Narcotics and Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

By learnFMnow Tuesday, September 29, 2009

- A
- A
- A

However, everyone is different.

I am just glad that the research and surveys are finally coming to some truths. If not for my narcotic pain reliever, I would be rendered non-functional and would live a very low quality of life. So, therefore, the benefit of the narcotic medication outweighs the risks in my case. I am a strong advocate for pain relief by whatever means it takes to achieve it.

Traditionally, the word "narcotic" is a dirty word. Most people conjure up all kinds of labels for those of us who need this type of medication. However, I know in my heart that if those very people suffered this kind of misery, I promise they would look to a narcotic medication instead of laying down and giving up on life.

learnFMnow

A Plea to Family and Friends

1 | 2

Comments (11) | Add comment

Karen Lee Richards, Health Guide

9/30/09 1:16am

You made many excellent points and I appreciate you sharing them with us. I did want to let you know that the reason fibromyalgia patients are told opioids don't work for FM is largely based on a study that showed that the opioid receptors of FM patients had reduced availability so that opioids wouldn't bind to them as well as they should. However, this was a very small study. Generally much larger studies are required before something is accepted as fact. I suspect a lot of doctors have jumped on this study as an excuse not to prescribe opioids for FM patients because they don't like to prescribe opioids anyway due to their strict regulation. Here's more info on the study: Why Painkillers Don't Work on Fibromyalgia

I know of quite a few FM patients who, like you, have gotten pretty good pain relief from opioid medications, so I definitely don't think they should be ruled out as an option for severe cases.

Thanks again for sharing!

skeetelmore65

9/30/09 9:00am

I have to say that I am one of those patients that suffer from Fibro.and it is in excruciating pain.It takes over your whole body and just riddles it with pain.You don't have any options for relief except for strong medicine because over the counter medicine just won't cut it. I hate to have to take what's been prescribed for but I have to.I might add that I do have other issues like a T3-T4 compressed fracture that was left or a result of failed fusion(still after 3 yrs.of misery trying and now to find a resolution).I have also been dx with DDD,Spinal Stenosis,Myofascial pain,Cervicalgia,and have had ACD & F spinal fusion of C5-C6.We definately deserve to have as much help as possible for the pain we endure everyday.Since,I have worked my entire life and that includes high school co-op program. I love to work and now just picking something up off the floor can shut my functioning with the outer world down for days.I do try with all my might to do things that I have no business doing,but it is hard for me to just lye there dormant and my brain thinking of the things that I want to do.I have been bedridden for almost 2yrs.now and life around me moves on but to a different drum. If it hadn't been for my pain meds(opioids and Lyrica),I couldn't have done some of the things that I wanted to do like seeing my son graduate from school and going to that ballgame even if I would have to leave in pain.It made it tollerabe/possible for me to go to my Dr. appointments instead of the ER. I am greatful for the relief I receive and never do I abuse them. Just like the previous post that stated only the celebs or those able to afford the cost of them that abuse them..not the ones who are ligitamently suffering.Aren't you,by the way,the same trying to legalize marijuana(medical).I believe it would be a good thing and bad thing.Good because of the extra relief,but bad because not all states are approved for this.Also,I wouln't want to smoke it for the lung side effect(but would),but the pill I would take for relief.I thank you, besides I am sure millions of others that are suffering are as well.

learnFMnow

9/30/09 10:14am

It seems I have heard another theory. (I don't know how true it is and really cannot remember where I heard it... I will have to google it). But that one stated we actually have MORE opiate receptors in the brain than the normal person. This is one reason that narcotics are not working well for some because it likely takes us a higher dose than the average person.

Thanks for your comment. I love this site. It is wonderful. I appreciate being able to be a part of it.

hugs,

Debra

Miss Kat!

