I'm in California, USA. Norco is generic for vicodin. There is so much backlash and demonizing of it here - always feeling like addict when getting rx filled.
Cannabis is legal here but I'm afraid to do it while on other meds because of testing and interactions. If the others fail alltogether I'll do it. I know its successful for some types of seizures.
There's no way I'd attempt to back off the seizure meds while they work. The pain is incredible and relentless.
I hope you are having a great day too - Nova Scotia sounds like a pretty place.
Thanks for your input
Hi Jeej - thanks for your reply. Many changes have happened here in Nova Scotia with regards to pain meds. I had to have two appointments with a pain speciaist last winter and, of course, wanted to change my med. After I left each appointment, I was crying because he would not listen to me. Don't remember if I mentioned this to you or not but I have a very high sensitivity toward most pain meds. The one I am taking works and gives me some quality of life. The pain specialist did not want to hear this - what an ass (sorry). I then decided to try the marjiuana and oil route. Seen another specialist about getting prescriptions, got them, tried the marj and oil and it made me so spacy and sick had to stop. Now, finally, taking the one pain med that works for me. I went through a battle for about 3 months. Opiods are becoming more and more of a "no no" irregardless what the patient thinks. I just get so furious. I have a wonderful family physician and she is always on my side. Without her, I'm not sure where I would be. Nova Scotia is certainly a beautiful place to live but for about 9 months out of the year can be cool and in the winter very cold. I know many people who use cannabis for chronic pain and are getting along just great and in many cases have turned their world around for the good. If you don't mind me asking - what is your health diagnosis? Do you have TN? I have a friend who has seizures and has to take anti-seizure med every day and it does keep her seizures under control. Wishing you a beautiful day and days. Look forward to your reply.
I do have tn. I've tried several procedures including mvd so its morphed from its original stabbing, fire, chewing on glass feeling and added the deepest most incredible hot-poker-in-the-ear pain. Unless I'm on the meds. Whats crazy now is if I press the side of my nose, I have referral pain in my ear and throat. Go figure! You are fortunate to have a good dr on your side. Thank goodness my pain mgt dr is as understanding as she is. My neurologist always makes me feel like he doesn't get it at all. None of the neuros in the med group I belong to know the condition outside of what they read in a book. If they have any other tn patients I'll be surprised. They say they do -
Hi Marlene, i live in california. As soon and i read your in Nova Scotia, the song came to mind your so vain by Carly Simon, and the lyrics from that song Then you flew your Lear jet up to Nova Scotia
To see the total eclipse of the sun..I love that song. Sounds like a beautifl place Marlene. Thats terrible the dr made you cry at the pain specialist and wouldnt listen to you. I just got a phone message for me to call and make an appt for pain management and i fear i will go through what you did. I take tramadol its addicting, but its the only thing that gives me relief.
Hi Jeej - I thought you had TN but wanted to make sure that we were both talking about the same disease. I also had MVD surgery in Nov 2009. The surgery was unsuccessful. The right side of my face is frozen as well as half my tongue which makes it quite difficult to eat and drink. I always have to drink through a straw for fear of spilling liquid all over me. When I eat food, have to chew on my left side. Can only eat soft foods. If I do happen to chew on my right side by accident this is a trigger point and I immediately get a very sharp pain to my face. My ear is also affected. Had ear infections that I never had before and at times it seems like the ear canal closes over and have problems with hearing. before surgery I went for two treatments. The first was nerve blocks. I had 5 of them and only triggered the pain to become much worse. The second treatment was botox injections. I had 16 injections to the right side of my face and was so sick that I ended up in bed for a week. had to leave my place of employment in June 2009. I was heartbroken because I enjoyed my job so much. I totally agree with you about your neurologist and neuros - they just don't get it. I pray that I will never have to see either of them again. I had such a strong feeling that they did not believe me and they would not even listen to what I would say. When I tried to explain the pain, I am sure they didn't even listen. I am so totally finished with them. Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. Wishing you many good and pain-free days. Do you ever go without pain? I don't - my pain is constant.
Hi Valerie - thank you for your message. I kinda giggled to myself when you mentioned a song by Carly Simon. Yes, Nova Scotia is beautiful but can get very cold in winter. We are now approaching summer, so days will be great with lots of warm weather. Please do not fear having an appointment with pain management. My experience with a pain specialist is because I got the wrong person. Remember all drs are different. I remember my very first appointment with a pain specialist and he was very caring and nice so don't be fearful. My pain med is also addicting but when you take the amount prescribed by your dr you are fine. Keep in conact and would like to know how you got along with the pain specialist. Wishing you happy days. One question - is you pain constant or does it leave for a period of time? Mine is constant - never goes away.
Mine never completely goes away, i can have some better days then back with a vengence. Marlene after i wrote you the lyrics to your so vain, i went to youtube and found the video of Carly Simon and played it 3 times it where she at marthas vineyard, and i sang right along with it. Havent done that in along time.
