I take 10/325 hydrocodon at least once a day. Pain management is a necessary evil with our disease.

Vicoden makes me so sick, so I take Tramadol, 2- 50 mg tablets three times a day, along w/Celebrex and 5 mg of prednisone every day. Right now I am also taking Soma because of a low back issue. Ugh

I have hydrocodone 10/325 which I take as needed (I've been on the same bottle for over a year so I don't take it very often maybe once a month and then usually 1/2 tablet), also Tramadol 50 mgs I take maybe 3-4 a week. Right now I'm on 15 mgs prednisone for mystery blistering rash on hands (don't know how long I'll have to stay on this but so far every day since this past Thanksgiving). I also take a low dose of Neurontin each day for diabetic retinopathy. Also Naprosyn 375 mgs twice daily. It takes different combos for different folks but I don't think RA sufferers take anything they don't need. It's sometimes the only thing that keeps us functioning.

I take 10/625 twice a day. I need it to function daily for pain control for my RA. I also had problems with NSAIDS

i to take hydro for pain no more of anti-inflammtor i have ulcers

The anti-inflamatories aren't strong enough for me so I have to take prednisone and vicodin until I get my RA under control.

I have been taking vicodin every day for many months now. So far no side effects from it but I worry about all that acetomeniphin and my liver. But liver tests have been fine so far. I don't drink any alcohol just to be on the safe side with my liver, though no one suggested this to me.

I had myofacsial & nerve damage a long with DDD & a couple spinal herniation's. So I was already in PM when my RA started.
I can say prednisone helps alot even with pain meds & same with nerve pain but the pain meds help me to be able to function on a daily basis. I would not be able to make it without. My ROM is awful with my arms, very little movement in the mornings & some days it sticks.
Then with RA its my hands & feet & everything else in between.
Can't take prednisone every day though.
With the muscles, nerves & joints involved I need something. Still I count myself lucky as I know it could be worse.
Sammy

Because I have to work I needed something that I could be functional on. I use Norco. Relaxes me yet I can think. Hang in there others may respond. Everyone is different and the same drug might react differently. I do have to warn you.. I'll put it out there... constipation is a side effect and on certain days between the pain and the lack of strength, well you can imagine.

This terrifies me as a recovering pain pill addict, just diagnosed with RA. I hope that I can find an alternative to narcotics to treat my pain......

There are non narcotics but some say they are still addictive.
I knew a couple people off other support groups same problem.

Both are on meds but are very careful & get support.
Both were honest also. The one felt punished for her honesty & had to find a doctor willing to work with her. She actually is one of the lucky ones that had success with surgery & takes only pain meds when she needs them. Proved to all including herself & the doctor she could control her past addiction. This was for spinal problems. I for one am very proud of her. Just a couple examples, you know yourself best. Non narcotics may be worth looking into.
God bless, Sammy

My feeling is that it's very difficult to heal when you're in pain. Pain increases stress, and stress can cause flares. Besides, pain just plain sucks.

My PCP, who was instrumental in my dealing with pain, told me I should keep my pain level at 3 or less, and prescribed slow-release oxycontin, as well as a smaller dose of a fast-acting version. I tried to minimaize what I took, but was finally convinced by my doc that I needed to take it regularly, so that I could *prevent* pain. He also told to not worry about addiction, that if it became an issue, I could deal with it later.

You can build a tolerance to pain meds, requiring higher doses.

Try something like Prilosec (generic is omerazole) with NSAIDS.

I've taken vicodin, but I got off of it almost immediately because I didn't want to become addicted. Talk to your doctor about what alternatives you have.

Lynne

You got some good responses. I have Tramadol for pain and sometimes I have to take it around the clock when I am in a lot of pain and many days I don't need to take it at all. Maybe you need a good biologic that will work for you. I was on Lyrica for a while to help with pain at the nerve endings. I now have Nucenta a strong pain medication when Tramadol does not hold me. I got that from the pain management doctor that I went to. Hopefully you will find your niche as to what combo of medications you need.

I take a low dose of morphine extended release once in the morning and once at night. I think its oxycontin actually but morphine. It has helped a lot and I can still think. I also take prednisone twice a day. Tramadol when I have breakthrough pain and Neurontin (Gabapentin) three times a day. I take so much, lol. But I am afraid that the Tramadol is not helping enough for my back pain that occurs almost every day. I also take Celexa and Cymbalta for now because I am switching from Celexa to Cymbalta and will eventually get off the Celexa. I am manic depressive so i am taking Lamictal as well. I am only 32 and have as many med bottles as a ninety year old. Its crazy..... I also have to take acid reflux stuff cause of a hiatal hernia and all that..... I do have a high tolerance to meds and maybe thats why I have to take so many....Oh and klonipin for panic..... WOW, that really summed it up eh? I would recommend the oxycontin (morphine) extended release to anyone instead of taking the fast stuff like Vicodin. My pain management doctor said that its better for addiction to take the slow acting stuff rather than the extended release stuff..... As far as tramadol, I really dont get much help from it....