Thoughts on pain

[Guest guest]

After reading some of the posts on pain management, I thought I'd voice my

fears and concerns. My rheumy gives me 30 Lortab per month, and Ultracet (I

use about 20 per month on the less severe days). My MD will also give me

30 Lortab per month, knowing I get 30 from my rheumy. Last time I saw him I

told him that I was still having pain, and he said he had no problem

prescribing 30 per month (they're for headaches as well as joint pain).

First, I feel like I am taking a lot of medication. Of course I use it to

manage pain. Pain that isn't getting much better. I've also had to do two

prednisone tapers this month (just started my second) because I'm having a

lot of flares.

I notice that I don't want to go out and do things as often, and I thought

that was from the Lortab (maybe it depresses me?). But even when I don't

take it I don't want to do as much, and now I'm realizing it is from the

pain. I'm on 10 mg of MTX and 400 mg of Plaquenil. The rheumy was going to

increase my MTX, but I asked him about research studies, and he's doing one

for Mobic. He was all enthusiastic about my being a part of it, but I have

to be stable on my meds, so no increases in the MTX for three months. I

would frankly rather increase the MTX. I don't think the Mobic does a thing

for me. Should I tell him that? I hate to rock the boat, but my quality of

life is terrible. I did better in May and part of June, but I'm really

doing horrible right now. (And, of course, I'm depressed from the

prednisone I took today.)

Every single time I take a pain pill, part of me thinks " Why are you taking

this junk? There has to be a better way. " It makes me feel so guilty.

Part of me is so happy to take it, though, and I look forward to it because

it's the only time I don't hurt. It's not that I " catch a buzz " from it.

What is a normal expectation for pain relief? What is a normal amount to

take of pain meds? I think if I could stay at 2 per day I would be pretty

satisfied, but I don't want to be addicted to them, even if it is just

physical tolerance. I would like to be able to discuss this better with my

rheumy, but he's not the warmest person, I know he's trying to help and I am

satisfied overall with him.

Thanks, and hoping you're all having a pain free day!

Hugs,

Carol

[Guest guest]

Carol,

You¹re welcome. I remember a few years ago I expressed the same thing and

another

list member made me realize I was doing more harm than good by not treating

my pain.

I know the media makes us feel we¹re doing something wrong by taking pain

meds and

attaches a stigma to it, but please don¹t let the media cause you to live

life in

Pain. You deserve a better quality of life.

Glad you¹re going to talk to your rheumy. Maybe if he knows you want

something better than

Mobic, he¹ll find another study for you with biologicals. Have you tried

centerwatch.com?

They have complete listings for clinic trials and there are a lot for RA.

You can register and get email notification of trials in your area.

Hugs,

a

> Thank you so much a. I really needed that reassurance. Like you, the

> pain meds never totally ameliorate my pain, but just take the edge off. I

> suppose you’re right about it being similar to a diabetic and insulin, but

> because of the stigma attached to it I am very fearful. I need to just get

> over that. Maybe the fear keeps me cautious, though.

>

> I will be sure to talk to my rheumy about it when I go in next week. When I

> mentioned clinical trials I had a biologic agent in mind, not Mobic.

>

> I should just be glad that I have a doctor who is willing to treat the pain.

> After reading about some doctors here, I feel lucky.

>

> Thanks again!

> Hugs,

> Carol