pain meds

By Vickie Sunday, February 10, 2008

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How many of you are on pain meds....especially the ones who have ra under control? What type do you take and does it manage the pain? If it is under control do you still have to take pain meds? If not using pain meds then how long has it been?

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Hollybgroovin, Health Guide

2/16/08 10:30pm

Vickie,

My RA isn't currently under control, but for the most part my pain is beggining to be. I was very unsure about taking pain meds to control the pain as you hear many stories about the side effects and addiction. I have 2 young boys at home as was concerned about being able to function due to the side effects. However, recently I started seeing a pain management doctor who sat down with me and my husband and explained how he wanted to find a long term treatment plan for my pain because RA is definitely long term. I just started 60 mg of Avinza which is an extended release morphine pill that releases all through the day. I also take Lortab 7.5 twice daily or "as needed" for breakthrough pain. Although I don't know how well it will continue to work I feel as though I have been given a second chance at life. I am not dizzy or out of it as most people would think with morphine. I am just in much less pain, which allows me to be able to play with my kids, and work a little around the house. Before this my pain was controlling me. Now I am able to control most of my pain. Hope this helps and best wishes.

CyndiLou

2/27/08 4:17pm

Holly.... I have built up a tolerance to vicodin so after surgery and for acute pain they give me a morhine pump which does wonders but the they wean me on to percocet which isn't as helpful but it works ok. I was wondering if I should ask for the meds you take. Can you get them in California???

Vickie

2/27/08 9:48pm

Holly, Thanks so much for sharing.I know there had to be a better way to control pain and asking about it has given me much hope. Again, thanks.

Hollybgroovin, Health Guide

2/28/08 11:06am

Definitely! Although I have heart horror stories with people and the side effects of morphine, I have virtually no side effects at all! It releases it's first dose right after I take it in the morning, so it even helps with the morning stiffness. I had nausea and dizziness the first 2 days while my body got used to it, but no side effects at all now, not even dizziness. I would definitely ask your doctor about it. I have been able to do more in the last 2 months that I have been taking it, than I have been able to do in the last 5 years. Good luck, best wishes, and please do keep us posted!

CyndiLou

2/28/08 11:18am

I had my pre-op yesterday and I brought up the pain med question. Kaiser uses oxycontin which he said is the same as Avina...morphine. I really think this will work because I have had great success results with the morphine pump in the past. I already take Lortab(hydrocodone) and it works for moferate pain but I've built up a tolerance for it so it doesn't work on acute or severe pain. I am very nervous about surgery but I know it must be done so I can walk again. Keep me in your prayers. thanks

Hollybgroovin, Health Guide

2/28/08 11:23am

I will keep you in my prayers and on my prayer chain. I hope all goes well for you, and let us know how you are doing once you get to feeling better! Best wishes!

CyndiLou

2/27/08 4:13pm

I have been taking vicodin on a daily basis for about 5 years. I have built up a tolerance for it so sometimes it doesn't work that well. After sugery the doctors give me morphine and then percocet which seems to help with acute pain. I always go back to vicodin because I tolerate it so well, no side effects at all. My doctor just changed me to Norco which is just a stronger version of vicodin with less tylenol in it. It's working great. I have alot of pain due to the joint damage even though my RA isn't super active right now. I worried about addiction but my doctor told me I was fine as long as I only used it for the pain. I have gone off of it to see how I would do, no withdrawls but ended up in major pain so I went back on. It is a godsend and it has given me some quality of life back. Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about pain meds if you need them. It's worth it. God Bless.

Vickie

2/27/08 9:54pm

Thanks CindiLou, I know my life will be so much easier once we control this pain. I wanted to get an idea of what helped others. I did. I go to rheumy in March. I am going to discuss him taking over pain management from PCP. I am sure he will.

