45 replies to this topic

[City Girl]

I'm really interested in hearing from those who take meds, what kinds of meds they take and what dosage. Do you expect to remain on your meds for your SCI lifelong? Are there any members who no longer take medications for their SCI?

[longhaul]

I use the evil weed for spasms and as an attitude adjuster, it works for me. I'm still waiting for all the bad stuff to happen, it's been about 40 years now. That's all I use for now...............

[Trinity]

Ok, well this is a rather long list for me, too long for my liking...
I currently take Lyrica (pregabalin) and nortriptyline for nerve pain, dihydrocodeine and tramadol (again for pain but not everyday, well not on work days anyway!) baclofen for spasms and oxybutynin for bladder. As far as I am concerned this is too much but I have tried to cut down on the pain med side of things but it makes life far too uncomfortable for me.
I think I will be taking drugs for the rest of my life, as much as I hate it, not taking them causes me far more problems than taking them. I certainly know if I have missed a dose.

[BenjaminLucas]

I take more vitamins than anything else, really.

[T0P]

Your poll wouldn't let me vote for some reason...

I am 5+ years post injury. My SCI was only one of "Many" injuries sustained in my accident. I used to take all kinds of medications, too many to remember and most I couldn't pronounce anyway. They were for Pain, depression, bowel meds, stomach meds and meds I didn't even know what they were for...

I now do not take anything.

Well I do take a psyllium dietary fiber supplement like Metamucil on a regular basis.
I also will every now and then but not on a regular basis take some Milk of Magnesia and on occasion I'll take Sennosides if I am feeling plugged up.
But other than that... Med Free

T.

[allister]

Fentanyl 50 patch's for pain
amitriptyline to aid muscle relaxation and inturn aid sleep ( yeh, like it reallyhelps - not)
Tried alsorts of pain relief over the years, Fentanyl does work.

[Patty41]

I'm really interested in hearing from those who take meds, what kinds of meds they take and what dosage. Do you expect to remain on your meds for your SCI lifelong? Are there any members who no longer take medications for their SCI?

I'm 9 months post accident (walking quad) and take the following meds:

1. Tramadol 40 mg twice daily (nerve pain)
2. Oxycodone 5 mg twice daily (nerve pain)
3. Gabapentin 300 mg three times daily (mood stablizer)
4. Liquid Multi Vitamin daily (supplement)
5. Zanaflex 4mg as needed (spams and tone)

[Tetracyclone]

Baclafen- 10 mg 3/day
gabapentin - 200mg 3/day except the 4pm dose is 300
see, early evening is the witching hours...
Interesting that Patty41 takes gabapentin as a mood stabilizer. I was given this for the prickly nerve numbness that bothers me most in the hands, but also in legs after "lots" of excersize. I've read that it is a mood stabilizer, but my moods are not stable.

I tried to minimize drugs at first (still do) but realize now that some permanent damage resulted from spasm activity early, and it could have been prevented if I had dosed up. I am stronger with the meds, not weaker, though I'm told my dosage is not high.

Increasing dosage does not help spasticity due to bladder or bowel problems- or any problems, including cold. It only helps at the baseline

Interesting topic. pwuff

[qbounce]

Another pole I missed. Here's my NEW list:

1). Baclofen 20mg x4 a day
2). Oxybutynin 5mg x3 a day
3). Fludrocortisone .1mg x2 a day (new one for me on a limited basis, raises heart rate).
4). Multi vitamin x1 a day

I have a very low dosage perscription for Gabapentin (100mg), but even that made me a little lethargic. I can't touch the stuff. Anyone want some drugs??

To add, I left the hospital with all kinds of drugs. 9 pills to be exact, including blood thinners and stool softeners, so I'm happy to be down to just 4 and eventually 3 again.

[allis53ca]

just lyrica and mary jane when shes around

[Zoo]

Baclofen 20mg 4x Daily(although I still have severe spasms most of day)
Multivitamin

[Anna16]

This is really interesting reading other peoples replies. I don't take any medication at all for SCI. Now it has me wondering if I should be? I know every case is different, but I see some incompletes are taking some too. Obviously if you don't need it there is no reason to take it, but still. It has me wondering!

Hmm...

[S&W Winger]

Baclofen - 80-100 mg. (20 mg., 4x, occ. extra)
Valium - 8-12 mg. (2-4 mg., 4x)
Oxycodone - 60 mg. (10 mg., 6x)
Lyrica - 450 mg. (300 PM, 150 AM)

Every doc wants to increase my pain meds (and do time-released) but I will not and my doses at least take the edge off...also consume a plethora of other meds for a multitude of stuff...

As I still spasm severely, plan on a Baclofen/morphine pump as soon as I can stop having various infections and other complications long enough...

After reading a lot of posts on this thread and elsewhere here...I am actually considering smoking some pot for the first time since the fun days of my youth over 30 years ago! Now, just to figure out where/how/who about acquiring some...

