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Posted 6/3/2011 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have experience in taking stronger and stronger narcotics for the pain? It seems there is a vast sweep from Tramadol to Fentanyl Patches! I have been on Tramadol for several years and I have already had to double my dose and lately it doesn't seem to touch the pain at all.

What has worked for others? Or what has been the trouble with this path to pain management.
Posted 6/3/2011 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
What you are describing is exactly why I don't take narcotics.  My doctor told me that when you start narcotics it helps.  Then your body became more accustomed to it and you need more to get the same results.  This can go on and on and you are taking more and more medication.  I don't want to go there so I've learned to deal with the pain...so far. 

 

I'm surprised that that happened with Tramadol, though.  Do you exercise and do other things like massage to help with the pain?  Perhaps if you did, you could back off it some and only use it when absolutely necessary.

 

It is 2 AM here and I'm on the forum because my pain was so bad that I couldn't sleep and it hurt to lay in bed.  But getting up, moving around, taking some ibuprofen is helping me and I hope to head back to bed soon.  Isn't fibro fun???? 

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/3/2011 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cognizance!

That's a great question and one that's a bit hard to answer...but I can give you my experience and what I've read on the forum about it.

First, if you're on Tramadol after 'several years' you're doing very well. That's not much of an increase to increase the dosage and not change to a different medicine. When I was diagnosed my doc had been giving me percocet and it wasn't doing much to control the pain. But when the rheumatologist confirmed his diagnosis he put me on oxycontin with percocet for breakthrough pain. I think I tried Tramadol once but that was given to me by the rheumy, I think. Felt like I was taking M&M's...lol But that's just how my body works. I have a friend who could get a full dose effect of percocet by just licking the inside of the container lid. It's all related to our opioid receptors and how they are dealing with the drugs.

If you are wanting to know what comes next after Tramadol, here's a listing of medications and their relative strength. This is only a relative listing as medications work differently for all of us.

www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/medicine/painkiller-comparison.htm

The best thing you can do is consult your doctor. Don't be afraid to tell them that your current medication isn't working. It's the only way he's going to know. You don't need to suffer out of worry that you will be chastised or looked down on for asking. If you have a good doctor it's not a problem.

Hope this helps,
Chutz
Posted 6/3/2011 10:11 AM (GMT 0)
Oddly opiates don't really work for me. The only thing that consistently works is tramadol. However, when I took it daily it seemed less effective since my body was "used to it". If I take it a couple times a week or less, it's very effective. Unfortunately I'm allergic to ibuprofen, so I can't say how that would work for me if I were able to take it.
Posted 6/3/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
When taking narcotics, try to take the lowest dose possible to relieve the pain. I take norco, six a day. I have been on it for many years and no desire to take anything sttonger. But sadly you do build a tolerance. I do have some pain, but I can handle that. Just don't go up the pain scale of medications too fast. Once you get to the top, there is nowhere to go.

Sherrine, I see you are being a night owl. I hope you got some sleep.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/3/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I couldn't use pharmaceuticals for pain the first 5 years or so -everything just made me sicker. Then I got a bad abcess and discovered I could tolerate Vicodin by then. What a change in my life! I will never go back to trying to live with this kind of pain with only passive pain control. But the main thing I have discovered about narcotics (or anything that controls pain) is you have to control yourself first - just cuz you feel better, you don't clean the whole house, it'll come back to bite you. I quickly went from 1/2 a 5mg Vicodin to whole 5mg to 7.5 Vicodin etc because I did not manage myself. I didn't feel the pain so I did far more than I should have which just brought more pain. I have a plan now I have used before when I felt I needed to go up to the next level of Vicodin and that was to stop taking it (not one withdrawel sx, btw, b/c I am not using it as an addiciton), start taking Tramodol, put up with that for a month or two and then go back on the Vicodin at a lower dose and start all over again. I've been able to stay at 7.5 mg now for a couple years. I might increase my neurontin here a little too and that will help extend the Vic's use for me longer until I do the Tramadol thing again. It's everyone's choice and you have to find what works for you for your level of pain. Just because I use narcotic pain meds I still do all the other stuff to treat pain vs popping another pill. It's all about being responsible to ourselves and as patients.
Posted 6/3/2011 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
I've had fentnyl patches,don't like them they made my one eye cross and that was at the lowest dose
Posted 6/3/2011 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi NSCAA,

The norco is 10mg vicodin, with less tylenol in it though.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/3/2011 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Cog

