How do you function? - Pain Management Message Board

Katirina · 01-26-2008, 04:06 PM

I have chronic tailbone pain and put in my paperwork for a Disability Retirement at work. However I work for the federal government so it will probably take a few months. In the meantime I work 4-10 hr days. I can't change that as I need to ride in the vanpool because of the meds I take. I just had a change in my meds because I wasn't getting relief. The doctor told me to up my MS Cotin 15mg to 30 every 8 - 10 hours and also put me on Cymbalta 30 mg once a day for two weeks and then up it to 60 mg and take Vicodin for break through pain. I am trying this on the weekend to see how it works. Today at 3 am I took 30 mg of MS Cotin and went back to bed (I can't do this on week days or if I do not for long). Then at 8 a.m. I took the Cymbalta within an hour I was sitting down half asleep. I made myself get up and did a few things. By 10 a.m. my tailbone was killing me so I took one Vicodin and at 11:10 a.m. I took another 30mg of MS Cotin and then at 1:15 pain bad again so I took one Vicodin. By 2 p.m. I was sleeping in my chair. Then at about 3 p.m. my husband called my name (he didn't know I was sleeping) and I MADE myself get up. I know that when I started taking Amitrytolene it made me very tired at first to. Will this sleepiness go away? I do not know how I will function at work. There is a room at work to lay down in so I guess I could take sick leave and lay down if I have to. Anyone been on these and have any suggestions. Thanks for reading my message.

Arthr Itis · 01-26-2008, 05:39 PM

The tired's should lesson a little but they probably won't go away. What did you do to your tailbone? Maybe a cushion on your chair would help.
Fred

forginon · 01-26-2008, 08:39 PM

I work for the federal gov't as well and take MS Contin (3 60mg tabs upon waking, 3 at noon and 2 in the evening before going to bed). And yes, it does make me sleepy if I don't keep busy. I use coffee at times &my doc has Rx'd a mild stimulant to take as needed.

The best solution is to stay busy or distracted.

Best of luck to you!

steve

Executor · 01-26-2008, 11:25 PM

Believe it or not, your body will adjust....It just takes time. However, that doesn't mean it will adjust to the point where you may want it to, but it will get better. You are absolutely doing the right thing by NOT driving and etc. Too many people drug and drive and IMO, it's as bad, if not worse than drinking.

Good luck on your condition. Hope you feel better.

ms_west · 01-26-2008, 11:37 PM

When I was first on cymbalta it would knock me out but by day 4, I was fine. I just drank lots of diet dr. pepper for that caffiene.