Patricia L Rose

5/20/08 1:16pm

Hi,My name is pat,I have R.A and yes I use pain meds. Hydrocodone,10 mg. It does help,its not a cure but at least It gets me by I dont know whats worse knowing I cant stand the pain with out the meds. or knowing that gradualy I became addicted to hydrocodin..Im 57 years old and my pain can be horrible especially in my hips and hands,I seldom have good days any more,my children are grown and on there own I havent told them about any of this because I dont want them to worry..I dont have choices,does any one have a helpfull Idea?......Pat R

Jeanette Davies

3/13/09 8:17am

I have had RA now for 6 months, and it stated practically overnight, I was away in Turkey at the time it developed, and I was given painkilling injections Voltarin 75mg.which were marvellous. But the effects wore off after about 3 weeks , and the pain came back with the vengeance.

After weeks of visiting my GP and only being given Paracetemol, I decided to pay and see a private consultant.He was very sympathetic and listened and asked loads of questions.

I,m on a short course of Steroids at the moment, and next week iam seeing him again at his clinic he wants to start me on Methatraxate, i have heard a lot about this drug, and find it quite scary, because there may be bad side effects.

Please does any one take this , and can you please tell me a little about it?

Jeanette

Jeanette Davies

3/13/09 8:17am

After weeks of visiting my GP and only being given Paracetemol, I decided to pay and see a private consultant.He was very sympathetic and listened and asked loads of questions.

Please does any one take this , and can you please tell me a little about it?

Jeanette

Vickie

3/13/09 9:58am

Hi, I have been taking MTX inj for five months. I do very well on them. Before the inj I took the oral form and was very sick from side effects plus it did not control RA as well (or as quickly) as the shots. Pain, stiffness, and fatigue are by no means gone but are managed much better. I also take folic acid to counteract MTX side effects. And my pain meds have been increased to 10 mg hydrocodone 3-4 daily. Another thing, is I have had to put MTX on hold several times because I tend to acquire more infections, and it must be stopped if you become sick...at least for awhile. All in all I am satisfied for now. Hope all are having a good day.

Jeanette Davies

3/13/09 11:09am

Hi Vicky.

Thank you for your response.

I understand MTX,does very little for the pain,i,m only just beginning to learn what certain arthritic drugs are actually for.

Do you mind me asking , what you take to relieve the pain, is it safe to take NSAID,s as well as MTX if nessesary?

have a good day

Jeanette

Vickie

3/13/09 4:23pm

Hi, If the MTX controls RA then pain will be reduced. However, since it will not take it away, most folks, like me, have to continue with pain meds. The pains meds certainly help with the pain but never make it go away. I cannot take any NSAIDs because of stomach issues. I can take prednisone in a burst form only when in a severe flare. What I take for pain management is hydrocodone 10 mg 3-4 daily as needed. Somedays I can take 1 and feel fine. Other days I can take 4 and be withering in pain. It just depends on how bad symptoms are. I have found out if I wait until pain level has reached a 5-6, it will not help as much as if I take it at a pain level of 4. So try not to wait till pain is starting to become nearly unbearable. So far, I have done well on my combo of meds...MTX injection weekly, 1 mg folic acid daily (this helps side effects from MTX), and pain meds as needed. I hope you do the MTX shots, they work so much better and produce less side effects. I use the ones you have to draw the medicine into the needle. That way I can inject med slowly. I have heard alot of people say the ones that are preloaded hurt because the med goes in too fast. Hope I helped. Good luck.

Jeanette Davies

3/13/09 5:28pm

Hi Vicky.

It all sounds very scary, I dont know yet what type of MTX i,ll be given,I assume it will be tablet form.I would prefer an injection, but cant bear the thought of having to inject myself. But will do anything to reduce this awful pain.

Thank you for your reply, will let you know what happens next week when I start on MTX.

Jeanette

Vickie

3/13/09 5:34pm

Jen, Are you taking folic acid? This will help with the MTX side effects. Just talk to your doc about the MTX and folic acid. Try not to be afraid. The MTX may help you tremendously. Are you taking any pain meds? I hope so, it does help you to have a good quaility of life once RA and pain is controlled. How long have you been dxed with RA? I will be glad to help you in any way I can.

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