Breakthrough pain! | Arthritis Information

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Hi guys, just felt like posting, can't sleep.  My GP changed my pain meds 2 weeks ago to Oxycontin slow release 20mg am and pm.  While I thought it was doing a great job the first few days, it soon became apparent that it wasn't enough to cover the breakthru's that we get.  I started to take Endone and tramal when Oxycontin wasn't enough.  My Gp did not want me to do this and said I am on too many drugs that interact and I had to stop this.  She is now away, and I know my only alternative is either Panadol, (does nothing) or Tramal, I am scared to do this though.  I see another GP on Tuesday re chest infection and hopefully back on MTX, I might ask him what he thinks, but they always differ in opinion and I completely trust my own GP.  I am seeing a new pain specialist on Thursday, I hope he can give me some alternative, I have tried patches, allergic to med and glue, I have tried Endone for the last 2 years and I thought that was going ok, although some days I was taking 5 or 6 instead of the prescribed 4, and going to GP for Tramal injections for breakthru, I guess when I think about it, none of these options sound that great, my RA pain I can generally help out with my pred and painkillers, but my fibro and osteoarthritis and spinal pain scream too loudly at me.  Any ideas are welcome.  Thanks guys, Janie.  Have you tried a TENS machine, Janie? They are subsidized on private health plans and only cost a few hundred dollars, but it lasts a life time. I'd also see if you can get a biofeedback machine to help with the fibro, I think it is the same deely as the TENS, but you have to have a therapist supervising you. The only problem with the TENS is that you can't have it if you have epilepsy, or a pacemaker, but anything is better than living in pain and chomping down pills, right.

 _popupControl(); I love my TENS unit. Recommend it to everybody:)

Janie, I'm so sorry your pain spec. didn't offer you any options. I think you are wise to seek the help of a different pain. specialist.

I am currently taking 2 Methadone 4 times per day. For breakthru pain, 1 dilaudid 4 times per day. It was helping okay until I fractured my pelvis, then everything went to heck! But the Dilaudid was the best breakthru med I've had in a long time.
 
It seems like you and I have many of the same health problems. Fortunately, I don't have Glaucoma, but the Sjogren's is keeping my eyes so dry that I do have some vision problems. Currently on Restasis for that. I hope it works. It is quite expensive, but if it saves my vision, it's well worth it.
 
I recently tried a TENS unit. It didn't help me at all. If I turned it up high enough to feel, it caused me additional pain. I know a lot of people have been helped by it but it just wasn't for me. I have a theory...that it may be painful for me because of the fibromyalgia. Just an idea, can't think of anything else it could be.
 
I hope your new pain doc is able to jelp you find better relief. Take care.
 
Gentle hugs, Nini

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