HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

A confession

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/1/2010 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
I had my gallbladder removed in January and was prescribed percocet for the pain. I didn't take them all, and I have found myself tempted to take the leftovers now when I'm having a bad day, which has been frequently since we've had a lot of rain in Maryland.

I have to admit I did one day take half a percocet (I was taking them whole after the surgery) and I felt so much better, I could even focus on my work. I only did it that once, but I feel really guilty about it. I don't know, though, what I am supposed to do when my doctors don't seem to take my pain seriously. My gastroenterologist told me not to take NSAIDs like Aleve anymore because of the damage to my stomach and esophagus from acid reflux, and Tylenol has never done a thing for me.

My mother won't let me see a pain specialist (I'm on my parents' insurance) because she says they'll just put me on narcotics and send me on my way. But I wonder if maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing. I've always been rather opposed to taking lots of pills, but now that I take at least 5 daily, it doesn't seem so awful a fate.

What do you guys think? What do you do/take to cope?

-Sandi
Posted 4/1/2010 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandi,

When you say you take five daily, is that different pills, or is it the percocet? That would be an awful lot for percs.

I would explain to the doctor that you took a half of one and that it helped you and maybe they would give you a few a month to get through.

I know percs are a good pain killer. But yes they are a narcotic. Though who knows, maybe that is waht you need.

Talk to your doc, see what they say.

Best wishes for a painfree day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/1/2010 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
I take 1/2 Percoset 3 times a day. I also have Crohns Disease and between that and my Fibro, I couldn't function otherwise. I do not get a high from this, nor am I dependent on it. If I don't take it, I have no issues. JMHO
Posted 4/1/2010 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Sandi, this is a tricky one. I take Darvocet (I've heard it's similar to Percocet - ?) and know what you're talking about. I've only recently started taking it when I feel the pain level increasing to the point where I can't function or think about anything else. I don't get high, either, in fact emotionally I prefer the way I feel NOT on it, but it sure does take the edge off the pain. It's scary to think what it might be doing to our brains and other organs, but then, I guess pain itself does bad things too (along with the stress hormones it produces) so it's kind of a lesser of two evils thing, and you have to decide which is the lesser. Good luck with the doctors!

I had a laproscopic cholesystectomy a few years ago, and the pain lasted way longer than I'd expected - - a month or more! But then, I'm a lot older than you.
Posted 4/1/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't be able to work (I'm a high school math teacher) if I didn't have the oxycodone to ease the various pain and injuries. I've been on pain meds for years and they give me a quality of life that I otherwise would not have.
Posted 4/1/2010 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sandi DO NOT feel guilty cause you need pain meds sometimes. Neither of my docs are generous with pain meds but I'm going to talk to my GP Mon about trying another one, vicodin doesn't seem to be the answer for me. I went many years without having to take any and I do try all the home remedies first but sometimes they are not enough. I don't want to have to take meds for high blood pressue, thyroid, anxiety and anti depressants for low serontonin but if I didn't take some of these I would be dead. Granted they don't get the bad rap that narcotics do but there comes a time when we know in our hearts we have done everything else we can for the pain and it's not enough. Xanax can be very additive too but I will not allow myself to go over the three mg my doc wants me on a day no matter how much anxiety I am having. I have gone to my doc forever and the only time I have ever had to ask for extras was when a relative stole mine many years ago.

 

I am a lot older than you and quality of life has become very important to me.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 4/1/2010 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I take somwething for migranes But/caf/asa  it wacks me out for a little while and hubby is having a fit about it.  We went thru this  with Soma off and on for the last few years.  He hates the way it maKES ME but it helps with my pain.  He acts like I am on herion or coke .  He just doesn't understand.

I would not feel guilty about the percs.  Whatever it takes is what I feel.

 

Posted 4/2/2010 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. I guess I'll have another talk with my doctor. I might be switching rheumy's soon anyway.

To answer Karen, my 5 pills are NOT percocet! They're the other things I take every day. I don't think I'd be able to function on that much percocet.

And in agreement with what a couple of you have said, it's not about getting high and I'm certain that I was not high in any way, I was simply very happy to be pain-free.

I will at least have to try Lyrica before my rheumy agrees to anything for the pain.

-Sandi
Posted 4/2/2010 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

Pain of Fibro can be so bad, it's hard when people just do not understand. Please don't feel guilty about getting relief of pain. I take Perc's for break thru pain. I use to be on Lyrica too, it was great for a long time but then I needed a stronger dose, then I had issues and had to come off of it, but still even with that, there were days when I needed pain meds. And like others, without pain medication, I would not be able to function or hold my job. Find a good doctor who understands Fibro and make sure your parents hear what the doctor says also so they can get a better understanding!!

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply