Please can we be civil to each other?
I've had 24 years experience as a Hospice nurse and learnt a LOT about symptom control- so much I was a troubleshooter when the patients had intense, non med responsive, pain.
Big Rock, if your doctor has you on opiods, you should remain aware that people with long histories of alcohol consumption are both more physically resistant and less responsive to opiods. You might need a different opiod, or one of the following boosters..
If it is nerve pain, you may respond well to a dosepak of Prednisone or Medrol. That will knock most pain in your situation back to a do-able level. You know the risks of steroids- may worsen diabetes or osteoporosis, altho the short duration may have some protective effect. (You know, the schedule is 6 pills the first day, 5 the second, etc down to 0) It will also shrink the inflamed nerve.
You might try the Lidocaine patch Aspercreme puts out. OTC in 4%, prescription strength 5%. The OTC patch worked pretty well the month of June when I was travelling, but now I'm back on the 5%. Also Aspercreme puts out a Lidocaine roll on OTC, I use it for pain in my knees and back of thighs where patches don't stick. Maximum safe number of patches is 3. I cut my 5% patch in 2 and one goes on each SI joint. BTW Aspercreme no longer has an NSAID component, if you are staying away from Aspirin.
If your pain is dull and achy, it's probably bone pain. Believe it or not, bi phosphates (dridronel, Fosamax, Pamidronate injection) have relieved bone pain in about 50% of the patients I was seeing with intractable pain / allergies to all steroids, all NSAIDS and all opiates. The side effects are it may worsen Barrets esophagus. You have to stay upright at least 30 minutes after taking it.
Is there an acetaminophen or nsaid component to your pain regimen (such as Percocet 5 mg oxycodone/325 mg acetaminophen) The amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee will kick up that components painkilling effect by 50% - in other words, your 325 mg of acetaminophen in a percocet would become as effect as 485 mg.
A lot of people have not heard of the new non invasive laser procedures for shrinking painful inflamed nerves, by which pain is reduced. You need to do due diligence on a would be provider. Here, non medically trained people have set up laser clinics with a demand for a thousand dollar fee up front. My chiropractor was the one I chose- he gave 5 treatments for $450. I get an occasional booster now and then, like after my bone scan, when the hard bed and position required left me sobbing in pain.
Many people don't realize that as mattresses age they become less supportive and can worsen pain. I was discussing this with my masseur last week. I realized my "new" mattress at the lake was 11 years old and the mattress we replaced the waterbed with (Cali King) is 15 years old. Time for replacements. Yes, if you use supportive mattress pads they will need replacement in about 3-5 years.
I hope you get some pain relief soon BR