My fibro. has been real bad for guiet soom time. I think I feel much better. I'm not sure if it's really better or just the meds. I would like to stop the paine meds. and give it a try. I can't get sick, I have a six year old, a brain damaged son and a husband with a broke back. I know, it sounds crazy but it's true. lol Anyone have a tip. Thank You

It sounds like you have your hands full,i would wait or please talk to your Dr
the one who gave you the meds. Much luck to all of you. Sue

The pain can go into a sort of remission at times. So you can lower your amount of meds, but as Sue said, talk to your doc before you do it.

Roshelle...those pain meds are probably doing what they're meant to do, make you more comfortable and often stops a pain cycle.
I've had Fibro over 20+ years. Pain medds has been a godsend for me.
I'm afraid if you ask your doctor to take you off of them...you may never get them back.
Many people have been denied pain managment meds by most doctors.....very bad medicine practice for sure. Too many people suffer!

I have found that what I eat it tied directly into how bad my Fibro gets.
Wheat is a huge trigger for me as are a few other foods.
Make sure you're taking the proper amount of vitamins, especailly Methyl B12, sublingual form...it sure helps with the tireds!
Blessings, cheryl
Yes...I beleive you when you say your family has so much. My husband suffers from mouth cancer and now heart disease. I could write a book as there's so much more....your eyes would glaze over!

Hello!

Greetings from Alaska!

If I were you I would talk to my provider/doctor before stopping any medication. Because most medications I am on - and have been on for pain - do not recommend abruptly stopping them.

I was on a NSAID my Orthopedic Surgeon put me on once and he explained that I should take it daily and do not interuppt it because in order for it to work it works once you have been taking it for awhile - like Glucosomine. It has to be in your system.

All the best to you

Kim

I do understand what you are feeling Rochelle! I only take my pain meds when I am so miserable, I cannot stand it anymore.... Then, it only takes the edge off as I have waited so long...

Taking the pain meds is like admitting I am not my old self.... It's a control thing w/me.... I am currently using Tramadol as needed, but if anyone has a better suggestion, I'm all ears as I don't think it's doing that great of a job.... thanks all!

((((((Rashelle)))))),

I've found that both Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR work equally well for me to knock the pain back to next to nothing.

You have to be real careful with these, though. I've actually gone into withdrawal after a week of not taking the Effexor XR because of problems getting to the pharamcy in the winter.

Both of these drugs require you to taper off. You can't just quit cold turkey. You'll be in withdrawal for months. A good taper progam from your doctor or from someone who knows the drugs really well http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/ will ensure that you don't have problems going off the drugs.

If you're really 'curious' to see if you're still better off the drugs, I'd ask the doctor about tapering off. You can always go back on, if you don't like what you feel like off them.

You have so many BIG, HARD responsibilities, why would you want to find out if you're OK without the meds?? Is someone criticizing you for taking medication??


((((((Daisy May)))))) <<-- pretty name!!

I figure drugs are just like eyeglasses or insulin or shoe lifts. They're tools to help you cope better. I don't think that someone who needs insulin has a lack of control ... or someone who wears eyeglasses should be able to see without them.

I think that if there's a tool that helps you function either with much less pain or with no pain and makes it easier to live your life and take care of your responsibilities -- I don't see anything wrong with using the tools that are provided to you by The Universe.

BIG gentle hugs for the room.

Barb

Moose!
Unfortnately Cymbalta and its evil sister Effexor XR did not work for me. It actually created an environment where I had undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder and made it worse. I was manic all over the place! Only 4 years later was the Bipolar diagnosed.
Pain is so individual. I am seeing a doc who won't give pain meds so I am only left with NSAIDS, muscle relaxants and cortisone shots in my trigger areas.
So for those of you getting pain meds be very grateful, some don't have the option.

Thanks, ((((((Rashelle)))))) for the kind words.

I'm glad your son is OK. I know how precious they are (got one myself)

That's too bad about losing your benefits and your pension.

If you're having problems with obtaining your drugs, you might want to check these out:

http://public.murl.com/moose53/HEALT...OGRAMS_(DRUGS)
(press the [page-down] key 3 times)

Another thing that you might want to check into for the "doctor" part of it is 'free care'. As part of the Medicaid program, hospitals have to accept a certain percentage of patients in the free care pool. It's based on income. Sometimes if your income is just slightly over the 'allowable' for Medicaid, they'll move you to the free care pool. I see the same doctors. My primary care physician is part of an association of doctors -- everything from gynecology to dermatology. My pain management doctor *IS* through the pain management clinic but he's the director and he supervises everything that's done to me. I get very good care. AND, I've had the same doctors for years.

I hope some of this helps. I know the big drug companies are willing to provide meds to people that can't afford them. That info is in the bookmark (above) that I gave you.

Oh, one more thing. Going into a alley somewhere and using a crack pipe to get high or picking up oxycontin on the local street corner is NOT the same as using prescription drugs to lower your pain levels so that you can function and have a life. I doubt very much that you'll get hooked on drugs. The ones that don't have that fear (the fear of being hooked) are usually the ones that get hooked.

I don't know what your money sitch is. If you're not on Medicaid, you should apply. If they deny you, you can apply to one of your local hospitals for free care. I live in Boston and we have TONS of teaching hospitals here. Those are the places to get the best care.

Hugs. Good luck. And have a nice day.

Barb

Wow Barb! That is a great way to look at it... I never really thought of my meds as tools, but it does make sense... Thank you for your perspective on this.... It's just the cyber kick in the pants I needed....

Now, where did I put those eyeglasses.... You couldn't tell me where I left them, could ya???? thanks again.....