Hi. My best friend, she has 5 herniated disc's. She is 64 and lives with me the last few years. I have seen her try many different pain management medication treatments as well as therapy treatments. She hates taking pills in general but has to,to be Able to function daily.
I'm concerned because dr's are always switching her medications around and she still after all these years has not been Able to get on a steady daily pain management that works. She says methsdone is the only thing that truly helps. They give her oxycodone for break through pain. And the two work for her but she gets no sleep. Most nights not even 2,hours. So they took her off the methadone and put her on oxycodone "and" OxyContin and added a sleeping pill. Her body does not tolerate the OxyContin so now she is advised to take just the oxycodone and add the fentenyol patch. And I believe they are 25 mg? And she says not helping. She has had trouble finding a dr she trust since moving. Tried many and none have found the correct solution for her? I know she has high blood pressure and the worst case of RLS I have ever heard of to this day. Until recently the only "solution" for surgery was a very risky 8 hour $250,000 surgery whey they go in first through her stomach then flip the table over and go through her back. And research showed not many after felt any better. Just recently a new dr suggested a invasive nerve blocking procedure. That could help from 6 months up to a year or so. And she is nervous at even that. As the female dr was very fast talking and did not make her feel comfortable about it.
So now my question would be, until she decides to do a procedure, what would you suggest for someone in 24 hour pain? And obviously something that will not keep her unable to sleep. I have been researching all night trying to find out what others say has worked for them. I feel like the only time I saw her in little to no pain Was on the methadone. But I understand it is not advised to combine with a sleeping pill. And from "that" research, I agree. Could she try something like, muscle relaxers, or anxiety medicine at night combined with the methadone? Or do you suggest something different all together?
She is so precious and one who will rarely complain in front of anyone. She puts others always first,so only us closest to her know she is hurting daily. She was in a horrific accident at 17 on the way to prom with 5 people in the car and she was the only survivor. She endoured many surgeries so young. Has a scar the length of her stomach and her iris in her eye exploded making her blind in one eye from age 17. She was lucky to survive, but you can understand her hesitation for more surgeries. Please any advise on anything in your experience has shown to help her live in as little pain as possible?
She has tried so many things, inversion table, her favorite was a decompression table but few have one and insurance does not cover the $300 a pop, 3 times a week to do. She is retired and does not drive so she does not have to worry about those issues. Her husband has been a warrior for her dealing with dr's, medications. We all just want to help. Thank you for your time and advise, Michelle