How many use opioids for pain?

Toodle · 02-22-2005, 10:50 PM

Just wondering how many of us use opioids for pain? I've been reading that longer acting opiods work better for chronic pain than shorter acting ones such as vicoden, percocet, etc. I never have been an illegal drug user, but I feel that I need narcotics to help keep my pain under control. Have tried several other routes without success. I know everyone's pain is different but somehow I feel really guilty for having to resort to narcotic use. I guess it's because they are looked down upon but I don't see why they should be when they are used for legitimate purposes and I feel the chronic pain with fibro is a legit purpose. Am I the only one who feels this way? I want to be more pain free and don't want to "just deal with it".

rosebuddy · 02-22-2005, 11:35 PM

I take percocet 15 mg every 4 to 5 hours and 5 mg at night. I don't know what I would have done without it. I was in horrendous pain with electrical shocks like I had been plugged into an electrical socket. I had myofascial pain that had not been treated; it took almost 6 months to complete my pain management regimen of once weekly injections and twice weekly physical therapy which always included some myofascial release. I am now in very little pain

and am weaning off percocets 5 mg. a week.

There are some drawbacks, the biggest being dependence which is not the same as addiction. Dependence is physical and addiction is psychological. There have been many tests done that prove that most people with FMS only take it for pain. I suggest that you use the least amount possible to help with your pain. Keep some stashed for when you flare. My pain doctor told me this. Keep your medicine in a safe place, sometimes other people might take it and then you run out early, which is a red flag to your doctor (and also illegal) and can harm your relationship with your doctor. Yes it happened to me. Also, you will get constipated. I take docolace every night and I only go to the bathroom about once every 4 days or so. If you don't take the percocet on time, you will start getting achey, very achey like the flu. I have to have a paper scrip and my doctor mails them to me. I am looking forward to getting off of them completely. I also don't like the fuzzy feeling and its difficult for me to read due to blurred vision. Anyway, I won't need them as long as i take it easy on my body.

If you develop a dependence on them it can still be worth the pain relief. Yes some people think its just terrible to take narcotics. But thats what they are for. Pain. duh. Anyway, you just can't walk around worrying about what other people are going to say. Its really none of their business and with FMS you might as well get used to people disagreeing with your treatment, exercises, vitamins, etc. Its your life and your body and only you and your doctor know whats best for you.

Hope I helped and sorry you are in so much pain.
Donna

JustMeBeingMe · 02-23-2005, 12:03 AM

Hello Char,

I was diagnosed in November-2003 with fibro. My doctor had already tried all kinds of pain medications, but nothing worked until he had me take oxycontin. I didn't like being on something that addictive, either, but I could finally live my life without pain. (most of the time anyway) About the first of the year, he had me try the duragesic patch. I am off the oxy now and only use the patch for pain (1 every 72 hours). It works great. It is still quite addictive, but I am more addicted to NOT wanting to be in pain 24-7. I think I will stick with it until it is no longer doing what it is supposed to do. I am on the lowest dose.

Don't feel guilty for wanting to feel good and normal again. If you are like me, I am not ready to stop living my life. I have also started to exercise 45 minutes after work as many days as I can. The rheumy recommended 5 days a week, but my regular doctor said 5 days would be nice, but do at least 3 so that is what I do.

Good luck - you are in my thoughts and prayers.

To better days for all,

Becky

tkgoodspirit · 02-23-2005, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char123

Just wondering how many of us use opioids for pain? I've been reading that longer acting opiods work better for chronic pain than shorter acting ones such as vicoden, percocet, etc. I never have been an illegal drug user, but I feel that I need narcotics to help keep my pain under control. Have tried several other routes without success. I know everyone's pain is different but somehow I feel really guilty for having to resort to narcotic use. I guess it's because they are looked down upon but I don't see why they should be when they are used for legitimate purposes and I feel the chronic pain with fibro is a legit purpose. Am I the only one who feels this way? I want to be more pain free and don't want to "just deal with it".

Char,
Who do you see for your FM? Most Rheumies won't give narcotics for pain. Can you talk to your PCP? Maybe try some Darvocet, if you haven't already, or you can see if your PCP will precribe some Vicoden. Best thing is to ask your doc to refer you to a PM doc. That is what they are there for, to help you with your pain. Some docs just prescribe pain meds and offer some kind of physical therapy. Some, just prescribe meds. And some have a whole team of different docs that work in their clinic, but the main objective of PM doc is to stop your pain. Check the web, you can find PM clinics or specialists in or near your area through the web, then ask your PCP to refer you. My rheumie can't stand the fact that I take narcotics. But I also have severe back problems, but at my next PM appt. I am going to discuss continuing to treat me for FM pain after I have surgery given the surgery is a sucess. He knows I have FM.

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do! See about that referal.

tk

Linda Dale · 02-24-2005, 07:43 PM

I am faced with the only option left that works....narcotics. As a recovering alcoholic, I am very afraid of addiction. Also, I can't let my sponsor know because her main problem was abusing meds. I have lots of guilt and talked to my shrink about it as well as my MD. They both said the same thing....ya gotta do.....and that guilt was a killer. In my case for sure, I have been hospitalized twice after becoming suicidal. Sometimes I feel like just ending it all just to get out of the pain. You're right, rheumys won't prescribe, the two I've seen have been useless, one said pain won't kill you, other gave me Ultram which my shrink said affects seratonin levels and take minimally. Now I am being referred to a pain clinic....don't have much faith that the doc there will be familiar with FS, I hope he is. It is all so frustrating, isn't it????? Any alcoholics out there faced with this??
Namaste