I took it a few times (hydromorphine) but had such a reaction that I won't take it again. It knocked me out, then I felt groggy the next day. I decided to go back to vicodin until the flare was over.

Lynne

lovebaby- if you need that much pain medication after 4 years you can't possibly have the right med combo. What are you taking? What is your blood work like? You deserve relief! Has your doctor tried any new DMARDS lately?

Been on plaqnell been on predisone been on humeria and embrel. Can't afford infusions so right now i am on a research drug and just got the second dose of it on monday

I agree with RAstinks, that maybe you should talk to your doc about an RA drug that works more effectively, most likely a biologic. Pain meds, like morphine, hydrocodone, etc, help with pain, but they don't address the underlying cause of the pain and they don't reduce swelling, which may very well be the cause of pain.

Hydromorphone (dilaudid) is not the same as morphine, by the way. Morphine is opium based, while hydrocomorphone is synthetic. Both are opiods, however. With morphine, you're more likely to develop a tolerance, which sounds like what may be happening to you.

I had dilaudid in hospital, administered via IV, and it was very effective for pain. In pill form, it really didn't do much for me, possibly an issue of dosage. I had no bad effects from it, unlike I did with vicodin, which simply wired me. I used to take oxycontin, but I've found that I can no longer tolerate it, either, with the same effects I get from vicodin.

Good luck, and really, checkwith your rheumatologist.

doug

I was on an IV morphine IV after my foot reconstruction. It worked wonders on the foot - no pain at all. However, when the nurses came in and asked me about my pain - I answered, "Terrible" They were shocked. I said it wasn't the foot but all the flares I had from going off my meds for 2 weeks. I got a migraine with the Percocet they were weaning me off of the morphine.

The pain from the flares stopped when I got back on my biologics. It took longer to get rid of the nodule in my throat. You really need to change your rheumy and get on some meds that will stop the flares and the pain. If you can't get the meds, apparently many companies will give you the meds for a small copay. Trust me, I've been there, and it doesn't work, to say nothing of the damage you joints are getting.

many pharmaceutical companies - such as the mfr of Simponi - have programs for people with no health insurance. I would look into those.

Wishing you the best...

You don't mention MTX- have you tried that? A lot of people get great relief with it. If not alone with a biologic.

I agree with the rest, you need to find a doc that will get to the root of the problem and not kill you with pain meds. How do you even function? Please take care, Charlie

I take 8 pills of mtx a week along with hydrocloriquine and folic acid. Along with the 120mg of morphine a day and the perocet. I have tried contacting some of the drug companies but I haven't had much luck doing that. I think I just got approved for medcaid does anyone know if rixusion is covered by medcaid? If so then I might be able to start a new treatment :D

wow lovebaby- it sounds like you have avery stubborn case of RA- what do they call it...refractory? I sure hope you can find something that will put RA in it's place. All the best to you.

I have a morphine based drug called Opana, it's a time released and has worked great for me. oxcy, I didn't like. and hydrocod, would upset my stomach.

like everyone said, you need a new game plan
best of luck to you