As you see, everyone is different. I started with my pain doc in 2006, going from hydrocodone to oxycontin, then fentanyl to methadone back to oxycontin. I od'ed twice, onetrip I died twice in the ambulance. I cold turkeyed after that and wanted to die. I changed docs who od'ed me on steroids and I ended up in the psych ward with "roid rage". Then back to hydrocodone. And nobody seemed to notice I had an addiction problem. I stayed on 3 hydros a day for 3 years but I got so tired of maybe running short at end of month, I just finally weaned myself off of them 3 months ago. I had godawful pain and would scoff at those who went without narcotics and thought their pain could not possibly be as bad as mine...For me, the more pain killers I took, it seemed the worse the pain was. This me, not you or anybody else, but I felt I was making a victim of myself. That I was reacting, instead of being proactive. I now am narcotic free, lots of motrin, heating pads, muscle relaxers, gentle exercise and a very warm cuzzi. I must admit my house is getting pretty dusty and my desk is total chaos, but I feel more in control of my brain and my feelings. really bad days I do very little, but hubby is so glad I'm off narcotics he has started helping more. I come from many generations of alcoholics, but I persuaded myself the pills were medically necessary. I, ME cannot handle them. I take my hat off to those that can use them responsibly. I was not one of them. So, just keep all your meds in perspective, when they do more harm than good, it's time to stop. I hope they o wonders for you. Take care

Maggie
Posted 6/4/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies.

My most dramatic encounter with drugs in general was when my appendix burst in the ER. This was before I was Diagnosed with Fibro, but had it. The pain was indescribable. I thought I was going to die...really. My wife was there and I was saying my good byes it hurt so bad. I passed out over and over from the pain. You think you will never be on a waiting bed screaming at the top of your lungs...for an hour with nobody seeming to notice. The gave me Vicodin then morphine then triple the morphine. I didn't even notice.

So there I was being rolled into surgery and a guy strolls buy with this tiny syringe with like a cc in it. He pops it into my IV and walks off.
I swear before he had removed it from the IV I had no pain...at all. I didn't care that I was going to be cut open for the first time or really care about anything at all. It was absolutely the most fantastic relaxing of peaceful feelings I can remember. In the span of 15 seconds I went to the most pain I have ever felt, to the best I have ever felt. It was quite the experience. I am sure it was Fentanyl.

I believe and practice methods for pain reduction that don't involve drugs. However, I can not ignore how they have improved my life for the better. In particular my body is less stressed with less pain and that gives me more strength. And strength has no limit to its value in my life.
Thanks for all your info. I will talking with my doctor.
Posted 6/4/2011 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
My pain doc recently put me on Topamax when tramadol 3/day wasn't doing enough. I'm finding that I'm forgetting to even take the 3rd tramadol now, plan to not take it unless I need it for a flare.
Posted 6/4/2011 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
Don't worry you will plateau at. lots of CPers out there are taking 2000mg of morphine and you would never know. many variables go into this. if you did well on tramadol in the past maybe Tapentadol could give you good pain control. it is a kicked up version of tramadol, and both are almost identical to Effexor the SNRI anti-depressant. good pain control is within your reach you just need a doc who is willing. good luck to you.
Posted 6/4/2011 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
yeah  WOW'bayoub2--great going I'm so happy for you that you were able to fight your addictions---great work!!!!
Posted 6/4/2011 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
TO stop the addiction I change my pain killers about once every 3 months or less depending on my pain level.

I take Tramadol when I need it, which i haven't touched for months now.

I will see my GP this coming Thursday and get pain relief and something to help me sleep.

Kathy

Posted 6/4/2011 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks uh oh it is hard...I'm having a bad am and if I had a hydro in front of me I would take it-lol. In stead I am tlaking to y'all...I gain strength here Thank you

Maggie
Posted 6/4/2011 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Bayoub2,

I am glad that you find you gain strength here. This is a wonderful site. And remember you are a part of it.

I hope that you feel better soon. Can you get out for a short walk? I bet that would help. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/4/2011 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen just got out of the cuzzi. Y'all know how bad mornings can be.... and late in the day I really feel soooo tired, I get crabby. But, life is always more good than bad...so many blessings. I am hibernating today. We live on gulf coast and heat index is 105!!! The heat literally makes me crazy. I know alot of you are cold sensitive, how about heat?

Thanks
Maggie
Posted 6/4/2011 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Maggie,

I can't handle heat and humidity. I need to be somewhere where it is about 70 degrees all year around. No such place, I don't think. 105, that sounds brutal. Is it a humid heat or a dry heat. They say that people feel more comfortable in a dry heat, but since you are on the gulf coast, I am imagining that it is humid too. Unless you get winds or a breeze. It is breezy here today which helps keep the bugs down. And it feels less humid.

