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I have severe nerve pain caused by a brain herniation at the base of my skull that I am told may be too risky to operate on due to its exact location and other issues with my health. These nerve pains come in ‘episodes,’ short periods of time (short meaning as little as ten minutes) or longer periods of time (the longest period of time was a full week when I could barely get up out of bed and was unable to lift anything or really move much at all (I couldn’t even eat…I had to drink very slowly through a straw because my throat hurt so much that it would close up as I swallowed and choke me if I was not very careful). I am on Vicodin and am very worried that I may become addicted to it, as it is very addictive and lately I am finding myself using the Vicodin every day at least once (this last weekend, I had to take five of the pills within a three day period just to be able to function on a semi-normality. I have also been on Oxycodone in the past, but was switched to Vicodin as it is not as addictive, though still very addictive.

I would like to cut back on the amount of vicodin I use as much as possible, but if I don’t take the Vicodin, then I cannot function enough to do anything at all, really. Are there any natural herbs or alternative medicines or therapies that might help me? I have had physical therapy in the past, and it did not help at all, even making the pain worse on some days…I am just so worried that I am becoming addicted to Vicodin.

My symptoms include numbing of the hands and feet, severe pain in the joints and muscles, especially the jaw, back, and knees, fatigue, and depression. I would be happy with anything that can help me even just a little…it would mean using the Vicodin that much less, even if it’s only one day less a week or something.

Anyone know? My doctor doesn’t know about alternative medicine and told me that the Vicodin is the best way to go if it makes it so I can function on a daily basis. I need help…I don’t want to be dependent on vicodin all my life.

I am only 24 and I am so worried of the long term effects of being on Vicodin.

Plese forgive if this question doesn’t make much sense. I am on Vicodin currently, and feeling a little light-headed and having trouble thinking today, so I don’t know if I’m making sense, but I want to ask about it now, while I am still able to think at all without pain.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Hi Jewel,

I’m sorry that you’re in so much pain. My problems are somewhat different to yours – I have a disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) – but I too suffer from very severe neuropathic pain. I also get bad muscle and joint pain because of spasticity and contractures respectively. For my condition, a multidisciplinary approach is the best one.

If the oxycodone was helping your pain, it would be worthwhile talking to your doctor about Oxycontin. This is a controlled release form of oxycodone, usually taken twice a day. It releases the drug into your body much more slowly and gives much more steady pain relief than taking immediate release oxycodone tablets. Addiction should not be a problem in a well managed patient taking Oxycontin for severe chronic pain. Your body will develop a physical dependence over time and you would go through withdrawal were you to stop taking it suddenly but again this shouldn’t be an issue in someone taking it for chronic pain. As long as your dose is tapered slowly and carefully when the time comes for you to stop taking it, you shouldn’t have any problems.

However, opioids as a general rule are less effective against neuropathic pain than other types of pain. It would be worth asking your doctor about Lyrica (pregabalin). Lyrica is actually used mainly to treat epilepsy, but its value in treating neuropathic pain is well established. Other anti-convulsant and certain anti-depressant drugs are also useful and can mean a reduced dose of opioid or even no opioid at all is necessary.

My pain does not respond particularly well to medications, but I need them to take the edge off and make it possible for me to function. I have found that combination therapy is best for mine.I take oxycodone (both Oxycontin and immediate release when I have breakthrough pain), topiramate (an anti-convulsant) and meloxicam (an anti-inflammatory).

Are you seeing a pain management specialist? It’s well worth asking for a referral to one if you’re not already dealing with one. I’d also recommend a pain psychologist – they can give you an outlet to deal with your frustrations, but also help teach you various techniques and strategies to manage your pain.

I hope that gives you something to go on. You’re more than welcome to email me if you’ve any questions, or even if you’d just like to talk at any stage. I’m the same age as you and I know what hell it is to live in chronic pain, especially at our age.

Take care, and I hope you find something that works for you.

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