Hi Valerie - I always thought that I was the only one whose pain never goes away. Sure sounds like we have the same in common. It's just devasting isn't it? But what is so sad, many people do not believe me. I am still learning how to try and disregard negative remarks! So you put your singing talents to the test tonight! That's great. Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful vacation spot in Cape Cod, Massachuettes. Have a good night and let's keep in contact. Another question if you don't mind - how old are you. I am 61. I ask this question because the average age of this disease in women is 50 and over.
I always have pain also. Varying degrees of it. I was pain free/med free the first time I had gamma knife surgery for two solid years. Then it returned and I had it a second time. Not effective at all. Back on gabapentin until no longer effective at the dose I was taking and the side effects. Had mvd which was a BIG FAIL. My regret is that I didn't have the mvd first when it would have had the biggest chance of success. For that I thank the dumbass surgeon who didn't tell me that was the best option when first diagnosed and meds arent effective. He specialized in gamma knife, not mvd so he pushed his agenda first.
Hi everyone
Hope everyone found relife and enjoy life 😊
Ive been told by my nero i have TN type 2 4weeks ive been getting pain on my tempel then sensetions aroung my eyes and cheek , no shock pains just
Iam from london i think iam bit young fir this
Its going to take over my life iam 29yro
Hi Kay, it seems the things that work alot of the times for TN2 are addictive, and they do make you feel like an addict when you ask for them. But for us with TN2 its a quality of life issue, and its not right. We have enough to deal with as it is.I take Ativan same family as xanax, and tramadol. But i dont think i could get by with just Ativan right now, i take it everyday for the anxiety that came along with TN2. But very glad its working for you.
Hi Ibrahim, you are so young, i hope you find relief and joy in life I sometimes get the pain around my temple, and cheek area.
Hi Marlene, it is devastating. Nobody really can understand what we go through unless they have gone through it their self. Pain worse this morning, spraying lydocaine up my nose and trying to put off taking a pain pill incase it settles down, but i probably will have to give in i cant stand it. I will be 55 in august. And its been one yr this month that the pain and nightmare started. I cant believe people dont believe you , it is sad. I isolated since this whole thing,after one friend said quit your crying. I do see my family, and thats my brother, and sister inlaw and my niece and nephew. They are supportive Well mostly my sister inlaw is the most supportive. But they are all the family i have left. My mom died a yr and 8 months ago, and i am still grieving hard for her, i love her more than anyone or anything .We lived together and always told each other how greatful were for each other we were lucky. But i am just sick without her. Oh i forgot on the friend thing another friend said to me you havent got that fixed yet? .
Hi Valerie - read your post on anti-anxiety meds. You are 100% correct. I take Xanax on a daily basis. If I didn't have this med to take, my mind would never settle down because of pain issues.
Hi Marlene, for me it is critical i have the ativan, i dont think i could cope. The stress that comes from the pain causes my anxiety to soar. I think we both suffer this way.
Hi Valerie - you are so right. Severe pain can cause one to feel like you are not going to make it, I cry (almost scream) with pain, get very dizzy that I am fearful to take a step in case I fall, and also my heart pounds so loudly, I feel like it's coming through my chest. I never had a pain attack until I had MVD surgery in 2009. Will send you off another post this evening. It's now time to try and rest for a bit.
aslso when I have these panic attacks, I end up on the floor until it passes. Just terrible. Wehn I said I never had a pain attack I meant to say panic attack - sorry
Hi Ibrahim - Do not give up. Did your neuro give you any medications for your pain? I take pain meds every day and I do get some quality of life. When you said that it's going to take over your life - it's a very difficult situation to deal with. Since 2006 suffering with this horrific disease, I am certainly not the same person I was. On better days, I do my best to have a great day because I do not know what tomorrow will bring. My life has certainly changed but always try to be positive about something or anything. This is all so new to you and I am deeply saddened for what you are going through.
Hi Valerie - how was your day? I went out this morning with my sister for a couple of hrs then had a sleep this afternoon. I always find that I have to have a nap every afternoon because when you sleep you don't feel pain. How is your pain level now? I used to use liodocaine. It was in a jel from and I would would it on the pain areas in my mouth. I stopped it because it really did not help at all. My disease hit me in early 50's so we relatively started with this disease around the same age. It's so sad that people lack compassion - it really hurts. Your sister in law sounds terrific - she must care for you so much. I am so sorry about your mother - this would be so devsstating to you. Both my parents are still with me - mom is 82 and dad is 83 - both are in good health. Their social life far exceeds mine - this makes me happy. I am married and have the most wonderful and loving husband a girl could ever ask for. This is both our second marriage. There is nothing in this world he wouln't do for me. I feel terrrible at times because when I have high pain levels, I can be hard to handle. I certainly don't mean this, but the pain just overtakes everything. I know we have a time difference. The time here is 8:10 pm. Wishing you a wonderful evening and chat real soon.