Pain pills

May 15, 2008

There's a lot of Fibromites finding relief in low does of methadone. I started

out on 5mg 3xday and worked up to 10mg 3xday over a 9 month period. It gives

relief for 8 hours. Only side effects are some extra sweating at first. But it

went away. I know when I decide to go off of them I'll need to do it slow. I

know that it won't be anything as bad as with Vicodin (which is was on and off

for several years).

Hope this helps. Vicodin is a cheap narcotic that will eventually ruin your

liver. I would suggest staying away if you can. Good luck.

-Cat

Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T

Pain Pills

Hi Guy's,

My next question I would like to ask of those who are or have been in

the past on strong narcotic pain medications.

I was on Vicodin/hydrocodone 10/650 mg for 6 years.

My Doctor had prescribed them to be taken twice daily.

I did take a whole one as directed but felt the made me feel queasy

and tired.

So I took only 1/2 of one per day. As you know they are opiates and

adhere to your brain cells. Eventually the started dose has to be

increased due to building up a tolerance.

I went from 1/2 a day to a whole one a day but taken as 2 1/2 like 6

or 8 hours apart.I eventually got up to just one whole a day and

finally made it to my 2 a day. As time went on I went from 2 a day to

3 a day and then 4 and then 5 which the Dr. says that is all that can

be taken safely due to all the Tylenol that they contain.

So in a six year period I had reached 5 a day.

I did not abuse them as in taking more or getting more anywhere else,

but I hate how they made me feel.

They intensify some of my Fibro systems such as making me more

clumsy, forgetful, a high strung out feeling like in a fog (numbed to

the world)

Confusion, and I when I would take to my family and try to explain

something or just carry on a normal conversation

I would say something " wrong " and they wouldn't get what I meant and

would say, " Well you said (this), but did you mean (that)? "

And I would get upset and say " No I didn't say that " .

The I would get mad, hurt, defensive and say, " Well you know what I

meant " I felt dumb and shameful and worried to why is this happening?

15 months ago I went off Vicodin along with Ambien 10mg. I went thru

severe withdrawals and psychosis.

I had to be hospitalized for 6 days and medicated with pehnagren for

the nausea and vomiting. I also had sever diarrhea and was put on an

IV to give

Potassium for leg cramps and hydrate me. I lost 16 pounds in 6

days... my clothes just hung on me.

I was also given Adivan to calm me and help me with the shakes.

I was given a couple other pills but can't remember the names right

now.

So now that my back pain from the discs being bulged and compressing

the nerve, my new Dr. started me on Vicodin again 10/750 mg.

To be taken 3 times a day.

I got them last Monday and so far I am only taking 2 a day.

I am fighting the pain because I do not what to have to relive the

nightmare I went thru.

My family is so worried for me to be on again and I do not want them

to have to worry either.

So my dilemma the past few days has been I am experiencing some of

the same side effects that I didn't like last time around.

When I type or write my letters are switched around so I have to rely

on spell check. I feel like I type them write in my mind then when I

look back

and I am able to spot the mistake and say to myself.. " What did I

do? " Then I argue with myself and say " You did not just do that " !

Also I am being reminded by family again that I said something out of

order or that I repeated myself...

" Ya I know Gena (Mom), you already told me that 5 minutes ago.

I feel drugged up and not in my right mind. Well all that put aside

they do help take off some of the burning, knife wrenching feeling.

The way I explain my pain is it feels like a big huge man weighing of

400 pounds and he takes your arm and gives you the world's worse

Indian burn,

but of course that is the pain and feeling that is being felt in my

low back. It is a sharp, shooting, tingling, numbing,constant,

burning, electrical shock

sensation type of pain that shoots from the back down my left leg

into the foot and toes. I have had bad Charlie Horses in both calves

for past 2 days.

So all this being said, do any of ya'll experience annoying side

effects from Narcotics?

Thanks for allowing me to share a part of my health and personal

issues.

