Does anyone here have chronic neck pain and severe headaches or migraines that they endure without pain meds? My neurologist prescribed generic percocet for me for about one month then stopped because of my history of addiction. I am going through withdrawals, which included a worsening of my pre-existing depression and low energy, lack of interest in doing anything, etc. I'm on the third day without the pain med. I hope the worst is over?

I would give my pain a level of 8 right now at 1 p.m., and it will stay that way until I go to sleep tonight. Nothing seems to help me besides pain meds, which I know I really shouldn't take. My neurologist said the next step will be a botox injection, if the preventive medication, topamax, doesn't help. But my appointment isn't for another month. I feel like I can't wait that long!! This pain is very hard to endure!!

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a pain management clinic. Maybe they will have some strategies I can take besides pain medication to reduce this pain. It almost seems like the neck pain is worse than the migraine. I did have a C4-C5 fusion 3 years ago and have arthritis/disc degeneration in my whole cervical spine.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Just an update to say that since I've been off the oxycodone, I feel like my pain hasn't been quite as bad, but still gets pretty bad as the day wears on.

I had an appointment at a pain management place today, and they said that pain meds - - or even Tylenol, etc. - - can make migraines worse in the long run. They're going to do a medial branch block on my cervical spine to see if it helps the pain in the nerves of the facet joints of my spine. If so, then they're going to do a lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy on my cervical spine for longer-term pain relief. They suspect the neck pain is contributing greatly to the severe headaches. I really hope these procedures work! Fingers crossed!

So glad you got help. I have a similar problem. Keep in touch with your pain clinic. Just because u have had addition problems in the past doesn't mean u need to be in pain. I had never even had a headache until my first migraine after a failed fusion. I don't know how people survive them!!! They tell me I have a high tolerance for pain but a migraine is intolerable! I hollared at my poor 9lb dog for walking too loudly on the carpeting😈. Hope u r doing better today. Hang in there.

Originally Posted by cavaliers

So glad you got help. I have a similar problem. Keep in touch with your pain clinic. Just because u have had addition problems in the past doesn't mean u need to be in pain. I had never even had a headache until my first migraine after a failed fusion. I don't know how people survive them!!! They tell me I have a high tolerance for pain but a migraine is intolerable! I hollared at my poor 9lb dog for walking too loudly on the carpeting��. Hope u r doing better today. Hang in there.

Hey cavaliers. Sorry to hear you suffer from migraines too. They truly are awful. Actually today I'd have to say my neck pain is worse than my head pain. My head doesn't feel too bad, maybe in the back a little. I might actually try to watch some t.v. for the first time in the week!

I know what you mean by yelling at your dog for walking on the carpet lol. I can't stand the sound of the birds chirping so can't be in the same room as my husband when he wants the door open to let some fresh air in these days!

Originally Posted by newgal2

Hey cavaliers. Sorry to hear you suffer from migraines too. They truly are awful. Actually today I'd have to say my neck pain is worse than my head pain. My head doesn't feel too bad, maybe in the back a little. I might actually try to watch some t.v. for the first time in the week!

I know what you mean by yelling at your dog for walking on the carpet lol. I can't stand the sound of the birds chirping so can't be in the same room as my husband when he wants the door open to let some fresh air in these days!

Got in to see my doc for a shot. As soon as I complained he was typing too loud he called the nurse to bring the shot😁. I too have a hard time telling if it's the neck or head. Going for tests. An EMG. The brief description I was given made it sound like an electrocution!! Don't even want to know more details. Here's hoping both our tests provided easy quick cures.

[shortandcute]

I have chronic back pain, but I can't get any doctors to take me seriously. Occasionally, they'll give me pain meds to take only in an "emergency." Of course I'm on two anti-depressants, one anti-anxiety med, one mood stabilizer, one med for acid reflux, and an inhaler for mild copd. Three of those meds are supposed to help with pain also, so maybe that's why I can't get them too often. But, on the other hand, nothing helps me very much for very long---so......? I hope you feel better soon.

