Feeling at my wits end with Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

Posted by Jen, Alumna Mentor @sandytoes14, Aug 19, 2019

Usually I am not one to share much of my personal story but here goes...I have what is called moderate to severe degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the spine C3-C7 and lumbar spine, and Fibromyalgia. In the 20 years Ive had pain, I"ve been though many treatments including PT, tens unit, bio feedback,injections, nerve ablations, you name it. I'm prescribed Cymbalta 60 mg for Fibro and anxiety as well as 225 mg of Lyrica. I have been on and off various painkillers too. I'm currently on a long acting oxycodone of 13.5 mg and once a day one 15 mg of IR oxycodone. This has been my regime for a few months now as I switched from 15 mg IR oxycodone. Now for those who are worried about me ODing...I understand. I actually hype-vigilant about my meds. (And I have my hubby and son who watch) Years ago I was on 15 mg Fentanyl patch for 10 months and came off it in one month with no side effects.
Right now I'm really struggling with this rotten pain. I have no appetite, either can't sleep or nap during the day.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Fibromyalgia Support Group.

Question for members I am taking 3 percocets daily - 10/325 prescribed by pain doctor. I take it as directed and at times less than 3. I know opiods can cause issues with other organs in the body. When I question my use I then go out for the day, shopping, etc and the pain in my feet, legs and back is unbearable and I take the pain relief. I am diagnosed with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, numerous back problems and osteo arthritis. Is any one else taking that much of an opiate on a daily basis.

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@summertime4

Question for members I am taking 3 percocets daily - 10/325 prescribed by pain doctor. I take it as directed and at times less than 3. I know opiods can cause issues with other organs in the body. When I question my use I then go out for the day, shopping, etc and the pain in my feet, legs and back is unbearable and I take the pain relief. I am diagnosed with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, numerous back problems and osteo arthritis. Is any one else taking that much of an opiate on a daily basis.

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I take percocet four times a day, sometimes just three. I have excruciating burning pain from PN, along with neuropathy feet, legs, arm, I have neurogenic bowel & bladder, from spinal injury, and constant back pain. Just getting over from a fall breaking my foot & hip. Surgery to rebuild hip
with rods, shunt, wires. In rehab two months, now will never walk right on leg, pain always.
I take my percocet without guilt! I hope you can do the same! Good Luck!

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trishj46 Thank you for your response so quickly. Your right. I just sometimes think I really don't need them and should get by. I just fear the dependence and have to believe I wouldn't be prescribed if I didn't need the, This thought process is one embedded in the addiction counselor I was for 25 plus years. Here I am with my medical marijuana card and ingesting opiates. The same drugs that I supported not using. I am newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Two weeks ago I was referred for a biopsy because of a suspicious find in both breasts. Biopsy came back positive on both breasts and I was seen by the surgeon today. Yes to cancer in breasts. In spite of that we are very optimistic as I have a very tiny piece of cancer in both breasts and as the doctor said if one had to have breast cancer this is the one. I will have a lumpectomy on Jan. 8 2020. I liked the doctor and staff and will have this doctor do the surgery. I don't look forward to surgery of course, but positive on the outcome. I find that percocets often dull emotional pain and that frightens me as I will also have real pain after the surgery. I think I am just tired and confused and in pain right now. Thank you and everyone who read my posts tonight.

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@trishj46

I am on gabepenten ( same as neurointin ) 1800mg but not much help. I take percocet but its really not good for nerve pain but does help with other problems from spinal cord. Glad the combination is helping yiou.

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I think the third one is tramadol. I think these drugs are effecting my memory. I only wanted to say what works for me in the hope your docs will continue to look for solutions for all who are suffering.

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@corinnemcg

I wasn't able to tolerate either Cymbalta or Lyrica which were prescribed by the pain management doctors at a huge medical center. I told my internist and she suggested a protocol that has been used for many years for chronic pain. It is a combination of Norco, gabapentin and Neurontin. I think that's right but truthfully I am visiting family and didn't bring the bottles with me. This has worked well for me for 14 years.

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@corinnemcg Cymbalta and Lyrica did not work for me either.

