how long do i have to be on narcotic pain killers?

[alina]

Hi everyone!

I started elmiron in march and klonopin for anxiety as well as pelvic floor therapy, and i take a half a percocet daily for pain....my doctor said it would help stop the pain cycle until the elmiron works.....I dont even think its safe to be on percocet this long right? but Ive tried going a few days without it and the pain comes back, even worse then before. Anyone else also on narcotics or have anything to share? How long does it take for elmiron to work? and I am also on Yasmin bcp and prozac, i have good and bad days....i dont have a lot of energy, and Im starting a new teaching job and Im scared ! Plus i need caffiene ahhh how do i get it without flaring my bladder? Thanks and hugs to all of you out there Im praying so much for all of us.

[hdb1982]

Alot of us take long term narcotics. I have been on them for almost 3 years. right now I take 6-8 10mg Percocet daily. You take a very small dose. If they are helping you you shouldn't worry about the fact they are narcotics. If you had high BP would you worry about taking your BP pills? As long as you stay in the safe limit for daily consumption of Tylenol, 4000mg, there isn't anything to worry about.

[Claredale]

It just depends. One of IC symptoms is chronic pain which many of us have to be on pain meds for a long time. Also Elmiron can take from 6 months (sometimes people get success earlier) to even a year to see the benefits. It doesn't always work with IC patients as well. I don't remember the actual success rate and it's not fair to say when you are just starting out.

Please understand that the very few of us on pain meds are ever addicted to them. The pain meds allow us to be able to manage our pain so that we can function as best as we can. My doctor that originally prescribed my Lortab shortly after my IC progressed into the severe stage was very happy to explain the purpose that I was on pain meds to my mom. She was a retired RN and had a hard time adjusting to the fact that pain meds would more than likely be a part of my meds possibly the rest of my life. Just like if I had high blood pressure, I would take the meds to treat the high blood pressure. I wouldn't just stop when my blood pressure was in the good range again. So until their is a cure for IC, pain may very likely be a life long symptom.

Fortunately for me, I am able to take other meds that help handle my symptoms, plus I am very alert of my triggers to keep my pain level down as much as I can. Taking pain meds will not cause you to become an addict, it is how you use those pain meds that you are given. When a person is in pain, the meds stop the nerve sensors that go to your brain so that the path is disrupted. If a person takes more then the prescribed meds or doesn't stay under a doctor's care so that the meds can be adjusted is when there is a cause for worry.

I feel I am a good example of taking pain meds. Prior to my interstim, I was taking Lortab every 4 hours. After having my interstim surgery and allowing time for the settings to help with my freq/urg which in turn decreased how much my bladder was irritated, I was able to decrease my meds. These days, I am able to take 1 or 2 pain meds a day and function just fine which I never thought would be the case for me. As your doctor said, it is very important to interrupt the pain cycle with pain meds. You have no idea how lucky you are that your doctor will prescribe pain meds. Many people on this site have a hard time getting any type of pain managment control. By taking your prescribed pain meds when you first feel your pain starting to strenghten, you are more likely to stop that pain cycle. If you wait too long to take your pain meds, they aren't as effective and you end up needing more to get rid of the pain, than normally just an ordinary dose would have helped you with at first.

Please read over the patient handbook on this site. It should help you alot in understanding the meds that are used in treating the symptoms of IC. Please know that we are all different in the way we react to meds. For me, I can't tolerate Percoset. It makes me very jittery nor is it effective for pain control, but others are very happy with Percoset, but the pain meds I use, I can't tell any difference in the way I feel. My pain is managable and I can function quite normally. I am able to work full-time, maintain my usual life style and actually enjoy life just as I had prior to IC.

There is also the diet site, which is at the end of my signature.

Hugs, T

[born2swim]

Hi Alina... well... long term narcotics... until your bladder calms down, you might be on it for a while. My first uro (I moved 3 times since my dx) suggested I take Ultram 3-4x/day. I didn't feel comfortable taking that much so I would take maybe 3-5 a week on my bad days... but I was not working at that time. Ultram does not make me groggy at all and it works well BEFORE my bladder goes nuts (It helps pain, but it also helps the urgency). When my bladder improved (thanks to the diet, atarax, continuous birth control, and rest), I was able to go without pain meds. I only take it when I travel or will be on my feet all day (I also take Soma, a muscle relaxant).

Elmiron can take MONTHS to work... and it may not work for you. Many swear by atarax and elavil... but I can't take elavil. Some will do rescue instillations or DMSO. There are many things you can try to help control your symptoms. Hang in there! It can get better! I am in a major flare after surgery (non-related) and major cystitis. I am just waiting for it to calm down again! (I never went into remission sadly... just improved symptoms over time).

Hi everyone!

