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Taking pain meds

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/3/2009 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I was just curious who all takes prescription pain medication for Crohn's or Crohn's-related illnesses (arthritis, etc).  After going to the ER last week, I got a script for Vicodin, and I've been taking 1-2 daily, mainly for my back or tummy pain, but I've noticed it has helped my symptoms get better overall.  I guess because I struggle with D, and I know hydrocodone is known to slow the bowels and sometimes cause constipation in some people.  I am not constipated, but it has definitely slowed things down a lot! I feel great!
Posted 7/3/2009 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
I was just hospitalized a few weeks ago for severe intestinal bleeding. When I was in the hospital of course I was on IV meds. I was getting Dilaudid every 6 hours for the pain and was discharged with Tylenol 3 bu I have been tryting not to take it too much. I have only had to take it a couple times. It works pretty well.
Posted 7/3/2009 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
some old meds for crohn's include tincture of opium. It(opiates & their cousins) slows the GI dramatically. Heck...these are a lot less dangerous than the ol' prednisone (JMHO)...we take a lot of "risky" meds, and be informed about their side effects, risks of stopping quickly off the med, and risks to mental behaviour (cuz hey, that prednisone...Moooooood swings...)...but whatever works I guess...
Posted 7/3/2009 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
I get oxygodone 10 mg and now they switched me to oxy5 mg with 525 mg of tylonol together . Honestly I can't live without pain med I get irritable and can't function
Posted 7/3/2009 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
Me too - Vicodin 10/650. I take about 2 per day. It helps me to feel "normal." not only does it slow the system down and improve symptoms overall, but it allows me to feel less anxious since I don't have constant pain as a reminder. I do not take them until I feel the pain though. That way I stay in tune with what my body is telling me. While upsetting, pain does have a purpose. Once I hear the message, I drown it out and call the doc if it seems out of the norm.

Becoming Undone - I really appreciate the way you stated that. People question our use of pain meds, but they really don't understand the overall picture.
Posted 7/3/2009 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
I had a script of Oxy filled afeter surgery and it is still full. I don't believe in taking pain meds unless I absolutly have to, even for headaches I wait until I can't stand it anymore.Then I will take some Tylenol.
Thats just me.
Posted 7/3/2009 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Wolfie then you must be the man then or haven't gotten to the point yet that Crohns is killing your body daily. I take 1/2 tab of Percoset AT least 3 times a day. On a bad day I might take another. (More than 1/2 tab tears up my stomach) I suffer with not only Crohns, but Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis too. I am in pain the minute my eyes open every morning, and I couldn't function as well as I do without them. JMHO
Posted 7/3/2009 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am lucky enough now that I don't take pain meds unless I am having a blockage I hate taking pain pills and will do about anything to avoid it. I now have a hot tub and this helps when I am having pain. Of course it was a different story before my resection.

Elizabeth
Posted 7/3/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Ooooohhhh Irishmom4 I am so jealous of you. I think honestly if I had a hot tub, I would use less pain meds. Where we live right now only has showers, no bathtubs, and oh how I miss them.
Posted 7/3/2009 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I know for a fact that I would have to take a lot more pain pills if it weren't for my bathtub and hot tub. My husband bought it as a surprise right before my resection surgery to help me feel better. But now I think he enjoys it as much as I do.

Elizabeth
Posted 7/3/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
My mom has fybromialgia . I'm guessing that's why I have crohns becuase there is a connection and noone in my family has crohns. But pain medication is a savior it does help you stay normal. Pain just adds to the stress of life why not take it away but idk how people say you get addicted to pain meds. Guess you have to have a strong mental.
Posted 7/4/2009 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one, then!  And I, too, would absolutely LOVE a hot tub!  I take baths on a regular basis, because my back pain can become almost unbearable, and it helps me to unwind and get to bed at night.  Maybe my hubby will surprise me one of these days! turn
Posted 7/4/2009 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I have huge bottles full of hydrocodone, but I try to take them as infrequently as possible--not because I'm afraid I'll get addicted, but because I'm afraid that, if I take them as often as my pain requires, I'll get used to them and stop getting the happy buzz I get when I take them. Since I haven't been able to drink alcohol since my diagnosis in 1999, my once-a-week hydrocodone tablet is the only relaxation I get. It stops the pain, makes me feel normal for a couple of hours, and gives me bouncing-around-the-walls energy. My doctor laughs at me for not taking it more often, but I save it for those days when I just can't deal with the pain (and the eight million bathroom trips) anymore. Meanwhile, I'm fantasizing about a big frozen daiquiri full of fresh forbidden fruit and rum. Sigh.
Posted 7/4/2009 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Nawlinscate, that's hilarious. I understand what you're saying, though. Sometimes you just need a moment to relax and forget about this darned disease. I will have a beer for you! Btw, the energy I get is out-of-this-world! I take one, and I am ready to take on the world! At least I can get some much needed housework done. :)
Posted 7/6/2009 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I need my doctor to up my dose of oxycodone cuz I'm really not feeling these 5mg jionts LOL
Posted 7/6/2009 3:42 AM (GMT 0)

I have oxycodone and hydrocodone up in the cabinet..I don'y take it unless I have too..I worry about getting dependent..For severe bowel spasms(tenesmus) they are necessary..

Cindy

Posted 7/6/2009 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have to take pain meds at least twice a day due to arthritis (even with Humira, prednisone and methotrexate).  Right now, I'm on Tramadol, but I've done Hydrocodone when flaring in the winter, before we started methotrexate.  Hydrocodone did seem to make constipation worse.  I haven't noticed anything with the Tramadol and I've been on it for years. 

Posted 7/6/2009 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I get bright eyed and bushy tailed after taking pain meds.

I notice that wherever I am at, my posture will improve a great deal. It usually happens after taking mscontin 15mg, about 10-15 minutes. My shoulders are straight, my back too, and my chest gets pushed out, it all just sorta happens naturally. I just happen to be paying attention... I walk now with a sense of pride, a sense of confidence. I am no longer slumped over from the belly pain. It's great.
Posted 7/6/2009 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
I'm also one of those who doesn't like to take pain meds unless I absolutely have to. Earlier this year I had an anal fissure for which I took two scrips of Darvocet, that was followed by the most searing joint pain I have ever had for which I had a few scrips of Vicodin for. Problem was, my GI doctor did not recommend taking any pain med above OTC Tylenol and would not prescribe these for me, so I had to go to other doctors (Primary Care doctor, Rheumatologist, ER doc) to get the medications. It made me feel like I was doing something sneaky to get around the system to get the medications, but I could not function as even a shadow of myself without them.
Posted 7/6/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Well I find this now fair! I've been suffering with my CD for years, nothing seems to work for to long, but I've ask for pain killers. They say there is no pain killer for CD. I had one doc give me morphine but once I start to flair I can't keep anything down (maybe thats why they wont give me pain killers for me CD) but I'm also suffering badly with RA I guess it's the antibodies from Remicade (which they have taken my off of now,switch me to Humira) even then I'm not getting pain killers that work. So I suffering.. pain is so bad at night I get high fevers. I will see my Doc in Sept if I don't go to the hospital first I will ask about that.
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