[Ursus arctos horribilis]

"It's hard for me to understand people what people with chronic pain have to deal with for that reason."

Go stick both hands into the flame of the cook stove burners, when you get that sudden urge to remove them, then you will have an inkling of severe chronic pain. I have had three major back surgeries. The last one ten months ago involved surgical relief for pinched nerves and the fusing of four lumbar vertebrate, which necessitated two 9 mm titanium rods and eight large screws to hold things together. The operation was to correct the previous failed back surgeries. It didn't, neuropathy resulting from the pinched nerves was too far advanced.

I have constant back and leg pain, then just for good measure, I have periodic spasms in the large muscles of the back. When it occurs, the muscles bunch and knot up into contorted balls, by this time I am literally screaming and writhing on the floor in pain.

Without medication I am afraid to sneeze, or even cough when the muscles are irritated for fear of triggering the spasms. I am currently on the Duragisic patch and three other pain meds. Addiction is the least of my worries or concerns at this time, I am struggling to just function and achieve something of a life even close to normality.

[demkicker]

Without medication I am afraid to sneeze, or even cough when the muscles are irritated for fear of triggering the spasms. I am currently on the Duragisic patch and three other pain meds. Addiction is the least of my worries or concerns at this time, I am struggling to just function and achieve something of a life even close to normality.

Thank you for articulating what unberable pain is like. You shined a spotlight on the reason folks use pain medication and thank God for it. When one cannot function because their suffering is so extreme, who should give a rat's ass if one happens to get addicted to the only thing that provides relief?

I just said a little prayer for you. God's speed....

[PJ-Comix]

Have you checked out Dr. John Sarno? He has healed many people of severe back pains including Howard Stern, Anne Bancroft, and John Stossel.

[Renfield]

A few years ago I had a herniated disc in my back that became a ruptured disc. I had to have emergency surgery because I couldn't even roll over in bed without screaming. I have stared into the gaping jaws of Hell, and I know what you are going through. Fortunately my surgery worked, although I had to read the book "Pain Free", by Pete Egoscue, to complete the process and get well (my recuperation wasn't working well until I got that book).

Before my surgery, as the pain increased, I was prescribed mild pain relievers, then Percocet, then Demerol, then Oxycodone, and then finally Morphine. Towards the end, nothing worked, even in massive amounts. Pain that morphine won't touch is REAL pain. On the morning of my surgery, before being taken to the hospital in the ambulance, I took enough Demerol to have killed an average person, but I was still fully conscious and in terrible pain. I remember the horrified look on the face of the ER nurse when I told her how much medication I had taken. She said I should have been experiencing convulsions or respiratory paralysis at that point. But when you are in truly extreme pain, very large doses of synthetic opiate pain relievers don't have their normal effects--they are diminished.

I didn't get addicted to any of that stuff. A few weeks after my surgery, the pain had subsided enough that I only needed aspirin or acetimenophen. I was glad to be rid of the drugs because of their unpleasant side effects. But then, I'm not the addictive type. I could easily see how people with long-term chronic pain, and especially after failed surgeries, could feel that they could not get along without stong narcotic pain relievers. Truly intense pain will fixate a person's mind like nothing else.

[meema]

You have my sympathy and prayers. Your description of your pain and emotions hit me right where I live.

[mathluv]

My prayers go out to you. My neuropathy isnn't this bad yet, but I do understand what you are saying. I've only had one surgery - no relief. Have you been to neuropathy.org, or do you have another site for info?

[Betteboop]

I just had a pinched sciatic nerve a few weeks ago and the pain was excruciating. I was on Valium and Perkocet for a few days (it would be two weeks before I could get to the orthopedist) and then decided that this was not the way to live---I'm too active---a friend recommended a chiroprater---and that was my salvation.

However, I can see how having that cronic pain with no relief in sight--could lead a person to drugs that will relieve that pain!!

G-d bless Rush and help him through this latest challenge in his life. I'm looking forward to hearing him again!!!

[Sam Cree]

"I am struggling to just function and achieve something of a life even close to normality."

I hope you will get better and achieve normality.

But what you say gives me cause for further concern for Rush. If he is indeed in constant pain, it looks like he could have a problem licking the addiction, and, if he does lick it, functioning on radio the way he has been.

[Alia]

I know a number of people suffering with "chronic pain ailments". It is a hell and a nightmare. One's entire life gets devoted to visiting doctors and enduring, the rest of the time and in between.

[elbucko]

I was in a bad car accident in 1986. A lot of things in my body were broken. It hurt a lot and it hurt for a long time. I used pain meds because they were necessary, not optional. I can relate "Polar Bear", and I wish for you the miracle you deserve and a doctor that knows what he's doing. Sometimes they are both.

Regards, Buck.

[lonestar]

Have you ever considered massage therapy? I have a friend who tried it and it worked beautifully. Or hypnosis.