fibro and vicodin

[zahboy]

I have fibromyalgia and back pain. My pain is terrible, first thing of the morning and night are the worst times. I can't remember a day when I didn't hurt. I have been taking vicodin 5/500 4xday for 2 1/2 years. I know when I take one, the pain will be bearable and I can do the things I need to do. Lyrica gave me terrible side effects, plus a list of other meds that hurt more than they helped. Who needs to add another problem to the ones I already have? Anyway, my question is this, could the vicodin be causing my pain to be worse? Not when I take it, but many mornings, like this morning, I tried to make it without taking it and I hurt so bad after three hours, I gave in and took one. Thirty minutes later, I am still hurting but I can at least start trying to get my work done. I hate Fibro! And I am thankful for the vicodin, but I don't want to spend my life dependant on it. Thank you for any help you can offer to help me understand.

[broknbck]

I am sorry for your condition. I know it ***** to be in pain every day. My lower back has torn, blown discs and scoliosis. The asiatic nerve is the worst pain.That goes all way down your leg to my ankle. I stopped taking pain killers 7 months ago. And yes i do think most of the pain was from the pills. Because it did hurt less. Now it only hurts if i do stuff. So i am coping with it doing stretches all day at work. I've taken up yoga recently and i think this is going to be the ticket. It teaches you to be calm and is back injury friendly. It also strengthens your butt and core which supports your lower back. I just do it at home by myself .There are lots of dvds  or just written instructions,

Give it a try! I know where the pills lead and I'm not going back there. hah  even on a real bad day, i remember at least i am free now.
Wish you the best

[EmilyPost]

Oh I so feel for you! I don't have fibro but I have two disc herniations and nerve damage into my right leg from a car accident. I was never able to tolerate Vicodin (It made me feel very depressed and scary and dark) so I can't imagine being dependant on it. Undertsand that dependance is such a different issue than addiction. You're using a drug to help you with a real medical conition, to help you cope with the pain. Not recreationally to get high. The help I can offer is probably nothing you haven't heard beofre, lose any excess weight, eat a non inflammitory diet, stop using sugar and caffeinie if you can. All the healthy life style changes that no one wants to make.

I really feel for you and hope that you will seek optimal health to help your fibro. Being in excellent condition will really help.

Hugs,
Emily