Has anyone ever taken the investigational study medication CG5503 (a.k.a. tapentadol)? Please advise. Thanks!?

Question

I am thinking about joining an investigational study to research this medication and was wondering if anyone has ever taken it? I have had chronic low back pain from an unknown source for 3+ years. I have had numerous tests done and no physician can find the cause. I have been through physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, diet, exercise and lifestyle changes and the only relief I get is from medication. The only medicine (other than opioids) that relieved the pain was Vioxx. I have a sensitivity to NSAIDS which makes pain relief harder to achieve, therefore I take Kenalog (a corticosteroid) 80mg IM injections every 3 months which helps with the inflammation. I was asked to participate in this study by a physician I know, and was wondering if there were any ill side effects to the medication (e.g. nausea, constipation, euphoria, dizziness, irritability, etc.). If anyone has taken this medication please advise. I am willing to try anything to ease the pain. Thanks!

Answer 1

No but work with a chiropractor (for the ultrasound which shiriks muscle damage and lessens the pain after the massage) and massage therapist as well as the principles in this book (below) - 75% success rate
Much pain is from muscles below is an example of what may help (based on headaches).
Begin with a couple swigs of molasses or a couple of bananas daily - magnesium (which regulates many things in the body) and potassium (a needed building block for muscles).
Drink at least 1/2 gallons of water per day. Running a body low on water is like running a car low on oil is the analogy the head of neurology at UCDavis told my husband about 10 years ago.

Now to the cause - muscles - your back, neck shoulders and head have tender spots. They are knots in the fibers of the muscles called trigger points. It makes the muscles tight which makes them press on nerves and other things causing the pain.

The cure - start with a professional massage, you will also want to go back over any place you can get to 6-12 times per session up to 6 times per day rubbing (or lightly scratching on your head) every where that is tender until the knots go away. The place where the skull connects to the spine press up under the edge of the skull (to get to those muscles).

For more information read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies. It teaches what to do and where the pain comes from.

Answer 2

I took part in this study for several weeks. The many trips to the doctor for "check-ups" was not only time-consuming, but it was also sometimes pointless. I did however get some relief of pain in my lower back from this, although not as much relief as I needed it did help. The only drawback for me was that it sometimes caused nausea and migraine-like headaches. Although it has not been confirmed as the cause, I also had a break-out of what appeared to be acne, but only formed large red boil-like bumps all over my face and back shortly after starting this medication. After 6 weeks of the trial, I stopped taking it and the nausea and headaches stopped. The bumps pretty much healed except for leaving scars (mainly on my back).
I would suggest you ask your doctor to prescribe a MRI for you and also refer you to a Pain Management Specialist. The only thing that I have found that works for me is hydrocodone 10-500. Only negative side effect I had was lightheadedness, but after a couple of weeks of taking it, that symptom went away.
Whatever you decide, I hope you find relief for you pain soon.

Answer 3

Sorry can't help!