I started elmiron in march and klonopin for anxiety as well as pelvic floor therapy, and i take a half a percocet daily for pain....my doctor said it would help stop the pain cycle until the elmiron works.....I dont even think its safe to be on percocet this long right? but Ive tried going a few days without it and the pain comes back, even worse then before. Anyone else also on narcotics or have anything to share? How long does it take for elmiron to work? and I am also on Yasmin bcp and prozac, i have good and bad days....i dont have a lot of energy, and Im starting a new teaching job and Im scared ! Plus i need caffiene ahhh how do i get it without flaring my bladder? Thanks and hugs to all of you out there Im praying so much for all of us.

[alina]

I ran out of my percocet and am in AWFUL pain! the doc cant see me until the 25th of august...I am goin to beg them to send me a script to hold me up until then!!!! ughhhhh

[Claredale]

I pray that you are able to get your meds. Tell them what you pain level is averaging and normally they can call in the meds for you! I have only had to be without pain meds a few times and never longer than a day or so. Yes, I am very grateful to God for providing me with great doctors.

In the mean time, try to keep breathing slowly, eat some protein even if you don't have an appetite. It helped me keep my energy level up to deal with the pain. Are you using a heating pad and drinking alot of water. Hopefully this will only be a short time for you. Keep calling your doctor, or if necessary, ask what his routine is for making return phone calls and calling in meds if he makes that decision.

Hugs and I hope you feel better soon!
Tracey

[sleekgirla]

I wish I had some percocet I could send you Alina!! running out sounds awful! I understand not wanting to be on narcotics long term. I am starting rescue instillations on monday and hoping they work so I can get off the narcotics every four hours. they make me nauseated and loopy. hope u don't have these side effects as u are getting a new job!! the elmiron is supposed to take at least 6 weeks to start working and it could be a few months until you notice any relief from it. I will pray for you that it starts working as soon as 6 weeks for you. So, you said you need caffeine, do u need it for energy to get u thru the day?? if so, u can try other supplements that boost your energy. I take 250mg 3x a day of acetyl L carnitine to keep my energy levels up. And also, try keeping more protein in your diet than starchy carbs if you don't already do this. I use a goat whey protein powder and take amino acids. protein should also help keep your energy levels up. I sure hope you can get a script sent to you so you won't be stuck in pain. Hugs and you will be in my prayers.

[SandyRN]

My view with pain medications is that it takes what it takes dosage wise and it takes as long as it takes. Meaning that I will take them as long as I have to. I don't consider taking narcotic pain medications any different than taking insulin for a diabetic or high blood pressure medications for high blood pressure. I know there is a stigma out there about pain meds, but please don't let this sway you. If you are in pain and take your meds as they are ordered then you will most likely not become addicted. You WILL become tolerant, meaning your body will adjust to the dosages and you most likely will have to raise the dosages every so often and you may have to change the medication you are on so that your pain is controlled effectively. So, stop stressing. :)

Sandy

[alina]

wowww thanks so much everyone, I am so glad there are people out there that understand. My dad is a dentist and all of his friends are doctors or dentists and they ALL are telling me that my doc is crazy for giving me narcotics and that I can get addicted. I was so upset that they just don't UNDERSTAND how real and awful the pain is. One of them was like "why doesnt ur doc just prescribe u pyridium?" Hello i tried that YEARS ago! ugh, Im so glad I have you all I will pray for all of us we are SUCH good people and we deserve a treatment that works so we can be happy and healthy and PAIN FREE. I see all of your pictures and it makes me cry, you are all so beautiful and I hope one day soon we will ALL find relief, AMEN! Thanks again!!!

[Arshees]

My advice is to be very careful with the pain meds and not use them daily, I was using 1 -2 ultram daily and stopped taking them I had a few side effects from that they where unpleasant I can't imagine what it would be like with someone taking a full dose for a year or more I was only on them for a few months. Just be cautious I know its tough it is for me also I would think people with our condition are vulnerable to becoming physically addicted to these meds just because of the type and location of the pain it sucks so bad. Lots of pain meds have long term possible lung, kidney type damage and that is more horrible then even IC.

[SharonA]

I thought it might be useful to post these links to articles about IC and pain medications. They are from the Patient Handbook. You can find the link to that in my signature below.

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/painmed.html

http://www.ic-network.com/handbook/brookoff.pdf

[Tinkerbell23]

I take 2-3 vicodin a day, not every day, but some weeks it is... my dr requires that i make 100 pills last 30 days, and then she mails me another script because i only see her once every 3 months. most drs that treat ic, or know enough about ic will have no issue mailing you a script as long as it doesnt seem like you are abusing it, which i am sure you arent seeing that IC is soooo painful. i felt percocet was too strong for me, so if you are worried about being on them for a long time (which you might be, i have been on painkillers for a year now) maybe you should talk to your dr about being put on norco, which is weaker then percocets, but stronger then a regular vicodin. good luck, i hope you have a dr like i do and he/she will mail you a script, or let you pick it up so you dont have to wait for it to arrive.

Also are you concerned about being on them for a long time for addiction reasons or health reasons? my dr checks my liver and kidneys every 6 months to make sure everything is working well and studies have shown that people with chronic pain do not get the "high" from pain killers like people w/ acute pain do and therefore are less likely to become addicted.

