LymeNet Flash: Questions/Concerns About Pain Meds/Pain Control

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Questions/Concerns About Pain Meds/Pain Control

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Topic: Questions/Concerns About Pain Meds/Pain Control

merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041

posted

Hi everyone. I am sorry to be posting so much in the last few days, i don't mean to be a board hog!

It's just that I think I might be herxing a lot or taking a few steps back in my progress.

Well my worries/concerns are these-

Since I have been ill (going on 6 months)my pcp/ID doc has done his best to keep me pain free.

I currently take Vicodin as needed (up to 4 times a day). I usually only take it once a day at night, despite that I could really take it more as I have lots of pain.

I was trying to think about why I just don't take the meds when I need it.

I realized that I am scared. I called my PCP today for some refills, one of which is the vicodin. I get scared every time I ask for a refill.

I worry that one day my doc will just say no more pain meds because he will think that I take too much or that I don't need them anymore.

When he writes a RX for the meds they last me twice as long as they are ordered.

My next visit I was going to ask for a different or additional medication to help with pain.
I am just worried that he is going to start to worry.

The only thing that helps this situation is my chronic fevers and inflammatory markers.

Does anyone have any suggestions of meds that could be added on? Preferably non-narcotic.

I currently take Piroxicam daily (NSAID) and Vicodin as needed.
I can't take tramadol as it interacts with another med I am on.

I am also having trouble sleeping any suggestions for a medicine? I have been taking benadryl some nights it seems to work. I have a 2 year old so I need to wake up at the drop of a dime.

My pain is aching joints, muscles that are sore to the touch, shooting pains, throbbing glands, headaches and bone pain etc etc.

I can't afford massage or accupuncture. I might be able to go to a chiroprator but I think for 10 visits.

I am looking into joining the YMCA so I can float around the pool and hot tub, but for a family membership it is $90 a month!

I take epsom peroxide baths often.

I just want to be comfy! I will never be addicted as I have seen too many people become addicted.

I think it is sad that people in pain have to fear asking to be comfy.

What do you folks suggest? Thanks!

Melissa

[dizzy]

Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

believe3
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 6216

posted

Hi merrygirl !

I seem to have a lot of the same problems as

you. I have now started on cymbalta for my

nerve pain. Yes its a anti-depressant but I

take it for the nerve pain. I have been on it a

week and I can say my pain is much better. I

too hate taking pain meds as I don't want to be

addicted and I also drive a lot, work and have

two small children. I just can't be out of it.

So I do have Tramadol I take if I need it or I

also take skelaxin its a muscle relaxor. They

help. I also have major insomnia. I can not

sleep unless I take ambien and even then I wake

up when my son, who is now 3 1/2 cries. If I

could get away with benadryl i would love that

because I hate taking ambien. I do feel that

ambien is like a narcotic even though its not

classified as one. I hate taking it. But I

need to sleep. My dr advises agaist taking

NSAID's. I was taking advil like crazy. He

said it can in time make your pain worse. So

since I started the Cymbalta I have not had to

take advil. That is a huge thing for me. So

maybe you want to try that route. Im sure more

people will be here with more suggestions.

Good luck in your journey!!

--------------------
Love, Merrie
Believe in the power of your spirit..for it will carry you through the darkest hours of your life

Posts: 261 | From minnesota | Registered: Sep 2004 | IP: Logged |

kelmo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8797

posted

I'm PM'ing you

Posts: 2903 | From AZ | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged |

radfaraf
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 11909

posted

If the reason you feel you can't sleep is anxiety or an overactive mind the Klonopin is very helpful. It relaxes you so that you can hopefully sleep normally. Unless you take a high dosage it doesn't knock you out like sleeping meds so you should still be able to function while on it, so having to get up and do things after taking it should not be a problem.

Could it be the pain med is helping you stay awake? I find Tramadol and Codeine act like stimulants and I sleep better at night in pain than on these meds and without pain.

Posts: 526 | From NJ | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041

posted

Thanks for everyones advice I appreciate it. Maybe the cymbalta would work I hear it has helped a lot of people.

I take Zoloft, I wonder if it can be taken together?

I used to take xanax at night because my mind was so busy, but it doesn't work anymore. My body throbs and actually keeps me awake..

Klonopin or ativan might work too, but again I would have to ask for it and it makes me nervous.. Melissa

Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041

posted

I just wanted to post some info I found on Cymbalta-

http://pi.lilly.com/us/cymbalta-pi.pdf

Drug Interactions:

Other drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 metabolism include cimetidine and quinolone antimicrobials such as ciprofloxacin and enoxacin

Patients should be cautioned about the risk of serotonin syndrome with the concomitant use of Cymbalta and triptans, tramadol or other serotonergic agents

Interesting..

Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007 | IP: Logged |

lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098

posted

One thing I have learned about pain in the past six years is that you are better off keeping it under control than letting it go untreated for a while.

Once it gets bad it is more difficult to get it back under control.

I also use tramadol, but we each have to find what works for us. If the Vicodin is working, then use it and use it more regularly.

If your doctor becomes unwilling to write new rx's then look for a pain management doc.

I use a combo of meds for pain and for sleep. Together they make it work, but alone they are not enough.

I am lucky that my LLMD is well-versed in pain control and sleep management.

--------------------
Lymednva

Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Elavil or trazodone help a great deal with sleep and with pain. They are each in the old class of anti-depressants.

I've taken trazodone for about 5 yrs now.

I hear ya on the pain problem. I used to have plenty of it. As your treatment continues, the pain will subside.

I personally would be afraid of taking two SSRI's at the same time.

--------------------
--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

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