It's been a couple of weeks since I saw the pain management specialist, Dr Tabakian.  He started me on a new medication regime, and I'm starting to see the benefits of it.

The Duragesic patch used to make me nauseated all day, every day, and I temporarily quit using it.  He, however, thought that I'd eventually get over the nausea, and encouraged me to stick with it.  He was right.  The nausea has gone.  I'm also changing patches every 48 hours instead of 72, and that's helping a lot.

He started me on gabapentin.  It's a medication that was originally used for epilepsy and seizure disorders, but now it's used for a myraid of things - nerve pain being one of them.  I'm working my way up to a theraputic level slowly because starting with 400mgs three times a day all at once can cause some sedation...but even at 200 mgs thrice a day I can see a difference in the pain in my legs and hip.

I also had my elevail increased from 50 mgs to 100mgs, and he gave me 90 percocet a month and told me to not be afraid to use them.  For instance - if I want to go run or walk or work out, I'm supposed to take two percocet half an hour prior to the activity.  Basically, he wants me to be more active, and controlling my pain will encourage me to do that. 

Things are getting better.  I have a doctor who is sympathetic to my condition and who's primary concern is my pain control.  He doesn't condem me for using narcotics to control my pain - he encourages me to use them if they help me get through the day.  And, in addition to having an awesome doctor, I'm seeing a decrease in the amount and duration of nerve pain. 

It would seem that we're on to a winner with this combination, and that makes me ecstatically happy.