What's everyone's take on perscription/narcotic painkillers? If you take them, which one works best? If you don't take them, what do you use instead?
Here's the situation: I recently started Remicade, but it's taking a bit of time to work. I have major issues with pain and fluid retention in my knee. I could have surgery, but we're taking a "Wait and see" approach in hopes the Remicade will kick-in and take care of the knee pain and general flares.
3 months ago before the Remicade, I went on a long overseas trip and my dr perscribed Vicoden for me so I didn't have to worry about the pain while travelling. What can I say? It made me feel great and pain-free. I feel funny about taking perscription pain pills so I natually didn't ask for more.
So in the next month I will be dong travelling again and I was thinking of asking the Dr for another perscription. I know there are other drugs besides Vicoden such as Tramadol, Percoset, etc.
I'm just trying to get a feel for what all you guys use, what works and any other advice.
Let it be said, I don't want to wind up addicted to the stuff, but I can't help think that I could be pain free during the "Wait and see" approach.
I take Vicodin and Tylox. In all honesty, I don't find that either of them do all that much and I'm certainly not pain free. They do take a little bit of the edge off and help me sleep but that's about it. I'm very careful with my pain meds as like you I don't want to get addicted to them or live my life depending on them. I take them when it's really bad and do without them for as long as possible. If the Vicodin works for you, I'd go ahead and ask for a refill. They will usually refill them once every 30-60 days depending on what your script was initially written for. There are A LOT of people with RA that take pain killers (some even on a daily basis) so asking your RD for refills in moderation isn't going to be shocking to them. I hope the Remicade kicks in soon...take care.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Hi again, Matthew. I have been on prescription narcotic pain meds for several years. Currently, I am taking Methadone as my regular pain med and Morphine for breakthrough pain.
But, remember, that the longer you are on these kind of meds, the more likely you are to build up a tolerance to them. When I have had surgery, they've had to use extra anesthetic to put me out and a double amount for the patient controlled IV for post-op.
As I've said before, my other health issues also cause chronic and severe pain. They didn't just start me on this kind of med right off the bat. I was on Vicodin for a long time, up to 8 per day. At that point, they were concerned that it wasn't controlling my pain and I was at the maximum for acetominophen per day (4000 mg). That was when we switched to the opiods.
If you are seeing the same doctor, let him/her know that you are going to be travelling, again, and that the Remicade hasn't kicked in yet. Maybe ask if it would be possible to get another RX of Vicodin, if that worked for you. That way, at least your trip would be reasonably comfortable. Just let the doctor know that you will only take it as the pain requires.
If you don't mind my asking, are you traveling for fun or business? We love to travel, but have had to slow down a bit because it's so hard for me to get around these days. Also, where are you going this time?
Good luck with the doctor. Let us know what they say.
Be well,
Nini
I take vicodin for my normal pain, like my shoulder often hurts quite a bit even though I'm not flaring (is that normal by the way, to have stuff hurt even outside a flare?). I've taken percocet but that sorta scares me.[QUOTE=Nini]
If you don't mind my asking, are you traveling for fun or business? We love to travel, but have had to slow down a bit because it's so hard for me to get around these days. Also, where are you going this time?
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Thanks everyone for the repsonses so far.
Nini, I am travelling to Seattle on business for a conference in a few weeks and then a cruise a few weeks after that.
Ohhhh, Have fun...I love cruises!I think if you can get some relief and your DR is aware then why not. It is realy NO fun being in pain Duh... All of you already know that:-)Hello Matthew, I started off with Tramadol, then Ultram/Ultracet (same drug, except 24 hour release) with an occassional Tram to boost. When flare hit too bad and osteo had both knees inflammed my primary switched me to Lortab 10/500, 1 every 4-6 hours. Since surgery 2 weeks ago I've been on cocktails of Demerol, Tylox, Morphine and nothing really works for me as well as the Lortab. Demerol made me weird, not euphoric and I still had pain. Morphine sent me to the edge with no pain and Tylox gave me horrible sweats and morning sickness with pain. Lortab takes the edge off and that's all I'm asking for. Once I recover from the knee replacement I'll wean myself off Lortab and probably go back on Tramadol due to the other knee pain and damage pain. Tramadol is a little easier on my system and I don't take any of the contraindicated drugs. I want to get away from the overload of Tylenol.
It's a real battle searching for the right pain meds. I'd definately request an RX if I were you. Why suffer when you're traveling. Lindy
Oh by the way, have a great time in Seattle and have some of Iver's clams for me. Cruise really sounds like fun.