Well, I think I am going to take the dog for a short walk. Does us both good. Enjoy the cuzzi, and the hibernating. Hope that you have things that you can do inside to keep your mind busy. A busy mind is a happy mind, or is that "hands"??? lol... Maybe the same for both. I don't know... I know that I do better when my mind is busy. Coming here helps.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/4/2011 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Karen-it is soooo humid here, it is hard to tell if you are breathing because you inhale air the same temp and humidity is same as coming out. UUGGHH! But Christmas on the deck overlooking the bayou kinda makes up for it. We were going to take daughter and grand daughter out on boat and go swimming but even on the boat is brutal. So, maybe we will go for snoballs later. MMMMM!! Yes coming here helps. My husband groans when he sees me on here--haha-but only place where I can whhhiiiinnne-lol. Have a great day

Maggie
Posted 6/4/2011 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
That is got to be rough. Are you on the bayou? My first husband loved the swamps of North Carolina and Mississippi. That is hot believe me. But when you are use to it and love it, there is nothing like it. I am more into the autumns here, right before the snow. It is brisk and the skies are bright blue. Nothing like that. But I wish I could spend my winters in the south and my summers here. That would be perfect.

We have just finished up mushroom season. We hunt the wild mushrooms in the woods. (morels). It is a lot of fun. We hunt in an old orchard and the old apple and cherry trees were in bloom and it smelled so good out there. It is a lot of fun finding them. We also pick berries and apples out there. No pesticides on them, but sometimes worms. lol...

You have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/4/2011 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Maggie, that was quite the ordeal you went through but I'm really glad you got off the narcotics.  Yes, narcotics can cause more pain in some cases.  That surprised me when I heard that. 

 

Do try to do some moving.  I live in Florida and that heat index will be here in a couple of weeks.  I walk daily but I set my alarm and am out there by 6:15 AM...just as the sun is coming up.  It's the only time of the day that I can stand it.  But, the beauty makes up for it.  The sun turns the sky pink and all the critters are up and about searching for breakfast.  It's really pleasant.

 

If that doesn't appeal to you, try a walking in place video.  I have one by Leslie Sansone and it really is good.  But, the movement will help you with the pain and you will have more energy, too.  When you get back home you can jump in the jacuzzi!  Sounds good to me.

 

Anyway, congratulations.  You should be very proud of yourself.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/4/2011 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to you ladies for your words of encouragement. Yes, we live on the bayou and raised my daughter in and on the water. We lost so much after Katrina, but this spring we have sighted 3 bald eagle nests with babies, and ospreys are back. It is a really coollace, but I was raised In New England so we DO miss the glory of fall and the exhiliration of spring after a hard winter (still a Yankee at heart-lol)

Yes Sherrine, I do upper body exercises every morning, but no walking for me due to rather severe degenerative discs and bursitis, so I plan on splashing and kicking in the bayou. I absolutely hate exercise of any kind but as odd as it sounds, it seems to lessen the pain. I think the less you do, the more painful everything is!! AND it gives you a feeling of empowerment over this stupid fibro..so I used to groan when I'd read how you and other moderators kept saying "Move!" but it's true. I applaud those of you who do yoga-it was torture for me...but we just have to find something that works for us. Everybody here has been so kind toeach other I really look forward totalking with all of you everyday.

Have a great evening everyone!

Maggie
Posted 6/26/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
I am really, really confused! Everyone keeps talking about the pain meds they're all taking. How r u getting your
doctors 2 even give u pain meds? I cannot find a doctor in my area who will give anything that will take my pain
2 a level I can at least handle. What states do u live n? I'm ready 2 move somewhere I can get someone 2 listen
2 me!!! :(
Posted 6/26/2011 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
I have Multiple sclerosis and very severe pain from it,,deep,throbbing pain at the base of my spine and my legs give me the most trouble.
Lately tho my pain has reached a level that I am up for days and cannot function.
What I have noticed reading this thread is some of you seem to have the same type of pain as me and the heat intolerance??
I'm wondering if I may have a combination of MS and FM??
I am starting a new neurologist that was recommended to me from a doctor in the emergency room when I had to go there for the pain in my legs.
I am tired of trying to pray,wish,and meditate this pain away..
I wrote dowm some of the meds you all listed here and I am going to ask him which I can try to get my life back and I am going to also ask him if it is possible the pain is not all from MS alone.
I'm glad I stumbled across this thread,lol.
Posted 6/26/2011 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have a form of inflammatory arthritis and think I also have some fibro. The heat is absolutely horrible for me. So is a drop in barometric pressure with thunderstorms. We get a lot of those in the south in the summer. Summer seems worse. I take tramadol 50 mg for pain and sometimes advil. Narcotic pain meds make me very nauseous.
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