Pain Meds

[HelloKelle]

Hi:

I would like to know how many of you are pain meds. This does not include Ultram or Tylenol 3. I'm talking about Vicodin (lortab,etc) or Percocet.

I want to figure out if I am over reacting to my pain....I think I need them.

Thanks,
Kelle

[Bobby1952]

   It depends on what kind of pain you are having. I was taking Vicodin about 3 months after starting tx because my sore throat from hell started to became Pluerisy (inflamation (inflammation) of the lining around the lungs). The pain was agonizing at times. When I didn't have the Vicodin I was taking 2 advil every 3 hours to keep the pain at a lower threshold.  
  Luckily the Pluerisy went away suddenly, so I stopped taking the Vicodin. Only to have it come back after finishing tx. Then I ended up in the hospital. I would only start taking Vicodin if you absolutely have to. Only you can decide. If the pain is really a 8 or higher on a scale of 1 to 10 then I would take it.

Bobby

[Wilful1]

I have not started treatment yet, but have suffered for years with migraines and have tried everything.  And then I read that headaches can be a side effect of tx.  Great.  My attitude going into tx is that if I am suffering too much, I will ask the doctor for whatever will help.  If at the end of treatment, I have become an addict then I will again go for treatment and 12 step programs.  In my family there is a history of drug and alcohol abuse, so I have had to be very watchful of myself.  I have used Vicodin and other narcotics with my migraines, and have gone to the hospital for something stronger, but that has only happened about five times in fifteen years.  As others have said:  assess your pain level, consider your family history, and consider that people do get addicted to pain meds.  I am 56 with 9 nine grandchildren and so much to live for and I'm going to do whatever it takes, including asking for help when I need it.
Wilful1

[redrodeo]

I finished tx in May and I had to take strong pain pills all the way thru. The drug I took was called OPANA its a strong narcotic. Iknow taking it helped alot to get thru tx but now I am dealing with getting off of them because I have become physically addicted to them. So its a trade off. So far my blood tests have remained clean I had geno 3a.
     Red

[Morgaina]

My pain was so high, my skin even hurt, blankets hurt in the AM and my muscles and joints were so bad, it was extremely painful to get out of bed. I went from T3's to oxycodin within the first3months, was put in the hospital at 20 wks. and given morphine. OH MY GOD to be without pain for the first time in what seemed like forever was incredible. They kept me there for a couple weeks, the second wk. I was back on T3's instead of morphine. They pulled me off  treatment at 22 wks.(Iwas having sinus and rectal bleeding problems which were getting better but they couldn't bring up my hemo, even with drugs). I cleared and all those deadly pain meds were as easy to stop as tx drugs. Mind you I had to stay on Psych drugs for quite a while so maybe that helped me not notice, but they were dropped and walked away from just as soon as and easily  as well. It seems you get so you just want yourself back, more than anything!! Do what will get you through treatment!! I was G3 and I did clear. Going for my 2 yr. blood test this week.

[HelloKelle]

Thanks Everybody!

My doctor seems to not want me to have pain meds. He said he'd pull me off treatment before he'll give them to me.  I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. I would be willing to bargain with him...we could taper me off during the end of tx and if I absolutely become addicted, I'll to to treatment or something. But for God sakes...HELP me through this.  Errgghhh!!! lol.

[marsfreek]

lol. okay, if you are in enough pain to ask for pain meds you need to be asking your
general practiconer for them. yes this stuff hurts me,I am A recovering alky/ heroine
addict. most people get "adiction (addiction)" and dependance confused. just because you have A
physical dependance it doesn't mean you are addicted.
you have the right to pain management by law.go to your family doc and start from there.
I can't function without my norco due to arthralgia in my joints. You have to stand up for yourself and take charge of your medical team.they work for you and they get a very nice pay check for it.

[medicmommy]

Hiya! Remember, EVERYTHING that goes into your body, gets processed through your liver...So, the less processed by man, the easier it is for your liver to break down...Now, this doesn't always mean simpler is better...alcohol, for example, is very damaging to it...Any of the Ibuprofen family is too...Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is okay, but in lesser doses...(no more than 2 grams/day) as it's hard on the kidneys as well...Many heppers take vicodin or oxycontin (morphine, slow-release) sparingly, and some even resort to "alternative pharmaceuticals" for pain and nausea relief...I'm lucky...I haven't been plagued with rheumatoid arthritis, or anything other than the initial weeks of aches, shakes, and quakes following the shots...hang in there...For most people, the initial weeks of aches pass as your body adjusts to the chemo...Ask Meki about pain control..the poor thing could write her own book....~Melinda