Gena

May 15, 2008

I am not a medical person, but---I can hardly believe a dr. would put you back on Vicadin after you had been taken off them and suffered the effects that you explained! Have you been to a pain management clinic? With bulging discs, that is obviously more than just FMS pain. I cannot take Vicadin either because of the codiene in it.

I have found relief in the Low dose Naltrexone for my FMS and MPS. But I don't have bulging discs to deal with. There has to be another answer without the opiates.

Also, Naltrexone if ineffective if one is taking opiates as in higher doses it is used for drug addictions.

I truly hope you find some help for your pain!!!! I hope some others on this site have some insight that will help you. Hugs, Elaine

From: GENA <angellange@...>Subject: Pain Pillsdominie Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 9:02 AM

Hi Guy's,My next question I would like to ask of those who are or have been in the past on strong narcotic pain medications.I was on Vicodin/hydrocodone 10/650 mg for 6 years. My Doctor had prescribed them to be taken twice daily.I did take a whole one as directed but felt the made me feel queasy and tired.So I took only 1/2 of one per day. As you know they are opiates and adhere to your brain cells. Eventually the started dose has to be increased due to building up a tolerance.I went from 1/2 a day to a whole one a day but taken as 2 1/2 like 6 or 8 hours apart.I eventually got up to just one whole a day and finally made it to my 2 a day. As time went on I went from 2 a day to 3 a day and then 4 and then 5 which the Dr. says that is all that can be taken safely due to all the Tylenol that they contain.So in a six year period I had

reached 5 a day.I did not abuse them as in taking more or getting more anywhere else, but I hate how they made me feel.They intensify some of my Fibro systems such as making me more clumsy, forgetful, a high strung out feeling like in a fog (numbed to the world)Confusion, and I when I would take to my family and try to explain something or just carry on a normal conversation I would say something "wrong" and they wouldn't get what I meant and would say," Well you said (this), but did you mean (that)?"And I would get upset and say "No I didn't say that".The I would get mad, hurt, defensive and say,"Well you know what I meant" I felt dumb and shameful and worried to why is this happening?15 months ago I went off Vicodin along with Ambien 10mg. I went thru severe withdrawals and psychosis. I had to be hospitalized for 6 days and medicated with pehnagren for the

nausea and vomiting. I also had sever diarrhea and was put on an IV to give Potassium for leg cramps and hydrate me. I lost 16 pounds in 6 days... my clothes just hung on me. I was also given Adivan to calm me and help me with the shakes. I was given a couple other pills but can't remember the names right now.So now that my back pain from the discs being bulged and compressing the nerve, my new Dr. started me on Vicodin again 10/750 mg. To be taken 3 times a day.I got them last Monday and so far I am only taking 2 a day. I am fighting the pain because I do not what to have to relive the nightmare I went thru.My family is so worried for me to be on again and I do not want them to have to worry either.So my dilemma the past few days has been I am experiencing some of the same side effects that I didn't like last time around.When I type or write my

letters are switched around so I have to rely on spell check. I feel like I type them write in my mind then when I look back and I am able to spot the mistake and say to myself.. "What did I do?" Then I argue with myself and say "You did not just do that"!Also I am being reminded by family again that I said something out of order or that I repeated myself... "Ya I know Gena (Mom), you already told me that 5 minutes ago.I feel drugged up and not in my right mind. Well all that put aside they do help take off some of the burning, knife wrenching feeling. The way I explain my pain is it feels like a big huge man weighing of 400 pounds and he takes your arm and gives you the world's worse Indian burn, but of course that is the pain and feeling that is being felt in my low back. It is a sharp, shooting, tingling, numbing,constant, burning, electrical shock sensation

type of pain that shoots from the back down my left leg into the foot and toes. I have had bad Charlie Horses in both calves for past 2 days.So all this being said, do any of ya'll experience annoying side effects from Narcotics?Thanks for allowing me to share a part of my health and personal issues.Gena

