/c7 fusion) … been on pain meds 10yrs now… with them, the steroids shots and the nerve burning (RFA - Radio Frequency Ablation) I have up and down periods, but lately the steroids injections L5/S1 have been the key, and the difference between walking with a cane, and easy hiking on the weekends and loving the freedom of movement. I am also about to do another round of RFA in my neck, 3rd one, plus 2 in the back….so i am pretty familiar with the process… the results vary, but some relief is better than none, and again for me its a combo of all three that helps the most.

Mike

does the rfa help?thanx.thats my next stage

 

[JamieMarc]

@Drummer76 I'm wondering if the injection(s) have started working for you. Despite my thinking and my doctors input about injections, I'm trying to be open-minded.

I have an order from my arthritis and rheumatology doc for some imaging of my back and hands. I have not been able to schedule the procedures yet, and I want to see what my arthritis doc says once she sees them. It's possible that she may indeed recommend injections (or RfA), and I'm wanting to collect as much feedback as I can from those who have had either of these procedures done.

 

[Gracie]

Drummer, Sadly, I can relate. This is my first post. I have been trying to deal with my medical issues while I helped my Mom nurse Dad until his death. Now Mom is fading and I am helping her. Fortunately the care as not been to intense for my body. I am glad that I am able to help them out, but I am not prioritizing my own health. Back and hip pan that make it impossible to walk very far is my big issue right now. Maybe a quarter mile.
Is your loved on in Hospice? All Hospice program are required to offer grief counseling and support groups. Some are better than othere, so ask around. You could ask to see a social worker your loved one is being treated where. You can ask for the counseling at any time. I had a few sessions and it helped. If your loved one is not in Hospice, they should be. It is really good for the family and the care comes to the patient.

I am trying to put all my needs first on my weekly "to do" list. That helps. Hang in there. It is tough.