Was just curious if anyone or everyone that is currently on RA meds, also takes prescription pain killers too. I've never been one to take pain killers, but I think its time to break down and reconsider that. Thinking about asking my orthopedic surgeon when I see him on Thursday if he can perscribe me something. Because sleeping right now is out of the question.
Thanks
Phil
There is nothing honorable about suffering. And painkillers don't kill the pain, they only dull it for a while. I try to take the minimum needed to take the edge off while still allowing me to have a clear head. Its too bad there is so much negative press about those who abuse the drug. They never seem to write stories about all the good they do. Blah, blah, blah and they never write stories about planes that land safely.I use codeine as required, as tylenol just doesn't do anything for my joint pain. Joint pain is one of the worst pains there is!
I actually asked my rheumatologist today about the habit-forming nature of codiene. He reassured me that if you're taking them for genuine pain, that is very unlikely. Same goes for the other opiates (morphine etc). Most of the problem arises from people not in pain taking them for kicks.
For myself I decided no-one was going to give me a medal for bravery and I was becoming very grumpy and depressed from the pain. (My family were complaining too.) Now I take them as needed but just knowing they're there as backup really helps.
I take tramodal on a regular basis. I went for years without a prescription pain killer; but once my back pain became a regular occurance I started taking them on a regular basis. I keep a prescription for tramodal and a prescription for a muscle relaxer on hand at all times.
I don't always use them.....but I can at anytime if I find it nessesary. I think we should at least all have that option.
You should too. Try; see what you think. No use going around in pain if you don't have to, right? And sleep is a must for those of us with RA. It's one of the most important parts of our treatment.
Good Luck.
My PCP and RD both agree that there are meds out there to help us cope... don't be a dope and not take something to ease you through the day (that's their saying). Yes.. there is the addiction thing. But, we are addicted because we NEED the meds... not because we abuse them. I am on Oxycotin and Vicodin 750ES (to back up the Oxy in the event that the pain gets by the Oxy). I 've been on this for the past two years and yes... it only dulls the pain and gives you a bit of a change in your thoughts regarding the pain. I don't believe that there is anything out there that will take our pain AWAY... but, at least there is helpers out there. Absolutely if you are having pain that is keeping you from functioning or even sleeping you should take something...and if the OTC stuff doesnt work, you need something stronger. There are people who abuse pain meds....but that doesnt mean you will become addicted to them...if you need it, you need it.I take 2 tramadol in the morning when I get up, and 2 at bedtime. I also take a vicodin maybe once a week or every 10 days, I will find that about 4 pm if I've been over doing, I will need a vicodin.
The remicade works pretty well for me, but it isn't perfect. I have't tried to not take the tramadol. It just takes the edge off, so I just don't know what it would be like if I didn't take it.
I don't think we get extra credit for being in pain, no one totals up the points at the end and says "wow you only took pain killers 14.3 times in your life." Pain is the bodies way of telling you something is wrong. I KNOW what is wrong and I am doing what I can to treat it, so now I will treat the pain too.
pbowman
When pain is so bad that 'sleep is out of the question', it is really time for pain treatment. Adequate sleep is essential to being able to function well, even if you don't have RA!
You may find that a few nights of sleep with pain meds will allow you to sleep without them.
My achiness increases when I don't sleep enough, my muscles start in along with the joints. When I finally get some good sleep I feel better all over.
I have seen my Pain Specialist now for ALMOST 4 YEARS. And he is a life saver! They will work with you to find what works best for you. By the way, long term pain should never be treated with any thing containing TYLENOL, as it will damage your body and possible even worse.
Good Luck, don't live in pain, just live!
I also avoided them. I finally broke down and asked my RD for a prescription. I can't take Vicodin or Codeine, so she gave me some Ultram. I also only wanted it to take so I could sleep. I've found that if I don't get enought sleep, I feel horrible. I've only taken them a couple of times, but it sure is nice to have them when you need them instead of being up all night in pain. Hi everybody. Like some of you I didn't want to start the pain killer route. When I had my surgery for my hand, they gave me Vicodin.