Carol Eiserman
I tried to reply to your question, but my e-mail would not go through. I have a very rare disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which is related to the connective tissue and causes a great deal of pain. I have already had 36 operations, and there is no end in sight. Right now, I need 6 more operations. My pain is almost unbearable and I had begun to feel that suicide was my only option. Most doctors tell you that you have to learn to live with the pain, and that was just not possible. I was lucky and found a doctor who was willing to give me medication for my pain, but after a few years on the Duragesic Patch (I used 2 100mcg patches every day - when the normal dosage would be one patch every 72 hours) and still, I was in constant pain. On top of the patch, I was taking about 20 Vicodin every day, which helped but, still left me in significant pain. Then, one of my surgeons sent me to a new doctor in town, and he put me on Methadone 2 10mg pills every 6 hours, and 2 Flexeril 10mg at bedtime - and I have had the most significant pain relief on this regimen so far. I have been on it for about 18 months now, and it is now time for an increase, because as with all medications, over time, your body builds up an immunity to the drugs. I am also having a flare up of my disease. Like Fibromyalgia, which some family members have, I have pain all over my entire body. Most people cannot relate to having pain everywhere, and when you say that you hurt all over, most people (including doctors) tend to think that you are exaggerating, or else you are a hypochondriac. If you would like to discuss the medication issue with me or Fibromyalgia, or anything else, please feel free to contact me directly and I will be happy to give you any information I can. Carol