10/ 2/09 5:06am

I, Totally agree with what you are saying. I am currently dealing with the everyday Chronic Pain of Digenerative Joint Disease. The one thing that I am having a hard time with is that when I see the many doctors that I have to see for my Disease, none of them will perscribe me a pain killer "NARCOTIC". They want to perscribe me "TRAMADOL 50mg", which would be 1 tablet 3x's/day. LOL! I tried taking 3 at one time, (as the doc increased my dosage) which then made it 150mg. Did not even touch my pain. Basically, it is like I am taking a medication for no reason what so ever. When I had told the doc, that the new amount was not working, she said there was nothing else she could do, I would have to seek Pain Management. Well, come to find out, they do not except Insurance, and it is $250 for the first visit, and then all other monthly visits would be $150, plus the price of the Meds (prices varied on which kind if Med was needed anywhere from $50-$200). To me, it just seems un-fair that I am seeking treatment from a Professional Physician, and she can no longer give me what is needed to not live in AGONY eveyday of my life. Oh, I forgot to mention, I am a 35 year old young women, who used to be so active and out going, and now is a totally different individual, who does not have the energy or strength to do anything because the PAIN is unbearable. I remember when it was no problem for me just to get up and go to work, now I was told I can no longer work, that I am going to have to collect Disability. It is pretti sad when you can't even get yourself out of bed in the am, to use the bathroom, because you are so stiff. All I know is I need to find the right Doc that is willing to listen, understand, and will give me what I need so I can go on with my life, the best that I can, in dealing with this CHRONIC PAIN!

ALWAYS,

young and in pain

learnFMnow

10/ 2/09 11:46am

It sucks. I will just say it like it is.. Sometimes I wonder who the hell these people are with Medical Licenses. If you are afraid to prescribe MEDICATION then don't be a doctor. It is a crock.

Narcotics have the bad wrap because of the likes of Paula Abdul, Anna Nichole, and poor Michael Jackson. I understadn that people have had problems with narcotics, but what about the ones who will not abuse but use them for true pain that is unrelentless. It makes me sicker just thinking about the miseries that people must live in just because of the media and the stigma of a narcotic pain pill.

hugs,

Debra

Tired of aching

10/19/09 6:42pm

Oh dear Lord if only you could talk to my husband who thinks I am an addict. I finally found a Doctor who is willing (at least for now) to prescribe narcotics for my pain relief. I am currently taking Vicodin 5/500 one 4 times a day, while I am not pain free and have some days still worse than others I am on a more even plane. I no longer lay on the couch every moment I can with heat or ice or both to try to alleviate my misery. I wish the world would understand not all people with chronic pain are junkies. I also wish they could spend 1 week in my body to get the day by day fun I get to enjoy, let them know the feeling of not being able to walk well or being brushed up against sends you to the moon. Everyone keep advocating and demanding we are treated like humans and are aloud to maintain our lives with legal means as functional and pain free as we wish to be.

God Bless

tired of aching

Regina

3/30/10 2:41am

I was diagnosed with fibro and chronic fatigue syndrome about 13 yrs ago. I am now 41. I also have bouts of tmj and bladder problems that feel like i have an infection but i don't. It's called interstitial cystitis. I work and drag myself 5 days per week. On the weekends i just sit in bed. I can barely shower, i force myself and can barely do the normal things in life such as my adl's and iadl's. If it were not for strong pain meds, i'd be stuck in bed 24/7 crying. The meds don't make me high. When you are truly in pain they block the receptor site and help to alleviate the pain. Those who get high are not in this type of pain or are taking too much. I hate my 1x/month pain management visits and the oh so lovely trip to the pharmacy after to get my multitude of pills filled. Some friends who know what i take think wow you get those pills! You are lucky and i tell them I'd gladly give you my pills if you took my disease. They have no clue what the pain is like and to not enjoy life the way i used to. I used to be active travel but to sit on a plane is a nightmare for me!! Plus i have horrible sleep which is part of the fibro. But i also have people close to me who think i look pretty on the outside so how could i feel this bad. I must manipulate my doc to give me these pills. They have no clue. I see only 1 doc and go to 1 pharmacy that is the agreement i signed with my doc and that helps with my credibility. My doc is great and so understanding but that is so rare!!!!! He is a real doc not a pill pusher. But there are times when i feel he thinks I'm exaggerating my pain or fatigue but he sees pain Pt's all day and deals with allot of liars so it is a hard job for him. But w/o him I'd be lost. He thinks I'm doing well because i work 5 days per week and allot of his Pt's are on disability but i feel like a loser big time. I hate all the pills, money I've had to spend,etc... But I've been told if i had diabetes would i treat it with meds and i say yes, so I'm told what is the difference. Yes your body becomes addicted to the meds physically but mentally is another story. Your body becomes dependant and can't help it! But i never think of my next pill. I have even forgotten to take them when I'm doing better and my body reminds me because of the withdrawals you have w/o them. If i were a true addict I'd never forget. I remember because of the pain and symptoms and that is the truth!!!Maybe one day chronic pain Pt's won't have to prove themselves, it's so embarrassing to tell friends what i take and most i don't because my doc says it's none of their business and sometimes people like to hurt you with things one is sensitive about. I feel like i live a secret life because i have a good job and if anyone knew what i took they would be shocked!!!! I don't slur or appear drugged, at least i hope so!!!!LOL!! Well good luck to everyone suffering from this horrible painful disease. It won't be until a celeb speaks out about it that more money will be put into finding out more about it. I just hope that docs who really don't know what Pt's have give them this dx. I hope they follow all the s/s of this disease and what the pt says and the answer will be obvious if they have it or not.