[Tetracyclone]

This is really interesting reading other peoples replies. I don't take any medication at all for SCI. Now it has me wondering if I should be? I know every case is different, but I see some incompletes are taking some too. Obviously if you don't need it there is no reason to take it, but still. It has me wondering!

Hmm...

If you are not suffering then don't take any. All have downside and are only used to ameliorate bad spasticity or pain, or problems of incontinence.

Edited by Tetracyclone, 23 January 2010 - 04:05 PM.

[oljeffy]

Baclofen- 15mg 3 times daily
Lyrica-150mg twice daily
Oxybutynin- 5mg 3 times daily

[McTavish]

I must be one of the lucky ones. Don't take any medication, have no pain, long may it last.

[lar60]

I'm really interested in hearing from those who take meds, what kinds of meds they take and what dosage. Do you expect to remain on your meds for your SCI lifelong? Are there any members who no longer take medications for their SCI?

City Girl,
I am almost 9 months post accident. I take 15mg baclofen 6 times daily for spasms and 300mg gabapentin 4 times daily for the burning sensation in my feet. I have been told that I have a good chance for full recovery and hope to be able to be off all medications.

[DannyR]

I take a lot of meds but most is for other things I am diabetic and have had a stroke but didn't have any sideaffects from it. I take loritab 3 times a day for pain, baclofen 10 mg 2 times 5 mg 2 times. I take metamucil and have started taking ambein as do not sleep very well any more and cymbalta don't know if I spelled that right but it is an antidepressant.

[Wheelsonfire]

Baclofen 60mg -3 and sometimes 4 times a day.

Training;
Nano Vapor http://www.bodybuild...re/mt/nano.html
Cell tech http://www.bodybuild...t/cellhard.html
Multivit http://www.bodybuild...v/animalpak.htm
Protein http://www.bodybuild...e/opt/whey.html
ZMA http://www.bodybuild...re/opt/zma.html
And a cod liver oil capsule


I don't think I have room for anything else in the body!!

[poizon74]

When I was in physical rehab they had me on a bunch of meds. Once I got home I stopped taking all of them. I do still have some pain but I actually think my pain for better when I stopped taking the meds. Not sure why (my doctor doesnt know either), but I keep thinking maybe the roller coaster of being in pain -> take meds -> less pain -> pain returns was worse/more noticeable than just fighting through the pain all the time. I feel like since I'm always in some pain that I've become desensitized to it. A consequence of that however is that it becomes really hard to tell if my pain is actually getting better or if I'm just becoming more used to it.... but then again.... that it even matter?

[mkind27]

Gabapenten 600 mg 4 times a day
Baclafin 30 mg 4 times per day
Oxycoyon 20 mg twice a day
Valium night time to help sleep.... Doesn't work
Couple bladder meds detrol +
I have diladid fo pain as needed.

Way to much doctor love getting you on all this while your laying there now I gotta fight like he'll to get off as much as I can

[cathie]

Baclofen 25mg 3-4 times a day for spasms
Slow release tramadol 200mg twice a day as required for pain
Panadeine Forte 3-4 times a day for pain, but needs to be taken with tramadol otherwise no effect
Maxolon if taking tramadol (tramadol causes me to puke and have no other pain meds that work/that I'm not allergic to/that my GP can prescribe)
Movicol for bowels is being trialled but not a good mix with IBS
Have been on oyxbutinin, colofac and some other med for incontinence (oxy no longer works after I was overdosed in hospital and the others cause my bladder to retain huge amounts)
Waiting for appointment with pain management dr with spinal clinic
Also been on Anti depressants, mood stabilisers and anti psychotics to try and help with pain, mood, etc.

[Andrew Meddings]

i dont take anything. in hospital i found dr's pescribing a pill to piss & one not to. one to make you sleep one to wake you up. pain meds , spazism pills, stuff to make you shit & pills to hold it in. i found with diet , exersize & will power none of the above were needed. when i stopped taking baclafin i felt like a drug addict with withdrawal symptons. i had convulsions & sweats for 2 days . i wasnt told it was a addictive drug when it was pescribed & didnt find it did anything for me except loose my allertness.

[pinkcloud]

Baclofen - just 5mgs 3 times a day (this space cadets me a little so I will be wary of upping them)

Lyrica 300 mgs a day

Diclofenac 150 mg a day

Panadol (great for nerve pain) 8 tablets a day

Lidocaine patches - 3 patches a day when I am going out - I try to not use unless i have to but they are great

Morphine patch just prescrbed - not sure whether to take it or not yet

Neuro doc wants me on amitriptylin instead of lyrica - not sure i want to change though.

Ad meds - again I control this meself so dont want to take more than have too

On tablets for life - well i am told in 18 months things ought to ease. I have no problems coming off meds - i came of morphine, oramorph, gabapentin, Tramadol and other coctail of drugs 4 weeks post op and just went on Ibuprofen and paracetamol -but the meds won in the end as life was unbearable. It was hard but I did it. I looked and felt like a heroin addict.

