I am wondering how successful any of you have been when it comes to getting narcotics for those emergency situations.
I work with a neurologist and neurosurgeon at the Mayo Clinic in MN. The neurosurgeon (NS) has done my surgeries. He will NOT prescribe any meds at all.
The neurologist is the one that writes the prescriptions. I am slowly tapering off Neurontin, and then I am going to start Lyrica.
BUT...he will not prescribe ANY pain meds at all. I got the whole speech about how they lead to problems, addiction, blah, blah, blah. I have been taking Tylenol #3 for migraines since I was 14 years old! (He won't write anymore of that for me, either.)
SO frustrating. He said that if I wanted pain meds I would need to be seen by a pain management specialist.
I do like this neurologist, though. He takes lots of time with me, he will call me on the phone, he is really flexible with med options.
I just don't know what to do, and now that I am tapering off the Neurontin, I am going to be in trouble, I'm afraid.
Honestly, I feel like those of us with chronic pain issues get punished for the problems that some people have with narcotics. I am sick of hearing about what a big problem narcotic abuse is...I can't get a lousy Tylenol #3 that might take the edge off enough for me to actually function!
I have not had a problem with gaining the correct relief for myself and I sympathize that you are struggling.
Saw my Neuro last week, she has three back up plans in place for me just in case my Neurontin fails. And the first is a straight swap to Lyrica, , no need to taper, just swap straight over so I am confused as to why you need to taper.
I have had no relief with pain meds. During particularly trying episodes I have been given everything from Tylenol to morphine; none of them worked for me. I am sitting in the ER currently attempting a Dilantin drip as my neurontin failed to touch my pain. I have also gotten a ketorolac injection but the pain won’t drop below a 7.
Jackie I have to taper with any of medications when their switched. It so my doctors can get base line again with blood test and so forth. There are some other reasons but I can’t remember them at the moment. It had to due with my liver and kidneys.
As for the original question, I have a pain managment doctor now. Almost everything has to be through him. It’s not a big deal, but it was hard to find a pain managment doctor who understood the my (unwanted) need for narcotics. I hate narcotics due to the stigma attached to them. The next time I see him I will be asking about back up plans for pain, because the ER see chronic pain patients as drug seekers. Also break thru pain will be another topic. But yeah my neuro nor my general doctors do any of my prescriptions at this point. I’m sorry your having a rough time with prescriptions, it sucks. I’ve been in that spot before. Iwhat helped was I had my husband ho to the doctors appointment with to vouch for me that A) I was not abusing myedications B) I was only taking them when needed and C) there was a huge difference with me on narcotics verse not on them.
Because of this vouching for me.y general doctor prescribed me enough narcotics till I got in with the pain managment doctor. Who by the way told me, my pain managment was under managment with medications. Really I wish I could tell some better advise but that’s all I’ve got. Wishing you to be pain free soon.
Jackie said:
I have not had a problem with gaining the correct relief for myself and I sympathize that you are struggling. Saw my Neuro last week, she has three back up plans in place for me just in case my Neurontin fails. And the first is a straight swap to Lyrica, , no need to taper, just swap straight over so I am confused as to why you need to taper.
Here is what the Mayo Clinic literature I was given says about Neurontin and Lyrica:
Pfizer markets both gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica.)
Pregabalin is chemically very similar to gabapentin and works by the same mechanism. It is much stronger, however, so smaller doses are needed.
Both are structurally related to the neural transmitter GABA, but neither drug seems to affect GABA uptake, release, or degradation. Due to their chemical similarity, patients must begin a gradual weaning off one before staring the other, per Pfizer's recommendation.
I hope that helps.
Hopefully a trip to my general doctor will give me the pain meds I so desperately need! (And will need as I taper off Neurontin!)
Well thank you for that, I shall take this up with her when I see her next. Iwas surprised myself, and questioned it, she was not proposing to take the same amount in qty, but the equivalent dosage. Don't we learn a lot being members here!!
bedrestmom said:
Thanks for the responses.
Here is what the Mayo Clinic literature I was given says about Neurontin and Lyrica:
Pfizer markets both gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica.)
Pregabalin is chemically very similar to gabapentin and works by the same mechanism. It is much stronger, however, so smaller doses are needed.
Both are structurally related to the neural transmitter GABA, but neither drug seems to affect GABA uptake, release, or degradation. Due to their chemical similarity, patients must begin a gradual weaning off one before staring the other, per Pfizer's recommendation.
I hope that helps.
Hopefully a trip to my general doctor will give me the pain meds I so desperately need! (And will need as I taper off Neurontin!)
Hi Bedrestmom… I am so sorry, and I totally feel ur pain!! I had been on narcotics for three years and now have been completely off of them for 6 months. I have a great neurologist and he did prescribe oxycodone for me but, I couldn’t take it at work because I am a nurse. I would be in an un believable amount of pain by the end of my shift. Finally we found a great med combo and my pain level has been very very low. I actually had a completely pain free day until this evening when I started getting tired. I take trileptal 1800mg/day, baclofen 40mg/day, cymbalta 60mg/day, and amytripyline 20mg/day… it seems like a lot, but I have tapered up slowly and have very few side effects. I hope this helps!! Keep fighting!! We are all with ya!! ((HUGS))