Pain Med Dilemma - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Jessicarbbt · 11-15-2005, 07:50 PM

Hi All.... I just found this board and this is my first post. I hope to participate on this board in order to learn more about dealing with this illness, as well as to receive information and support and share my own findings...

I wonder how many of you take serious pain meds for your pain? My very first doctor shamed me something awful for needing anything other than an ibuprofen here and there. She told me I would be an addict and she refused to prescribe ANYTHING that would help. I missed SO much work and my life was a zero... I didn't really HAVE a life. My new doctor is willing to prescribe vicodin but in limited quantity. I find myself needing more than is prescribed sometimes but am afraid if I ask for more or increase my dosage she will try to take me off of it completely or try a bunch of experimental stuff.

Have any of you ever used an online pharmacy? It seems pretty simple to me, but also expensive. I always wonder if they are legit, or if I could end up in some kind of trouble for using them. I do not want that! I just don't understand how they work, and if the medication you receive is reliable and effective. I would appreciate anyone sharing their experience with this... I just know I am in more pain than I can stand, and although I do not expect relief, I do expect to be able to have a decent functional life!

Any opinions?

Thanks!
Gayle

April414 · 11-15-2005, 11:18 PM

Hi. I'm glad you found this board, it has helped me quite a bit.
Have you seen an arthritis dr. yet? My reg. dr. was kinda skimpy with the pain meds, too, But my arthritis dr. has been extremely helpful. He listens to me, tells me that if my pain meds aren't working to let him know. One of the meds, Flexiril, my reg. dr. had me taking 1 a day, the arthritis dr. said I could safely take 3 a day. The other day I called and left a message that my hydrocodone just wasn't cutting it and next thing I knew I was on my way to his office for the prescription.
I would be very careful about getting online meds. I, myself wouldn't egt any that way, I'd be to scared to. I was in Mexico a few weeks ago and I could hav gotten hydrocodone without a scrip. That I would have done, after making sure that's what the bottle said, if I'd had the money to. But online, I don't know about that. I don't think it's legal either. Please be careful.

Jessicarbbt · 11-16-2005, 07:42 AM

Thanks for your input April (it is April, isn't it?)... You are right about the online meds, I'm sure. Besides, who is to say if you sent them $200 they wouldnt' send you a bottle of sugar pills, ya know? I just get so frustrated with doctors who don't seem to want to help you get you pain to a manageable level. I know pain pills aren't the greatest thing to be taking, but if it means I can function and live a fuller life, do my work, etc.... I am all for it. I do EVERYTHING I should do to help myself... stretching exercises, massage (which ain't cheap!), I walk 5 miles/1 hour every single day, I eat a healthy diet and have lost weight to where I am in "normal" range. I have tried yoga, meditation, accupuncture <shudder>, stress management classes... on and on. So it's not just that I'm ONLY asking for pain medication... it is my last resort. My doctor isn't horrible about it, it's just that right now I can call in my prescription and it gets refilled without a question. If I push, there may be a problem. Lately I have just been taking them when I need them, not trying to suffer through with the minimum dosage, and then when I run out I call.... thing is, doing it that way I usually end up going several days without ANY meds.. Aaaaaugh...

Thanks again, it will be interesting to see what others might post.
Gayle

Texcin · 11-16-2005, 01:50 PM

I was on Bextra until they removed it, now I take MOBIC. It does help. If I need more some days, she suggest I take an extra strength Tylenol with it. Exercise, meditation and massage theraphy are a big help too.

bilij · 11-16-2005, 07:15 PM

Hi Gayle, welcome to the fibro board. This is a good place to vent
your feelings and there's so much good information shared by all.
As for doctors and pain medication; once you find a doctor who really
understands fibromyalgia, they will try to help. There are people who
abuse pain meds, it makes it difficult for the ones who need it.
My doctor told me that when a person is in pain, they don't abuse
their medication. She told me it's called ''pain control''. I take Norco
1/2 tab of the 10mg size twice daily. It has only 350 mg of Tylenol and
she feels that's safer to take. Yesterday I only took 1/2 tab in 24 hrs.
I also take Ambien 10 mg at bedtime.....that has worked so well for sleep.
Rapport with our doctors seem to be the key to better pain control.
I hope you get relief soon. Tell us more about yourself.
Bilij