Aa
I found the Solution to all my pain
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, RA & Osteoarthritis in 2001. In 2003 they diagnosed me with DDD. I have C-5 thru T-1 discs which are ruptured with stenosis. I also have T-8 thru T-12 that are ruptured, luckily so far no stenosis there. I have bursitis, costochondritis, and severe migraines. I had been taking Norco 10mg 3 x daily and have done so for 8 years without ever abusing. I know of people that others have told me about that get plenty of pain meds and then sell them. I just want to get them in a small room with a baseball bat and beat them with it. Then the really have a need for the pills they're getting.
I was just informed by my RA today that because the problems I'm currently having are with my back and she doesn't treat backs and it's a neurological problem, she's not going to prescribe pain medication. This came after I called her office and simply asked if she could change me from Norco which tends to give me headaches, to Ibudone, which doesn't give me headaches. The only difference between the two meds are that Norco is 325mg of Tylenol and Ibudone is 200mg Ibuprofen.
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't DDD caused by arthrititis? I'm fed up with the stupid medical community. We have the top medical professionals in the world, except where it comes to Pain Management. Pain Management in the U.S. is worse than a 3rd World Country,
So I've come up with my own solution. I've never drank alcohol before, but it's legal and I don't need no DAMN doctor's permission to do so. Interesting one should note that alcohol is also addictive, but it's legal and you don't need a prescription. Cigarettes are addicting and again it's legal and you don't need a prescription. So to all you stupid azz so-called doctors who hide behind a thin veil of medical degree, tell someone us your BS cause I'm not buying into it. Tell me about the side effects of pain meds and then compare them to the side effects of Lyrica (which made me higher than a kite and I fell at least four times while on that stuff) and Neurontin, which made me sleep all day and night. I was also blessed with gaining an extra 60 lbs from those meds.
If the alcohol doesn't work, well then I guess I'll just donate my organs to as many people who have a chance at living a normal life, cause mine is far from normal and hope just went out the window!!!!!!
This discussion is related to What rights do I have as a patient to determine which types of pain medication I is best for me.
I was just informed by my RA today that because the problems I'm currently having are with my back and she doesn't treat backs and it's a neurological problem, she's not going to prescribe pain medication. This came after I called her office and simply asked if she could change me from Norco which tends to give me headaches, to Ibudone, which doesn't give me headaches. The only difference between the two meds are that Norco is 325mg of Tylenol and Ibudone is 200mg Ibuprofen.
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't DDD caused by arthrititis? I'm fed up with the stupid medical community. We have the top medical professionals in the world, except where it comes to Pain Management. Pain Management in the U.S. is worse than a 3rd World Country,
So I've come up with my own solution. I've never drank alcohol before, but it's legal and I don't need no DAMN doctor's permission to do so. Interesting one should note that alcohol is also addictive, but it's legal and you don't need a prescription. Cigarettes are addicting and again it's legal and you don't need a prescription. So to all you stupid azz so-called doctors who hide behind a thin veil of medical degree, tell someone us your BS cause I'm not buying into it. Tell me about the side effects of pain meds and then compare them to the side effects of Lyrica (which made me higher than a kite and I fell at least four times while on that stuff) and Neurontin, which made me sleep all day and night. I was also blessed with gaining an extra 60 lbs from those meds.
If the alcohol doesn't work, well then I guess I'll just donate my organs to as many people who have a chance at living a normal life, cause mine is far from normal and hope just went out the window!!!!!!
This discussion is related to What rights do I have as a patient to determine which types of pain medication I is best for me.
To all of you searching for fibro help: I have received lots of relief from Savella, 50mg 3times a day. As do most of us, I have other issues and take many meds. I am dealing with a "failed back surgery" and with many kinds of arthritis throughout my body and in my spine. As most of you may know, fibro people also often have thyroid trouble, and I have learned that Armour thyroid (natural and complete, not synthetic and partial) is better for people with fibro. My total meds are: Norco (absolutely helps intense pain), fiorinal (contains caffeine) Lyrical, Savella, Armour,Soma for severe muscle spasms, topamax for muscle pain, Imitrex, Butrans pain patch, paxil. lorazapam, and quitting prednisone and estrogen at age 65! The headline says I've found the solution to all my pain. Not quite--I'm still quite stiff in the morning and it takes 4 hours for the medicine to work enough for me to act mostly like a normal person!