May 15, 2008

Gena, I have the same fogginess, vertigo, nausea when I have to take my Lortab, which is the same as vicoden, I can not function when I have to take one. I can take a percocet and work through it and function, Dr. Don't know why the lesser one would do this and not the stronger one. At one time my Rhuemy had me on ms contin twice a day for pain control, after the first week, I was able to function well on it. Could only tolerate it for 6 months. I know take diclofenac 75mg twice a day for back pain. It is helping me plus, daily stretching exercises. I do use a TENS Unit when pain gets worse. Sandie -- Pain Pills Hi Guy's, My next question I would like to ask of those who are or have been in the past on strong narcotic pain medications. I was on Vicodin/hydrocodone 10/650 mg for 6 years. My Doctor had prescribed them to be taken twice daily. I did take a whole one as directed but felt the made me feel queasy and tired. So I took only 1/2 of one per day. As you know they are opiates and adhere to your brain cells. Eventually the started dose has to be increased due to building up a tolerance. I went from 1/2 a day to a whole one a day but taken as 2 1/2 like 6 or 8 hours apart.I eventually got up to just one whole a day and finally made it to my 2 a day. As time went on I went from 2 a day to 3 a day and then 4 and then 5 which the Dr. says that is all that can be taken safely due to all the Tylenol that they contain. So in a six year period I had reached 5 a day. I did not abuse them as in taking more or getting more anywhere else, but I hate how they made me feel. They intensify some of my Fibro systems such as making me more clumsy, forgetful, a high strung out feeling like in a fog (numbed to the world) Confusion, and I when I would take to my family and try to explain something or just carry on a normal conversation I would say something "wrong" and they wouldn't get what I meant and would say," Well you said (this), but did you mean (that)?" And I would get upset and say "No I didn't say that". The I would get mad, hurt, defensive and say,"Well you know what I

meant" I felt dumb and shameful and worried to why is this happening?

15 months ago I went off Vicodin along with Ambien 10mg. I went thru

severe withdrawals and psychosis.

I had to be hospitalized for 6 days and medicated with pehnagren for

the nausea and vomiting. I also had sever diarrhea and was put on an

IV to give

Potassium for leg cramps and hydrate me. I lost 16 pounds in 6

days... my clothes just hung on me.

I was also given Adivan to calm me and help me with the shakes.

I was given a couple other pills but can't remember the names right

now.

So now that my back pain from the discs being bulged and compressing

the nerve, my new Dr. started me on Vicodin again 10/750 mg.

To be taken 3 times a day.

I got them last Monday and so far I am only taking 2 a day.

I am fighting the pain because I do not what to have to relive the

nightmare I went thru.

My family is so worried for me to be on again and I do not want them

to have to worry either.

So my dilemma the past few days has been I am experiencing some of

the same side effects that I didn't like last time around.

When I type or write my letters are switched around so I have to rely

on spell check. I feel like I type them write in my mind then when I

look back

and I am able to spot the mistake and say to myself.. "What did I

do?" Then I argue with myself and say "You did not just do that"!

Also I am being reminded by family again that I said something out of

order or that I repeated myself...

"Ya I know Gena (Mom), you already told me that 5 minutes ago.

I feel drugged up and not in my right mind. Well all that put aside

they do help take off some of the burning, knife wrenching feeling.

The way I explain my pain is it feels like a big huge man weighing of

400 pounds and he takes your arm and gives you the world's worse

Indian burn,

but of course that is the pain and feeling that is being felt in my

low back. It is a sharp, shooting, tingling, numbing,constant,

burning, electrical shock

sensation type of pain that shoots from the back down my left leg

into the foot and toes. I have had bad Charlie Horses in both calves

for past 2 days.

So all this being said, do any of ya'll experience annoying side

effects from Narcotics?

Thanks for allowing me to share a part of my health and personal

issues.

Gena

------------------------------------

May 15, 2008

This is in reply to Gena's post dated 5/15/08.

