Fibromyalgia Community

Yes, I was put on Narcotics to controll the pain, but, the side effects were terrible, and yes, then one cannot work. I am trying Tramadol, which is not a narcotic, it does help, ease the pain. The new fibro med Salvea did not work for me, again the side effects were too harsh, but, it has worked for some.

Dear Annette,

I take Tramadol on a daily basis. My doctor also prescribes Vicodin for when my flares are so bad that there is no way to break the cycle other than a pain pill.

That said, I am certainly not an addict. I worked in Corrections in Wisconsin for 31 years and saw plenty of those.

Some of us need narcotic pain medication to be able to deal with the horrendous pain. I don't believe that means we don't have fibro. Please don't judge us.

If I was too short with you, I apologize. Hope this helps.

maggie

Maggie,

That's not what I meant at all. I was taking Tramadol not much luck with it. I'm glad you have found releif. Tramadol certainly not addictive. I read up on it when I was taking it. The company I work for wouldn't allow me to work if I was on any Narcotic. Taking a narcotic when the pain is worse, if it works then go for it. I don't want to be on it 24/7 like some that I know. Their is a difference between an addiction and an addict. I certainly didn't call any one an addict. I have not found anything to even help me deal with the pain. I cry everyday I live in my bed when I'm not at work. People at work get upset with me because they think my anger is toward them and I try to explain it's not but sometimes the pain is so bad I snap. I'm usually not that type I guess that's why they don't understand it. My husband and I are separated now because he didn't want to hear me talk about my pain and Fibro any more. Or not spending more than 45 min. a day with me.

I'm sorry if I affended you. Like I said, that isn't my intent I'm just trying to understand why some doctors are quick to go to narcotics and others are not. If they were an option for me and they would help. Then it is certain I would find someway to work it out.

Thank you. I don't want narcotics either because of the side effects. I have tried Tramadol unfortunately doesn't work with me. I've also tried all of the new meds. I do take Cymbalta, not for the pain itself but to help me deal with the anger and depression. Without it I don't think I could deal with it at all.

Hello All,

I think the main thing to remember is that Fibro is a fierce dragon at times and there are many things that we all do to cope with the pain. With me, I am usually able to take the tramadol during the day to cope with my pain (because it doesn't put me to sleep). However, we am I am going through a flare up sometimes two or three days, the tramadol doesn't even touch my pain. For me that's when the narotics would come of benefits and even with the narcotics they help with the pain but I still have to take something to help with the stiffness just to get through the flare.

Narcotics do not have anymore side effects then other Fibro meds like Lyrica and Cymbalta. The main thing to remember with narcotics is that if they are taken as prescribed and which most of the time is "as needed" then there is actually a very low risk of addiction. When taken responsibly times when you no longer need it you can stop taking it without having any withdrawls which some medication has when you stop taking it. However if you are not taking pain medication of any kind as prescribed it can have it's side effects.

Annette I am heart broken to hear that you cry everyday due to your pain, I know we all have our days where the dragon gets the best of us ( I just had mines a couple of days ago). I know you have your views on narcotics we all have certain things that work for us best.Maybe you and your doctor could come up with something more for managing your pain and maybe that would help with the anger and depression that you are feeling,because being in pain ( expecially chronic pain can cause depression).

Soft hugs to you all!!

I take vicodin and it has helped me control my pain and lead a much more active life, better than the other meds I've tried.

Doctors don't like to prescribe narcotics for FM because it's a chronic condition. So there's the possibility that a person would have to continually increase their dosages.

I had way worse side effects from: Effexor, Neurontin, and Tramadol. I refuse to take Lyrica, Cymbalta because of the possible side effects.

I became quickly dependent on the tramadol. I eventually was taking it only to prevent withdrawal side effects. I've read many experiences of people who had the same problem that led them to have addictive behaviors. Thankfully, I avoided that, but I could see how it could happen.

I take at least one vicodin almost every day. However, there are times I go days without it and I have no withdrawals. And on it I have no side-effects. For me, it's been a much better med than the others I tried, both for working well and not having side effects.

