I take cymbalta 60mg, synthroid 1mg, plaqunil 50mg, the lamictal and tramadol 100mg 3 times per day. I take them all on a daily basis but the tramadol I usually only take it twice a day. I am afraid of meds. I figured out a way to sleep. I use guided meditation. With this level of pain I still wake up a lot but I do get a fairly decent amount of sleep. The meditation seems to work for me. I don't usually feel very depressed but I know this gets me down at times so I am seeing a therapist to help me deal with it. Even though the cymbalta was given for pain I am sure it is helping me emotionally. Thanks for listening

Hi Sorry I am just answering my pain hasn't gotten much better. the work thing is a catch 22 isn't. I don't like to be there is pain but it also helps me not to focus on how much pain I am in. I live day to day also but sometimes I can't help but think how am I going to live like this for the rest of my life. I keep going with the hope that research will find an answer for all of us. My pain might not be getting much better but my emotions have settled down. thanks for being here! hopeful

It is quite scary; feeling like this is what the rest of your life most likely will be; also, in most cases, is a progressive disease. I do my best to give it to God and trust Him; but letting go is difficult.

"I am afraid of meds". can you elaborate on this? In the early days I was the same, it was like if I gave into the meds I was accepting my neuropathy. I now take whatever I need for pain control and if i eventually end up on morphine or 600mg of lyrica and 400mg tramadol than so be it, because a 10 will ware any of us out eventually.
I like Bobs approach to meds being take the darn things and have some quality of life left.

I had a sister that had bad RA and took pain medication. She ended up addicted and it scars me to even start. Do u work IF so are you able to function on the meds. I did call the rheumo today and I'm waiting for a call back I need to tell them I can't take this anymore. No more being passive and smiling when I see him.
Thanks

I am doing the best I can to turn it over. I have read so many books recently concerning spirituality. I think they do help some. I wonder sometimes even though we turn it over. I know God expects us to do things for ourselves. I don't know when I am stepping on Gods plans or just doing what I need to do. How do you know? Deep question sorry.

I am on heavy narcotics; 60 mg Oxycoting every 6 hrs. 240mg a day, Percocet for breakthru pain 3 -4 times a day; a couple of times a day I take the Percocet with 5mg vallium. When I was in the hospital with my spine fusion surgery it was suggested that the two helped.

The meds seem to be more of a stimulant for me. I don't know how I would function without them. Of course, these meds were gradually upped during the past 3 years. This is a high as I will allow myself to go. You are not considered addicted; but you are dependent - there is NO high from these meds. Since this is something that will most likely be for the rest of my life, I would not be able to function otherwise.

Your sister may have had a temporary need for them and got addicted. Again, when this is a lifetime, not functioning at all is much worse. Luckily, I am retired and do not have to work. Unfortunately, my husband does not like to hear complaints and trys to ignore them. That does hurt. I still do get laundry done, and our meals are not as good as they had been; but we do manage. I no longer drive, so he does do the grocery shopping and thank goodness for the internet for shopping for other items so I do not go to malls, etc.

You sound like you need some help for the pain. I am not a pill popper; like you, I was afraid of addiction. Dependent is much different than addiction.

I do believe God's plan is for us to "give Him our pain and fears. It's times when I seem to take back giving it to Him that I feel, He must be hurt because He wants us to trust in Him. We never step on His toes. He is there for us. All we need to do is ask.