United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone,

This is not medical advice. I am only sharing our experience.

My husband has had this TBPI for 9years now and everyday he has had to take OxyContin (and other drugs) for the relentless, excruciating pain. You know what I'm talking about.
You also know the body builds a tolerance, very quickly, to opiate based pain meds.
We have been at our wits' end trying to get pain relief, trying to cope with the lack of it, trying to raise a family through all of this...
Finally, a specialist in NSW, Australia, told us what we need to do. It involved some switching and combing of his medication and also switching the OxyContin for Methadone. We thought that Methadone was just for those with addiction to Heroin but have since found out (own research, the doctors and our own experience) that Methadone is fantastic for pain relief!
My husband has never had pain coverage like this in the whole nine years! Methadone also blocks withdrawal from opiates.
We had to be referred, by our GP, to a clinic to initiate the process. It takes time for the Methadone to build in your system and the specially trained doctor increases the dose slowly, so at the moment my husband still needs to use OxyContin to fill in the
gaps, but it's much less than what he's had to use. It's been one week today and he's a new man! In a short while, he will be free from OxyContin altogether.

A new life is here and it's going to get better!

I also found that using a low dose of Methadone (10 Mg usually 3 times a day) in combination with Neurontin and a low dose of Topomax is very helpful. At first after my accident I was put on Oxycontin and I was an absolute mess, and since then doctors have tried a variety of medications. I have severe and constant pain, and there are times when even the regimen I am on does not control the overwhelming bouts of stabbing pain in my hand. Luckily, those occasions only occur a few days a month. The Methadone provides good pain control and allows for a high rate of function --I feel comfortable driving, unlike with the other medications. Getting over the social stigma of the drug is worth the rewards.

Short-term results sounded terrific. How has it worked out long-term?

Get off the pain meds! Exercise the limb! The body will take over. Don't become dependent on pain-killers.

Tony/ASC
ROBPI/Adult
"Just One More Step"

What a Topic
If you reach this point make sure you are with a doctor whose doing your pain management issue, Base on what you say the doctor is giving you extreme meds for your pain, If you find you need to take more of a dose , change meds or change doctor Drug dependence happen so do the level of pain management that is needed
ASC , is right but so is pain management so you dont get addicted
The quest continue for relief for your pain in your trys to overcome your pain from Exercise, surgeries and pain management in time We Hope????
Toms tip
For cramping hold a small rubber ball in your hand for cramping and squeeze, heating pad on wrist helps to in cold, ice in heat helps to for the pain issue I guess I had a 3 finger grasp driving a semi with birth Erbs, no pain no gain happens to

Ouch
This is a tough topic
Just thinking
Tom

This is , a Very important post, to me
What I am sure of I was born into pain with erbs and a broken elbow and scapula too
Latter in life injuries , have no limits with pain to , because were nuts, we try in life to overcome in life as we can Let push a 10 in pain in trying, Hey it sucks but the next day we , hurt more but we move throw the next day , next year in more pain trying
Best way to not become activity, is to switch meds. Increasing a dose of one med is , No answer
Just Thinking, Pain is all about our trying to adapt , or the next best pain management doctor, By Post the issue of pain is a ten + In my trys and trying to overcome a two hand world , cust me in pain, Having two rip up , hurt bad.
There is in-fact , all types of pain issues , no matter when they happen.
I am so glad Methadone help to replace , Oxecodome
It seems the longer we are Gloatons to endure are pain, in are trys to overcome what we can with or without meds, we as we post move forwards :shock SOME How????? : in spite of what we endure over time
I just hope you guys in = general understand, I had a Huge problem responding to the Amputation issue to, buaction t then again with a sling doing things , more than me Amaze me
Just trying
What I do understand is post that the pain level in some is more than what can be endure, In life its seems , pain comes with with are trys, Overcome our pain our way is the best we can do, Extreme meds happen to
Tom