I use vicodin at night. I cannot take any NSAIDS or tramadol, because of allergies, so I am very limited. I only take the vicodin during the day if I know I am at home and need the pain relief. Luckily I have a high pain tolerance, but I think we all do. So, I guess limiting yourself to what you can minimally get away with is probably a good approach. I struggle with the whole addiction thing. (my hubby's a drug addictions counsellor.) Lucky me. I do have a journal and I write all the meds down and that helps me at least.I have Lortab which I take occasionally. It makes me super hyper so IHi there: I understand your concern about the pain meds. I share your concerns when I'm using mine. I've taken Talacen, Percocet and Darvocet. The Talacen works best for me. It's an older drug - and it seems to be effective. My prescription if for two every 4 hours, but I can get away with on. Some days I try to just skip it so I do not develop a tolerance. That worries me too. Good luck and have a good trip. I would ask for a prescription - so you can function better on your trip. :) Take care.
Jen
I take Hydrocodone which is generic Vicodin. If your rheumy will give you a prescription for pain meds get them. I don't take them every day but it's reassuring knowing I have them if they are needed.Hey all - here's the update from my dr visit today.
She was ready to give me Vicoden ES, but I expressed my concerns and we discussed options, so she is having me try Ultram ER (Tramadol). She told me to call if I didn't feel it was helping. I'll keep you posted!
Hey Matt,
I hope it gives you the relief you need. It is realy cool that she said to call her if you need to.
I hope the Ultram helps you. Your doctor sounds like a very caring person. You are fortunate to have someone like that in charge of your pain.
I tried Ultram quite some time ago, when it was relatively new.I was up to 8 a day and they barely touched my pain. But several people here have had very good results with them. I hope they work well for you. But if not, don't hesitate to call her, to try something else or get back on Vicodin, since you know it helps. It sure makes life a bit easier when you have an understanding doctor who really cares about your pain.
Have a wonderful trip. We took our first cruise last year, from San Diego to Acapulco. Enjoyed it very much. Have a great time!
Nini
I became very addicted to pain pills, even ultram, which is not supposed to be addictive. I was in a car accident and injured my neck and back. I started on pain meds after surgery and found I had to continually increase the amount I was taking to control the pain. After taking them for quite a time, I realized I was addicted. I am now on suboxone (which is to keep me from using the pain meds, and also is something I realize I'm now addicted to. It's a drug that is similar to going to a methadone clinic, except I only have to see the doc once a month and get a month's supply. Addiction is a horrible thing and I never thought it would happen to me. I hope none of you ever have to go through it. Love and hugs, JuliahHave a great trip and hope the meds work for you if you have to take them. Did you doc tell you to take the vics during the day and the ultram at night?
There is a possibilty of getting addicted to ultram. It binds to the morphine receptors in the brain.
((((hugs))) Juliah. Something in your brain chemistry makes you really susceptible to addiction. I know what a struggle this is for you. I will keep you in my thoughts.
JuliahRA, thank you for your testimony. I will certainly try and be vigilant when using these drugs.
So far the Ultram seems to be pretty effective, I don't feel whacked out, but I finally slept well for a change without waking up in pain.
Traditional herbs like wild lingzhi and complimentary herbs stop pain and gradually detox from the body. No worry for me about side effects, no drugs, do doctor. Besides, I go for selective foods to weigh down the disease.
I started out with Darvocet N-100 which helped to take the edge off. Last month the RD changed it to Lortab 5. I think they help a little better. I know these are pretty mild pain drugs and I feel like both of them really only reduce the anxiety level caused by experiencing the pain. They really don't get rid of the pain.
Matthew that's great news!!! I hope you can continue to get pain relief and a good nights sleep.
I am taking tramodol, 2 tablets in the morning, and 2 at bedtime, sometimes I take 2 about 3 pm. If that isnt helping I will take vicodin. I maybe take 2 vicodin a week, at most, unless its just before an infusion.
In the past Ive taken celebrex, and indomethacin, both worked ok, for mild to moderate pain, then the pain got worse. When I was first diagnosed my NP told me the procedure back then was to "take aspirin to injury" in other words take as much aspirin as you needed to knock down the pain and contine til you started having gastric issues, up to bleeding.. At one point I was taking 6 at a time, 4 times a day.. thats when I went to indocin.
I'm down to about 2-3 vicodin a day, but had been up to at least 5 a day. I don't like having to be dependent upon them, but when in pain do what is necessary.
My SIL was on ultram after a serious surgery. She preferred it to all the other pain meds they tried on her. Wish you well with it.
Enjoy your cruise!
Ok, I guess I am allergic to the Ultram - I woke up Sunday with intense vomiting, sweats and I could not stay awake. During flareups, I use tramadol or Vicodin to deal with the pain until I can get it under control. A typical flareup will last a month or so, and I will take anywhere from 1 - 6 tramadol or vicodin per day, depending on pain and activity level. Sometimes I'm on my feet for 14 hours straight, between work and school activities, and even if I'm not having an active flareup I need a couple of pain pills to get through such a day without crying from the pain in my feet.
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