Re: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

[Guest guest]

Dear Sam- I want to tell you a little story. Its a tale about pain medication. I believe strongly in pain management, if you know how to use it and why. First off, getting the most aggressive treatment for your condition, I.E. Remicade and the "symphony of meds" that create a mostly pain free quality of life which in the END is what we all WANT. We should demand quality of life, to play, work, love and just LIVE. I live on the edge of pain, because pain is my bodies alarm. IF I numb myself up too much, I can do harm to a joint or pull a muscle and only feel it much later. I take the bare minimum to get by. This means 5mg of prednisone, 200 mg of plaquenil and 600mg of ibuprofen. That is three pills. I also take PTU which is for thyroid. I have been taking this exact combination forever. It gets me through the day and the night. I might take an ibuprofen during the day sometime if I am in alot of pain. At night, I take 1 mg of prednisone, another plaquenil, an ibuprofen, a 30 mg capsule of oxazepam,which is for my severe fibro, half a trazadone, and a nibble of soma, which is about an 1/8 of a pill. One pill lasts me a week! Lastly, a nibble or 1/8th of a pill of darvocet which also lasts me a week. Seems like alot, but it isnt. I have a severely awesome respect for these drugs for a very good reason. I dont want to escape. I want to keep my "EDGE" and my clarity. I want as much energy as I can, despite severe fatigue. On the other hand, my girlfriend who lives in CA is on a duragesic morphine patch. She is in as much pain as I am I suspect, but she wants to escape. She has an addictive personality, so had to go into a pain management program to wean herself off the 10 SOMA and 20 Vicodin plus a host of other narcotics. To be honest, I have never had a problem with pain medication addiction because I only take what I need. I also have a problem with opiates which can be habit forming. I rely on advil and the like and only take darvocet nibble. Remember this rule of thumb. Never live in pain if you dont have to. Take pain meds other than opiates whenever possible, dont be afraid to ask for a refill on vicoprofen. I would take a tiny amount of vicodin, just a nibble with food in the am, and a prescription Ibuprofen6-800 mgs each and the same in the PM. That is real pain management. Dont be afraid to ask for refills EVER. If you are really concerned about becoming reliant on these, simply ask your RD about finding other meds that arent opiates to manage your pain. Remember that taking some meds before bed, will help you sleep and will have lasting effects on you all day. I am one of a very small majority who like to challenge myself by taking the least amount I can each day. I found a formula that works for me and most doctors are puzzled but very awed by my attitude. Lets just say I take a tiny bit of alot of different classes of drugs, that form a cocktail that took years of trial and error to get, but I dont need more of any one drug. I have been on the same combination for a very long time. Dont live in pain. Remember that taking a hot shower and an ibuprofen can help you in the PM. Your Aunt may have meant that the more medication you take the more you need, as your body builds up a resistance. If I take the exact same dosage all the time, at the right time, I never have a problem. I assembled a symphony of medications that bring about a quality of life I can "orchestrate." I hope that helps. Any other questions, let me know. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

Beautifully explained!

