Pain Meds-HELP!

[Jenwez]

Is there a comprehensive list of ALL the pain medications that are available for IC? My doctor seems exasperated because I have a low tolerance for neuropathic pain meds...they make me groggy and tired, but I've got to have something. I'm wondering what everyone else has tried so that maybe I can give her some suggestions. I've tried Lyrica (bad side effects), neurontin (side effects) and am on zonegran (starting to have side effects as I need a higher dosage.) I don't think she sees many cases of IC. I'm in a small town; I don't have access to a lot of specialists. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Jennifer
IC and IBS sufferer

[petrie86]

I switch between Ultram and Codenine... they both work well. Ask about those!

[SandyRN]

I don't know where a comprehensive list is, but I can tell you what I've tried...ready for a novel?

I originally started on 3-4 Darvocet a day which did nothing at all, not even for a headache.....from there went to 3-4 percocet a day...after that titrated my dosage of oxycontin where I finally landed on 80mg 2x a day with oxycodone 10mg for breakthru pain. I used the duragesic patch and we just cant seem to get the dose right. Now, today, I started MS Contin and I'm SO hopeful that it will give me some of my life back...I've been a mess for several weeks. I also continue to take the oxycodone 10 mg 4 times a day for breakthru, and B&O suppositories for extreme pelvic pain.

I did take Ultram at some point at the very beginning of this nightmare, but it made me vomit and didnt help my pain at all. A lot of people do get relief from it on this board though.

I take Soma during the day, and Zanaflex at night for muscle relaxers and they do help my bladder, as well as the pain I have from the fibro, and other pain syndromes I have.

Hope this helps.

[kari1980]

I take percocet for the pain. I also have a low tolerance for pain meds, so I cut it in half and that seems to be just enough to deal with the pain, and if it's really bad then I take the whole thing. IT seems to really work for me..Most doctors though are hesitant on prescribing narcotics for IC so good luck tomorrow, I hope whatever she gives you helps you.

Kari

[L. Thomas]

My instills have worked for me so I don't really know about pain Rx for IC

But I just had total knee replacement and my OS Rx fentanyl??sp?? pain patch. I have heard people talk about the pain from knee replacement and I must say this is doing the trick for me. I do have to take demerol before Physical Therapy but the patch has taken care of everything else.

He also had a patch for nausea...it must have done the trick too.

So I guess you could say I'm a patchy gal.

[ihurttoo]

see my med list in my signature.

[jmkeefe001]

"B&O suppositories for extreme pelvic pain"

I'm new to the illness AND the board so pls excuse my "duh" moment here.

My pelvic pain is by far and large my biggest issue. (I can't afford nor bear the physical therapy for my PFD) I can't take it any more and am trying to gather info for my appt on Friday with my GYN.

She just started me on Elmiron this week and I'm on Elavil too but there is just no way I can handle the pain anymore. I have mental illnesses and the depression from the pain is putting me in a very serious prediciment.

Any help is greatly appreciated. (I'm wondering if I should ask about TENS treatment - any ideas on that?)

[SandyRN]

B&O suppositories are suppositories you put in your rectum...sounds gross, but they are MARVELOUS for helping with bladder/pelvic pain. They have belladona and opium in them. It sounds scary, but they help so much. I dont know what I ever did without them! The belladona helps to decrease secretions, thus making you pee less, and they help to stop bladder spasms and pelvic pain. The opium helps with pain.

You can do a search on this board for B&O suppositories and read several other posts. They tend to be hard to find, and I had to explain to my own doctor what they are....after going through all of that and driving a long way each month to pick them up, they can really be a lifesaver.

Hope this helps!

[ICNDonna]

The Patient Handbook at http://www.ic-network.com/handbook has an entire section on medications.

Donna

[Kara29]

I can give you a list of what I have tried for IC symptoms over the years. These medictions were presribed by mosty Urologists, Pain Management Specialists, Psychiatrists and occasionally by my PC.

Morphine, Demerol, Methadone, Bactrim, Elmiron, Dicyclomine, Ditropan, Ditropan XL, Detrol, Detrol LA, Pyridium, Pyridium Plus, Buspar, Urimax, Enablex, Pyridium, Claritin, Zyrtec, Ranitidine, Allegra, Soma, Felxeril, Benedryl, Hydroxizine, Celebrex, Vioxx, Levsin, Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Doxepin, Elavil, Desipramine, Sinequan, Imipramine, Cymbalta, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Trazodone, Botox, B and O Suppositories, Moprhine, Demerol, Fentanyl, Methadone, Dilaudid, Hydrocdone, Oxycodone, Darvocet, Percocet, Ultram, Keppra, Lyrica, Neurontin, Topomax, Tegretol, Lamictal, Clonidine, Injecting Lidocane and Marcane, Valium, Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Serepax, Baclofen, Guiffenisan...

Maybe that will give your Doctors an idea that there is more than one class of medictions to try for IC. It's best to find an IC Specialist even if you have to travel outside of your area to find one that is good and knowdgeble. Also Pain Management Specialist can come in handy too.

I hope your appointment went well today.

Wishing you pain free days ahead!

Kara

[Kara Isabel]

I take MsContin 30mg 3-4 times a day and Norco 7.5 (up to 6 a day) for breakthrough pain.

Are there any pain specialists near you?

love,
Kara

[jmkeefe001]

OMG I've looked up most of those meds and SO many aren't covered. I'm screwed.

[sweetangel2080]

http://www.ichelp.org/painissues/ICAndPainPartOne.html

you may find the above link useful?