My first visit to the pain Dr was a disaster. He switched my pain med to oxycodone, causing my pain to shoot up to a 9. I tried calling his office and he wasn't available. I was crying and vomiting from the pain. It was so bad in the mornings, I was afraid to go to sleep at night and I felt completely helpless and hopeless. My rheumy told me to go ahead and double the oxycodone, which still did not help. 4 days later, the pain clinic called and said I could go back to my original pain med until I could be seen by pain doc two weeks later...
Yesterday was my next appt with the pain doc. He said we needed to switch to a long acting pain med and prescribed Avinza, a 24 hr slow release morphine. He also switched me from 2800mg of neurontin to Lyrica. I woke up this morning without pain. I am beyond happy, and can't begin to describe what a relief it is to have a break from the pain. My pain level is like a 0-1! I am sooo incredibly thankful.
Oh that's great news! Hope it continues for you, Deb! Yeah DebDeb, this is absolutely the best news...wonderful. My pain meds hold off the pain but Lyrica was absolutely the best. I've been on it for a week and the difference is incredible. It sounds like it's working for you - WAHOO.WOW Deb! No owies today. Good news!That's great news Deb, long may it continue!!
I am on day 3 of lyrica and am building up the dose as i go, 75mg am and pm today after just 75mg pm for 2 nights. i can already feel the difference. I love it. Thankyou everyone for posting your success with Lyrica other wise i wouldnt have known to ask for it.
And conratulations to everyone having success.
Awesome news Deb!!!!
Peace & Love...Neasy
You guys are awesome! Day two on my new meds, I feel wonderful! pain level is at a 2 woo hooo!!! That is fantastic!!!!!! I am so glad that you got releif!!!!I am so happy for you. I am on Neurontin and since hearing all the good stuff about Lyrica, I am thinking of asking my Doc to switch me.
I tried Avinza for about a week a couple of years ago and felt sort of strange on it. But since I take quite a bit of Oxycodone, maybe I should give it another go. Maybe the strange feeling would have worn off after a bit.
Its so great to hear your good news. Hears wishing for many more painfree days.
if you dont mind my asking, how much oxycodone are you on? I can't imagine I can stay on Avinza forever because the Dr said I may need more and more over time. I would rather fix what is causing the pain rather than covering it up, but for now I am enjoying my painfree days.Great news! I finally got my Lyrica refilled after a battle with the insurance company and I am so glad!
Deb, Great news!!!!
Hope you keep feeling good! It always does my heart good to seeone of us post that meds are working and pain is way, way down.
Stay well, Sweetie
Hugs,
Nini
Fabulous, Deb. I remember you were in absolute agony a few weekends ago. Good to hear you sounding so chirpy. Enjoy, woman. It would be quite strange to be pretty much pain free but I bet you will adjust just fine.Are you still feeling good today?
Hope so!
greeat news Deb. praying for uPip
Deb: I had oxycontin, but found that it is supposed to be good for 12 hours and give sustained relief. However, for those in great pain, some have also taken the oxycontin a couple of hours before getting up for the day and then later taken a vicodin, which takes affect in 45 minutes. So you have some constant relief. That happened to me. Too much pain.
Since I've been taking Humira, I don't take as much pain meds. People who do NOT have RA do not quite understand the pain we are in.. It is depressing, brings on MORE fatigue and sometimes you think can I continue like this the rest of my life!
When I was that bad, I couldn't think like that, I had to think one day at a time to get through. If you are in such pain, I guess you have NOT found the right RA med for you. With Humira, that was for me, for I had tried,as I said on past posts, EVERYTHING. But to even get to taking this was a big deal because of reading about the side effects. However, I think you have to be at such a low point in your life to say..I don't care what it is, I'm taking it so I can feel better. That was where I was at! I thought and thought and thought and then BOOM that was it.
Take care
JoanneJoanne, you made some good points. I felt the same way - I dont care what the treatment is, I am willing to do anything to get a break from my pain. Now i am here with zero pain and am thinking I should cut back or something... I am afraid to drive on all these meds so my boys have been helping me with that. I also forgot to ask about how hard these new meds are on my liver. Much to worry about...Way to go Deb!
owie Deb,
Please enjoy your painfree days. Please do not worry. Pain and Worry also destroy health just as surely as poison.
Double check meds with your docs, and ask if blood test schedule is adequate to protect from permanent damage, and if OK with docs, just enjoy and have faith.
Try grateful rather than fearful - much better for you.
I mean that nicely!
ENJOY!!!
Thanks Marian, I guess I should make sure my pain dr sends his dr's notes to my primary,Rheumy, Neuro, Ortho, etc. so everyone is on the same page. I'll have to wait until mon. morning now. I am so happy that you are still pain free!!! WOOOHOOOO!!! If I could do a happy dance for you I would!!!!