I have Fibromyalgia, 3 bulging discs in my neck, one of which is compressing on my spinal cord and a bulging disc at L5. I have awesome days and days where I'm in bed all day. Sometimes 2 days because when I try to step down off the bed, the pain is like you said "electrical shock waves" throughout my body.

I've learned to rest when I feel I've overdone it, but most of all I've found several medications that really work for me. We travel quite a bit so I don't have time to be in pain, as I'm sure none of you do as well.

Pain & Depression seem to be partners in this illness. Cymbalta works really well for me.

I'm on 60 mg. and I'm finding it helps immensely with the pain and no more depression at all.

Haven't had any for months, I guess because the Cymbalta takes the edge off of most of the pain.

Sleep - I was on Ambien, but it gave me complete brain fog at times. I couldn't remember anything that happened before I went to sleep. It also caused me to night eat, which I think we all know added weight doesn't help in any of these areas. My Rheumatologist has put me on the following for sleep.

Lunesta 3 mg, Flexeril 10 mg (muscle relaxer) & Mobic (Meloxicam) 7.5 mg (anti-inflammatory)

For severe pain in the day, if I have it at all, I take Oxycodone 5 mg once a day, if needed.

If pain is really bad and the one pill doesn't do it, I can take 1 every 12 hours. I think I've only had to do that once. When my Pain Management doctor prescribed it I was a bit upset because I know it's a narcotic. But they don't want me taking any Tylenol (so no Vicodin, not to mention it makes me nauseas)

My liver enzymes are up, so no Tylenol for me. The Oxycodone seems to really help and I don't feel weird.

It simply numbs wherever the pain is. I don't take it daily, again....only when I cannot tolerate the pain.

I have found that drinking a lot of water and doing stretches help a lot. I can always see a difference.

Stay away from Aspartame. Even Splenda makes my body hurt. Saccharine didn't use to, but now does.

I try to use only Stevia, but don't really like the taste. Anyway, Good Luck !

Have a Blessed Day !

May 15, 2008

I have diagnosed with FMS for a little over three years now, but as

all of know the symptoms started way before diagnosis.

For pain control, I find helpful hot bath or a soak in the hot tub

with stretching will get me through most days.

My PCP gave me a prescription for Ultracet which is helpful and I only

use when needed. He prescribed them every six hours but the key is I

only take when needed, a months prescription is 240 pills, but that

will take me through half a year.

If I am really uncomfortable I take a 10 mg Flexeril along with the

Ultracet.

I have the " strong stuff " Vicodin and Percocet and may use it about

once a month when I am reduced to tears and it is very effective in

breaking the pain cycle. Yes it makes me feel loopy, lightheaded

etc...but I was useless anyway fidgeting and crying in pain, the

relief is very welcome.

We all react differently, some don't of us don't like it when MD

prescribes narcotics and I feel about 1/2 " tall when I have to ask for

it, but I use it very judiciously and get wonderful results.

A huge factor in pain and fatigue for me is my diet, when I eat

refined foods and sweets it always catches up with me and I feel

lousy. What works for me is the type of meal plan that you find in

the South Beach diet, but I get so bored with eating that way....so I

push the envelope until I can't stand it any more and then I am good

and ready to go back to the healthy eating.

I also work out twice a week with a personal trainer and hubby says

that my " bad " days aren't as frequent and severe as they used to be.

That is good, but I would of preferred the workouts giving me a

" killer bod " :-) but it ain't happening!!!!

Gerri

May 15, 2008

I have to agree with Elaine. You need to find another doctor, or ask him to refer you to a pain clinic. Go to an urgent care clinic or simply refuse to accept that medicine. Tell him he has to prescribe something else. You will probably go through the same hell if you stay on it again. Good luck. HelenElaine Pratt <epra72@...> wrote: I am not a medical person, but---I can

