Overcoming fatigue/drowsiness/tiredness of pain meds - Pain Management Message Board

brianpain33 · 04-07-2008, 06:57 PM

I think this may be useful, well actually it will be useful if I can find a way or something to conquer the chronic tiredness that I experience. I know most of it has to do with my medications, especially the Lyrica & Fentanyl punch, so what do you guys do to counteract this effect?

brian

conductor · 04-07-2008, 08:28 PM

Hey Brian,

I was Rx'd Dexedrine at first, but I simply couldn't tolerate the jitters it gave me. The same thing occurred when I was given Adderall, along with stomach pain. These reactions seemed strange to me because I can tolerate about anything and everything possible!

However, a great many people find these kinds of stimulant medications very helpful. But, don't you hate just adding and adding medications? Round and round we go sometimes, huh? I still fight exhaustion and sleepiness from my pain medications, but I do find the trade-off worth it.

Take care, my friend! Remember that you are regularly remembered!!

Sincerely,
Jon (Conductor)

TexMom85 · 04-07-2008, 09:10 PM

Brian,

During my short membership on this board, I have come to marvel at you. Your openness and honesty, your perseverance and fighting spirit. How do you hold down a job, with all that you suffer? I have been unable to work for a few years now, and some days, I can hardly muster up enough energy to feed the dog and let him out once in a while.

The Lyrica has made me profoundly drowsy/tired. It's weird, though, that it is worse on some days than it is on others. I think, in my case, that this varies based on the quality of the previous night's sleep, but not always. Sleep is one of my major issues, besides pain, and since I don't always sleep well due to insomnia and sleep apnea, the drowsiness from the Lyrica is compounded on some days. I cannot take caffeine due to my sleep issues, so that is not an option. On really bad days, I have to nap. I cannot drive, I cannot focus or concentrate on anything that requires even basic cognitive skills. Other days, I force myself to do activities that are very physical (like gardening or painting), but then I really pay for it later with pain. Today, after going to the physical therapist for pain in my arm (from painting), I have been forbidden to paint, garden, etc. It's just as well, I was killing myself doing those things, and my fibro pain just flares even worse on those days. But, it is depressing to me to think that I just cannot do anything of any consequence without my body betraying me.

I wish I had an answer for you. What I want to know is, how do you drag yourself to work while taking Lyrica and enduring chronic pain? I was making so many mistakes in my work that I was no longer productive, and the stress of it all really impacted me dramatically. Quitting, while financially devastating, relieved much of my stress, although I must admit my health is not better as I had hoped.

I sure would like to know your secret! Although, as this thread suggests, you are struggling. I suspect you have a very strong will and work ethic! Is there any possibility you can go on disability? This is a tough road to hoe, my friend.

I think of you with great respect and admiration, and will keep you in my prayers for relief from the drowsiness and pain...hang in there!

Blessings,
TexMom

ms_west · 04-07-2008, 09:33 PM

Well to be honest, I have quit fighting the drowsiness and have given myself permission to lay down and take a nap as needed. My kids have become very understanding that sometimes Mom just needs a power nap and they either play quietly or do some homeschooling while I snooze for 1/2 hour to 1 hour. Since I have quit fighting it at my psychologists opinion, I don't feel like I am dragging as much.

Arthr Itis · 04-08-2008, 07:12 AM

Hey Brian. Like Pepper I too have quit fighting it. My friends know not to call me during the mid-afternoon. That is when I catch a 1/2 to 1 hour nap. It doesn't matter how well I slept the night before. I just need that power nap.
I have a real problem with concentration that I blame on the meds. It even got to the point that after my wife passed away, I couldn't think straight enough to manage my check book. So I do the online banking. Everything goes on credit cards,even utilities ,then I pay them off by going on line and telling the bank to send a check to whomever. It gets interesting with keeping track of my meds. Like wondering why my pain is going up only to find I've missed a dose of oxy.
I could go on and on even more about the stupid stuff I've done or not done because of the fog.
Fred