Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 I've tried vicodin, then manually-compounded hydrocodone, in the hopes that it would stop the jitteriness, headache and nausea side effects from the vicodin. It didn't work. Then I tried vicoprofin, and that was even worse. With all 3, I coud not take anywhere near an amount that worked because of the side effects. In realy November, my pain management dr. finally allowed me to try methadone, and it works like a dream. I started very,very low and am now at a level (5 mg/3x a day) that keeps my pain at a 3-4, with no side effects. Even on an empty stomach! I'm overly sensitive to meds (ex: I took a peppermint capsules 3 days ago because I've been having problems with nausea - next 2 days sick as a dog.) They suspect gall bladder or ulcer issues, but haven't been able to tell me anything yet. Typical. Anyway, most medications, even something like extra-strength pepcid, make me feel more unwell. I must pay Rx out-of-pocket (we do get 20% or so off retail price) because we're self-insured, and can only afford catastrophic coverage. The vicidon/hydrocodone were SO expsensive...$94+/month. One month of methadone is $10. I find it a shame that methadone has such a stigma attached. If used properly, it's a great pain medication. I get tired of hearing, " You'll become addicted to it. " Hogwash. An addict will become addicted to anything...I seem to recall reading that downed 30 vicodin a day at the height of his substance abuse. There's a good article by Dr. Tennant in the November 2007 issue of Pracitcal Pain Management about long-acting opiods. I don't know how readily pain doctors willingly prescribe it. So that's my story. After 11 years of chronic pain, I've finally found something that works. Kelli --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2007 Report Share Posted December 30, 2007 , I am currently taking Tramadol (Ultram). It is a non-narcotic. It doesn't take the pain away totally, but it dulls it to be tolerable. I take 100mg in the AM because I'm usually really sore, then if I need to repeat it I can every 6hrs. Hope this helps. Kendra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 I use tramadol myself,which takes a while to get used to. The first week I took it I had to lay down on the couch, because the room wouldn't stop spinning. After a few months it stopped being quite as effective when new but still does it's job pretty well with the day to to day pain. I've been taking for about 14 months. Amos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 A recent article published in many chronic pain magazines tells that from recent research, there are some people with Fibromyalgia, like myself, who are in severe pain, every single day - my pain levels are 9-10+ every day and worse with a flare. Those of us who are in this much pain really do benefit from the use of opiod treatments. Also, Ultram is a non-opiod medication; it just works on the same pain receptors in the brain as opiods do - maybe that is where people are getting confused. But Ultram is not a narcotic! Whitney > , > > I have read that narcotic pain meds don't work for people with fibro. I > take > Vicodin. It is a narcodic. I find that it helps enough that I am able to > be > somewhat active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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