anyone ever use colchicine for pain?

Hi Melissa!

I'm sorry you've been in so much pain. We all understand the misery and desperation you must be feeling. It just isn't fair but somehow we get through it. With your fibro I'm sure you already know several ways to help ease the pain....warmth in any form, especially moist heat. I stand in the shower and drain the tank...lol...OK, nearly drain the tank. Keep your muscles moving as much as you can during the day. Not strenuous movement but as we all know sitting or laying in one position is the worst thing we can do. It sounds like you have a complete medical team in place and you are not only lucky but are a very smart woman!!

I had never heard of this medication so I did some research. It's a mighty potent drug that can have some serious reactions and interaction...I"m sure you already know that. (part of this post is for others who haven't heard of it either ;-)) Below is some of the research I found. A couple are links and others are items of interest from several sites. Please do be careful with that particular medication, which you already know, but if you have started taking any other medications since you were prescribed the Colchicine then please do ask your pharmacist and/or doctor before you take any more. We sure don't want anything bad to happen to you. I know...I sound like a nagging mother...lol...and I probably am but I care so very much about the people on the forums....I just want everyone to be safe.

Please keep us pdated on how you are doing...OK?

Hugs,
Chutzie


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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682711.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601693

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Side effects

Side effects include gastro-intestinal upset and neutropenia. High doses can also damage bone marrow and lead to anemia. Note that all of these side effects can result from hyper-inhibition of mitosis.

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One of the most worrisome side effects of colchicine is that it can damage the bone marrow causing severe anemia and low white blood counts. Reduced white blood cell counts can increases the risk of infections. All patients taking colchicine long-term require blood count monitoring. Colchicine can also cause hair loss, weakness, and nerve irritation.

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Toxicity

Colchicine poisoning has been compared to arsenic poisoning: symptoms start 2 to 5 hours after the toxic dose has been ingested and include burning in the mouth and throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and kidney failure. These symptoms may set in as many as 24 hours after the exposure. Onset of multiple-system organ failure may occur within 24 to 72 hours. This includes hypovolemic shock due to extreme vascular damage and fluid loss through the GI tract, which may result in death. Additionally, sufferers may experience kidney damage resulting in low urine output and bloody urine; low white blood cell counts (persisting for several days); anemia; muscular weakness; and respiratory failure. Recovery may begin within 6 to 8 days. There is no specific antidote for colchicine, although various treatments do exist.[6]

Melissa, I am sorry you are having a hard time with your pain. Sometimes it gets bad and I can understand you wanting relief and some help. I haven't heard of this med. before. I agree with PaLady and Chutzie. Please be careful... I am glad that it did give you some relief. Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.We do care. And you know we will support and encourage you. I do hope you are able to get a good nights sleep. And I hope you will waken tomorrow feeling some better, too.
Anice

   Miss Melissa,

     Goood afternoon! *warm huggs* I wish I knew more about the differant types of medicine but I dont. I am glad however that it is helping! You live in such a contstant high level of pain, I simply cannot imagine how you do it! You ve really stumbled on to something good.

      I "tried again" relofen (nabumetone) after my first injection series and now am on it to this day. I told my doc right away. "Hey this stuff make my hipps and knees and shoulders feel great! Its like "oil" for my joints! Can I keep it up?" He said "Sure! lets do a blood test make sure there are no side effects happening. I think you will benefit from it long term." He seems really pleased. Perhaps your doctor will too?

*warm huggs*

     dani