I'm not saying that people should or shouln't take narcotics. But different meds definitely work for different people. Having something to actually help me with my pain has allowed me to exercise at a much higher level--a necessity because of the weight gain I experienced from Effexor and Neurontin.

Good discussion, though, because there are many misconceptions about FM. I don't think you'll offend anyone--you asked a honest question.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for. I have been to so many doctors saying try this, try that, when I say its not working they either add another drug (continue the drugs I'm on) or they up the dosages. Four years now and it keeps getting worse and noone is listening. The last doctor I went to a specialist said take gabipentant and continue to increase until the pain is controlable. I'll see you in six months. WHAT!!!!!

Hi AnnetteLad,

I take so many pills and don't know if any of them are narcotic or not. I certainly hope not.

We have a couple of addicts in our family and it's very devastating to all of us. They were put on pain meds for injuries and now they will do anything to get their hands on the stuff, therefore I lock all my meds up. And that is the last thing I want fo rmyself is addiction to a drug.

So the big question is are we all going to have to be addicts just to survive?

I am so frustrated because I am so sick of taking pill, vit just so I can get out of bed and sit in my chair and do hardly anything!!!! I need to be dializing my dad, BUT I CAN'T, I have a new grandbaby coming, I should be helping my daughter with the fun stuff I CAN'T.

I AM SO DEPRESSED AND SICK OF ALL THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Donna

Thank you Donna. I get so angry because I can't talk with anyone and no one seems to understands or wants to understand. At my work a womans daughter started having stomach pain. It took months for them to figure out what it was. The girl could no longer do activities or go to school and of course narcotics were not the answer. Nothing they gave her helped her with the pain. Eventualy they found an old sports injury that was causing the problem. I'll never forget the day when the coworker came to me and said Annette I never understood what you go through being in pain everyday.Until I seen my daughter going through it and I don't know how you deal with it, especially not seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I am sick of all the pills even though the docs took me off some of them but increase one to the point its the same amount of pills.

I took Tramodol for tweleve years and then all of a sudden every time I took it I started itching, My specialist told me that was the start of an allergic reaction. He prescribed Nucynta which although it is a scheduled 2 narcotic taken with my other meds has worked miracles for me, I can handle the pain and and with my other meds I can work and have a "normal fibro life" I even take LESS than what he prescribed for me a day. I really questioned the judgment of taking this med and the doctor convinced me at a low does it would work..I do get drug tested and as long as I can verify my script I have no problem...I even can drive with this with no impairment..I guess what I am trying to say do not judge to harshly I work in the health care field and understand there are users and abusers civilian and professional each case has it's own story..

Hang in there remember you are not alone...Don't give up and don't think every one is "picking" on you. We all go through trying times...Everyone is different what works for me may not work for you. My friend gave my husband a print out about FM thank God my husband understands but it does not stop the frustration though...We are all like a big extended family, hang tough...One thought I had is have you tried a naturalist sometimes they have ideas too, hot baths and massage, lower stress and know first and foremost you are NOT alone.. You are in my prayers and I pray you get something that works..

I have fibromyalgia. I am in horrible pain.. because if this I am on the Duragesic patch and Morphine. Because I am... I can still work. Without them I couldn't walk b/ c the pain was so bad. I have talked to my doctor about addiction.. he says that my body uses the meds for pain.. nothing left for addiction. I work for my doctor and have for 13 years. He protects me and I trust him.

If this is not for you fine, it is for me because I want to continue to live my life for as long as I can.

I am not judging any one. Why do people think right away they are being judged. I'm looking for information. I am in the medical field as well. It's not just drug testing I have to worry about. As long as I have a script I'm good with drug testing too. However, the company I work for has a policy that if you are taking a narcotic you cannot work.

I thank you very much. I'm really not judging any one. I just hate this and I'm trying to make some since out of all of it. Even though I may have made a few people mad, I have learned a lot. For that I thank everyone. I've lost so much in just four years and I haven't yet found anything to help me I'm not giving up. Not just yet.