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.
References :
Chronic pain patient – ten years of CRPS