Hi, Norma.
I wouldn't worry too much about starting pain medication. It is for people who really need it; those who are having legitimate pain, and with PKD there is often severe pain. I took Vicodin for years, and recently it was raised to Percocet, due to the size of my kidneys increasing, and the pain increasing along with the growth.
It is so nice that you feel better! Try not to worry......
Inky

Hi, Norma!

Although I don't have experience with long-term Percoset use, I applaud you in finding that works!

It's understandable that at this late date, "you don't care" about negative side effects!

The best piece of advice I ever received:

"Live your life!"

Peace and Blessings!
CoachRichie

Yeah for relief. I cannot imagine living that many years with constant pain and carrying the load you have. Enjoy relief and living like Coach Richie suggested. He is always so wise in his counsel.

I'm very happy for you. Have a great labor day weekend.

Hey Norma,
Take as directed, don't wait for the pain to start. Be careful with driving until you get accustomed to the potential space out effect. Here's what I learned in a substance abuse workshop - opiates are 100% physically addictive, meaning that anyone who takes them long enough will eventually become physically addicted, which simply means that their dosage may have to be increased to continue being effective and there will be symptoms upon withdrawing from the drug. Don't stop without your doctor's help. NOT everyone becomes psychologically addicted. People who are addicts will get an emotional high and get accustomed to the dosage much quicker, and will need to increase it because they are seeking that high - NOT pain relief. For example, a real person close to me started taking percocet for pain, but, because he is an addict (alcohol drug of choice), he was up to 25 pills a day when he entered a treatment facility. We've heard from people on this site who have taking opiates for years without negative consequences, so don't worry !! Worry about this - 0piates can be constipating so be sure to increase your fiber and, ha ha, more water for you!!
Lisa H
PS Glad you caved, it's about time!

Well Yes Lisa I caved, big time but now this morning after reading all about Percoset, I have decided not to take it anymore. Yes it did relieve the pain, but at what price? I didn't experience any "space affects" from taking it, all I felt was complete pain relief but realistically I know that I can't continue taking it for the rest of my life as I won't have a life if I do. I think I am going to reserve it for when I cant take the pain anymore and only then. Funny thing is that it doesn't seem to be as effective when I am in full blown pain. I don't want to be a drug addict, and basically thats pretty much what will happen. I have lived with this for enough years to know that it is possible not to take these pain meds.. So my decision this morning is going to be to take it only when I have to, not every 6 hrs as directed. I didn't like what was happening in that short period of time on them, so I am sticking to this decision and thank you for your honesty. I really appreciated it.

lots of love,
Norma...

in all the time you've been with us I never knew you were in serious pain, you are a tough cookie Norma.
I can't be much help to anyone in pain because I tolerate pain well, far better than I tolerate pain medications because I hate the way I feel when I take them, all fuzzy headed and dizzy.
I don't know that everyone gets addicted, I would ask Ruth who deals with some real pain and knows as much as anyone on this subject.

I've made basically the same decision when it comes to pain meds Norma. I am in pain most of the time (and if not pain, significant discomfort), but don't take my pain meds. I feel better knowing that they are there if I absolutely cannot bear it any longer, and have several times taken them out of the drawer and looked at them. I know that many people disagree with this, but I'm stopped by a certain amount of fear. Also, I felt like a zombie when I did have to take them last year, and so nauseus that I couldn't eat. I wouldn't be able to drive, and with kids aged 10 and 13, living in a village, that would be useless. It's a trade off either way, and mostly I choose the pain. The meds I have didn't even take away all of the pain anyway. I'm not saying that I won't change my mind one day, but at the moment, I avoid the meds.

Good luck in finding what's right for you in the management of your pain Norma (and everyone one else with similiar difficulties)

Chewitt

Norma,
It seems like you got it worked out.
Dont take the meds, but dont throw them away either, in case you sporadically really really need them.
It has been very well documented here that pain is sometimes part of PKD.
Good thing you are a woman. Women are strong and brave when it comes to withstanding pain. I admit us men, although physically stronger, cannot manage a fraction of the pain you gals can withstand. All it takes for us is a fever, and we whine about how we are slowly dying. Ja, Ja, Ja. ..
Hope your pain goes away,
PKDAD