So sorry for your frustrations and pain. I have Fibro and after several years on Norco and Flexiril, and frankly, many other narcotics, I developed a topical treatment that works wonders for me. I'm completely off meds, working full time, going to school, and while my pain still exsists, it has become manageable. Anyhow...I know in VA you can't buy this stuff...but if you ever move to Cali...hit me up...I'd love to see if this oil works for you! www.therapyrubs.webs.com
Take care...and try not to let alcohol be your escape from the pain too often...get some of that natural vitamin D and most importantly....breathe!
Take care...and try not to let alcohol be your escape from the pain too often...get some of that natural vitamin D and most importantly....breathe!
I'm, also sorry for your frustration. I can understand your pain. I ill just give you my brief history as how I solved medications with Tylenol. ( SEE MY previous
post ) I was taking Vicodin for almost 3 years. 1 1/2 yrs into taking it I began to get sick in my stomach, I complained and complained for 1 1/2 yrs till they finally saw my kidney tests were way out. My Creat 2.71. They changed my meds and my pains and cramps in my stomach went away.
I understand your frustration with the Doctors and there LACK of prescribing a dosage ( What ever the med work for you) that fit to take for your condition... I have fought for what I'm taking now. I can re-write kevieb post, as I know his merry go round perfectly. The Government has clamp down on the doctors and the druggies have made even worse for us that suffer...
ANYWAY Drinking alcohol is not the answer, yep you ill have about 3 days of almost pain free and at the same time you will trade all your night mares for one GREAT BIG ONE., then two , then 3 and so forth. And I think you really know that!!!!! I suggest that you change Doctors and try and to seek other advise...
Wishing you the best of luck,,,
BK
PS I couldn't take Lyrica either, as it swelled my feet and my left hand, plus the pain from one side across my back to other side.....
Yeah, I'm pretty sure you're not going to enter into the serious levels with those dosages, as those are near the minimum dosages for Neurontin. I had the PCP tell me that it's at the levels up in the thousands that can cause the problems, but 100 and 200 mg isn't really that much for Neurontin.
I don't really know the long-term effects from Neurontin, but at least you are really only using the minimal doses. If you're using the Neurontin to relieve the nerve type pain, such as parasthesia and/or peripheral neuropathy that seem to come with the territory, I did have someone tell me about some antioxidants that I've been taking that seem to do a really good job. I have even checked with the neurologist and he seems fine with me taking these. Most doctors are unfamiliar with these antioxidants, but neurologists are more familiar because they themselves often recommend certain things depending on what the neurological issues are. These are not something to mess around with while taking Neurontin at the same time, though. These are ones you can only take if your doctor knows what they are and is fine with your using them.
Not to worry, I'm not talking about your usual antioxidants that everyone takes. I'm talking about ones that mainly natural doctors understand more than conventional doctors do. You can still take your ordinary antioxidants with Neurontin.
I don't really know the long-term effects from Neurontin, but at least you are really only using the minimal doses. If you're using the Neurontin to relieve the nerve type pain, such as parasthesia and/or peripheral neuropathy that seem to come with the territory, I did have someone tell me about some antioxidants that I've been taking that seem to do a really good job. I have even checked with the neurologist and he seems fine with me taking these. Most doctors are unfamiliar with these antioxidants, but neurologists are more familiar because they themselves often recommend certain things depending on what the neurological issues are. These are not something to mess around with while taking Neurontin at the same time, though. These are ones you can only take if your doctor knows what they are and is fine with your using them.
Not to worry, I'm not talking about your usual antioxidants that everyone takes. I'm talking about ones that mainly natural doctors understand more than conventional doctors do. You can still take your ordinary antioxidants with Neurontin.
Thank you so much for the information. I do NOT know the long-term effects of this medicine, and that does concern me, but I am still so thrilled with my pain relief! I have heard of people being on really doses, but I'm only taking 100 mg a day. He just upped it to 200 mg a day, but if this is sufficient for my pain. Thank God I'm not having to take megadoses!
