I've got a question regarding nsaids and opiates for pain. I can't take nsaids because I retain water and they bother my stomach. I have an issue with weight gain. My RD wanted me to try Ultram but I'm allergic to tramadol. He doesn't want me to have anything addictive but from what I've read if the medication is taken properly I won't have to worry about becoming addictive. Does anyone have experience with this ? Do you think I should find a new Dr.? Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Why doesn't your doc want you to have anything addictive?
If pain medication is taken properly the chances for addiction are very slim. It is when the pain meds stop working and we keep taking more and more of the same thing is when an addiction problem could start.
You have the right to control your pain.
I am on the very addictive oxycotin but I was told that they have medications to take me off it if I don't need it anymore. I will be glad when I build some tolerance, it gets me too high. BUT - being mostly pain free is bliss. Pain control is so important to cope with this disease What about getting into your primary care doc for pain control? My pcp handles my pain control and not my rd. I do that because it IS sometimes hard to get into my rd and MUCH easier to get into my pcp. I can get same day appts with my pcp. My pcp will also start me on treatment (like switching me to injectable mtx and giving me pred when I was flaring bad and rd out of town) and then I just continue treatment with rd and he makes any adjustments he deems necessary (he increased my mtx dose..pcp started me on protocol).I am fortunate tho that both my docs will work with each other.
Like grammaskittles I too use my PCP for pain control as many rheumys don't really like to prescribe opiates. Also, you might check the internet for a pain control clinic in your area. My PCP is also pain control certified for her auto-immune patients as she herself has FMS.
I do hope you get come control over your pain as I know how disabling it can be.
Long term NSAID's can create damage in ones stomach and small intestines which is why pain control clinics use opiates. I have been using them for 2 years and have never exceeded the recommended dosage and even usually have some left at the end of every month. I work with addicts at our jail and an addict always takes more pills than prescribed and runs out long before the refill can be filled.
When we have actual pain the opiates bind to that pain. An addict has no pain and is only taking them to feel the high. When I first started I felt the high but that quickly ended, thank God, and now I just get some pain control. I think the so called high feels awful. The percent of addiction in actual patients in chronic pain is .5% the last I read and even those people usually had prior addictions.
Take care,
OMG Bonny, I just read your post fast, my eyes are still bleary because I'm waking up. I thought you said you use PCP for pain control. My mouth dropped open that someone would say that here! Then I read it again and understood.Thanks for your replys
I think I am just going to have to INSIST that someone help me. This has gone on too long. After reading your posts I'm feeling knowledgeable enough to ask for what I need. Thank you!
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com