----- Original Message -----

From: dbargad@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 4:40 PM

Subject: Re: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

Dear Sam- I want to tell you a little story. Its a tale about pain medication. I believe strongly in pain management, if you know how to use it and why. First off, getting the most aggressive treatment for your condition, I.E. Remicade and the "symphony of meds" that create a mostly pain free quality of life which in the END is what we all WANT. We should demand quality of life, to play, work, love and just LIVE. I live on the edge of pain, because pain is my bodies alarm. IF I numb myself up too much, I can do harm to a joint or pull a muscle and only feel it much later. I take the bare minimum to get by. This means 5mg of prednisone, 200 mg of plaquenil and 600mg of ibuprofen. That is three pills. I also take PTU which is for thyroid. I have been taking this exact combination forever. It gets me through the day and the night. I might take an ibuprofen during the day sometime if I am in alot of pain. At night, I take 1 mg of prednisone, another plaquenil, an ibuprofen, a 30 mg capsule of oxazepam,which is for my severe fibro, half a trazadone, and a nibble of soma, which is about an 1/8 of a pill. One pill lasts me a week! Lastly, a nibble or 1/8th of a pill of darvocet which also lasts me a week. Seems like alot, but it isnt. I have a severely awesome respect for these drugs for a very good reason. I dont want to escape. I want to keep my "EDGE" and my clarity. I want as much energy as I can, despite severe fatigue. On the other hand, my girlfriend who lives in CA is on a duragesic morphine patch. She is in as much pain as I am I suspect, but she wants to escape. She has an addictive personality, so had to go into a pain management program to wean herself off the 10 SOMA and 20 Vicodin plus a host of other narcotics. To be honest, I have never had a problem with pain medication addiction because I only take what I need. I also have a problem with opiates which can be habit forming. I rely on advil and the like and only take darvocet nibble. Remember this rule of thumb. Never live in pain if you dont have to. Take pain meds other than opiates whenever possible, dont be afraid to ask for a refill on vicoprofen. I would take a tiny amount of vicodin, just a nibble with food in the am, and a prescription Ibuprofen6-800 mgs each and the same in the PM. That is real pain management. Dont be afraid to ask for refills EVER. If you are really concerned about becoming reliant on these, simply ask your RD about finding other meds that arent opiates to manage your pain. Remember that taking some meds before bed, will help you sleep and will have lasting effects on you all day. I am one of a very small majority who like to challenge myself by taking the least amount I can each day. I found a formula that works for me and most doctors are puzzled but very awed by my attitude. Lets just say I take a tiny bit of alot of different classes of drugs, that form a cocktail that took years of trial and error to get, but I dont need more of any one drug. I have been on the same combination for a very long time. Dont live in pain. Remember that taking a hot shower and an ibuprofen can help you in the PM. Your Aunt may have meant that the more medication you take the more you need, as your body builds up a resistance. If I take the exact same dosage all the time, at the right time, I never have a problem. I assembled a symphony of medications that bring about a quality of life I can "orchestrate." I hope that helps. Any other questions, let me know. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

I am here to answer your question about pain pills. I just almost died back on June 1 and it is because of the pain management doc giving me morphine plus all of the other meds I was taking. My body was not getting rid of all the morphine and it built up in my system. The fact that I am diabetic and was eating a gallon of ice cream a day didn't help matters either. I had to go to Detox and I learned a whole bunch while I was there. Your body does get used to the pain pills and it will hurt more so you have to take a larger dose of the pain pills. Ultram is not addicting but all the others are very addictive. I was told this by nurses and doctors both plus druggies that was there. Whatever you do, do not let them put you on Morphine. I have just gotten a prescription of Norco but I am only going to take it when I can't stand the pain anymore. I will only take it PRN which means as needed. I have fibromyalgia also and osteoarthritis plus other medical problems. Since I almost died the only pain meds that I have taken to this point is Arthritis strength Tylenol and Motrin gel caps. I did take a Norco last night though. Some docs will give you all the pain pills you want and those that really care about you will limit you on them because it is true that your body will crave more and therefore it will hurt more. As always you should check with your own doc for this information but take it from someone with experience, only take it as you need it.

The clock of life is wound but once

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour

Now is the only time you own

Live, love, toil, with a will

Place no faith in "tomorrow" for

The clock may then be still

txkat@...

www.moment.net/~txkat

-------Original Message-------

From: Sam Rocci

Date: 08/28/05 14:32:03

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

My Aunt made a comment yesterday that has me concerned... I mentioned that I had to take more pain pills this past week than usual (I take Vicoprofen) and she said that after a awhile your brain gets hooked on the drug and sort of fakes you into thinking you are in pain. Have any of you heard about this happening? I know my left foot hurts and my knuckles are sore... How do we tell the difference between what is real and what is not? The idea of pain is really very abstract in some ways, we all feel it differently and respond to it uniquely. Part of what has questioning my pain is the fact that my pain meds are running low, do I ask for another refill? Do I tough it out? If we "tough" it out to we get better at handling it?

A Humira question: I have done three shots 2 weeks a part... should I be feeling the benefits by now or will it be a bit longer?

Deborah... Thank you so much for the great suggestions... I am going to try the shower in the late afternoon along with dividing up my prednisone into two dosages. I have never heard the idea of warm drinks making drugs work faster, it does make sense when I think about it.

