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Pain addiction??? or Pain killers addiction???

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 8/15/2010 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Helo Everybody!

So what I have learned today at my rheumy office - not from him, from the person who was measuring my blood presure, that there is something like pain addiction. That was my follow up appointment and she was checking what medicine I am taking, how much etc. After few which I am taking she asked how often do I take of Hydrocodone, I said - what??? I didn't get that perscription from you guys? She said that I propably stuck it somwhere in my files and don't remember. As I am pretty organized person I am sure I didn't get it. Whatever... I asked why I am getting this medicine - she said it will help me with my pain because I can get addicted to the pain and doctor will explain me everything. He said that I should take it twice a day even if I am not in pain. Hmmm... I don't know... I realy try to avoid pain killers as they didn't help me much before. Once when I was in the bad pain I had taken Vicodin but I thought I am going to die and never had taken it again. Once at ER they gave me morfine for my pain it didn't help either just scared me as hell...

I asked the doctor - should I take it even if I am not in pain? why? he said that he wants to kep me at the lowest pain as possible. Lately I was pain free for all 3 weeks and I don't see the point to take it if I am OK.

I just would like to see what do you think guys?? as I am really against to narcotics pain killers. I promised myself to listen to the doctor and follow direction but I don't think I am going to follow with this one? What would you do? If I can take my own pain I am OK right? I don't see the problem. I am more scared of pain killers addiction than pain addiction -  but really don't know how can you be addicted to something that hurts????

Posted 8/15/2010 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
Taking hydrocodone even if you're not in pain!? Weird. I've heard of a pain addiction, but in my opinion, taking a controlled opiate to prevent what is a rare occurrence anyway, is borderline psychotic!

I'm absolutely desperate for a vicodin script, in agony and ran out of tramadol 2 days ago (which doesn't help a great deal anyway). My doctor's are reluctant to give me anything more effective, even though I was told last time that they would... currently having withdrawal due to the norephredine inhibition of tramadol, feels like electric shocks on the surface of the brain. (No opiate withdrawal though, which can only be a good thing!)

My pharmacy only dispense 2 weeks supplies at once, and I've been on vacation for 16 days :(

Going to visit my GP ASAP, as giving up in receiving any sort of additional palliative care - as long as inflammation/inflammatory markers are down, that's fine. Why Rheumotologist's refuse to accept that the relationship between inflammation and pain is minimal, I don't know.
Posted 8/15/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the response. As long as I think about it it just seems like misunderstanding. Maybe still my language problems (???), maybe the doctor meant take it when you are in pain??. But I didn't hear it from him... that's why I am so confused. Whatever, I decided- as my pain is ocasional - not going to even buy the pills, I will have the percription if I would need it.

That's strange that your rheumy thinks that relation between inflamation and pain is minimal ??? I am in biggest pain when I am inflamed and as inflamation goes down, pain is going down. But different desease different symptoms, I don't know, I am new in this department.

I hope you will get your meds and they will be more effective. I hate even the thought that I would need to be on pain killers every day, but who knows what future will bring. Never say never - right? and I absolutely understand people who need to be on them. "Pain" is not fun and for everyone of us this word means something different.

Take care, best wishes!
Posted 8/16/2010 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I've just joined the forum I'm not very familiar with 'chatting' on line. I' ve had RA for about 15 years. Tried all sorts of meds, Plaquenil, salazopirin, mxt, gold injections (can't remember the clinical name) oh so many I can't remember but about 7 years ago I felt like i got my life back when I started enbrel! I had some flare ups now and again and the usual stiffness but damage to my joints was halted! Anyway it doesn't work anymore neither did Humira and I'm back on mxt with the enbrel, cortisone, celebrex. Pain has again become part of my life so been trying all sorts of pain relief. Has anyone tried Lyrica? clinical name is Pregabalin. It's an anti epileptic but more recently has been used for fibromyalgia.... It works for me. I only take it sometimes and at night cos it makes me woozy... but it is the only thing (other than oxycontin - which I hate) that eases bad pain so I can sleep. I've always been a bit paranoid about getting addicted but really I have started to think that an addiction vs constant pain ...hmmm maybe not as bad as I thought! I feel so sorry that so many people have so much pain and I do feel very fortunate that I had a relatively good 6 years. Cheers everyone
Posted 8/16/2010 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor gave me a prescrip for tramadol and told me to take it 3 x per day whether in pain or not to try and rid me of this daily bearable but annoying chronic pain. He said the tramadol works in this manner- you have to take it consistently. To me tramadol is like taking skittles- it is a worthless, light weight pain reliever. Well it's not even a pain reliever as far as I'm concerned. It did squat so I stopped.
I can't see a doctor prescribing strong pain killers as a preventative though....I would ask for clarification if I were you.
Posted 8/16/2010 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think I'm going to buy some pregabalin or gabapentin from a less than reputable source, also considering diazepam as a short-term intervention. I have officially lost all faith in the British health system, and in physicians as a breed.

Weary - Tramadol has a terrible side effect profile, especially at high doses, and yet it has only intermediate analgesia effects, therefore, it is completely non-sensical to prescribe it over hydrocodone... oh wait, hydrocodone has abuse potential... best prevent people in genuine need of it from having access to it, less the American Midwest middle class should use it to get high.... - I don't like taking Tramadol cause of its antidepressant/SNRI effects, and I don't like being at the ceiling dose of a drug, I'd rather take less of something more potent. I just can't break the tramadol barrier. In fact, at the moment, I can't even get a doctor to see me so I can get some tramadol. I'm suffering with SSRI discontinuation syndrome, it's horrible, and I'm rather fed up.
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