posted
I have had more and more pain over the past 5 years and I have never used any pain medication, but the pain really does make it hard to relax, especially on the weekends when I want to.
Has anyone tried any pain medication? What would you use for this? As far as I know, most pain medication are opioids, but I'd rather not use those since they can cause physical addiction and other health problems. I'm most inclined towards cannabinoids since they seem to be the safest medication and they use one of the nutural receptors on your body. I'm sure there are plenty of other drugs out there, but I'd like to go with something I know about that uses a natural pathway for the body to work.
I'm assuming that the LLMD is not the person to get the pain medication from and I'd have to go to a pain specialist. I want the LLMD to focus on the treatment and the pain specialist on any palliative care.
Any thoughts, anything worked for you?
Posts: 136 | From arlington, VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
I have a dull strong constant ache in the chest, upper back, neck and jaw. I get stabbing pains or electric shocks also and I have had dizziness and vertigo attacks with bad nausea, but I don't get it all the time.
Posts: 136 | From arlington, VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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sparkle7
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posted
Pain meds (opiods) aren't as addictive as most people think. When you take a pain med to get rid of pain it makes you feel "normal". People who take large amounts of opiods to use them to get "high" is a different thing. There's a difference.
This has been debated here before. The studies show that people with pain usually don't get addicted in a really high percentage of patients - like above 95%. That is 95%+ do not develop a dependence or addiction.
If you take them for a long time you can develop a tolerance where you have to take larger doses but it's still not addiction.
I have actually lowered my pain level with herbs so I barely take them anymore. They can be really useful when needed. Chronic pain is insidious & can really wear you down.
I don't have much experience with medical marijuana. It didn't seem to help me so it wasn't something I pursued outside of Amsterdam - LOL
There are pain clinics that specialize in pain management. You may want to look for one near where you are. Most MDs don't know anything about pain management. If you ask them for something - they often think you are an addict trying to get stoned which is really bad & ignorant.
Vicodin makes me sleepy - so, I take 1/2 of 1 at night if I have pain before bed. I take 1/2 of a 5mg. oxycodone if I have pain in the day & it really takes the edge off. It's a really small dose so I never built up a tolerance after taking it for, probably, more than 10 years.
I started taking artemesia & it's lowered my pain level - so, I'm not taking them at all now. No big thing - no withdrawal - no nothing. I just stopped them since I didn't need them.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I wouldn't be buying cannabis anymore than I would be buying opium, because we don't buy it in its raw plant form in my state when obtained legally. However there are cannabinoid prescription medications just like there are opioid prescription medications. I'd also rather not take any NSAI's, which vicodin has in it. I do wonder if there are any herbs which reduce inflamation though. They would probably have to be concentrates and of high strength to work, and none have been commercialized because of the FDA.
Posts: 136 | From arlington, VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
I was just prescribed vicodin today by my LLMD. I am in my 9th month of treatment, but the pain has become unbearable - muscle and nerve, all over.
I would rather go through childbirth again than experience this pain.
I have always had pain, but I managed it with heating pads, massage, ice packs and of course lots of complaining, anger, and self-pity
I also take neurontin but won't be at same time of day. I am to take Vic during day, and neurontin at night.
Hopefully, it helps me get to a better place so I can do my job and be a better mom.
Good luck to you.
Posts: 104 | From No. VA | Registered: Aug 2009
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sutherngrl
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posted
When my pain was at its worst I took Lyrica.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sparkle7
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posted
You can take NAC to counteract the effect of nsaids on your liver. There are alot of herbs that protect the liver, too. The cannabis pills (marinol) are quite expensive. Opiods are much cheaper for some reason...?
Lyrica didn't help me for some reason. The opiods were the only thing that actually helped me.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: NSAID's do not contain vicodin.
Right, but vicodin contains NSAI's and opioids. NSAI's are not good, plus I am worried about opioids causing tinnitus because of their ototoxicity. Maybe some opiods are not ototoxic, if they could make one that isn't that would be great.
