Does anyone use pain meds on a daily basis/ I have been taking Vicodin 7.5 2 4 x a day I really feel the pain if I don't continue. I was sdiagnosed 2 years ago but am being to feel like a junkie...Any body?I use to be on very similar drugs and I felt the same way. I hated the way the Vicodin and ultram made my head feel and got to where I really couldn't tolerate them any more. I looked for other ways to ease my pain. I upped what I would tolerate in the way of pain and learned to cater to my own needs by listening to my body. I still have really bad days but I try not to take the pain killers so much any more. I was not worried so much about being a junkie but rather didn't like feeling like I had a mile wide space in my head.
Wow, I think if I took my Vicodin that much I WOULD get hooked and I'd be worried about that too if I were you. However, if I hurt really bad everyday I would do it because the pain is so intense and dibilitating. Maybe your preventitive meds aren't doing their job? Talk to your Dr., I know that pain is greatly considered by my rheumy as to how well the meds are working and he doesn't want me to be in that kind of pain, he says pain is an indication of a problem with treatment not working as it should. I'm sorry you're hurting, take care and let us know what happens.I haven't ever been in that kind of pain and can't imagine needing that much pain medication to make it thru the day. What has worked for me is a proactive approach with massages, changing my routine (depending on how I feel), eating right, exercising and listening to my body. I hope you get relief soon!
PhatsI've been where you are and if I were you, I'd talk to my RD about changing or adding some meds.
Hi Chrise, Some people need pain medication, others don't. The need for pain meds is as erratic as the disease itself. I use Vicodan for pain due to damage. I'm in clinical remission but my pain is from bone erosions in my fingers, loss of range of movement in my wrists, ankles, knees and shoulders. I only use pain meds when I know I'm going to be exercising, golfing or on my feet for a long period of time. Sometimes if we want to keep working, exercising, moving we have to use pain medication.
You do what you need to do to lead as active, normal life as you can. My only concern is that you use them everyday. Are there days when you can cut the dose in half? Days where you aren't active and just relaxing. That will give your body a little relief from the Tylenol dose. Your liver will thank you. Also talk to your doctor about prescribing 500's instead. You might find that you can take a lower dose of Vicodan. It's worth a try and I hope that the Imuran kicks in soon. Take care and let us know how you're doing. Lindy
I have sero-negative RA but I have damage just about everywhere there is a joint. My regular internal medicine doc handles my pain since my rheumy doesn't do pain which to me is DUMB! It's like a cardiologist telling the guy who is having a heart attack that he'll do bypass on him but he won't treat the pain he'll have. Anyway, the reg doc gives me percocet but he's been out because he has cancer and the rheumy knocked me down to 2 darvocet a day which does nothing and I might as well take tylenol. So I can definitely empathise with you. Knowing that you have pain and treating the pain is different than being an addict. With addiction you'll take the meds even if you don't have pain. Tolerance to medication shoudl not be considered addiction because if you take something for long enough your body gets used to it and it'll take more to relieve your pain.I have been taking vicodin for 3 years now. Somedays up to 4 times. I have used it for months for pain from damage and to be functional. I started at 500mg, went to 750mg. Now dr prescribed Lorcet 10. Most of the time I take one in the morning to help shake off the stiffness and then I don't take anymore but there was sometimes for weeks or months that I was on them 24/7. On rainy days, I pretty much know it's going to be a pain day. I drink lots of water and follow a healthy diet. I don't think I am addicted. I have went for weeks without them when the enbrel was going strong. It doesn't bother me to take them. I need them. I want a life and a clean house and to be able to go shopping or to kids activities. There was times where I couldn't do any of it if I didn't have some vicodin to ease my pain and walking is good to be able to do. LOL[QUOTE=LinB]Hi Chrise, Some people need pain medication, others don't. The need for pain meds is as erratic as the disease itself. I use Vicodan for pain due to damage. I'm in clinical remission but my pain is from bone erosions in my fingers, loss of range of movement in my wrists, ankles, knees and shoulders. I only use pain meds when I know I'm going to be exercising, golfing or on my feet for a long period of time. Sometimes if we want to keep working, exercising, moving we have to use pain medication.
You do what you need to do to lead as active, normal life as you can. My only concern is that you use them everyday. Are there days when you can cut the dose in half? Days where you aren't active and just relaxing. That will give your body a little relief from the Tylenol dose. Your liver will thank you. Also talk to your doctor about prescribing 500's instead. You might find that you can take a lower dose of Vicodan. It's worth a try and I hope that the Imuran kicks in soon. Take care and let us know how you're doing. Lindy
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