hardly believe a dr. would put you back on Vicadin after you had been taken off them and suffered the effects that you explained! Have you been to a pain management clinic? With bulging discs, that is obviously more than just FMS pain. I cannot take Vicadin either because of the codiene in it. I have found relief in the Low dose Naltrexone for my FMS and MPS. But I don't have bulging discs to deal with. There has to be another answer without the opiates. Also, Naltrexone if ineffective if one is taking opiates as in higher doses it is used for drug addictions. I truly hope you find some help for your pain!!!! I hope some others on this site have some insight that will help you. Hugs, Elaine From: GENA <angellangesuddenlink (DOT) net>Subject: Pain Pillsdominie Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 9:02 AM Hi Guy's,My next question I would like to ask of those who are or have been in the past on strong narcotic pain medications.I was on Vicodin/hydrocodone 10/650 mg for 6 years. My Doctor had prescribed them to be taken twice daily.I did take a whole one as directed but felt the made me feel queasy and tired.So I took only 1/2 of one per day. As you know they are opiates and adhere to your brain cells. Eventually the started dose has to be increased due to building up a tolerance.I went from 1/2 a day to a whole one a day but taken as 2 1/2 like 6 or 8 hours apart.I eventually got up to just one whole a day and finally made

it to my 2 a day. As time went on I went from 2 a day to 3 a day and then 4 and then 5 which the Dr. says that is all that can be taken safely due to all the Tylenol that they contain.So in a six year period I had reached 5 a day.I did not abuse them as in taking more or getting more anywhere else, but I hate how they made me feel.They intensify some of my Fibro systems such as making me more clumsy, forgetful, a high strung out feeling like in a fog (numbed to the world)Confusion, and I when I would take to my family and try to explain something or just carry on a normal conversation I would say something "wrong" and they wouldn't get what I meant and would say," Well you said (this), but did you mean (that)?"And I would get upset and say "No I didn't say that".The I would get mad, hurt, defensive and say,"Well you know what I meant" I felt dumb and shameful and worried to why

is this happening?15 months ago I went off Vicodin along with Ambien 10mg. I went thru severe withdrawals and psychosis. I had to be hospitalized for 6 days and medicated with pehnagren for the nausea and vomiting. I also had sever diarrhea and was put on an IV to give Potassium for leg cramps and hydrate me. I lost 16 pounds in 6 days... my clothes just hung on me. I was also given Adivan to calm me and help me with the shakes. I was given a couple other pills but can't remember the names right now.So now that my back pain from the discs being bulged and compressing the nerve, my new Dr. started me on Vicodin again 10/750 mg. To be taken 3 times a day.I got them last Monday and so far I am only taking 2 a day. I am fighting the pain because I do not what to have to relive the nightmare I went thru.My family is so worried for me to be on again and I do not want them

to have to worry either.So my dilemma the past few days has been I am experiencing some of the same side effects that I didn't like last time around.When I type or write my letters are switched around so I have to rely on spell check. I feel like I type them write in my mind then when I look back and I am able to spot the mistake and say to myself.. "What did I do?" Then I argue with myself and say "You did not just do that"!Also I am being reminded by family again that I said something out of order or that I repeated myself... "Ya I know Gena (Mom), you already told me that 5 minutes ago.I feel drugged up and not in my right mind. Well all that put aside they do help take off some of the burning, knife wrenching feeling. The way I explain my pain is it feels like a big huge man weighing of 400 pounds and he takes your arm and gives you the world's worse Indian burn, but of

course that is the pain and feeling that is being felt in my low back. It is a sharp, shooting, tingling, numbing,constant, burning, electrical shock sensation type of pain that shoots from the back down my left leg into the foot and toes. I have had bad Charlie Horses in both calves for past 2 days.So all this being said, do any of ya'll experience annoying side effects from Narcotics?Thanks for allowing me to share a part of my health and personal issues.Gena

May 18, 2008

I too have 2 bulging discs in my neck. When they flare up I can't move my neck AT ALL, the spasms are absolutely terrible. Acupuncture has helped these problems over the long-term, but pain killers and rest help in the short-term.

From: Robin Patascher <RobinSells@...>Subject: Re: Pain Pillsdominie Cc: MEMOMMY1947@...Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008, 6:32 PM