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I know that this is a hot topic so I thought I would way in. There are a few things to consider, right or wrong. First, pharmaceutical companies are not evil, even though they make billions in profits. There are typically only two things in history that have provided the advancement of technologies; profit and nationalism/war. Profits drive innovation and this topic shouldn't even be on the table. Second, doctors are incredibly smart - go figure! Lab companies cannot scare doctors. With that said, a good lab sales person will do his/her research, and if there is any case law in that sate where a doctor was charged, or had a suit brought against them, or any other tort or license issue, they will let them know. Please don't blame lab companies, doctors, pharmaceutical companies and their profits for the issues going on. It is the individual that is breaking the law. If I was a doctor, I would want to do everything I could to protect my career which includes possible drug tests and contracts.
My only point I wanted to make here is that the causality needs to be broken at the patient. People are capable of doing anything when it comes to narcotics. If they sell their pills, or take someone else's medicine, or robs a bank, they must be held responsible. Blame rests squarely on the patient that breaks the law.
Thanks for letting me express my 2 cents!
Regards,
Matt BView Thread

On another note, my heart really goes out to you. I was on this medicine for a couple of years and almost died from it. I lost 72lbs. I wish you the best and many blessings
If you live in California or WA/CO, you can also eat marijuana to offset the lack of appetite. My friend was on this at a lower dose than I was and he used marijuana to help with the nausea. I know that there is some stigma with that, but my experience is that it can work to offset the massive weight loss while on Duragesic/Fetanyl patches. Good luck friend!Matt BView Thread

I really don't want to live there again. I'm in my mid-30s and have a lot to do still. Two little monkeys running around. Beautiful wife and a great church family. I have found that pain is a deep dark hole that is incomprehensible to most. But, the best thing to do is be honest with those close to you. And, thank God that we have such good medicine and doctors to help.
Thanks again for your kind words.
Regards,
MattyView Thread

Sorry for the late response. Today was not good and PT aggravated everything pretty bad yesterday

I had an arthroplasty in 2004 at L5/S1 (This is a joint replacement, or total disk replacement). I was pain free for about 7-years, but now I've got an issue with what seems to be L4/L5. I've got heavy disc pain and left leg numbness and reflex issues. I also have numbness in my saddle and groin. I'm also dealing with electric-like pain in my forearms and burning upper back pain with loss of about 80% of my grip ability in both hands. Waiting for second opinion/ and evaluation for my issues from a second surgeon here in my town before having to go back to San Francisco.
The ALIF stands for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Basically, surgery is performed through about a 2.5-3" incision in your lower abdomen. This is where they approached in my first operation. The scar looks a lot like a C-Section. My wife and I have matching scars!
I've had several epidural/steroid injections in the past. My first one was horrible. It was done under fluoroscopy, but I was in so much pain afterwards that I had to go to the ER and get a shot of pain meds. Later, I began have incontinence, not fun! Later, after my surgery, I needed a myelogram done, again, needle in dural sac = pain goes through the roof. My surgeon in SF began going through the hole in tail bone to administer the medicine through a catheter. That keeps the scar tissue and other "junk" from being disturbed. It was way better in my opinion!
Thanks again and love the community!
Regards,
Matt BView Thread

Sometimes it is hard to not carry over!View Thread
The author was worrying about what is next and how long pain meds may be needed. Like I said, I had an arthroplasty and it took me a year and a half to heal, and that is without fusion. My point is that it takes time. As Dr. Abaci wrote, "... I often suggest to my patients to try to live in the moment ..." For me, I had to accept where I was during that time and came to a realization that it was what it was. This helped ground me and then I began to hope, and climb out of the hole.
Sorry for the confusion!View Thread

I had an amazing visit this morning. Very nice Christian doctor (very important to me). I had to sign a pain contract. He prescribed me the same meds I was on, which is good. I also was able to get off work while doing PT for 6 weeks so that I don't have to drive which is a God sent. The most important thing that I came away with is that I have an advocate and can do what I need to do to steer my case. I also had a C Xray and he referred me to a local neurosurgeon. All of the lights were green on the way there this morning! I feel blessed today and for the first time in months I have a glimpse of hope
I'm finding that you have to look for the small victories in the battle.Thanks again!
Matt BView Thread


I had an operation in 2004 where I had an arthroplasty done at my L5/S1 level. I was the poster-boy for the study I was in. My surgeon even signed me off as 100% to join the Army!
Now though, I've got some issues. Over the summer (7 months ago), I stepped off into a shallow pool and jarred my back. No worries I thought, I just went to the acupuncturist and he fixed me up. Then, a month later, I was carrying a leaky truck battery into Costco and immediately hurt myself. Since then, I've had an MRI, an injection through my tailbone and started PT, in preparation for a possible second operation for L4/L5 ALIF. I'm getting a second opinion on the surgery from a neurosurgeon.
I'm on 1-2 Norco every 4-6 hours and it isn't helping. I've got radiculopathy in both legs, pain and numbness, and numbness to the point where my feet fall completely asleep. My surgeon has been helping me with the pain meds, but I think I need to ramp it up a bit and I'm ready to go on short term disability. I haven't had to deal with this for quite some time, and what I'm learning is that the GP will not do pain management with pain meds. Does anyone have any experience with their GP helping them out while they wait for surgery? Also, will they typically do the necessary disability forms?
Thanks everyone!
Regards,
MattView Thread

If the pain starts getting worse, then it is time to maybe do more tests. I'd say you are right where you need to be if you are managing with your meds. If you had a fusion operation, think about how much bone needs to grow before it is solid. Breaking a wrist is pretty painful, but the bone is 1/16 the size of a massive L5; and that takes 4-6 weeks to heal!
Keep it up and good luck!View Thread
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