Pain meds;Scared | Arthritis Information

I am 30 years old and got dx when I was 25. I had tried all the DMARDS, etc but nothing has worked. I was taking Remicade but that has just stopped working. Now I am on Humira but it hasn't kicked in yet. My Rhumey has been very good to me but I have been on Loratab since I was DX. Now I have alot of break-through pain and I feel like I have built up a tolerance to it. And it's the highest dose 10 mg. I am scared to talk to him about getting something else added or changing it to a stronger narcotic. I don't want him to think I am just looking for drugs to get high on. I also know the goverenment it keeping tabs on things like that, like it's their place to decide what people in extreme pain need. I don't want to ask and have him sent met to a pain management clinic...I know they don't do squat! Any suggestions would be very helpful. I live in Norman,Ok so if anyone out there is in the area I would like to know about your MD.

Thanks again!

Elda

Dear Elda, I don't have any suggestions about pain meds, but I just wanted you to know I read your post and I'm sorry to hear you are in such pain. I am taking Remicade and wonder how long you have taken it before it stopped working? Good luck on sorting this out.....sorry for your pain.

Sarah

(last month I was in so much pain I was screaming into the telephone for help from my doctor....now with Prednisone, mtx & the remicade (3rd treatment) I don't hurt any more.

Sorry you are hurting so badly! Usually the docs do not send you to pain management until they themselves have run out of options to help you manage your pain. There are quite a few options and combos of pain meds to try before that happens. Please don't be afraid to ask your doc for pain meds. You have the right to live with your pain managed so you can function!!

Has your doc tried a combo of a dmard with the humira? Sometimes adding something like mtx with it works wonders.

Elda, first welcome.

For the longest time, my Rheumy managed my pain with Mobic and Vicodin. But it wasn't enough and when I changed doctors, they insisted on sending me to a pain specialist. The reason doctors are doing this more and more is because our government is cracking down on doctors even if the doctors are not legally breaking the laws. Also Pain Management is becoming a field unto itself. It is complicated. It is usually an doc with Anethisiology in their background. And treatments are not necessarily just narcotics. But if narcotics are necessary, a good Pain Specialist monitors them so that you don't develop problems with addiction.

I searched hard for the type of Pain Specialist that I wanted. I didn't want one that just wanted to dope me up. I wanted someone who was willing to try different treatments including adding supplements, physical therapy, trigger point injections, massage therapy. I found one that has done wonders for me.

But just have a straight, honest talk with your doctor. Explain that your pain is not under control and it isn't livable with right now. What can he do for you. When explained like that, most doctors will try to come up with a solution that is livable for both of you. But your pain does need to be managed. Pain can be very limiting. Now, that my pain is under better control, I find that I am able to do more than I was able to do before. I am hoping that they find a good mix and that someday I'll be able to go back to work.

The latest thing that they have tried with me is Cymbalta. A lot of Rheumys seem to be trying this, Lyrica and Neurontin for the pain. Maybe you could look into these options.

I wish you pain free days. I know how much they mean.

I guess I should have made myself more clear. I am taking MTX right now. About a year ago or so my MD (who is really good to me; no insurance and gives me shots in my joints that are 5.00 a pop and only charges me .50) but he made a comment about was I selling my pain meds or giving them to other people! Ha, I can bearly get by with the ones he gives me.....so that is the concern with asking for other meds. I am just so tired of hurting. My boss has a fatal brain tumor and right now I don't know if I will have a job in the very near future. I feel like an a** for worring about myself but this is going to cause me to have a big flair. I have trouble keeping weight on. I went from 145 lbs to 117 in a short amount of time. So, that is another thing on top of all of this mess

Elda

If you have built a good relationship with your doctor then there is no reason to worry that he will consider you a drug seeker. In fact he NEEDS to know that your pain has increased. That can indicate more disease activity or joint damage.

Talk to him

I totally agree with buckeye and I'd tell your doc asap!!!!!- Also there are other meds for pain and believe it or not you do have a right not to be in pain!!!! If he gives you a hard time ask him if he would accept your pain level day after day or if he would expect relief. My biggest concern though would be why am I in pain - you may need your other meds tweaked or changed. Hugs and good vibes.

I am hoping beyond hope that your doc was joking about the selling of the pills. But please still try to ask about it. If your pain is not controlled then that means you have built up a tolerance to the meds or you are in more pain and they simply are not working anymore. You need a change!!

How long have you been on the Humira? Please keep in mind that these meds can take up to 3 months to work and sometimes longer. I can understand your frustration tho. Hopefully it will kick in and help you out sooner rather than later.