Thank you all for your insight and patience with my questions :0)

Sam

On Aug 27, 2005, at 12:50 AM, dbargad@... wrote:

Hi Sam- I find that pain management works well. If you find your pain and stiffness are more pronounced in the evening, perhaps taking pain meds, such as ibuprofen at dinnertime might help. I take my meds BID which is twice a day. That means am and pm. PM can be with dinner or before sleep. I found that taking a milligram of prednisone and ibuprofen in the pm, makes all the difference. If I have overdone it, which is often the case, I take an ibuprofen and it helps. I also drink something hot, like tea with the pills, so they will start working alot faster. I find that hot showers arent just for the am but for the pm too. Nothing like an ibuprofen, hot tea and dessert. I only take it if my bones hurt badly in the evening. With effective pain management, by listening to my body when it hurts, I get by well. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

I am on the Humeria also but I have not been able to tell any difference and I have taken it for several months now.

The clock of life is wound but once

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour

Now is the only time you own

Live, love, toil, with a will

Place no faith in "tomorrow" for

The clock may then be still

txkat@...

www.moment.net/~txkat

-------Original Message-------

From: Sam Rocci

Date: 08/28/05 14:32:03

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

My Aunt made a comment yesterday that has me concerned... I mentioned that I had to take more pain pills this past week than usual (I take Vicoprofen) and she said that after a awhile your brain gets hooked on the drug and sort of fakes you into thinking you are in pain. Have any of you heard about this happening? I know my left foot hurts and my knuckles are sore... How do we tell the difference between what is real and what is not? The idea of pain is really very abstract in some ways, we all feel it differently and respond to it uniquely. Part of what has questioning my pain is the fact that my pain meds are running low, do I ask for another refill? Do I tough it out? If we "tough" it out to we get better at handling it?

A Humira question: I have done three shots 2 weeks a part... should I be feeling the benefits by now or will it be a bit longer?

Deborah...

Thank you so much for the great suggestions... I am going to try the shower in the late afternoon along with dividing up my prednisone into two dosages. I have never heard the idea of warm drinks making drugs work faster, it does make sense when I think about it.

Thank you all for your insight and patience with my questions :0)

Sam

On Aug 27, 2005, at 12:50 AM, dbargad@... wrote:

Hi Sam- I find that pain management works well. If you find your pain and stiffness are more pronounced in the evening, perhaps taking pain meds, such as ibuprofen at dinnertime might help. I take my meds BID which is twice a day. That means am and pm. PM can be with dinner or before sleep. I found that taking a milligram of prednisone and ibuprofen in the pm, makes all the difference. If I have overdone it, which is often the case, I take an ibuprofen and it helps. I also drink something hot, like tea with the pills, so they will start working alot faster. I find that hot showers arent just for the am but for the pm too. Nothing like an ibuprofen, hot tea and dessert. I only take it if my bones hurt badly in the evening. With effective pain management, by listening to my body when it hurts, I get by well. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

KATHY, your messages are so hard to read that it takes away from the message when I can finally decipher what they say........PLEASE use a plain background, the pictures cover the print.

Dorey

----- Original Message -----

From: KATHY SHIRLENE LEVERETT -BAKER

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 1:55 PM

Subject: Re: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

I am here to answer your question about pain pills. I just almost died back on June 1 and it is because of the pain management doc giving me morphine plus all of the other meds I was taking. My body was not getting rid of all the morphine and it built up in my system. The fact that I am diabetic and was eating a gallon of ice cream a day didn't help matters either. I had to go to Detox and I learned a whole bunch while I was there. Your body does get used to the pain pills and it will hurt more so you have to take a larger dose of the pain pills. Ultram is not addicting but all the others are very addictive. I was told this by nurses and doctors both plus druggies that was there. Whatever you do, do not let them put you on Morphine. I have just gotten a prescription of Norco but I am only going to take it when I can't stand the pain anymore. I will only take it PRN which means as needed. I have fibromyalgia also and osteoarthritis plus other medical problems. Since I almost died the only pain meds that I have taken to this point is Arthritis strength Tylenol and Motrin gel caps. I did take a Norco last night though. Some docs will give you all the pain pills you want and those that really care about you will limit you on them because it is true that your body will crave more and therefore it will hurt more. As always you should check with your own doc for this information but take it from someone with experience, only take it as you need it.

