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Pain meds.....

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Posted 6/16/2012 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
I am on Enbrel, which is not working. I am in constant pain, and it is getting worse, not better. I wonder what pain meds you guys are on? I have no idea what pain meds my Rheumy offers. I was started out on Predisone, which I had to stop because of side effects. Now on Enbrel. I go see my Rheumy on the 20th...just curious what kinds of pain meds work for you. No NSAIDS work for me. Mobic/Tramadol/Lortab...I have tried all those . about at wits end...I sleep fragmented sleep about 4 hours a night, try and work fulltime, and in between have excruciating pain. :( I just wanna feel NORMAL again.~~~~~Janet~~~~
Posted 6/16/2012 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am assuming you have RA but, do you know if there is something else also causing pain-such as joint deterioration, DDD, etc.
Enbrel and prednisone only address inflamation, if you have joint damage they may slow the progression but won't stop the existing damage from causing pain.

I take Tramadol and it works great for me, you say you've already tried that so it may be time for something else. My rhuemy will script just about anything yours may have other policys.

Have you concidered having daily scheduled pain meds with break through meds for when they don't cover all the pain? Really you are going to have to talk to your doc. You may want to browse the chronic pain forum too for threads about talking to your doc about pain meds.
Posted 6/17/2012 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, sorry, yes, I have RA. I was told for 20 years I had Fibromyalgia, and the doctors did very little to help me. (I think they thought it was "all in my head"). I went to a Rheumy in Feb 12 and she dxed me with RA after numerous tests/MRIs, xrays etc. I work fulltime, but have an easy job and an awesome boss who understands my pain and lets me take it easy when I need to. I am open to pain meds...if they work and I can get them. I live in North Carolina, and some docs here are good about dispensing meds, others are not. We have alot of 'pill heads' here...so alot of docs won't give narcotics no matter whats wrong with you. I bought two wrist splints yesterday, and wore them to work. I felt my wrist pain was dramatically reduced. Now...about the rest of the pain lol. I am glad I found this forum...I am new to RA, even tho the Rheumy says I have probably had it for the 20 years I have been hurting. I went all that time thinking I had to live with pain and mobility issues due to Fibromyalgia...wish someone had said years earlier for me to see a Rheumy. I might could have staved off alot of what is going on now. :)
Posted 6/18/2012 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janet,

So sorry to hear about your pain. Don't hesitate to ask your rheumy for something to ease the pain, tell him or her your pain level. I used the number system when my pain was too much and said it was quite frankly a 10. If you are not sleeping, this is only going to make your pain level higher, you may want to consider something for sleep.  I take Trazadone at bedtime to help with sleep.  At one point my pain was so awful, I wasn't seeping, my rheumy wrote a script for that and Darvon, which I don't think is on the market any longer, but I take Vicodin on occasion.

Someone mentioned stress, yes, yes, and yes! If you are under stress, your pain level will seem higher, couple that with lack of sleep and you have quite the flare!! I'm also on Enbrel and MTX and this week was simply too stressful, and I hurt all over despite my Enbrel and MTX.

I also wanted to add that sometimes the foods we eat can cause a flare..for me it is sugary sweets. Yesterday was Fathers Day and we had cake for my husband. Well..I had at least three pieces, and today I am running a fever and feel horrid.  I have had this reaction to sweets before, so you may want to give your diet some thought.  Also, tomato juice/tomato based products give me the same reaction.

Post Edited (momto3) : 6/18/2012 7:09:00 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/22/2012 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Janet I feel your pain girl.. I was told I had RA and Fibromyalgia but the rhuemy I was going to was not addressing my RA at all. My sed rate and CRP levels were thru the roof. I finally went to another Rheumy when he told me I needed to go to a pain management dr. I found out that I do not have fibromyalgia and my new Rheumy has me on Plaquenil and Cimzia injections which are working but it is a slow go of it. I take Vicodin for pain and I take it regular as I keep my pain under control pretty much with this. except when I have a flair. You will have a flair from time to time I found out no matter what medication you are on. Took me seeing folks on here to realize this. I thought the meds were just not working. lol hope you feel better soon. Peggy
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