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Question for those whose use narcotics for fibro

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Posted 1/2/2013 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I recently ordered my medical records to read them cover to cover to see if I could find any clues about my fibro and my recently diagnosed lyme disease as well. I was reviewing the records and my pain management doctor sends all her records to my pcp and in her list of diagnoses was opioid dependence and I was shocked and a little upset at that. I do take oxycontin and percocet bt and I am sure I am physically dependent but that I didn't think that was an appropriate diagnosis as that was a treatment for an illness not an illness itself, at least right now. Thoughts?
Posted 1/2/2013 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
My question would be if you Are physically dependent and your pm doc. agrees, why are you still on narcotics. I know I'm in this crazy minority of people with multiple medical issues who doesn't think having my body pumped full of poison is ever going to help me heal, but its just my opinion.
Posted 1/2/2013 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have narcotics available to me, but I try to use them only for my hemiplegic migraines. I can't say if its because I pretty much stay going all day or if its because pain has been a daily thing for me all my life but for I while now I have only needed the occasional muscle relaxer. For a while I was having to use my norco for other very painful issues but it finally went away.
I think fibro is an individualistic experience. It fluctuates between all of us. I can't say what you need anymore than you could tell me.
I do suggest you have a chat with your pm dr. Its better to just go to the source. You didn't say how often you take your medicine but maybe you could try weaning back a bit just to make sure you need all that you are taking. Our bodies can learn to tolerate certain amounts of pain over time.
Posted 1/2/2013 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Shadow- I wouldn't worry about that too much. You mention it was one of many diagnoses. Opiate dependency happens anytime your on them for a length of time. He didn't put opiate addiction. That one you might be concerned about. It just let's other dr's know that your on them and it helps them know when they are seeing you as a patient. It sounds like you had some other diagnoses beside opiate dependency with this Dr.

If you take your meds the way you should and they are not causing havoc then your doing ok with them. We are all so different. I wish I could take them still. But I have a dependency issue. Sometimes I could use something stronger. I chose to stop my narcotics because they were causing me severe depression and I was abusing them. Be glad you can take them to be comfortable.
Posted 1/2/2013 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
You can discuss it with the dr and find out exactly why that was put in there.  Ive been on Vicodin for years..take 2 pills at bedtime.  Without it?  Cant keep the paid at an acceptable level.  I dont abuse it, I take it as directed.  I would find out why it was phrased that way.  If you are taking the meds according to how they were described only then they should note that as well!
Posted 1/2/2013 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
I think that everybody who takes narcotics has a little dependancy. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but if you feel the need to talk to the doctor, then I would do so. I know how you feel about having that in your records.

I take oxycodone and wouldn't be able to get by without it, so I guess I am dependent on it too. Don't be ashamed of taking something that you need. I hope that you get it cleared up.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/3/2013 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I have been prescribed many different types of narcotic pain meds while still trying to find what my neuro doc calls "the right cocktail" to manage my fibro. Without them I would not be able to get out of bed. Am I "dependent?" I guess you could say I depend on them to get out of bed each day.

Even with pain meds I still have flare ups that leave me so tired that I cant get out of bed and cause so much pain that I am forced to use a walker at age 38. This coming from someone that has always worked 2 jobs because I loved it and worked out at the gym at least 4 times a week.

Fibro changed my life 18 months ago. Now I do what I have to in hopes of regaining a small portion of my life back. If that means being dependent on narcotics then so be it.

For those that don't understand how hard it is to live with this illness ; my response is simply don't judge me till you have walked in my flip flops "I am a beach girl" Thankfully I have very supportive family-great friends and an awesome 17 year old son.

I still have an extremely hard time accepting help as I used to be the one that was helping others. I have recently begun to be able to read my body and have started to accept help because lets face it there is still laundry to be done and a house to be cleaned. I just cant do it all like I used to.
Posted 1/3/2013 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I know I am physically and probably a bit psychologically dependent on the narcotics. My concern is that that is my diagnosis. If I saw that as a diagnosis, I would be wondering what they were doing to treat that. There must be some sort of chronic narcotic treatment diagnosis. I just don't want that in my medical record. Of course that was never on any of my paperwork given to me. So, I will bring this up with them. I am having some problems with them as of late anyway. Just another little rant- I of course am under a narcotic contract and have random drug testing, but I was looking at my claims and OMG the urine testing was about $1100. Just a money making business!

I am totally OK with using the narcotics- Suffering- I am like you, I am 43 with a young family and the fibro came on and I am really disabled with pain and chronic fatigue. Unlike you, I don't have as much support from family. Well, really, my husband sort of 50/50 gets it, which really makes it hard since he is my primary support person. My parents, who live close, are both very supportive so that helps.

This diagnosis really sucks sometimes, but I am really trying to be positive with the hand I have!
Posted 1/3/2013 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Shadow, I agree Fibro sucks. I try to stay positive, but it is not easy. I cycle thru the emotional phases. I just feel like my life was stolen from me and I want it back! I would settle for even a portion of my life before Fibro. I am not giving up, I will keep trying anything and everything untill I start having more good days than bad ones. I'm not there yet.

I wish you a day of no pain and endless energy!
Posted 1/3/2013 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Too bad there is still such a stigma attached to taking opiates. If the choice is would you rather be totally independent, as opposed to dependent, of opiates or be on your feet doing laundry and sweeping under the bed, I will choose to be dependent on opiates.

Staying on my feet and being as active as possible is a much higher priority than worrying about having 'opiate dependent' on my medical record. I mean, it is a concern of mine, as well but being able to function at least minimally, is more important. With us, use it or lose it is more true than ever.
Blood must circulate in order to maintain a modicum of health.
Posted 1/3/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
SufferingFromFibro,

Have you ever tried adderall or anything like it for the fatigue? I take it and it keeps me out of bed. It has helped me for years. I am not perfect by any means, but it is better than not...

I wish you all a good and painfree day. If that is possible, I am beginning to wonder anymore with the weather we have been having...

Hugs, Karen
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