I hope to be off them all but will see what happens. i also have fags -and i hope to kick that habit which is the hardest.

For them that have asked - this current cocktail dosnt take the pain away - it makes me care less about it though. The neuro said that nothing will take me pain away - all he can hope to do is make me a little more comfortable in life. I would say to anyone that if you can handle the effects of drugs - take them. This life I have is very hard work yet me mind is stronger than the pain - I will do all I can before being drugged out of me eyeballs again

[Snakeye]

Bacoflen 10mg daily-Ativan 0.5 daily-Ibuprofen-stool softners and 5mg Percocet twice a week (Trying to stop taking that but pain flares up).Otherwise diabetic meds and finally got off anti-deppressent med a year ago which was perscribed for PTSD....

[twentieth]

Ditropan XL(10mg), twice a day. Nothing more.

[City Girl]

I forgot that Ihad created this poll. It is interesting to see that most people take meds to help manage their pain issues and that they expect to be on those meds forever. I do know a few people who do not have pain as a result of their SCI. I am not,however, one of them. I am 3.5 yrs post-SCI and these are the meds and supplements that I take:

For SCI

25 mg Amitriptyline – nightly for neuropathic pain in my feet. I went off this drug for one month at 2 years post-SCI in hopes of raising my pain tolerance but I was in agony so I have accepted that I need to remain on this med forever.

10 mg Oxycontin – not daily but a few times/week to manage my pain during the day.

70 mg Alendronate – once a week to help maintain bone density which has weakened since my SCI.


For Menopauseand anti-aging

I recently began this stage of life and read Suzanne Somers' book, The Sexy Years about menopause and bio-identical hormone therapy to alleviate the: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Weepy, Bloated, Wrinkly, Forgetful and Dried-up symptoms of menopause.

.25 mg Bio-identical Estradiol – twice daily for 25 days and then off for 5 days. This hormone helps maintainbone density, a healthy heart, healthy skin, healthy cholesterol levels,healthy insulin & glucose levels and facilitates clear-thinking.

50 mg Bio-identical Progesterone – twice daily from days 10-25 and then off for 5 days. This hormone preventsheadaches, anxiety, sleep disruption, water retention, breast tenderness, uterine fibroids and fibrocystic breast disease.


Supplements for health and anti-aging

Vitamin A (from fish liver oil) 10,000 IU 3x weekly – antioxidant for the body, healthy brain, teeth, bones, eyes andskin/nails/hair.

Vitamin B100 complex (timereleased) daily – for healthy skin/hair/nails, nervous system, metabolism and energy

Vitamin C 1000 mg daily – antioxidant for the body, healthy brain, skin and immune system

Vitamin D 1000 IU twice daily (am & pm) – for calcium uptake (bone health). D has also shown to be preventative in many forms of cancer.

Vitamin E 400 IU 3x weekly – antioxidant for the body, healthy brain, skin, hair health



Calcium 500 mg twice daily (am & pm) – bone health

Magnesium 420 mgdaily – bone health, energyproduction (works with Calcium and B Vitamins)

Selenium 50 mcg 3x weekly – antioxidant that works with Vitamin E, nervous system function

Zinc 50 mg 3x weekly – healthy metabolism, immune system, vision, wound healing



Coenzyme Q10 100mg daily – antioxidant for the heart,produces energy in mitochondria (energy producing units of the cell)

Omega-3 Fatty Acid 1000 mg daily (from fish oil) –healthy skin, bowel function, increases serotonin (the happy neurotransmitter)



Protein 100 by Genesis 1oz daily (15 grams protein)– building muscles for which I am doing weight-training, contains collagen forhealthy skin, increased protein intake helps to prevent pressure sores

Cinnamon 1 tbsp daily – Very powerful antioxidant! Istir this into my oatmeal or crunch topping for my yogurt.

Edited by City Girl, 01 May 2011 - 07:00 AM.

[goose]

i just started taking-----gabapentin [100 mg.] before bed

D-Mannose to prevent uti
vit. D
potassium [on occassion]
calcium

[mellowgator]

city girl,

i'm interested in all the suppliments you are taking. are they making you feel better? i'd love to hear your experience with these.

i take the same stuff as everyone else.

oxytrol patch

oxycontin 40mg 4x day

mobic 15mg 1x day

valium 10mg as needed

enemeez ampule 3x week

neurontin and lyrica as needed

lidocaine patches as needed

a couple of bowls a day

i've been on these meds for years and don't see a time when i won't need them.


mellowgator

Edited by mellowgator, 01 May 2011 - 03:22 AM.

[StillFingers]

I'm a hardcase, stuborn and perhaps foolish but I take little to nothing...tylenol/motrin on occasion, a rare shot of tequila...other than those I've been clean since my SCI; do not ask about my pre-sci days tho

I do take supplements, most listed by citygirl, along with cranberry pills!

My main source of pain relief is meditation, music...as well as grinning and baring it