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Question: My back hurts very bad from an accident at work. The past 3 days I have been in escruciating pain. I am afraid it could be somethin bad like a herniated disk or something. The only problem is that I have been self medicating for 10 years from a surgery i had 10 years ago. I was only 16 at the time and i was not aware that i would become dependent on the medication. I was prescribed 2 months worth of vicodine for daily use. Ever since than i was forced to make sure i was well enough to be able yo function in life. I habe tried multiple times to get off the medication through multiple outlets. But none never work. But now i have this back issue and i am afraid to go to the doctors and possibly have surgery. If i did how would i proceed with this. Being that my tolerance is so high i am afraid that the medication they give me wont work. If you can help me with what i should do i would greatly appreciate it.
Brief Answer:
I think your medication is fine you may add physiotherapy and muscle relaxants for better coordination with your low back pain .
Detailed Answer:
Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly
thanks for using HealthcareMagic site ,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns ..
i hope your back pain feels better soon , in my opinion medications alone would not help you that much , i recommend physiotherapy sessions , spinal straightening exercises , neck stretching exercises and hot massages is very helpful with most of the cases .
For my patients i recommend painkillers ( NSAIDs ) like tylenol 400mg tabs when needed , gentle massaging with topical anti-inflammatory gels , muscle relaxants , B12 vitamin supplements , in more severe or chronic cases steroid tabs ( vicodeine ) or injections and anti epileptics like gabapentin are prescribed if required .
You may try to avoid heavy lifting , over weighing , obesity , vigorous movements and bad sleeping or sitting postures will be helpful in most of cases
If medical and physical medications failed for 6 consecutive month i recommend you undergo further investigations like X rays and MRI scans to exclude any spinal injuries or disc herniation and follow them up with your neurologist for proper evaluation and management .
Nowadays minor invasive endoscopic interventions are highly developed and have had very good results but that depends on your general condition which i think from your given history and your age would not need further surgical interventions for spinal fixation with rods and plates if your spine condition requires .
For now try to be patient avoid high salts and proteins meals and always allow high fluid intake to prevent dehydration will be fine for your condition .
Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health,
Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
I think your medication is fine you may add physiotherapy and muscle relaxants for better coordination with your low back pain .
Detailed Answer:
Hi i am Dr Ahmed Aly
thanks for using HealthcareMagic site ,
I had gone through your question and understand your concerns ..
i hope your back pain feels better soon , in my opinion medications alone would not help you that much , i recommend physiotherapy sessions , spinal straightening exercises , neck stretching exercises and hot massages is very helpful with most of the cases .
For my patients i recommend painkillers ( NSAIDs ) like tylenol 400mg tabs when needed , gentle massaging with topical anti-inflammatory gels , muscle relaxants , B12 vitamin supplements , in more severe or chronic cases steroid tabs ( vicodeine ) or injections and anti epileptics like gabapentin are prescribed if required .
You may try to avoid heavy lifting , over weighing , obesity , vigorous movements and bad sleeping or sitting postures will be helpful in most of cases
If medical and physical medications failed for 6 consecutive month i recommend you undergo further investigations like X rays and MRI scans to exclude any spinal injuries or disc herniation and follow them up with your neurologist for proper evaluation and management .
Nowadays minor invasive endoscopic interventions are highly developed and have had very good results but that depends on your general condition which i think from your given history and your age would not need further surgical interventions for spinal fixation with rods and plates if your spine condition requires .
For now try to be patient avoid high salts and proteins meals and always allow high fluid intake to prevent dehydration will be fine for your condition .
Please click and consider a 5 star rating with some positive feedback if the information was helpful. Wish you good health,
Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
To be honest. This question is actually for a friend of mine. He had oral surgery 10 years ago and was prescribed 60 days worth of oxycodone. And after the 60 days the doctors stopped prescribing him the medicine. However he had become dependent on the medication. For the past 10 years he has been getting the medication to be able to function for work through other means not exactlh legal. This is why he had me ask. But he is afraid to go to get surgery on his back because over the past 10 years his tolerance has increased and he is afraid he wont be able to bare the pain due to his self medication. He was wondering what he should tell the doctor and will the doctor be able to prescribe him enough medication for him not to be in pain?
Brief Answer:
He should not worry his doctor could prescribe an alternative or injectio
Detailed Answer:
He should not worry his doctor could prescribe an alternative or injections may have longer duration of action . he should tell the prescribing doctor all the history and lab investigation with the MRI will be more than enough for him .
He should not worry his doctor could prescribe an alternative or injectio
Detailed Answer:
He should not worry his doctor could prescribe an alternative or injections may have longer duration of action . he should tell the prescribing doctor all the history and lab investigation with the MRI will be more than enough for him .
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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