Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Hi Everyone! I saw a similar post asking who takes narcotics and based on the answers it made me have questions that I couldn't quite ask on that thread. So here goes:
I have been on the following narcotics:
Avinza (morphine 24 hour release)
Kadian (morphine 12 hour release)
MSIR (morphine) for breakthrough pain
They didn't seem to work as well so I switched from Avinza to Kadian and then to the one I'm on now:
Opana ER (hydromorphone 12 hour release)
Oxycodone for breakthrough pain.
I don't seem to be without pain no matter what I take. The Oxycodone breakthrough I am taking 4 a day and they work pretty well.
Opana costs my insurance about $1,200 each month. I pay $80 a month because I have to have 2 separate prescriptions.
I have thought about switching to Oxycontin to match up with the Oxycodone, thinking it will provide better relief. I found out the Oxycontin is almost as expensive as the Opana.
My pain doc said I could also try going back to Avinza to see if my body would react to it, or give Fentanyl (Duragesic) patches a try.
I know I won't be completely without pain, but keep thinking there must be something that can make me more comfortable.
So, what do you guys think? By the way, I have fibro, myfascial pain syndrome, connective tissue disease, osteoarthritis, etc. Just a mess, basically, lol.
Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Sheri
I have been on the following narcotics:
Avinza (morphine 24 hour release)
Kadian (morphine 12 hour release)
MSIR (morphine) for breakthrough pain
They didn't seem to work as well so I switched from Avinza to Kadian and then to the one I'm on now:
Opana ER (hydromorphone 12 hour release)
Oxycodone for breakthrough pain.
I don't seem to be without pain no matter what I take. The Oxycodone breakthrough I am taking 4 a day and they work pretty well.
Opana costs my insurance about $1,200 each month. I pay $80 a month because I have to have 2 separate prescriptions.
I have thought about switching to Oxycontin to match up with the Oxycodone, thinking it will provide better relief. I found out the Oxycontin is almost as expensive as the Opana.
My pain doc said I could also try going back to Avinza to see if my body would react to it, or give Fentanyl (Duragesic) patches a try.
I know I won't be completely without pain, but keep thinking there must be something that can make me more comfortable.
So, what do you guys think? By the way, I have fibro, myfascial pain syndrome, connective tissue disease, osteoarthritis, etc. Just a mess, basically, lol.
Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Sheri
yea, we are all pretty much a Mess !! I am Astounded at the Pain we are enduring everyday, yet somehow Pushing thru, Fatigue for me is the worse...I cannot get around Fatigue when it hits, I am just so Thankful I now only have a very few things within my life I have to Really concern myself with...
When I finally went to the Rheumatologist, I noticed the Rheumatology Department has a paper they make you read that says you're in the wrong place if you are looking for pain meds. The Rheumatologist, who is a professor, prescribed Lyrica and Physical Therapy.
I was desperate to become functional again and I knew I couldn't do it by myself this time. I decided I would try whatever the doctor advised.
The Lyrica made it possible for me to drag my sorry self to Physical Therapy. At first, I thought I was going to die. I might have had to call of work the day after Physical Therapy for the first month, but I don't miss work due to Fibromyalgia anymore.
I learned the stretches that make my muscles relax and stop hurting so much. I also learned to use Beyond BodiHeat Heat Pads on the days I know are going to be rough. They stay hot for twelve hours, keep me relaxed and pain free, and nobody even knows I have one on.
What do I think you should do? I can't tell you what to take, but I do think that you can greatly reduce what you need to take if you will try some gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.
Your doctor should be willing to prescribe Physical Therapy and insist on a Physical Therapist who has experience working with Fibromyalgia patients. Give it a try if your insurance will cover it.
If going to Physical Therapy isn't an option, but you want to try some exercises, look in my photo section. I uploaded copies of some of the handouts they gave me, with the basic exercises on them.
Stretching isn't a magic pill, with an instant cure. It's a lifelong commitment, but it works like nothing else.
I notice you mentioned you have osteoarthritis are you taking any type of anti-inflammatory for this. It is something you may want to talk to your doctor about.
They are now finding people with fibro are showing slightly higher than what is considered the normal high in blood test for inflammation which would be another reason to check out anti-inflammatories.
Hugs