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@summertime4

trishj46 Thank you for your response so quickly. Your right. I just sometimes think I really don't need them and should get by. I just fear the dependence and have to believe I wouldn't be prescribed if I didn't need the, This thought process is one embedded in the addiction counselor I was for 25 plus years. Here I am with my medical marijuana card and ingesting opiates. The same drugs that I supported not using. I am newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Two weeks ago I was referred for a biopsy because of a suspicious find in both breasts. Biopsy came back positive on both breasts and I was seen by the surgeon today. Yes to cancer in breasts. In spite of that we are very optimistic as I have a very tiny piece of cancer in both breasts and as the doctor said if one had to have breast cancer this is the one. I will have a lumpectomy on Jan. 8 2020. I liked the doctor and staff and will have this doctor do the surgery. I don't look forward to surgery of course, but positive on the outcome. I find that percocets often dull emotional pain and that frightens me as I will also have real pain after the surgery. I think I am just tired and confused and in pain right now. Thank you and everyone who read my posts tonight.

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I am sorry to hear about the cancer! I keep a votive candle lit in my room 24/7 for all the people
who have touched my life and need prayer-----I have added you to my candle. You will be ok.
Its night time here so I am in a lot of pain----say one for me! Hugs!

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@summertime4

Question for members I am taking 3 percocets daily - 10/325 prescribed by pain doctor. I take it as directed and at times less than 3. I know opiods can cause issues with other organs in the body. When I question my use I then go out for the day, shopping, etc and the pain in my feet, legs and back is unbearable and I take the pain relief. I am diagnosed with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, numerous back problems and osteo arthritis. Is any one else taking that much of an opiate on a daily basis.

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No because my doctor won’t prescribe anything that gabapentin and that’s it

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@sandytoes14 @summertime4 I feel with both of you I’m on I’m on lyrics 75mg morning and 75 mg noon plus 150 mg evening, cymbalta and oxynocom 40mg morning and 40mg night plus oxynorm 20 mg 4 times a day and ultracet 20 mg 4 times a day.. I’ve been keeping a pain log the effect of each meditation in order to cut on those that aren’t helping..I’ve decided to do that on my own and I found out only the opioids are helping with the pain so slowly I cut all other medications. When I went back to my doctor for my 3 months review he was chocked that I did it on my own. My principal was, why should I keep poisoning my body with chemicals that aren’t helping. I suffer from fibromyalgia and osteoporosis plus bowl syndrome and I had ovarian cancer... I learned that it’s important to listen to your body and trust me no one knows better than you what is working and what’s not. I feel with both of you and I’m sharing this to say our doctors do their best to help us but we have to be strong and say this isn’t working their must be another way. I stayed quiet for 5 years but for the last 3 months at least I saved my body harmful chemicals and I’ve started taking marijuana to help with the pain and anxiety it made a huge difference. I hope this might be helpful and I pray that your pain gets better as I spend most of my days in bed but when I get a good day ( few hours with tolerant pain) I make the best of it and I enjoy and celebrate every minute of it..like now 😊💞

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@vklittle61

No because my doctor won’t prescribe anything that gabapentin and that’s it

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There are other doctors who will work with you to make your life the best it can be.

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@nadoush

@sandytoes14 @summertime4 I feel with both of you I’m on I’m on lyrics 75mg morning and 75 mg noon plus 150 mg evening, cymbalta and oxynocom 40mg morning and 40mg night plus oxynorm 20 mg 4 times a day and ultracet 20 mg 4 times a day.. I’ve been keeping a pain log the effect of each meditation in order to cut on those that aren’t helping..I’ve decided to do that on my own and I found out only the opioids are helping with the pain so slowly I cut all other medications. When I went back to my doctor for my 3 months review he was chocked that I did it on my own. My principal was, why should I keep poisoning my body with chemicals that aren’t helping. I suffer from fibromyalgia and osteoporosis plus bowl syndrome and I had ovarian cancer... I learned that it’s important to listen to your body and trust me no one knows better than you what is working and what’s not. I feel with both of you and I’m sharing this to say our doctors do their best to help us but we have to be strong and say this isn’t working their must be another way. I stayed quiet for 5 years but for the last 3 months at least I saved my body harmful chemicals and I’ve started taking marijuana to help with the pain and anxiety it made a huge difference. I hope this might be helpful and I pray that your pain gets better as I spend most of my days in bed but when I get a good day ( few hours with tolerant pain) I make the best of it and I enjoy and celebrate every minute of it..like now 😊💞

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Thank you for writing about your experience. I agree with you and am trying to navigate my meds now to remove something. I'm always afraid to do so as what if it's a mistake. But, I suppose you don't know until you try.

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