Posts: 136 | From arlington, VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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quote:Originally posted by applewine: I do wonder if there are any herbs which reduce inflamation though.
tumeric bromelain mangosteen Wobenzym Rutozym
etc [/QB]
Where can I buy a tincture of these herbs that is as effective in strength as the NSAI's? Is there a tincture combining the most effective ones or do they use the same active mechanisms or molecules? Are the components in them non-harmful?
Posts: 136 | From arlington, VA | Registered: Jun 2010
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Keebler
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Topic: NATURAL SLEEP - Links to articles & supplements -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Dawn in VA
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posted
I have a friend with severe lupus who recently got a pain pain (sorry, not sure what's in it- it may phenegryl (sp?)- definitely not something lite like lidocaine patches. She was on about 4 different pain meds and frequent shots and is now off all but one and an occasional shot.
-------------------- (The ole disclaimer: I'm not a doctor.) Posts: 1349 | From VA | Registered: Jul 2006
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littlebit27
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posted
I'm on vicodin now-need a new doctor though. And my PCP gives me tramadol-which is worthless against this pain.
Even with the vicodin I'm still in pain-I can't imagine what my pain level would be like without it.
Many times I think it's easier to get vicodin for a drug addict than it is a normal everyday person who is following directions.
I never take more than prescribed and I feel no side effects from it. I don't take extra to feel euphoric or dizzy or whatever it is that make people take extra. I have enough dizziness as it is.
I've tried different meds-including over the counter stuff and it just doesn't touch the pain.
Like a previous poster said I would rather been in childbirth somedays. The pain is intense and everywhere, literally everywhere.
As long as I can keep getting a scrip for it I will keep taking it-until my pain is managable. I'm tired of being in pain every second of every day-I would just LOVE a break!
posted
I to have tried the lidocaine patches. Have a big box. They are completely worthless. I take 10mg of percocet.
He gave me lyrica to try yesterday has anyone tried that before.
-------------------- Christina Posts: 102 | From Lacey Washington | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
I have been fortunate to get good relief most days from Curamin by Terry Naturally. It's Boswellia serrata extract and Curcuma longa extract. Cost $35 retail for 60 caps. I take one cap 2x or 3x/day on empty stomach. Am SOLD and will keep taking it unless LLMD tells me i should discontinue for some reason.
I need to order more, will try pricing it out on the internet.
It helps with inflamation, myofascial, arthritic pain.
I was already pleased with this Curamin, then i saw it here, too:
So, I felt good to see it recommended by a current professional.
I also take one 300 mg bromelain cap 2x or 3x/day on empty stomach with Curamin, but i cannot say if i've actually experienced relief from this. Bromelain is widely recommended. Will ask my LLMD about this, too.
I sometimes take low-dose cyclobenzaprine (5 mg or 2.5 mg) for "Lyme shrug" / neck pain / serious trigger point neck injury. It helps me, and i don't feel at all druggie or drowsy from it. My ducky rheumatologist said there's a time-release Flexeril and i will ask my LLMD about that.
sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
I don't know what causes my pain. I tried a bunch of herbs/supplements for inflammation but they didn't help. Some people say to take fish oil, cherry juice, rutin... I tried tumeric, ginger, etc. All kinds of physical therapy, massage (which made it worse), accupuncture...
What has actually helped me the most in the past few months is artemesia & lactoferrin. It really cut my pain level quite a bit. I'm taking a bunch of other stuff but I really felt a difference after taking the artemesia & lactoferrin.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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merrygirl
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posted
Vicodin is oxycodone and tylenol. You can get plain oxycodone.
I take 4-5 meds to manage my pain. I see a pain doctor at a pain clinic. Why leave your pain to have some doctor that doesnt understand pain treat it? have someone that specializes in pain.
just like someone who specializes in Lyme.
It sounds like you have nerve pain. A few meds that will help that are, cymbalta, neurontin lyrica.
A NSAID I just tried called meloxicam is a great pain reliever. Not particularly good for the liver, but that in combo with the other meds I take make a huge difference.
best of luck
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I don't want to take Vicodin, - I mean I never even took the pain meds when I went through childbirth - but chronic, severe pain is another animal for sure.
I have tried a lot of what has been mentioned in this thread, and could not get relief, including neurontin alone.
I am going to try acupuncture this week though and want to look for pain specialist and/or homeopathic doc for long-term help.
