Any new meds

scimmer

After numerous surgeries on my lower back I was told there was nothing more that could be done to help with the pain in my back and leg only meds. After trying lots and lots of different drugs I have been on slow released tramadol and 50g tramadol also pregabalin for the leg pain. I was hoping somebody could recommend something else as I’m not getting much relief from what I’m on, any advice would be greatfuly received 

chiarieds

Hi @scimmer -Welcome to the community 'tho I'm very sorry to read about the problems you have been left with. I do understand a little, having chronic joint & ligament pain, as well as neuropathic pain myself. I've tried lots of different meds but am now just on Pregabalin, which only dampens it down a bit.

There are different ways to 'manage' your pain other than medication, & your GP should be able to advise you. As we're all different, so it is that different things may help an individual. I'll put some links that may prove helpful as they mention different techniques. The first 2 are from the NHS website. See:

http://www.action-on-pain.co.uk/

http://painconcern.org.uk/

https://painsupport.co.uk/

https://www.britishpainsociety.org/people-with-pain/

The only other thing I can think to suggest is trying CBD. This is derived from the hemp plant & legally can only have trace elements of THC, which is the psychoactive component that makes you 'high,' here in the UK. Not sufficient studies have been yet done on this (mostly in the USA) for anyone to definitely say it will help here in the UK. Some USA studies have found that it can be helpful particularly with pain & anxiety. If you would like to know more about where to buy at reasonable cost from an ethical company, etc. & how to start using it, please let me know. You also should discuss this with your pharmacist or Dr before trying, as it can interact with some meds without leaving a safe time gap.

Chloe_Scope

Hi @scimmer and a warm welcome to the community, how are you today?

woodbine

Have you asked your GP to refer you to the pain clinic at the hospital?, most hospitals now have these.

scimmer

I have been to 5 different pain clinics over the years, had the injections the physio the electrodes with the acupuncture and all sorts of other things without success so I really couldn’t face another one

Chloe_Scope

Sorry to hear this @scimmer, I appreciate how frustrating this is. Is there anything that you find helps?

scimmer

Hi Chloe, I have tried so many many different things,but not one thing stands out as a good painkiller 

Chloe_Scope

Sorry to hear this. I'm going to tag @EmmaB to see if she has anything to suggest. I know in the past she has been really helpful with this kind of topic.

EmmaB

Hi @scimmer
I'm sorry to hear you are in pain; the trouble with pain killers is that they tend not to be effective when used long term, we get used to them, and it's now known that long term use can result in hyperalgesia - heightened sensitivity to pain...
The new approach to pain, as you most likely already know, is managing it rather than trying to 'get rid of it' as the idea is that "what we resist, persists". 
I'm wondering has anything worked in the past?
Does swimming or moving in water helps?  Warm baths?  If getting in/out of the bath is an issue have you ever had an OT assessment at home? 
Or could you do something like Tai Chi or Pilates?  You'd need to check with the person running the class or with your GP first but though it might seem counterintuitive many people find respite from pain through movement [which doesn't have to be the same as exercise!].
Here are two websites you might want to have a look at, I think one of the most helpful things is to learn about what exactly pain is so you can then learn to manage it, I'm not sure how much they teach this in pain management clinics?: 
https://my.livewellwithpain.co.uk/ - some great information and videos
https://www.vidyamala-burch.com/ - Vidyamala's story might be of particular interest to you as she herself lives with a chronic back condition due to spinal injuries and she has learnt to manage her pain through mindfulness, there is good evidence that mindfulness is very effective for pain management and with practice [it does take practice!] you might find it helps you.  
She has also written a brilliant book:  Mindfulness for Health which clearly explains what pain is [there's actual pain and there's suffering - our response to it] and which tells her story too.
I hope that helps and you can find something that works for you, please do get in touch if you think I can help further.  I've written an article on pain management for the next Motability Lifestyle magazine if you get that?
Best wishes.
Emma

scimmer

Many thanks Emma for your kind advice, unfortunately the way my back and legs are now any type of the above is impossible. Thinking back to my first pain clinic in 1997 I did get some great advice from the physiology team. Will certainly have a look at those web sites you put above. Again many thanks Emma 

EmmaB

@scimmer
Please do have a look into Vidyamala's story, the co-author of the Mindfulness and Health book also has experience of severe pain after sustaining injury...
Best wishes.
Emma

scimmer

It seems to written for the female 

EmmaB

Hi @scimmer

She's written a book for women but Mindfulness for Health is for anyone, co authored by a man, so no exceptions!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mindfulness-Health-practical-relieving-restoring/dp/074995924X/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=52136689334&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjfvwBRCkARIsAIqSWlNAMgxVXXBAvuSXpxSXUAqX408kNIYLpQuLYzc1wYuTF0wbSI7vD7caAlQTEALw_wcB&hvadid=259191283360&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006707&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t2&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13646606841111348967&hvtargid=aud-857384558300%3Akwd-380593260677&hydadcr=11864_1766789&keywords=mindfulness+health&qid=1579119090&sr=8-1  

scimmer

Thank you Emma 

scimmer

Just downloaded it to my kindle and wil start reading tonight ??

EmmaB

Great, let me know what you think... 

Chloe_Scope

Thank you for some great advice here @EmmaB! Please do let us know how you get on with the book @scimmer, I'm going to have a look at it.

scimmer

Will do thanks all at scope