I think I have tried almost every OTC painkillers you can get.. I have issues with most doc prescribed anti inflammatory, the Rheumy prescribe tramadol which I don't tolerate.. I am thus far just living with massive joint and muscle pain and when it gets to much I take panadol and codeine mix which knocks me out. What other pain killers are there that I can talk to my rheumy about?? He refuses to give me anything other than tramadol I think to punish me because I questioned his bedside manner ( he is the ONLY Rheumy in my state so I have no choice but to go to him... :-[ ) I am pretty much at the end of my teather!!
Hi Wiccagal :)
I'm sorry you can't tolerate anti inflammatories because when things are flaring they seem to help the most. I'm not allowed them any more because of gastric issues although i did get a months worth from my doc to calm down a bad bout of tendonitis.
When I was told I couldn't take them any more I was told to take codiene and paracetamol. I couldn't tolerate the codiene. It made me very depressed. Really black mood time. I was switched to tramadol and paracetamol which I take on a daily basis. It's not as good as the anti-inflammatories were though.
I'll follow this thread with interest to see what's suggested.
Take care - Scottie :)
It's just a thought, but you do not need a rheumatologist to handle your pain meds. I see my GP for pain management. My rheumie is a pip.
Hi Wiccagal
I take Vicodin for pain. I also have have back issues so my doc [ I get them from and Ortho dr. whom I've know for 30 yrs. he gives me 50 every month]. I also take fish oil 3 grams a day, that is suppose to help with inflammatory issues. But make sure fish oil is of a high grade or you will burp up fish taste.
Cricket
I have had excellent relief from Lyrica. A word about tramadol: when you first start taking it it seems strong and overwhelming BUT, you will adjust to it quickly. I can now take it first thing in the morning and go off to work as if I took nothing. When I first started it, it knocked me for a loop. You might want to give it more of a chance!! :P :)
Stevie
Sjogrens for 15 years. Lots of neuropathy, joint involvement and pain. Tramadol, Lyrica, topamax and currently tegretol for trigeminal neuralgia. Metaprolol for a-fib prevention. Lumagan for glaucoma.
I use a fentanyl patch. I change it every other day. It's used for people who need narcotic pain relief on a daily basis. My pain is beyond understanding. Thankfully, for the first day, I am out of pain. The second day on the patch isn't as great but still ok.
If you're talking about not tollerating Tramadol, then you certainly wouldn't tollerate this. This is BIG pain medicine.
Quote from: syng4hym on May 24, 2010, 05:08:27 AM
I use a fentanyl patch. I change it every other day. It's used for people who need narcotic pain relief on a daily basis. My pain is beyond understanding. Thankfully, for the first day, I am out of pain. The second day on the patch isn't as great but still ok.
If you're talking about not tollerating Tramadol, then you certainly wouldn't tollerate this. This is BIG pain medicine.
I think that is what I need,, I have been thinking about a patch for a while,, I would try anything to get rid of this for a few hours,,, are tehre any side effects to it?
I take tramadol 3 times a day for good days, but bad ones, I take darvocet. Darvocet is not as strong a narcotic as the fentanyl or vicoden.
Meditation, Reflexology, Reiki, Carrot Juice
Tramadol is generic for Ultram, but without the acetaminophen. My pharmacist said to always take tramadol together with the non-aspirin (acetam..)because the tramadol doesn't work well without it. I take them 3 x day - every day. Tramadol is about the only non-narcotic pain reliever on the market and since I'll have pain forever, my docs don't want me using a narcotic unless I absolutely have to. I don't tolerate codeine at all anyway. Best of luck.
Joe S Carrot Juice??? I haven't come across that suggestion before for pain relief.. how does it work???
theres a new pain med on the market,, which my insurance will not cover,, its called Nucynta,, FDA aproved it for severe pain,,, I read some of the reviews,, some people say it gave them thre life back,,, and others say it was the worst med they ever took,,, but I think thats the same thing will all meds,,, some tolerate it,, some dont,,, I guess I need to call the doctor and tell them insurance wont coverit,,
Carrot Juice provides your body with the builing blocks for endorphins. Endorphins are your own pain killers and they are a 1000 times more potent than morphene.
Valarian root is another pain killer but I would be careful with it. Prince valium, was developed from it.
I take Darvocet. It helps but doesn't completely stop the pain when it is bad. It is about the only thing I can tolerate because of esophogeal problems. It is not as addictive as stronger narcotics. When the pain gets better, I have no problem stopping it.
Joyce
Hi:
Finding a pain killer that works which you can also take long term is tough. Most drugs have serious side effects. It is one of the biggest challenges in medical science research.
Have you tried accupuncture?
How about a massage or hot tub?
I use the hot tub often, helps me relax, get rid of any pain I may have, and great sleep!
Pegasus
I go to a massage therapist every week... get a hot stone massage and I do the acupuncture thing.. the pain feels bone deep if you know what I mean, like it radiates outwards from my bones (mainly my shoulders, clavicle, arms and hands..) into my muscles, on bad days my hands spasm and lock which is totally not cool. All I am on at the moment is panadol and codeine which I cant take through the day as it knocks me out... Do a lot of meditation but there are days that I cant deal with the intense pain.. the rheumy was well there is not alot we can do for Sjogrens and you will just have to deal with it.. to which I wont accept as I don't believe anything is hopeless..
Wiccagal: I've thought about massage therapy but every time I think about someone rubbing my owies I wind up not going. I have constant neck and shoulder pain from Fibro, pSjS and breaking a windshield with my head years ago in a car wreck. Also, I completely agree with the "bones" description. I keep telling my husband I can feel my leg bones and the pain radiates out from there. He just looks at me like I have a screw loose. Of course, after 39 years of marriage, he KNOWS I am missing several. ;D
I can't tolerate codeine and that pretty much leaves only morphine and I'm not going there! Fortunately, Tramadol still works for me.
Good luck finding something that works for you.
LeoLady
Try Reiki. It is energy healing. No rubbing massage. It is calming and helps to reduce pain.
Wiccagal, if your Rheumy says live with it ask your family doc. That is plain cold! Pain management and respect is very important to feeling some sense of control for me when so much of my body is unknown from day to day. I get 84 Lortab every 2 weeks. I was on less until my vit D levels went back down because of probs with getting to tan and supplement use intolerance.
I have had success with accupuncture and accupressure which I taught myself from a great book (Micheal Gach I think). Where are you with being well hydrated? It wasnt until I started drinking Penta that I realized that I could feel some better from being better hydrated. One of the first things I noticed was less fatigue but also pain went down a notch.
There is a pain society that I have found is very support about pain issues. It is the American Pain Foundation. You can sign up for their newsletter online.
Emily K
Be very careful with pain medications. I had severe nerve damage from a wisdom tooth removal and was on pain meds. i.e. codeine, Percocet, Vicoden, etc. strong rheumy meds. Developed severe heart pains and went for tests. They said it was all the medications I was on. All these meds are extremely drying (which you don't need with Sjogren's). I was so miserable so did research on the internet and decided to wean myself off. I used topicals, for my jaw, and other areas, meditation, exercise, prayer, I listened to music and relaxing tapes. I read books on how to overcome pain. You can get what is called rebound pain from too many narcotics so it worsens the problem. I still have the nerve damage pain in my jaw (5 years now) but can control it better. Once in awhile I will take a baby aspirin (eating something with it so as not to cause stomach problems) and that is all. Pain clinics can help but usually they give you drugs.