Originally Posted by shortandcute

I have chronic back pain, but I can't get any doctors to take me seriously. Occasionally, they'll give me pain meds to take only in an "emergency." Of course I'm on two anti-depressants, one anti-anxiety med, one mood stabilizer, one med for acid reflux, and an inhaler for mild copd. Three of those meds are supposed to help with pain also, so maybe that's why I can't get them too often. But, on the other hand, nothing helps me very much for very long---so......? I hope you feel better soon.

Shortandcute, I'm really sorry you can't get more pain meds (if that's what you want). Have you considered going to a pain management clinic? Trying physical therapy?

Can't remember if I posted it above, but the nurse practitioner or physician's assistant or whoever I saw at the pain management clinic advised that I have physical therapy for the arthritis/degenerative disc situation that has caused the chronic pain in my neck. Haven't started yet but hope it will help. One thing that does really help is frequently applying Biofreeze to my neck. That stuff is the bomb!

[PinYoda]

I have severe neck pain and migraines and do not take medication. When my migraine is really bad then I drink coffee. The caffeine in it helps a LOT. Neck pain, I have nikken back brace thing and necklace that halls prevent it, but when I have it, I turn to ibuprofen and Tylenol.

I was also prescribed with topamax last summer and ended up being admitted to the hospital for a couple weeks for malnutrition due to losing my appetite.vSo I suggest keeping track of you appetite and how much you are eating.

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by newgal2

Shortandcute, I'm really sorry you can't get more pain meds (if that's what you want). Have you considered going to a pain management clinic? Trying physical therapy?

Can't remember if I posted it above, but the nurse practitioner or physician's assistant or whoever I saw at the pain management clinic advised that I have physical therapy for the arthritis/degenerative disc situation that has caused the chronic pain in my neck. Haven't started yet but hope it will help. One thing that does really help is frequently applying Biofreeze to my neck. That stuff is the bomb!

My doc had me referred to physical therapy but Medicaid only covered six sessions.

I had traction and physical therapy and epidural shots in my neck. Didn't help. I opted for disc replacement surgery (C5). I am in daily pain (neck and back) but I manage with ibuprofen and Exedeine Migraine OTC pills. I do take a muscle relaxer prescribed by my dr. My neck and back surgeries were worth it but I have pain in other areas of my back and neck, not resulting from surgery.

Hope you feel better xoxox

[Patsfan]

Originally Posted by cavaliers

Got in to see my doc for a shot. As soon as I complained he was typing too loud he called the nurse to bring the shot😁. I too have a hard time telling if it's the neck or head. Going for tests. An EMG. The brief description I was given made it sound like an electrocution!! Don't even want to know more details. Here's hoping both our tests provided easy quick cures.

I had an EMG done a couple of weeks ago. More discomfort than pain. The tool they use looks like a cattle prod.

[StarGazingFish]

hi newgal,
i really sympathise with you and i hope you can build enough strength to hold on.

i understand how it feels,i had the label 'addiction' in my records which was wrongly added because i was prescribed codeine and i took it every day for my severe chronic pain-i was fully non verbal and unable to give my opinion-support staff told doctors they thought i was addicted and wham! its added to my records.i had acute sciatica for a year before doctors believed me,did something about it and gave me codeine and gabapentin- its so common to be treated like dirt because you have been through addiction or were accused of it.

i hope something is done about your pain,its a horrible life to be stuck in.

[Travelinglady]

I admit I haven't read through this whole thread. But at my doctor's suggestion, I changed pillows to keep my neck straight when I sleep and that's cut down on my headaches and neck pain.

[Skall14]

Hello,

I too have suffered with extreme neck pain, migraines etc. I have never had an addiction but can't take medication do yo allergies. I do OZone therapy. It's by far the best thing out there. I have even tried Botox injections and they did nothing for me. Ozone was studied as someone to aid people with slipped discs and arthritis. I have had it in my SI joint, neck and ankle.

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