My husband (age 53) has just been diagnosed with RA. He has had one visit with a Rheumy. He was given MX, Prednisone, Ambien, Folic Acid, Etodolac, and Vicodin for pain. He has swelling in his feet, hands, and knees. The problem is he was prescribed 1-2 Vicodin for pain at bedtime. That helps some but apparently not enough and on some days he has taken 1 in the day and 2 at bedtime to help with the pain. I told him he is going through the pain meds too fast and needs to slow down so as not to get addicted to them and also he will run out about 3-4 days before he can refill it. So, I bought him some OTC Tylenol Xtra strength as the nurse suggested, but it didn't help much. I feel helpless to help him......what works for the pain and how long before this pain lets up? He was so healthy and then 2 1/2 months ago boom.....it came from nowhere. We were told by the Rheumy it may take 6 weeks before it gets better. I can't imagine him going through this for 4 more weeks before the pain lets up. Is the dosage of 1-2 Vicodin before bed the norm for RA sufferers? I would appreciate any/all help......
The dose you have listed is really far too low to do any good...if he is in pain you should call the rheumy and have it increased until the other meds have time to kick in....unfortunatly the first year of this disease can be really hard...wishing both of you fast relief
ginger
Call your doctor, he may need more pain meds, or a stronger one. If he is ACTUALLY in that much pain, the chances of him becoming addicted to the meds, are very very slim. In the begining, or any time that RA is not under control, it can be VERY painful. His dosage is actually quite low. Nothing to fret over. It would not suprise me in the least if they raised it for him, and many of us are on higher doses! :) Just do not worry! Call the doc, and let him know what's up.Thank you Ginger, it helps so much to just hear from someone who knows...I am getting so frustrated. I just don't know how to help him... And honestly didn't know if he was expecting too much from the Vicodin, so thanks for the help. I will get him to call the Rheumy back.Thanks to you too Katie...being so new to this we just didn't know what to do or if that was a high dose or not.Now I know that others are on higher doses I know what to expect....Appreciate it so much!Since it's the holiday, if you can't get through to the doctor until Tuesday, the ER or an Urgent Care might be a possibility.
Also, we collectively use many tricks to cope with the pain. If you will list the areas where he is having the most pain, someone is bound to have an answer to help with that pain.
He must rest extra during a flare. Pain is very common. And, it really hurts. He will feel better when those meds kick in, but it does take time and he needs a way to survive that.
Having someone that's understanding does make a world of difference. Just come here lots and ask all your questions. We think spouses that are supportive of their mates are like golden treasures. Why go through this alone when you don't need to?
Also, have him join in. There are several men here and on other boards that we share links with.
Sorry for the trouble. The more questions you ask, the easier it is to deal with. Besides, we like meeting new people.
Here's one thing you can do for him right now. Get raw rice and stick it in old socks. Close the socks up. Microwave each one for about 1 1/2 minutes. Then, he can put one on each place that hurts. They can be warmed up over and over again. They really do help with the pain.
Heating pads help some, ice others. If you live in a cold place, an electric blanket (I hear) is a wonderful delight.
Getting as much rest as possible is really crucial. So if he can sleep through some of this, go ahead and let him. His own body is going to be able to get things back in order better.
Deanna...I am just so thankful for finding people like you on this forum. It is a Godsend. Sometimes, I have felt like crying just watching him in so much pain. As I said, he was totally different just a couple of months ago. I got him to use the heating pad and also bought him a cane to help make getting up from a sitting position a little easier. He is proud and won't use it anywhere but home. I have just felt so alone until I found this forum and I am so glad I now have a place to ask questions and get such good answers. Some people you talk to don't really understand how someone can be in this much pain...they don't really understand how painful and debilitating this disease can be. So it really is frustrating to be around some of these old "Friends" now...thanks for listening and thanks for all the good advice.
Excellet Deanna. And yes, if you can tell us where he hurts exactly, and what kind of hurt, we might be able to give some more specific little tricks. :) We're handy like that. LoLDK- All the above suggestions are great. You have come to a great place. Several thoughts - the number of vicodin pill is not just the issue, its the strength/dosage thats also important (i.e. are the pills 5/500, 7.5/750 or 10/1000?). Two pills of 5mg vicodin is the same as one 10mg pill. Also, how tall or heavy is your husband, and what is his tollerance. These aren't questions you need to tell us, but they may be important when talking to your RD. Everyone is different and needs different levels. For me, and many others, the pain meds seem to work best when they are used to help take the edge off the pain and not to totally make it go away. Your husband will do fine. It takes us all a fair amount of time to find the right mix and our own level of pain tolerance. Best wishes.Well, i posted a whole note on this and just as i was pushing post reply,Thanks so much to all of you for the great answers. This morning we called his Rheumy(Sat. morn) because he only had one (Hydrocodone 7.5/500) left and it being the weekend we knew he would be in trouble with the pain.....surprisingly, the doctor called back within 2 minutes. He told him what was going on and he was very kind. He said he would renew the prescrip. right away. So, everything is better now. Thanks to all of you, we both felt better about calling and asking for more pain meds. He was just 5 days early in asking for it anyway.
As for answering the above questions, no- he has never been addicted to drugs...he is a Judge by profession, so that would present a problem hahaha. He is about 5'11" and weighs about 240. But his tolerance to pain is also not the best. So, I am afraid this will be his trial in life. Funny, but 2 months ago I knew nothing about RA. Now I feel like I am living and breathing it every minute. I am just praying for 4 weeks to get here because that seems like the time span it takes for the MX to kick in???? I hope! Again..thanks to all of you who answered..you're the best! I am so happy I found this forum...
You can get hydrocodone in 7.5/325 if the tylenol needs to be lowered in order to take more per day.He is being prescribed an awfully low dose of Vicodin.
I am on remicade, take 2 tramadol every 6 house PLUS 1 vicodin every 6 hours as needed. people in real pain don't generally become addict.
Go to your ER .