Hi all. I'm new to the forum. Currently, I am a 74 yr old man who has become semi-disabled with pain ... in my back, my knees, my thighs, hips, arms, etc. While I have a very bad back (3-level spinal fusion done yrs ago), and arthritic knees ( 1 knee already replaced), all the other pain I feel is newer and keeps getting worse. I use canes inside my house and cannot walk to my mailbox without level 6/10 pain appearing halfway down my driveway. To take a walk outside, I have to use an upright walker (which really helps by the way). As a result, my exercise level is way down. While I eat a sparse semi-vegan diet (under 1500 cal/day), I am still gaining weight (close to 200 lbs now). I ache all time time, unless I am sitting down.
I have been nonplussed and sorely disappointed by the inability of Rx meds to help me. I've tried Lyrica, Gabapentin, Neurontin, 12 different NSAIDs, 10 mg Oxycodone pills, Medical Pot, Prednisone injections and pills, nutritional supplements, 5 different muscle relaxers, hot tubs, heating pads, ice packs, tens, acupuncture, massage, 9 sets of PT, yoga ... even Reiki. While a hot tub eases my pain while I'm in it, as soon as I step out, my aching comes back again. I wince with pain just climbing back up the stairs. Nothing else seems to work. Perhaps my problem is, I am a retired Biologist, and am too well aware of the power of Placebo. Many drugs taken by people for pain work because the patient thinks they will work (the Placebo effect). I am too sensitive to that, and the effect simply does not work for me. If a drug is to have an effect on me, it really has to chemically react with my body. So far, that is not happening.
My wife, daughters and even my doctor have urged me to retry Lyrica. Since it and neurological drugs like it are the go-to drug for chronic fibromyalgia body pain, they are all pushing me to give it another try. Here is my problem and the reason for posting today. All drugs have side effects. I am seeking a drug that will not only ease my discomfort by 10% or so (does me little good), but can SLASH my pain down to a very small level, at least for a few hours in a day ... low enough to enable me to walk without canes or walkers, to return to some weight-lifting and aerobic exercise to lose weight. I know Lyrica and Gabapentin, etc. seem to help some people, but is that help DRAMATIC? If it has helped you, is your pain WAY down ... enabling you to return to some semblence of normal life, or has Lyrica lowered your discomfort just a bit but you are still suffering a lot? If so, then I doubt I will return to taking it. Unless I can exercise again and lose some of this damned weight, taking a neurology medicine will not be good for me (too many side effects).
So, if drugs like Lyrica have helped you, how much have they done so? Have they restored your life, or is the relief only modest? Thanks for being honest and replying to this thread. I truly need your advice.
Frank G
I have been nonplussed and sorely disappointed by the inability of Rx meds to help me. I've tried Lyrica, Gabapentin, Neurontin, 12 different NSAIDs, 10 mg Oxycodone pills, Medical Pot, Prednisone injections and pills, nutritional supplements, 5 different muscle relaxers, hot tubs, heating pads, ice packs, tens, acupuncture, massage, 9 sets of PT, yoga ... even Reiki. While a hot tub eases my pain while I'm in it, as soon as I step out, my aching comes back again. I wince with pain just climbing back up the stairs. Nothing else seems to work. Perhaps my problem is, I am a retired Biologist, and am too well aware of the power of Placebo. Many drugs taken by people for pain work because the patient thinks they will work (the Placebo effect). I am too sensitive to that, and the effect simply does not work for me. If a drug is to have an effect on me, it really has to chemically react with my body. So far, that is not happening.
My wife, daughters and even my doctor have urged me to retry Lyrica. Since it and neurological drugs like it are the go-to drug for chronic fibromyalgia body pain, they are all pushing me to give it another try. Here is my problem and the reason for posting today. All drugs have side effects. I am seeking a drug that will not only ease my discomfort by 10% or so (does me little good), but can SLASH my pain down to a very small level, at least for a few hours in a day ... low enough to enable me to walk without canes or walkers, to return to some weight-lifting and aerobic exercise to lose weight. I know Lyrica and Gabapentin, etc. seem to help some people, but is that help DRAMATIC? If it has helped you, is your pain WAY down ... enabling you to return to some semblence of normal life, or has Lyrica lowered your discomfort just a bit but you are still suffering a lot? If so, then I doubt I will return to taking it. Unless I can exercise again and lose some of this damned weight, taking a neurology medicine will not be good for me (too many side effects).
So, if drugs like Lyrica have helped you, how much have they done so? Have they restored your life, or is the relief only modest? Thanks for being honest and replying to this thread. I truly need your advice.
Frank G