Hi I am Hopeitworks...

Hi Everyone ... I just found this forum and hope to become a regular.  I was diagnosed with fibro 6 years ago.  It started with chronic pain in my arms, shoulders, back, and knees.  My arms were the worst and I could hardly get dressed or shower or just about anything you need your arms for like brushing teeth and hair.  Life was pure hell and I spent 90% of the time in bed trying not to move because that was the only time I didn't hurt.  Also one of the first symptoms was brain fog - that was the worst thing EVER.  I had worked in the legal field for 25 years and worked as a legal assistant/ secretary/ bookkeeper/ and office manager at my last job for over 10 years.  The brain fog was so bad I started screwing everything up at work and ended up getting fired.  I then went through 4 jobs in 3 years before I finally realized I could no longer work to support myself and my 17 year old son.  I started looking for men and met a guy online who had his own business so fortunately that worked out for me.  I became his bookkeeper/ and helped in his business which  could do from my home when I was able to function (We're married and I'm still with him  and that was 10 years ago.)    I spent years going from doctor to doctor, having brain scans, neurological workups, every test imaginable which all said I was NORMAL!  Yeah, normal!  So I finally went to my rheumatologist and was diagnosed.  I tried all the normal things Lyrica, etc  but none of them helped me and the side effects prevented me from taking them.  So off to a pain management center I went.  Did all the usual things, went to a psychiatrist to see if I was a candidate for narcotic pain medicine.  Needless to say, here I am 6 years later addicted to pain medicine.  But at least I have my life back and it's better than the alternative of a life that I had before.  I can at least get out of bed, do my housework, take care of my 4 animals, grocery shop, etc.  I get extremely tired and have to rest several times a day but hey, I'll take it.  I nap usually once a day but lie down a couple of times for a short time.  I find if I lie down for 30 mins I can resume my regular activities.  I hate that I have be come dependent on narcotics and all the stigma that goes with it but they actually gave me my life back so I deal with the "side effects."   I guess long story made short, don't feel bad if you end up where I am.  Don't be ashamed, just try to use them the way they are prescribed and you will be ok.  Of course I started 6 years ago on the lowest dose and gradually went up to some pretty heavy doses.  But I've found the combination of meds that work great for me and I haven't had to increase or change for almost 3 years so I'm a very happy camper.  I wish you all the best and your first step is to find a compasionate doctor,  your best bet is a rheumatologist as they specialize and can diagnose you, or else have your primary care doctor diagnose you and then send you to a rheumatologist.  With them in your corner you can get a referral to a pain clinic if that's the route you want to take.  I found it's the only thing that worked to reduce my pain levels at all but for alot of people there are other meds that work for them.  That would be the preferable thing if it works for you rather than facing the addiction I have.  Just some sound advice.

 

Post Edited By Moderator (getting by) : 4/11/2012 7:57:45 AM (GMT-6)

Welcome to the fibro forum. Don't feel bad if you need the narcotics for pain control. My Dr. Told me if you have full control in taking your meds and your not abusing them, then your dependent. If the narcotics are being mis abuse then it's called addiction and causing havoc in your life. I myself became addicted and it was a mess. I am happy to say I am on a less addictive drug, but doesn't always cure the pain. Maybe you will find some new treatments from here to help your fibro. This site has helped me so much. The support and the wealth information is all worth being here.

I agree with AKAngel. Welcome to the forum, btw. I'm mostly a lurker but do jump in sometimes. I have had fibro since 1985 and have only been taking narcotics since 2009 when I burned my arm and found out that hydrocodone not only helped the 2nd degree burn pain but also helped my fibro pain (and arthritis in my lower back along with other pain). However, I'm so afraid that I will become addicted that I only take my Norco and Soma (not at the same time) when I can feel that the pain is escalating too quickly for ice or rest to take care of. I don't think you are addicted if you take your pain medicine as prescribed and don't try to refill it early or just take it get a high. You may be dependent on it, but certainly not addicted. I'm one of those people who has to be in control of myself and so I have never been a drinker or drug user. I've been on the same dosage of medication for over 2-1/2 years without having to go up to a higher dose.

Best of luck to you!

I gave a name to your thread. I hope you don't mind. Welcome to the forum. You will receive a lot of help here. Have a wonderful day.

Hi Karen, No, I don't mind at all.  I was upset with myself that I didn't see the line to put a subject myself, so thank you for doing it for me! 

Hi, Hopeitworks, and welcome!  You know, all the time you spent in bed didn't help with your pain at all.  I know the pain you are talking about.  You don't want to move at all but if you sit or lay too much you will have more pain...with fibro and with arthritis.  Doctors highly suggest that we exercise...gentle exercises like swimming, walking, yoga.  Once I started that, I got in control of my pain.  I have used ibuprofen, Tylenol, and supplements to help with the pain and fatigue.  Vitamin D deficiency can cause more pain, too.  I also take malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3, Curamin, ginger, and garlic to help with pain and inflammation.  These would help with your arthritis, too.  I have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis and it's a rheumatic/arthritic disease and these things should and are helpng me.

 

I did try Vocodin and Tramadol and it didn't touch the pain so I stopped taking it.  But doing gentle stretching exercises, walking, pacing myself, and taking the above mentioned things, I manage to be in control of my pain. 

 

Yes, some need to take narcotics.  But you are discovering what my doctor explained to me....you take a narcotic, your body becomes adjusted to it and then you need more to get the same relief you got at the lower dose.  That makes me nervous.  Then there is the fact of trying to get off the narcotics if you have to.  I hope you don't have to face that.  

 

I'm very glad you do have control of your pain and have your life back again.  Maybe if you try some of the things I suggested, you can take less of the narcotic and that would be very beneficial for you!

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there that could help you, too.  

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine   

Welcome to the group!