I'm glad Neurontin is working for you. I've been told to be careful with Neurontin. At the higher doses it can cause problems for people and if you ever have to have surgery, you need to taper down or you will have serious withdrawals. A friend of mine told me this is what happened to a friend of hers when he was in the hospital and none of the doctors in the hospital would even give him his Neurontin. So, he had withdrawals from the Neurontin right there at the hospital, and she said it was really bad. I wouldn't say to not take it, for sure, because I know it works well for the nerve pain. Its generic is Gabapentin. I'm only telling you this so you'll be aware of what might come up. I could never tell anyone with Fibromyalgia not to take their medications if they work, but you do need to be aware of this one thing. That would be like me telling the ones who use narcotic pain medications for their Fibromyalgia to not take it. I personally can't take the narcotic pain medications because I'm just too sensitive and get sick from the stuff. So, I struggle through the pain. But, I'm not ever going to tell someone else with Fibromyalgia to not use the stuff, because I know how painful Fibromyalgia is to deal with.
Oh, I meant to say that the lortab was NOT the perfect solution, but it did really help at one time :) Sorry!
That's a load of crap that pain meds do not help fibromyalgia. Maybe different people respond differently to different meds, but I know I was in PAIN PAIN PAIN for months and months before my doctor & I figured out what was wrong with me, and when he prescribed lortab, it gave me my life back!! I couldn't work, trying to take care of an 11 yr old son & keep house. OTC meds DIDN"T work, mobic DIDN'T work either. Now, a different doctor put me on neurontin, which THANK GOD has done a FAR better job of treating my symptoms (including the sleep, fatigue, brain fog, and pain) than the lortab did. It's like the lortab treated the symptoms, but the neurontin is getting at the root of the problem. Apparently, some ppl can't take neurontin, so I feel very very blessed, cause I'm only 41 and really need to work full time, and I feel like I've got my life back. I have a whole new insight into what chronic pain patients go through. I just wanted to post to point out that perhaps people really do respond differently to different meds, and I also think it's not too far fetched that doctors would really LIKE for you to believe narcotics won't work for fibro, just cause of the stigma. But, I'm living proof it's not true. It was the perfect solution, as I found out, but it DID help me tremendously at one time. :) Hope my post helps someone to further investigate & make the right health decisions for themselves :)
i don't know exactly what people are after when they take narcotics to get high---i feel crappy if i get to much of a narcotic in my system. i find that the amount of medication seems to match the amount of pain i have. if my pain is not as bad, the meds will make me a little weird feeling. if i am having more pain, i require more pain meds and don't feel any side effects. the trick, though, is i'm not always able to judge exactly where the level of pain is at---and sometimes it is on it's way to getting worse when i take the meds---so i have to take more within a short period of time.
what i am finding frustrating, is the natural tolerance that we build up to narcotics--which is not the same thing as being addicted. i am allowed 4 norco and 4 soma a day---plus i take either mobic or alot of aspirin for the joint pain. i've reached a point where i'm hitting a couple of days short of meds before i can refill them because my pain has been worse. i think it is because we have had a really weird spring and summer with alot of barometric changes---which drive my body crazy and usually make the pain in my knees almost unbearable---plus, if i wake up at night i usually need to take at least half of each of my pills---which isn't accounted for in the amount i am allowed. i'm not sure what i need to do at this point. fortunately, my husband takes the same meds, so i can usually take a few of his to get by until i can refill mine. i am never NOT in pain somewhere on my body. i get so frustrated when i talk to other people with fibro who can take OTC meds and get relief or they only need narcotics when it gets really bad-----i sometimes wonder if i have the same thing as they do. if i take my meds before bed and sleep through the night---i'm going to wake up in pain---the meds just don't last that long. if i sit in one position too long--i'm going to hurt. if i am on my feet too long i am going to hurt. if the weather changes i am going to have real trouble keeping my pain under control. i tried to go off my meds once--cold turkey--because a neurologist told me he thought i had restless legs and was addicted to pain meds---even though he didn't know how many pain meds i was taking. it was a horrible night!!! even though i took pain meds at 11pm---the pain was already so out of control that it took me hours to get it back under control and i had to take more medication than i normally would have needed to get it back under control. i never went to that dr. again. i feel like i am at a point where a change needs to be made with my meds--but i'm not sure what needs to be done.
