Pain Management Community

The problem is that itching is a side effect of opiates, so if you have a rash, like hives, and ALSO itch, it is probably an allergy, but if you have no rash and just itch, it is probably a side effect of the med. If you get that with one, you are likely to get it with most of the opiates. However, the itching as a side effect usually goes away after awhile on a steady dose. Some folks take a different med, just for the itching until it passes.

I believe that low doses may prevent a side effect, but it won't prevent an allergic reaction.

I would go to an allergist and have allergy testing done to make certain it is an allergic reaction, that way you would also know exactly what meds you are allergic to and if there are any that you can take safely.

I have not personally had any problems with doctors giving me meds. It is not my experience that they are afraid of being sued or afraid of the DEA.

I hate gardening, I only do the yard because my husband has terrible allergies and looks all bloated and red in the face when he does it. He also gets wheezy and uses his inhaler, a bad sign. My mom loved working in her garden, it really made her feel good.

Take care, Annette

I also had surgery, but my was in my neck from a whiplash injury, the surgery helped at first, especially my hands, but later my neck kept popping and hurting and I couldn't swallow food without tears so I had my doctor remove it, hoping that it would also help the pain, but he told me it would help the swallowing, but not the pain, he was honest with me, so I go to a pain management clinic and they put me on large amounts of opaites, and I had a previous history of drug abuse and was scared to death, it took me three weeks of praying and i hurt so bad I went and got it filled, but I still have bad pain, I went back and asked them wasnt there something else they could do, and they said it was something I was going to have to learn to deal with, but if my hands got worse to come back. The meds make me itch too, so I take a half of bendadryl , you might want to check with your doc first that might help your itching it did mine. I am just so depressed that by no fault of my own, I have to take all these meds for pain, caused by a accident, I know the man didnt mean too, but dang, I have to live like this the rest of my life, I go to a chrioprator and he said my neck was unstabble, that didnt help me either, but he does put my neck back and my shoulders arms and hands stop hurting for a while, maybe a week if I am lucky, just depends on what I do, I tried to continue working, but I lost my job due to FMLA had expired, I didnt want to give up my job it was my insurance and my livelihood, if you have any suggestions on how I can get thru my bad days, I do , do PT at home, and it helps some, and I just cant stand this pain anymore. Even with all the meds I am still hurting. The shoulder Dr I went to, when I didnt know that my neck would make it hurt that bad told me, that its not my shoulder, and the pain in my hands as well was from my neck, and that could cause paralysis, That scared the crap out of me, now I dont have a job or Insurance to even get another Dr to see what is really going on, you could make a suggestion on what I should do, I would really appreciate it, I know God will get me thru this, but some days the pain hurts so bad all I can do is take my meds that dont seem to work anymore, lay down and cry. I am at the point that I dont know what to do, I am thankful for being able to type, and still have the use of my hands, but from the neck down my arms and hands kill me some days, Please someone tell me what I should do. I am so discouraged that I am depressed about this whole situation, and it never affected my job before the wreck, but afterwards, I tried, but I just couldnt do it anymore, so what do I do, and what would I do if my neck popped and I lost all feeling in my arms and hands, what then? I know I need to see another specialist, but I no longer am ins and not a ins comp will even consider given me a good rate with the pre existing condition of chronic whiplash with several other heriniated disks. Someone please give me some suggestions. I would be so grateful, I have tried everything.
Desperately seeking relief from severe pain.

Hello.

I've been managing moderate to severe chronic pain from multiple degenerative spinal conditions for over 30 years. Click on my user name or avatar picture to read my whole story. I've never had surgery as all doctors say I am beyond the help of any spinal surgery.

I am an avid gardener. My motto has always been "I'd rather hoe than mow". The bulk of our very small property (about 70x80 feet) is gardens consisting of perennials, annuals, rocks, flowering shrubs, ponds with waterfalls and patios. When I became disabled and unable to work in May 2008 I though sure my gardening days were over. Fortunately my condition has now improved enough for me to at least keep up the the mowing and trimming, with some minor weeding. My wife helps a lot and also enjoys the tranquil paradise we have created in our back yard.

Part of my problem with pain management is that I am allergic to almost all prescription pain medications. I do break out into hives quickly after even one dose of such things as hyrdocodone, darvocette or codeine. I can not take most OTC med either, as they cause the same reaction. I have found success with a muscle relaxer (methocarbomol) and enteric coated aspirin.

My wife and I invested in a Sleep Number bed and a hot tub last year, and both have proven to be very wise investments in our health.

I've learned to accept this as my calling in life. The transition from having a great career in the Information Technology field to being a self-proclaimed Full Time Dear Disabled House Husband has not been easy at all. I believe my faith and family have been a big help in the adjustment.

There are many methods available for managing chronic pain. Keep doing your research, keep as active as possible, and keep a positive attitude.

I also went through the side affects of itching and all,but after so many days of taking the prescription daily all the side affects as far as itching and all slowly went away.So if you need to take them,just hang in there and it will ease up every day.

god help yu w/this i have chronic pain &cmt anybody else out thereW same cnd. i was told recently in was all in my head funny huh when yu cant move and have to be picked up off the couch physcially because yu cant move from the pain i wish they could be there then

good lucksocial security it took me two yrs an a lawyer ,but finally got it

Going to a chiropractor with an unstable neck (cervical vertebra) is like pouring gasoline on a fire. Chiropractors are NOT physicians. They do not go to medical school. They do not participate in a residency or a fellowship. They have minimal or no hospital privileges and they cannot write a Rx. In essence, going to a chiropractor for an unstable spine is like asking your auto mechanic to perform brain surgery. The chiropractor is over his or her head. I've encountered literally dozens of patients in physician waiting rooms over the past 40 years who were damaged permanently by chiropractors. I'm talking about permanent paralysis as a result of going to a chiropractor.

If you have had an MRI and you have been examined by a physician who informs you that you have a problem with a muscle or tendon, then go to a chiropractor to your heart's content. But know this... chiropractors use X-ray imaging for diagnosis. Yet, spinal discs and tumors do not visualize on an X-ray. If you had a tumor and you went to a chiropractor, you would never know about it until it had metastasized into a fatal cancer. Are you willing to risk your life by seeing a chiropractor? I don't know about you, but I would not allow anyone to examine my spine unless that person was not only a physician, but had also completed a residency and a fellowship in spine surgery. If you want to maintain or improve your health, then go to someone with the initials "MD" after his or her name. All others, especially chiropractors, are a dangerous substitute. They are not a physician. They never graduated from medical school. Isn't your health more important? Don't you deserve to be treated by a REAL doctor? Of course, Caveat Emptor!

You CAN take the narcotics you require and minimize side effects. To manage that, you need to visit an allergist. There are medications that will reduce the itching. I'd bet that a combination of anti-histamine medication and Rx-level cortisone cream will drastically reduce the itching.

I too had side effects from pain medication. Most of them dissipate after the first few weeks or months of use. Others can be managed by using anti-histamines and topical steroidal creams. But, you need to put up with the itching for those weeks and months before it dissipates. That's the hard part.

Finally, I live with constant severe pain. I've had it for more than 40 years. Honestly, with my severe pain, I would love to have to deal with itching, as long as the medication worked. I suppose we all have our own level of tolerance for pain.