Keeping Up With the Steins

I go to a pain center because of a herniated disc in my back that causes severe pain in my leg and back. I’ve had this problem for over a year. I went to the pain center two months ago, and they gave me 50mg of tramadol to take three times a day and a 10mg muscle relaxer. I also got neurontin, but it was only for three weeks.

I tried to tell the doctor that the tramadol and muscle relaxer weren’t working, but he wouldn’t listen. He keeps prescribing it for me. All they do is give me this medication and do epidural steroid injections that don’t work.

I don’t want to make it look like I have a drug habit. I’ve tried to explain it to him. Because I was referred to this doctor, I can’t get pain medication from my primary doctor anymore. The emergency room can prescribe it, but I have to tell the pain center immediately. Do you know of something to say that will get me something better?

They haven’t been able to help me with my back problems. The neurosurgeon who I was seeing told me there was nothing he could do because he didn’t think surgery was needed. I don’t know what to do? Is there any advice or anything

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Find a good Massage Therapist, get some regular massage, Doing yoga, ti chi, chi gong, acupuncture, chiropractic will also help prevent and heal. Herniated disk is VERY common and treatable! Work on treatments that heal not just mask pain..
Any of the above will do that.
massagetherapy.org has a locator service for qualified massage therapists. Massage schools have student clinic.
Kj | Nov 14, 2009

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I have chronic pain and I worked with my Neurologist trying many medications. Only he would prescribe it. Then he retired and my regular doctor wouldn’t prescribe it for me. So I talked to my Psychiatrist and he is now prescribing it for me. Keep trying and tell them to listen to you - you know your body better than they do.
dude | Nov 14, 2009

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I would be talking to another neurosurgeon;; the hernitaion is either mild & could benefit from therapy, or prolonged & requiring possible surgery, either way, find another doc, give him the list of meds that you presently are taking, & another list of the ones you still have or have tried, then begin again, 2nd opinion;; I would try PT, not just for relief but actually incorporating body mechnics, breathing technqiues, lifting functions (even "lifting" your own body), & try aquatics…the doc can set you up with this;; then I would be STRICTLY following postural techniques cuz whatever you’re doing is not helping your back @ all, & frankly, pain mgmt is just trying to relieve pain that shouldn’t be there in the first place…so, get it fixed, THEN talk pain mgmt…
creed | Nov 14, 2009

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50mg of Tramadol 3 to 4 times a day is the most popular prescription being dispensed at pain management clinics lately. My pain doctor will not even consider changing me from tramadol at this point. I have no problem with that because I love it! Tramadol when taken with an NSAID like Naproxen is great for my pain plus I get a very comfortable feeling from it. Muscle relaxers potentiate the effects of Tramadol or in other words boost the euphoria and pain relieving properties. That is why you are being given this combo. The problem is that it seems to be not enough of said medication. You need 400mg of Tramadol and a GOOD dose of something along the lines of Soma or Flexiril to treat the pain you mentioned. If you ask the doctor for something like oxycodone or Vicoden flashing lights will go off in his head and he will think immediately that you are drug seeking. i know your not but they are trained to think that everyone is especially when your under 65. My dad and mom are older and when they are in pain they go to the doctor and get loads of hydrocodone and never even take it. Oh well, all I can suggest is that you be persistent about the fact that this is not working. You may have to find another doctor but when they get your file they will think your doctor shopping. Look your doctor in the eye when you talk and say" Listen i am in constant pain and i am sick of being this way, sometimes I just want to give up altogether because the pain won’t stop." that might make him pull out the script pad. I wish you the best.
Deep Thinker | Nov 17, 2009