At what point do Rheumotologist start giving serious pain medication?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me at what point will a Rheumy start prescribing pain meds

that work?

I understand they are interested in reducing the inflammation and along

with that, pain should subside.

I'm currently using Enbrel sure click once a week. She has me taking MTX

along with that. She said that there isn't anything else besides MTX other

than the biologics that will work.

MTX makes me sick and I don't want it injected.

I am very satisfied with the Enbrel but I still do get flare ups no and

then. I would like some kind of pain relief for these flare up because they

hurt very bad.

I'm not interested in taking more pills everyday for the pain rather I need

them or not. Just as an as needed basis to go along with the enbrel.

Less drugs as possible in my body is what I'm looking for.

I know someone wants to tell me... so tell your doctor this. I have! I'm

on my 3rd Rheumy and she doesn't seem to hear me any more than the last

two.

I've read some people talk about pain meds their rheumy prescribes them.

I've been diagnosed since 2008. Tried many meds. Like I say, I'm happy

with the enbrel but still get a flare up now and again that is just

unbearable.

So I'm asking anyone that can tell me please...At what point does the

rheumy break down and start helping with the once in a while pain?

I've tried darvocet,, tylenol 3, Vicodin, Tramodol, and a bunch of others.

My last rheumy prescribed me vicodin and it didn't touch the pain during

my flare up. I called the office while bawling in pain asking them to

please give me something stronger than vicodin. They said not at this time.

OMG! I couldn't believe it!

The only thing all three rheumys have done so far is tell me to up my

predisone when I get a flare up that is unbearable. The predisone is great

after a day of taking it. But I need some immediate pain reliever when flare

up hits that makes me want to blow my head off. I only want pain meds for

these situations.

I'm not sure how it works and I'm asking the old timers or should I say

long time RAers how does it usually work.

Does the rheumy eventually break down and give ya something for your pain.

Give ya some serious pain meds???

Sorry if this letter sounds harsh. I appreciate everyone of you on this

list and would like to hear what you have to say. I'm just getting fed up

with the doctors not wanting to give anything worth a darn for pain!

Remember... I'm not asking them for all the time everyday RA pain. Only

the once in a while GOD forsaken pain. Predisone don't cut it. That only

works in very high doses and it don't take effect until the next day.

Sorry so long.

Hope you all are doing okay...