Hello Amberhere. I am still wondering if your Meds are right and in the right dose to get on top of this. At diagnosis I had painful swollen hands and joints and stiffness early in the morning. Started on 60mgs of Prednisone all this went. away very fast. I have tapered the prednisone and come off it with the help of Azathioprine. I know you can't take this particular drug but there are others which may work better. Might be a good idea to contact your Rheumatologist or get a second opinion. It seems the drugs are not getting on top of your inflammation. Best wishes. Autumm

Amberhere, Do you have arthritis? I agree with Autumn to see the doctor about morning stiffness and pains.

Thanks for your replies, I am due to see my Rheumy early February and will certainly be asking more questions. I will also see my doctor about the early morning pains.

Hello Amberhere. I have been on my pain meds for a about a year and a half and am now wondering if I am addicted to them as they seem to never take control bit I still feel the need to take them. My pain is worse in the morning and I know that is because I go so long without any meds. I don't take any meds during the middle of the night. As soon as I wake up in the morning whether to work or go to the bathroom whatever I take mymeds and give myself 30 minutes for them to start working. They never elevate my pain, but they allow me to tolerate my pain. Then I take the next dose about 4 hrs later and continue taking something every 4 hours until bedtime. I take Opana ER 30 mgs every 12 hours or so and Opana 10 mgs every 4 hours intermittently. I don't feel that either totally eliminates my pain. But they do allow me be able to tolerate the pain so that I can at least live my life. I am also on Prednisone 20 mgs a day, 10 am 10 pm and will be seeing a new Rheumatologist tomorrow and will discuss lowing my prednisone to at least 10 mgs per day since I am also on Lyrica which seems to help with my pain somewhat. I take 100 mg of lyrica 3 times per day.

Hello Amberhere,

My pain does change throughout the day. Some days I feel like I have to literally crawl out of bed and then other days my pain is worse in the evenings. The morning pain and stiffness does sound like an arthritis issue. I find a lot of my pain increases on the amount of activity I have done during the day, which only makes sense. It was recommended to me to start keeping a log or journal on my daily pain. Maybe you should try that and if there is anything you do that helps to alleviate the pain. Idk just a suggestion, but I guess if it's always the same that might be pointless. Sometimes when I am really stiff and hurting in the morning, I try about 15 mins of light stretching. It doesn't always help, but sometimes. My pain has been really bad lately so I can relate. I wish you well and hope you get better..

Mel

Hi amber, my pain level over a day is exactly the same as yours.
I no longer take any meds but pain levels are similar to you patterns.
Always have less pain in afternoon except if have been real active in morning or day before.