Chronic back pain

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Khakitoots
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Joined: Sat May 13, 2017 10:15 am
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by Khakitoots on Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:29 am

Chronic back pain

11 years ago I had anterior spinal fusion L5/S1. Since then have been on various opiates. Am currently taking oxycontin 20mgs slow release twice a day; amitriptyline 30 mgs at night time; diazepam 5 mgs at night. Am only allowed to take 5mls of oramorph per day as PRN. Pain clinic are concerned about dependence and put me on a reduction programme. Unfortunately I didn't understand and went cold turkey with the oramorph down from 20mls to 5mls. The oxycontin was also reduced from 25mgs to 20mgs which I did over a six week period. I continue to suffer from increasing pain and am at a complete loss as what to expect next. Would I perhaps be considered for legalised cannabis use? As the laws have changed and there appears to be clinical evidence that this can help manage pain. Many thanks in anticipation!

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Arthritis Action
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2016 1:27 pm
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by Arthritis Action on Mon Oct 15, 2018 12:06 pm

Re: Chronic back pain

Many people with chronic pain find that they still have pain in spite of high doses of opiates. This clearly means that after a while, these drugs stop being effective and that is why all guidelines say that they should therefore be reduced, especially as they are associated with dependence and many other long-term problems. The jury is still very much out on the issue of cannabis and chronic pain and for now it remains illegal. If you have never attended a pain management programme, this would be well worth your while, as long-term, self-management is much more effective that medication. Ask your pain clinic if there is a self-management programme that you can join.


Dr Wendy Holden FRCP
Consultant Rheumatologist
Medical Advisor to Arthritis Action

Arthritis Action
56 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AE

T: 020 3781 7120 W: www.arthritisACTION.org.uk

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