Yesterday was my first day taking vicodin and it was unbelievable the relief.
I had a conversation with my boss yesterday on ph (I work from home) and he said "I've never heard you sound so happy before" and I did not feel loopy or high.
I was actually exhausted, but I said this was first day I have not had pain in 2 years.
Amazing.
I mean, I actually teared up bc I had forgotten what it was like to not be in pain.
I hope I do not need it for long time, but right now I need to focus on keeping my job and being a better mom while I attack the three B's.
I hope you are able to get relief in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
Good luck.
Posts: 104 | From No. VA | Registered: Aug 2009
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sparkle7
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posted
Yes, mmcmann - I don't know what the hysteria is about with pain meds. I think it's a remnant from "the war on drugs". Pain meds can be really useful. I don't know why most people think that they are only for addicts. Many people & doctors think in that ignorant way.
I would avoid them if possible but sometimes it's not. Why go on suffering when you don't have to? Chronic pain can really wear a person down & cause other side effects - like anxiety, withdrawal from society, depression, etc.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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i had so many issues about taking "drugs" all the usual sillyness, i am weak..a whimp lalala
i went years in horrible pain without meds and then luckly got a doc who really saw my suffering and said, much of what sparkle said, she educated me on pain management.
i ve been on pain meds for 7 years now.
i would have killed myself long ago if i didn't have medication. i take norco's 10/325 it is vicodin with a lower dose of acteophemin.( spelled wrong sorry)its easier on the liver. i take 4-5 norcos a day and oxycotin 1 -2 times a day.
when people find out i am on pain meds the first thought "aren't you worried about becomming addicted"?
i would like to reply honestly, no i am worried about feeding myself or getting to the toliet. but they wouldn't understand.
do the research see what makes sense to you and don't let the hysteria get to you. improve the quality of your life while you treat this disease.
my medication meant i was able to go to work 3 years longer then i would have been able to with out it. i was also able to take care of my sick father. so i bless those drugs for that.
while it doesn't fix it like treating the cause can do that but some relief is a godsend. so is feeling as if i have some control in making me feel a little better.
i wish you much luck with it.
Posts: 161 | From sonoma county | Registered: May 2009
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quote:Originally posted by minerva: when people find out i am on pain meds the first thought "aren't you worried about becoming addicted"?
i would like to reply honestly, no i am worried about feeding myself or getting to the toliet. but they wouldn't understand.
do the research see what makes sense to you and don't let the hysteria get to you. improve the quality of your life while you treat this disease.
Spoken like a truly Lyme-aware person. Bravo!
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sparkle7
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It's not necessary to suffer needlessly. Most of us used to be strong, hardworking people. If at all possible, we would do what we could to be well & live our lives. When we don't have the correct meds, herbs, supplements to get well - sometimes we just have to do what we can to go on & be able to function. There's nothing wrong with that.
I don't like taking unnecessary drugs but pain meds can be a lifesaver. Until I find the right combination of things that will make me well, I'll take the opiates if I'm in pain. I've been taking them for over 10 years & I've found no adverse side effects.
Sometimes, if I take a little too much it makes me feel spacey but it wears off & I just don't take as much the next time. I take the smallest possible dose to feel better & take the edge off. They say not to cut the pills but I have a pill cutter & I do.
I think the reason they have a warning on the label of oxycodone about cutting the pills is that people grind it up & take it that way to get high. It's time released so if you grind it up, you get the full dose all at once.
I find that 2.5 mg helps me alot & I don't need a whole pill - so, I cut it up. If that's not enough, I take another 1/2 pill. In most cases, 1/2 pill is fine for me & does the trick. Then, I can go out & do errands, go shopping, take care of things & not lay around in bed all day.
At first when I became ill, I though it would pass & I could fight it. I didn't see myself as someone who needed pain meds to function. After a while the chronic pain will wear you down & there no reason to let it do that.
If your doctor is afraid or has some issue about pain management, go to a pain management clinic. Most doctors are not trained in pain management, so they do not want to get into it. It's more about their own ignorance, then about addiction or any bad problems with pain meds.
Some people may be sensitive to pain meds or have some psyche issues but for the most part, I feel the benefit outweighs the adversities.
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