what next, im lots, pls help.

[bloodred1889]

hi all.
swim has had chronic back pain for 6 years now. and nothing has been resolved, only now is swim being sent for an mri scan on the 13th october.

anyway. swim has been taking painkillers for a while now and slowly has been going back to the docter complaining that things like codiene dont work.
this is a list of everything swim has tried in order.

paracetamol.
codeine.
co-codamol(codeine and paracetamol)
co-proxamol (paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene.)
co-dydramol ( paracetamol and dihydrocodeine)
dicloflex (anti imflamotory)

swim is currently taking co-dydramol.. it dosnt work.
none of the above take the pain away and swim is at the end of her tether.
the docters just say we want you off painkillers eventualy.
exercise will work and then you wont have any pain. but swim has had this pain for 6 years.

swim was attacked when she was 14yrs old and kicked in the ribs and spine. this was how it started.

anyway swim wants to know what she should ask for next. swim has asked for vicodin(dihydrocodone in the uk) and the docter just said no coz its addictive. swim would really like vicodin coz it seems to work well.
also swim has heard of tramadol.
just some advise for what swim should do next would be nice.

thankyou all

[Perception Addict]

Please be a bit more descriptive with your titles. A clearer title will help attract people who can answer your questions. That said, it seems best to wait (if swiy can) until the mri before attempting any changes in medication. Swim's not sure about the difference in potency of codeine and vicoden, but has tried both and found a comparable dose of vicoden to be a less effective painkiller than codeine. Swim's not sure if this is universally true, but she thinks that swiy needs to consider some sort of treatment, rather than just covering the pain. Perhaps the mri will help to illuminate something that can be done to help with this pain. Best of luck, this is something that i would never wish to go though.

[Methuselah]

Swim doesn't know where you're located but here in Florida Pain Specialist MD's will prescribe the most effective medication for Swiys pain, be it addictive or not. Swiy might try one of then.

[Abrad]

Swim doesn't know where you're located

Location: uk

In the UK doctors are much less willing to prescribe strong opioids methuselah.

[bloodred1889]

yes this is a problem in the uk. if swim lived in america there wouldnt be a problem atall.

swim will go to the mri and see what happends.

thanks all.

[Tortoise]

Originally Posted by bloodred1889

swim has asked for vicodin(dihydrocodone in the uk) and the docter just said no coz its addictive. swim would really like vicodin coz it seems to work well.
also swim has heard of tramadol.
just some advise for what swim should do next would be nice.

Swim's advice would be to find a new doctor. One who is willing to take your complaints seriously and one who has more of a backbone and isn't afraid to prescribe a stronger opiate. Swim has a friend who is a doctor (training to be a GP) and she refuses to prescribe opiates full-stop (apart from codeine). Swim thinks this is a coward's approach and it is really letting down the people who genuinely need pain relief. Swiy could always ask to be referred to a pain specialist if her doc isn't listening.

As for the type of pain killer... A good doctor would be the best person to ask, however, Tramadol may well be the best option for Swiy.

Hope this helps.

[NeonCortex]

Physical training would be good if you don't excersice already. Not too heavy and do daily excercises specifically to strengthen your back/stomach/torso.

When it comes to medication, tramadol is good for daily use.

[Tortoise]

Originally Posted by NeonCortex

Physical training would be good if you don't excersice already. Not too heavy and do daily excercises specifically to strengthen your back/stomach/torso.

When it comes to medication, tramadol is good for daily use.

This is very true also. Swim had back pain a few years ago and consulted various professionals for relief; chiropractors, osteopaths. It wasn't until Swim was prescribed exercises by his physiotherapist (and he took these very seriously) that the pain actually went away. The exercises specifically concentrated on those very important core muscles.

Unfortunately, Swiy's back pain sounds a little more serious though.