Finally got chronic pain relief withOUT narcs!!!

Nurses General Nursing

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With so many posters, regulars, etc., it's probably hard to remember or tell who's who, so a brief recap- I've suffered from severe intractable back pain after multiple vertebral fractures a few years ago. The most effective modality has been hydrocodone, but still, even sitting upright in an admin. type position for hours on end was painful for more than 30 minutes, causing me to shift positions ever few seconds-minutes just to try and get relief.

Last week my agony finally ended after a little experiment. My PMD was talking about my particular issues over lunch with a neurologist, when he suggested Lyrica. I've never had post-herpetic neuralgia or DM/ peripheral neuropathy. After exceeding otc meds many times over in addition to the Rx narcs at prescribed dosages, and a failed attempt at an injection two weeks ago, I had hit my point of desperation and was ready to try ANYTHING.

Skeptically, I took the Lyrica. By the next day I was not only feeling the best I've felt pre-accident several years back, but feel like I have my life back again! Where this was an old injury w/ongoing pain, it was felt to have been neuropathic pain in etiology. In fact, since starting the med, I have needing NO pain meds. Cold turkey on otc's & rx pain meds with no side effects for nearly a week now. I have some discomfort that I'm toughing out, but it's nothing compared to what I've dealt with for so long.

Since topics dealing with chronic pain, both when it comes to patient care, but for many of us who have chronic pain or issues as well, I would hope maybe my situation and sharing this might benefit someone else. The Lyrica is expensive, but worth it to me.

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Just looked this up in the BNF and it says

Note

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (August 2006) that Lyrica® is not recommended for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.

My husband tried Gabapentin but unfortunately he had all the bad side effects and none of the good!

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Good for you SK-222! I truly am happy for you. My bil suffers from chronic back pain after an accident and has found no relief. Like you on lots of pain pills but mostly suffers through the day even after 2 operations. I will tell him to talk to his doc about this med. See if he could give it a try. He would be willing to try anything at this point.

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I injured my lower back a few years ago. All treatments failed to relieve my pain. I found it difficult to stand and sit for lengths of time greater than about 45 minutes. Developed severe sciatic pain from left buttock down to my big toe.I became depressed.couldn't socialize much, couldn't work around the house much. Muscles began to atrophy. I gained about 30 pounds. Laminectomy failed. I finally agreed to a 2 level spinal fusion 2 years ago. I still felt quite a bit of pain but the pain level was less than it was before the spinal fusion. I was told to strengthen my core muscles and I thought I could do that by working around the house and just getting active again. Still had much pain when some back muscles would tighten up from fatigue. Last fall I began walking about 1 hour a day and my pain had lessened by like 70%. I no longer take tylenol/motrin/flexeril on a daily basis. I am so happy that I can start doing things and socializing and I've lost 10 pounds,( although it's taken me a year to lose that much).

My surgeon had told me that losing weight was not enough, it was vital that I strengthen my core muscles.

just my 2 cents

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Lyrica was a brilliant medication I used post accident and it helped me so much.

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Specializes in ER, Occupational Health, Cardiology.

This is the first I've heard of Lyrica for chronic pain, but I am really happy for you that you have been afforded some relief by taking it. I hope it continues!

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i'm so happy for you, sk!

it literally sounds like a lifesaver for you.

now you can finally go forward in your life. :balloons:

leslie

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

congrats to you

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

That's great news SK!!! Now go out and enjoy doing some of the things you haven't been able to do for far too long!

vamedic4;)

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Gabapentin is my dear friend. I haven't tried Lyrica but from what I've read it is quite similar in effect. I have taken from 100 mg gabapentin a day to as much as 1200 mg a day. It takes titration and that requires close interaction with your pmp.

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

how great is that! isn't it wonderful how they figure out medciations that were meant for one thing will work for something totally diffeferent. yipee! i am so so pleased for you. i know where you are coming from. i am a chronic migraine sufferer and topamax has been a godsend for me. i wish you continued progress. take it easy and don't over do it now that you are feeling better.;):icon_hug:

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I work in a pain clinic and we use Lyrica quite a bit for our chronic pain patients. I think they are also starting to look at it for Fibromyalgia. Other common meds are cymbalta, neurontin/gabapentin, and then your pain meds, sleep aids, and muscle relaxers.

Non medication intervention includes injections, radiofrequency, spinal cord stimulators, intrathecal pumps, etc.

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