what i am finding frustrating, is the natural tolerance that we build up to narcotics--which is not the same thing as being addicted. i am allowed 4 norco and 4 soma a day---plus i take either mobic or alot of aspirin for the joint pain. i've reached a point where i'm hitting a couple of days short of meds before i can refill them because my pain has been worse. i think it is because we have had a really weird spring and summer with alot of barometric changes---which drive my body crazy and usually make the pain in my knees almost unbearable---plus, if i wake up at night i usually need to take at least half of each of my pills---which isn't accounted for in the amount i am allowed. i'm not sure what i need to do at this point. fortunately, my husband takes the same meds, so i can usually take a few of his to get by until i can refill mine. i am never NOT in pain somewhere on my body. i get so frustrated when i talk to other people with fibro who can take OTC meds and get relief or they only need narcotics when it gets really bad-----i sometimes wonder if i have the same thing as they do. if i take my meds before bed and sleep through the night---i'm going to wake up in pain---the meds just don't last that long. if i sit in one position too long--i'm going to hurt. if i am on my feet too long i am going to hurt. if the weather changes i am going to have real trouble keeping my pain under control. i tried to go off my meds once--cold turkey--because a neurologist told me he thought i had restless legs and was addicted to pain meds---even though he didn't know how many pain meds i was taking. it was a horrible night!!! even though i took pain meds at 11pm---the pain was already so out of control that it took me hours to get it back under control and i had to take more medication than i normally would have needed to get it back under control. i never went to that dr. again. i feel like i am at a point where a change needs to be made with my meds--but i'm not sure what needs to be done.
I think DDD is Degenerative Disc Disease. My mom has this and was in quite a bit of pain. She had surgery and it really helped her.
What dose of Lyrica were you on? I am finding that some doctors are prescribing too high a dose to start. My doctor started me on just 75 mg a day and my pharmacist recommended I take it about an hour before bed. For the first week I did have that high feeling but then it went away. After 2 weeks I went up to 150 mg and then after another month up to 225 mg. I no longer have side effects and it has changed my life.
Something else I am just starting is D-Ribose. It is a natural product and lots of people with fibromyalgia are finding it increases their energy and ability to deal with the disease.
Something else I am just starting is D-Ribose. It is a natural product and lots of people with fibromyalgia are finding it increases their energy and ability to deal with the disease.
I'm sorry that I do not know what DDD is.
However I know that Fibromyalgia does not respond to pain medication and is one of the features of Fibromyalgia. I have discovered that sleep is the best pain medication and have known this for a long time realising I always felt better when I had 9-10 hours sleep a night. I finally saw a specialist recently and he told me I must get 9ish hours of sleep at night and not to nap. He said my pain and the way I feel and my ability to do things we be directly related to the sleep I had the previous night. It seems so simple. I am going to keep a journal to see if there is an actual relationship. The only problem is, I live with other people, aka family who will not let me sleep the time I need, so this could be a problem.
However I know that Fibromyalgia does not respond to pain medication and is one of the features of Fibromyalgia. I have discovered that sleep is the best pain medication and have known this for a long time realising I always felt better when I had 9-10 hours sleep a night. I finally saw a specialist recently and he told me I must get 9ish hours of sleep at night and not to nap. He said my pain and the way I feel and my ability to do things we be directly related to the sleep I had the previous night. It seems so simple. I am going to keep a journal to see if there is an actual relationship. The only problem is, I live with other people, aka family who will not let me sleep the time I need, so this could be a problem.
I'm sorry for your frustration. it sounds like you've really been through a lot. My pain is on the milder side, so I won't even pretend to try to relate to yours. But, I do know how frustrating chronic symptoms can be especially when it seems as though noone can or will do anything to help you. I hope that you were just venting here today and that you really are not turning to alcohol to solve your problems. It is possible to consult with your family Dr or ask for a referral to another rheumatologist? Or, have you seen a back specialist who could make suggestions for pain meds /relief for you disc problems? I hope you find the answers you are looking for and that you soon find safe, effective relief of your pain.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Fibromyalgia Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
