Pain Management - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

bridgetgirl · 04-06-2009, 08:58 PM

Has anyone at least one year post RNY GBP had to go into pain management for whatever aliments they have? Mine is ortho/nuero. I have 3 levels of degenerative disc disease and 2 herniated discs. I have been on Vicodin (varying strengths) since Dec of 07, after a car accident. I wasnt getting relief from Vicodin 7.5/750 so they put me on Oxycontin 40mg twice a day, then the Oxy IR 5 mg every 4 hours, as well as Amrix muscle relaxant once at night at Amitriptyline 50 mg once at night. I didnt get better relief from the Oxy so I stayed on the Ami and the Amrix and went to Vicodin 10/660. The problem is I still have a ton of pain, into my feet and toes, sciatica bilaterally and a burning sensation at mid back that just wont quit. I take the 10/660 every 4 hours as well. Ive been trying this med combo for a little over a six weeks.

So what I want to know is, has anyone tried Fentanyl (sp?) Patches? I wish I could stop pain pill all together and do that. I really dont know how much longer I can work like this and I cant help but think my GBP surgery is limiting the benefits from oral pain meds.

Any ideas? Feed back or experiences? Only from post ops please! THANKS!

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 10:12 AM

Anyone in pain management at all? Sigh ........

watfam4 · 04-07-2009, 10:36 AM

There was a period of time post-op when I was dealing with kidney stones on a monthly bases and was eating a lot of Vicodin (ES). They only helped to a certain extent, and the pain almost always exceeded the reach of the drug (and then off to the ER to get a shot of Dilaudid). However, in my case I think this had more to do with the level of pain than the drugs ability to deal with it.

Anyway, I would first talk to your doctor about long term use and building up a tolerance for pain killers. Second, I'd be curious if these pain killers were available in an injectable, which would circumvent any potential malapsorptive issues. (my $.02)

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 10:43 AM

Thanks Jim! I have spoken with him and we have come to the conclusion that I have an opioid tolerance... but when they switched me to Oxy that should have done the trick and didnt. I feel like I need 2 pills every 3 hours for relief.. they call me crazy, but I know my body ya know?

Im not addicted bacause more times than not I finsih my meds 2 days early and i struggle, but I dont go through withdraw at all..... and my boyfriend and mom can testify to that.

I appreciate your 2 cents pal ... thanks for taking the time!

jerseygrl684 · 04-07-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

Has anyone at least one year post RNY GBP had to go into pain management for whatever aliments they have? Mine is ortho/nuero. I have 3 levels of degenerative disc disease and 2 herniated discs. I have been on Vicodin (varying strengths) since Dec of 07, after a car accident. I wasnt getting relief from Vicodin 7.5/750 so they put me on Oxycontin 40mg twice a day, then the Oxy IR 5 mg every 4 hours, as well as Amrix muscle relaxant once at night at Amitriptyline 50 mg once at night. I didnt get better relief from the Oxy so I stayed on the Ami and the Amrix and went to Vicodin 10/660. The problem is I still have a ton of pain, into my feet and toes, sciatica bilaterally and a burning sensation at mid back that just wont quit. I take the 10/660 every 4 hours as well. Ive been trying this med combo for a little over a six weeks.

So what I want to know is, has anyone tried Fentanyl (sp?) Patches? I wish I could stop pain pill all together and do that. I really dont know how much longer I can work like this and I cant help but think my GBP surgery is limiting the benefits from oral pain meds.

Any ideas? Feed back or experiences? Only from post ops please! THANKS!

My sister is post-op and going through the pain from her stomach not emptying out for days, plus a herniated disk. She has been on EVERYTHING. Dilaudid, vicodin, patches, etc. The only thing that seems to work on her is the TIMED RELEASE pain meds.

I know that they claim to not work on wls patients, but this guy specializes with a lot of wls patients and he prescribed them to her. She seems to be getting relief with them.. and trust me bridg she has been on everything from iv to pill form.

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseygrl684

My sister is post-op and going through the pain from her stomach not emptying out for days, plus a herniated disk. She has been on EVERYTHING. Dilaudid, vicodin, patches, etc. The only thing that seems to work on her is the TIMED RELEASE pain meds.

I know that they claim to not work on wls patients, but this guy specializes with a lot of wls patients and he prescribed them to her. She seems to be getting relief with them.. and trust me bridg she has been on everything from iv to pill form.

Interesting... do you think you could PM me what she in and how she is taking them?
Thanks for the info chick a dee. I wonder why patches didnt work?

There is no way in hell I want the narc lollipops they have available, I knew someone who accidently OD'd on em. I know my attitude and need for instant gratification... that would be a RX for danger for me!

jerseygrl684 · 04-07-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

Interesting... do you think you could PM me what she in and how she is taking them?
Thanks for the info chick a dee. I wonder why patches didnt work?

There is no way in hell I want the narc lollipops they have available, I knew someone who accidently OD'd on em. I know my attitude and need for instant gratification... that would be a RX for danger for me!

Absolutely. As soon as i find out i will shoot you a PM. I'm just sorry you are in pain honey. Have you been to a pain management facility near you?

terriB · 04-07-2009, 10:59 AM

There are certain patches used for lidocane and fentanyl. I personally struggle horribly with pain and migranes. I have a Pain Managment Specialist who works with me to try and get the pain undercontrol. He does trigger point injections and lots of them. Some visits can be 15 or more shots. It's not fun. I don't do narcotics anymore. They don't help my pain.

There are also some other options. There is Bio-feedback and massage therapy. Additionally I would probably talk about spinal nerve stimulation therapy with a really good pain management specialist. It can help a lot of people. Find a Pain Clinic that deals with your type of pain. You shouldn't have to suffer. Although even with everything I'm still in pain a lot.

bridgetgirl · 04-07-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terriB

There are certain patches used for lidocane and fentanyl. I personally struggle horribly with pain and migranes. I have a Pain Managment Specialist who works with me to try and get the pain undercontrol. He does trigger point injections and lots of them. Some visits can be 15 or more shots. It's not fun. I don't do narcotics anymore. They don't help my pain.

There are also some other options. There is Bio-feedback and massage therapy. Additionally I would probably talk about spinal nerve stimulation therapy with a really good pain management specialist. It can help a lot of people. Find a Pain Clinic that deals with your type of pain. You shouldn't have to suffer. Although even with everything I'm still in pain a lot.

I do get trigger points for my neck, but thats all soft tissue injury and le0t me tell you THEY ARE AWESOME! I will look into some of your other suggestions. Thanks!

watfam4 · 04-07-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terriB

There are certain patches used for lidocane and fentanyl. I personally struggle horribly with pain and migranes. I have a Pain Managment Specialist who works with me to try and get the pain undercontrol. He does trigger point injections and lots of them. Some visits can be 15 or more shots. It's not fun. I don't do narcotics anymore. They don't help my pain.

FWIW, a close friend of mine has turned to "alternative" medications (only legal in some states) for dealing with her migraines. She has had some success with this if the she starts taking the drug as soon as the warning signs start. She also takes this to help with the nausea caused by some of the narcotics.