I had an appointment with Dr. Schakel today and we discussed the ineffectiveness of the current pain management plan. We agreed that the goal of the plan was not necessarily to eliminate all pain, but to reduce the pain to a level where I can continue walking, working, and doing the activities that I enjoy. If I need to use a cane or decrease the number of steps I take because of pain, I would consider that unsuccessful.
He prescribed 4" x 6" Lidoderm 5% patches applied to painful areas for 12 hours daily. I will start using Neurontin gel again applied to the areas of neuropathic pain and parathesia. He also tripled my dose of MS Contin to 30 mg three times daily, and maintained my dose of Oxycodone at 5-10 mg daily. 45 minutes after my first increased dose of MS Contin and I felt a wave of relief. I could put a shoe on my left foot and walk without a cane for the first time in a week. I am able to walk around my house and could probably walk an hour or more. What a difference a proper plan is. I feel somewhat normal again. This should greatly reduce my stress level knowing I am more self-sufficient. My current pain level is 4.
It has been suggested lately that my seizures could be caused almost exclusively by the physical pain I have lived with for years. If so, masking the pain by following the above plan should help. Curing the condition would be an ultimate goal, but I think that is unlikely. For now, my team is working to slow the progression and manage the symptoms that affect my daily living.
I look forward to my last seizure. Shortening the time until that happens is now my focus.
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