How do you manage the pain during the days??

My crohn's is flared and so are my joints. The pain of course is getting worse

and worse.  I'm waiting to go on Cimzia for the first time but doc said it would

be a few weeks as it takes a little bit to go through insurance.  So last week I

went to see my Rhemie looking for a bridge to help with this pain until I can get

going on the Cimzia.  He gave me that 7 day steriod pack and it isn't even touching

the pain and swelling in my joints so thats a waste.  But he also gave me

Tramadol.  It is helping to take the edge off at night so that's a plus.  However,

that stuff makes me very sleepy so I'm not going to be able to take this stuff

during the days during the week and function still at work.  Unless of course

I don't go to work which if I don't get on the Cimzia soon, that might be

happening.  My joints are getting worse as the days/weeks are going on.  I'm

about ready to go doc and say look, if you don't me on this stuff soon, I'm going

to be in a wheelchair. Seriously.  I can barely walk now as it is.

I take 1/2 tab of Percoset for my pain. I don't take a whole one, not because it makes me drowsy, but because more than 1/2 upsets my guts. I will be honest sometimes that doesn't really help only to take the edge off as you said. I agree with Zanne, they usually stop making you really drowsy after a couple of days. Good luck!

Narcotics, in general, will slow the bowel, example is codeine (such as tylenol with codeine). The problem is moreso to get the doc to prescribe it because narcotics can be addictive . But you received a pain med, but have the side issue of drowsiness. I have seen pain management posts here so theres more meds that Ive seen..do search through the posts for an alternative and ask to change. Perhaps also ask for lomotil which has numbing affect on bowel. The joint pain is likely the result of crohns. If you find that your GI doesnt address your pain issue, nor does your arthritis doc, then go to your primary doc, but explain as you did here about drowsiness and need for alternative to the doctor who prescribed the pain med, perhaps they will change it to one that is effective during the day.