I myself agree with your mom. I feel that tolerating pain is ok only to the extent that you can still lead a life. But if you have to forfeit your life due to the pain, it is better to get pain relief. For some people, Advil, tylenol, and many prescription drugs that are not narcotics, provide them relief. But for some of us, and for some people on some days, those do not suffice. I would not feel guilty for getting pain relief. I need the stronger pills, and if I don't, I don't take them. Many pain relievers and other drugs they prescribe us with fibromyalgia have many side effects and dangers as well as addiction problems too, if they want to compare it with the vicodins and the percocets. You know what you need and you are probably doing the best you can.

Take care.

I'm so sorry for what you're going through, fibro sucks.

I can't tell you to stop or start the pills again. However, I can share my experience and opinion, so I'll try to help that way.

First of all, it doesn't appear to me that you were taking that much but it looks like it was helping. I know and my docs stress this that no matter what you take, you need to wean off of it.

Secondly, pain pills are there to treat pain and if a person is in enough pain for a doc to prescribe it, why not take it. I know it's scary, all the warnings about addiction and stuff. Well, people who need it and use it as prescribed have very little chance of addiction. Unless they have issues with substance abuse already. I was scared of narcotics, too.

Back in may, i got a new doc because my symptoms were out of control and after a year of seeing a pain doc, i had no improvement.
During the first visit, among other things doc suggested pain Med and seeing fear in my face he said that you need pain pills he said he could feel my pain. They have been increasing the meds, last week doubled.

The doc said that noone should be in pain if there's help available, and one can't get better being in pain.

I understand some people choose different routes for personal reasons.

However, if the Med was working for you and the only reason you stopped was guilt created by reading how pain meds are addictive and judgemental people who don't have ant idea what its like to be in pain day in and day out, i would think about it again.

Especially that you can't take other things, i would stick to the one i can take if it helps.

I agree with your mom that the longer you wait the harder it will be to undo the damage. Pain creates pain. Muscles tense up, then you are in more pain, its like the dominos.

I hope that whatever decision you make, your pain subsides. I just hate to see people suffer if they don't have to just because judgemental people, doctors, writers put the fear and shame in the people who are already vulnerable due to illness and pain.

It's good to be informed and cautious, but with that said, if you and your doctor work together and keep an eye on things, taking a pain pill, especially a low dose should not be a problems.

Sorry if I rambled too much, blame it on the fog. Dont let the pain get to be worse than it is. Meds work better if you take them before the pain is out of control.

I hope at least some of what I said made sender and that it helps.

Take care.

In response to "ja36"

that's a good line: "pain creates pain"... so true! It seems to compound upon itself.

Thank you for your help and support. I am lucky to have an understanding husband and mother who thinks I am being too hard on myself, too. I have not been sleeping well and have been taking melatonin, which is not helping at all. I think I will need to go with my body and take a pill to get some relief and a good nights rest.

I'm a big believer in mixing things up...taking ibuprofen one day..a script the next time I need a med. Sounds like you should be on some kind of preventive like lyrica or cymbalta...not just narcotics

Unfortunately, I have tried Lyrica, Cymbalta, Neurontin and Amytriptiline with terrible side effects, so a narcotic is all I have for pain relief.

I tried Lyrica and Cymbalta with horrible side effects as well.

I take Norco 3x daily. My doc gives me 4 a day but I rarely will need that much.

If I don't keep my pain under control it will get away and then I'm just chasing the pain, trying to calm it again. It's just a waste of time for me to go through that so I take it every day at the same time now.

This medicine has given me my life back so I don't feel bad for taking it. It took me so many years to even find a doctor to prescribe it.

I am very glad my doctor is willing to prescribe it, but I do not think she is that on board with it. I transferred my pain management from a pain clinic to my regular doctor at their request, so she basically had to take it over. I am lucky to stay on 1 a day for so many years without needing more. I hope it stays that way. :)

Another option that sometimes works for me is to take half a pill during the day and a whole pill at the end of the day if necessary. It helps for me with the side effects and helps keep me more functional.
Welcome to the site! I'm from Washington too!

Thank you couggenny. Yes, I finally took 1/2 a pill last night to help with the pain. It definitely helped.

I agree w/ your mom. I went off pain meds once completely for a few days and several times was able to cut way back. Your usage is minimal compared to mine. I take morephine twice a day and oxy 3-4 times a day, savella and arthotec. These, along w/ supplements make up my daily ritual. Best WIshes!a

I think you should have a sit down with your doc. I like to mix up treatments...tylenol or tylenol based one day, ibuprofen the next. I like to be able to mix it up so my body doesn't get used to any one medicine....maybe they could try that with you? Just an idea.

I talked to two rheumatology nurse practitioners who are Fibro experts yesterday for two hours. They told me that when you have fibromyalgia, not treating the pain makes it worse. I was resisting even taking Advil (I do have a high pain tolerance and I'm stubborn) and they scolded me and told me to take the darn pills or I would get worse.

I'm taking the darn pills now.

You need to do what you need to do to stop the pain creating MORE pain cycle.

Thank you for all your advice. I also have been told that it can make pain worse by letting it go without any relief. I am back on my schedule of 1/2 at noon and 1/2 at 6pm. It makes a difference to have that pain relief!