The clock of life is wound but once

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour

Now is the only time you own

Live, love, toil, with a will

Place no faith in "tomorrow" for

The clock may then be still

txkat@...

www.moment.net/~txkat

-------Original Message-------

From: Sam Rocci

Date: 08/28/05 14:32:03

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Evening Stiffness, Pain and Pills

My Aunt made a comment yesterday that has me concerned... I mentioned that I had to take more pain pills this past week than usual (I take Vicoprofen) and she said that after a awhile your brain gets hooked on the drug and sort of fakes you into thinking you are in pain. Have any of you heard about this happening? I know my left foot hurts and my knuckles are sore... How do we tell the difference between what is real and what is not? The idea of pain is really very abstract in some ways, we all feel it differently and respond to it uniquely. Part of what has questioning my pain is the fact that my pain meds are running low, do I ask for another refill? Do I tough it out? If we "tough" it out to we get better at handling it?

A Humira question: I have done three shots 2 weeks a part... should I be feeling the benefits by now or will it be a bit longer?

Deborah... Thank you so much for the great suggestions... I am going to try the shower in the late afternoon along with dividing up my prednisone into two dosages. I have never heard the idea of warm drinks making drugs work faster, it does make sense when I think about it.

Thank you all for your insight and patience with my questions :0)

Sam

On Aug 27, 2005, at 12:50 AM, dbargad@... wrote:

Hi Sam- I find that pain management works well. If you find your pain and stiffness are more pronounced in the evening, perhaps taking pain meds, such as ibuprofen at dinnertime might help. I take my meds BID which is twice a day. That means am and pm. PM can be with dinner or before sleep. I found that taking a milligram of prednisone and ibuprofen in the pm, makes all the difference. If I have overdone it, which is often the case, I take an ibuprofen and it helps. I also drink something hot, like tea with the pills, so they will start working alot faster. I find that hot showers arent just for the am but for the pm too. Nothing like an ibuprofen, hot tea and dessert. I only take it if my bones hurt badly in the evening. With effective pain management, by listening to my body when it hurts, I get by well. Yours, Deborah

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: Sam Rocci

> My Aunt made a comment yesterday that has me concerned... I mentioned that I had to take more pain pills this past week than usual (I take Vicoprofen) and she said that after a awhile your brain gets hooked on the drug and sort of fakes you into thinking you are in pain. Have any of you heard about this happening?

Received a good newsletter from the following group today regarding pain and meds AIandCD/ titled

Chronic Pain, Addiction, Physical Dependence and Tolerance,Sept.28, 2005

You might want to join the group to get the newsletter.

Nina

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,

I am not sure how addictions to pain pills work, but addictions do not happen

to everyone. I have had pain meds Rxs for 2 years now and I can go for

months without needing a pill and sometimes have a bad day or days and

need to take them. I have chronic pain, something is always hurting and I am

careful to really evaluate if I need to take a pill. Usually when I start

screaming or tears spontaneously roll down my face is when I reach for one

or someone has to reach for one for me.

Some do not wait that long and chastise me for that. But sometimes I am not

sure where my pain is going, could get worse, stay the same or die down, you

know? Sometimes when I have had like a medium to high level of pain all

day I will take one, when I just want a break!

Also in regards to Humira, some people do feel better quickly but it can take a

few months.

>

> > Hi Sam- I find that pain management works well. If you find your

> > pain and stiffness are more pronounced in the evening, perhaps

> > taking pain meds, such as ibuprofen at dinnertime might help. I

> > take my meds BID which is twice a day. That means am and pm. PM

> > can be with dinner or before sleep. I found that taking a

> > milligram of prednisone and ibuprofen in the pm, makes all the

> > difference. If I have overdone it, which is often the case, I

> > take an ibuprofen and it helps. I also drink something hot, like

> > tea with the pills, so they will start working alot faster. I find

> > that hot showers arent just for the am but for the pm too.

> > Nothing like an ibuprofen, hot tea and dessert. I only take it

> > if my bones hurt badly in the evening. With effective pain

> > management, by listening to my body when it hurts, I get by well.

> > Yours, Deborah

> >

> >