Medications Question??

[Scar Tissue]

Hello everyone, I hope today finds you well. I had a Microdiscecomy/Laminectomy in 2005, scar tissue has filled the herniation site, traveled through the foranim, and totally encapsulates the S1 nerve root. (Surgery was lower back L5/S1) My question is on my Meds., I worry about my liver and kidneys and wanted to see what you folks think of my Meds. and amounts if you don't mind, and Thanks in advance for any replies!;)

MS Contin ER- 200mg. every 8 hrs.

Nueurontin-600mg. twice a day, 1200mg. at bedtime

Klonopin-1mg. at bedtime

Promethyzine- 25mg. every 8 hrs.

MS Contin IR- 30mg. as needed for breakthrough

Lactulose- 1 Tablespoon daily for constipation

These are the bare minimum my PM Dr. and I can come up with to make me somewhat comfortable. I can only leave home once or twice a week and only for a few hours. Without these Medications I cannot walk. As I said above any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

[Kathi49]

Scar Tissue,

I can't really help you out here. I only take Klonopin and have taken Neurontin but can't handle it. But, I think Mark N will come along and maybe give you some answers. He has had a of experience with the spine problems and I THINK he takes MS Contin. Maybe he will see this and chime in. :)

[Pharmacist.steve]

ST

Everything has its risks.. if someone told you that the only way that you would be risk free is if you stop taking these meds? BUT .. as you stated .. you would be bed/chair confined! Is being chair/bed confined an acceptable option for lowering your risk .. if there is much of a risk to begin with? Personally, I would think that adequately managing your constipation is a bigger health risk .. if it is not done well...

[Scar Tissue]

Thanks for the reply Kathy!

Steve, I know there are risks with any medication, I was just wondering if anyone taking anything close to my meds. has had any problems. Before this injury, the only med. I ever took was aspirin or something for a cold. I have the constipation under control finally, I had major problems for a while due to not having the lower back strength to push and the opiates. I'm only 44yrs. old, and I was just asking if anyone had any knowledge of long term use of some or all of these drugs. Thanks for your reply!;)

[Kathi49]

Steve,

Interesting to note I once asked a Neurologist if there were ANY meds that I could take without being so darn sick all the time with SE's. And, of course, the answer was "no". :) But I did tell him to take me off of everything (mostly the anti-convulsant meds along with a few other types) and let's start over.

ScarTissue,

Just curious, have you tried Miralax and/or maybe some softeners? I am not familiar with Lactulose. And again, hopefully Mark N will see this.

[Mark N]

Scar, I have taken MSContin for several years without problems other than constipation and glucolax for constipation without issue. I hope you are not having any additional problems with the meds. I am also taking the lowest amount to be able to just get out of the house several times a week. The risk is worth taking just to stay away from being tied down to my chair and house.

I have found that severe constipation is more dangerous to my daily life than the meds I take. Be sure to get adequate treatment for constipation and if lactulose doesn't do a good enough job I would recommend getting glucaolx for lower term use.

I hope others come here and give you some feed back on the other meds.

[jena1225]

Mark - what do you mean by "glucaolx for lower term use"? Also, can I get glucaolx OTC?

[Kathi49]

Jena,

He is speaking of Glucolax/Miralax. And I think someone said you can now get this OTC. And I can't speak for Mark, but I BELIEVE he meant longer use...but maybe not.

I take Miralax (an Rx) on occasion.

[jena1225]

Great, thanks! I am guessing it has to be better for you than ex-lax...

[Kathi49]

Yeah, I would say so LOL!

From what the docs have told ME is to try to stay away from the STIMULANT laxatives based on the "female problems" I have, let alone IBS, GERD and all that crud. So, Miralax is an osmotic laxative; helps retain or hold water in the bowel making for a softer stool. And like Stiffnecked said in another post, really, fiber and LOTS of water also helps.

[BrokenBladder]

Scar Tissue I take alot of meds also. I take Oxy 80's tid, Vicodin every 4 hours for b/t, Elavil 100mg at night, Valium 5mg qid, although I rarely use 1 per day, and Ambien at night.
I can't say whether or not this is a health risk to me. I do have some stomach ulcers, but who knows how long they've been there and what caused them. My doctors are a team so they all know exactly what I'm taking and they all seem to agree that I'm okay. I hope this helps you some!!

[Scar Tissue]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I have my Constipation under control, and when I tell you how you won't believe me, but I'll tell you anyway. Mine was so severe my Dr. had a compound made that was so rare it could only be made in Alabama, and it didn't work. Here's what did: 1 glass of grape juice in the evening and Preparation H maximum. I was almost swollen shut from trying to push and not having the back strength to do so, got the swelling down, and have gone twice a day for the last few weeks. And I thought I was going to have to be Hospitalized. Stranger things have happened and I said you may not believe me, I went through the cement phase and all, and it's fine now! Give it a try, you may be as surprised as I was!!:eek:

[Kathi49]

Scar Tissue,

Wow! I believe you about the concrete! My cement phase was from Barium. And yes, I did everything I was supposed to do! There is a reason that the laxatives, juices and water did not work (female issues) and well, it just bypassed the Barium.