learnFMnow

3/30/10 11:11am

I understand every single thing you just said. I feel the exact same way about my life day to day and the meds I take. No one would know I am on these medications unless I told them. They never see me high, drunk, looped, nothing. I feel more normal when I take them if anything. Some people would be stoned on some of my meds. I am not. It simply helps me to live a more normal life in fighting the curse called "fibromyalgia". And true, it is none of their business anyway.

I had to tell my workplace what meds I am on because they do a pre employment drug screen. I was somewhat embarrased when I put those pill bottles out in front of the woman. But I had to. I am quite sure she had her own private thoughts about all of it. But then she sees I am a pretty dependable employee now and also that she has never seen me look high or drugged. I take them because I have to.

I get sick of taking pills all the time. I get tired of having to depend on them. Tired of centering my life around the next doctor visit and tired of spending all the money I spend for the sake of the curse I have.

No one but NO ONE can understand this disease unless they live with it. I just wish there were a way to let someone spend ONE MORNING in my body or feeling like I do when I wake up. Just ONE morning and they would then know what I go through.

I suppose I am a pretty strong person...stronger than I give myself credit for. I keep trudging alone and also work a full time job. But like you, my off days are spent like a slug just around the house. I don't even go out the door in my off time very often.

I sure could have written your post directly from my own thoughts. But don't worry about what others think. Those of us who deal with it know what it is. The rest of them can just think what they want because it is not a cake walk like the Lyrica commercials make it look. Oh yeah, and I look pretty good when I go to work in the afternoons and don't look sick or anything. So how in the hell do I expect them to even understand?

Thanks for posting.

Debra

Advise Needed

3/31/10 2:29pm

I only wish I had a doctor around to help me through the pain. I can't get restful sleep, go for walks past my block, climb bleachers to watch my children, and stairs what a joke, at times my husband has to get me out of the bathtub. I have no pride left, and feel like I watch a family, not be a family. I am so sad that my children expect me to sit and watch, or use ice packs and daily bases. I use Tramadol 300 mg long acting, Lyrica, and Tylenol just to move, most of the time it dulls the pain so I can move for a few hours. I use to take Tylenol 3, 2 @ 4 times a day... I was part of my family than. Now I go to the doctor and there is nothing more they can do... even try Physical Therapy. I don't know how much longer I can be on Tramadol or Lyrica, it is so expensive even with insurance. I appreciate the post, just wish a doctor could hear me without making me feel like a drug addict. I pray for guidance. Fibro ruins a persons spirit, self worth, family and work. I just want pain relief and my family :O(

scoville

8/ 4/10 5:48pm

my doctor and I have recently had a very frank confersation regarding my pain. I've done all the research and everything points to either FM or MS. I seem to have written the symptoms on FM. The problem is my doctor is the ultimate anti pain med prescriber. I've had pain meds on occasion and I know that on pain meds I'm unbroken, without pain meds I'm severely depressed, consumed in pain, and sometimes suicidal thoughts seep into my mind. I'm willing to try any allternative treatments but I fear because my dr. is so cautious because of the feds that my treatment will suffer. Please someone tell me they can relate to my nightmare!

annette

9/20/11 2:27pm

I feel your pain. I am on neurotin 400 mgs a day, used to be on lyrica but insurance wont pay for anymore, voltaren cream 4 times daily, mobic, and cyclobenzapine and still have chronic pain. it helps but doesnt allow me to live a normal life. my family understands, but friends are clueless, because they see me look fine and question my pain. I am so depressed about it. I feel also like my quality of life is gone. I have a wonderful doctor,she has a great beside manner, but doesnt like to perscribe pain meds often either. I wish in time that they would find a cure for this horrible condition. I would give a million bucks if I had it to feel better. please know that your not alone .

Narcotics and Fibromyalgia Pain Relief

Ask a Question