[SandyRN]

My advice is to be very careful with the pain meds and not use them daily, I was using 1 -2 ultram daily and stopped taking them I had a few side effects from that they where unpleasant I can't imagine what it would be like with someone taking a full dose for a year or more I was only on them for a few months. Just be cautious I know its tough it is for me also I would think people with our condition are vulnerable to becoming physically addicted to these meds just because of the type and location of the pain it sucks so bad. Lots of pain meds have long term possible lung, kidney type damage and that is more horrible then even IC.

I don't know where you got your information that we are vulnerable to becoming addicted. We are at no more risk than any other chronic pain patient to becoming addicted. What we ARE at risk for, if you want to call it a risk, is tolerance, meaning you will need a higher dosage of your medications as your body becomes adjusted to the doses. It is normal physiology for this to happen. Unless you abuse your medications, or take them in ways that are not prescribed by your doctor, the odds on any chronic pain patient becoming addicted are very slim. Addicts take pills to get high, we take them for pain. It upsets me very much to read statements like this because people in chronic pain NEED pain medications much like any other person with a health condition needs their medications.

If you stopped your Ultram cold turkey, without a doctor's guidance, then it is assured that you will have withdrawl problems, which it sounds like you did. With a doctor's help you will be taken off your medications slowly so that any side effects you feel will be at a minimum.

Please read the articles Sharon posted.

Education is needed for our chronic pain patients on this board so that they are not afraid to take their medications, so they do not feel bad or guilty that they NEED their medications for pain, and so that they understand the way these meds work with their body.

In the future, you may want to consult a doctor before stopping any medication.

Also, as for the statements you made about kidney or liver damage, this is also false...unless the meds are misused. My doctors check my liver functions every 4 months to make sure they are fine, but that is a precaution. Medications like percocet that contain Tylenol in it should not go over 4000mg of acetaminophin (Tylenol) per day, higher than that can cause liver damage. The medications I take are safe and help me to live a somewhat normal life....more normal than before I had access to them. I will be forever grateful for pain medications and I will never be afraid to take them because they help me live a life with less pain...this is what they were made for.

Sandy

[hdb1982]

I take 2-3 vicodin a day, not every day, but some weeks it is... my dr requires that i make 100 pills last 30 days, and then she mails me another script because i only see her once every 3 months. most drs that treat ic, or know enough about ic will have no issue mailing you a script as long as it doesnt seem like you are abusing it, which i am sure you arent seeing that IC is soooo painful. i felt percocet was too strong for me, so if you are worried about being on them for a long time (which you might be, i have been on painkillers for a year now) maybe you should talk to your dr about being put on norco, which is weaker then percocets, but stronger then a regular vicodin. good luck, i hope you have a dr like i do and he/she will mail you a script, or let you pick it up so you dont have to wait for it to arrive.

Also are you concerned about being on them for a long time for addiction reasons or health reasons? my dr checks my liver and kidneys every 6 months to make sure everything is working well and studies have shown that people with chronic pain do not get the "high" from pain killers like people w/ acute pain do and therefore are less likely to become addicted.


Actually Norco is just another brand. The active ingredient is hydrocodone. Norco is a lot more expensive b/c it is the only brand that makes hydrocodone with 325mg of Tylenol. If you get a Lortab 5/325 7.5/325 10/325 it is Norco. The other manufactures make them with different dosages of Tylenol like 500mg or 650mg or I have even see Vicoden ES with 700 or 750mg Tylenol. It is not stronger nor weaker than Lotrab, Vicodin or Lorcet. They all have the same active ingredient

[Claredale]

Arshees, I absolutely agree with Sandy. I certainly respect your opinion, I just don't appreciate the way you are applying it. Like none of us have a clue on how pain meds effect us. If you will take the time to read the sites that Sharon suggested that you read, then possibly you will understand that most people on here are very educated on this disease.

There are all levels of IC out there. For me being on Ultram at the beginning of my disease, I might as well have takng a Tic Tac. I have gone to 3 great doctors. The 2nd one was Dr. Ragi Doggweiler who is listed on an approved doctor on this site. And she certainly doesn't share your opinions on how pain meds effect our lives. My first doctor was a regular uro and he only had a few patients with IC about 20 years ago when I was diagnosed, but I must say that he was concerned enough to never allow me to feel that he wasn't trying to help me and I was diagnosed very quickly especially for someone back then. For some people even today, they are waiting years to finally get the diagnosis, which in my opinion is shameful! With all the knowledge and seminars on IC that are available these days.

My husband and I were constantly researching what IC was and we had never read anywhere that taking narcotic meds when necessary was a health risk or caused addiction. I know I didn't need pain meds on a daily basis for a number of years. I managed my symptoms quite well with other meds to help with spasms and my urg/freq issues as best as any med could help me, but my doctor was always very understanding about times I had flares which certainly increased my pain level to the point I was able to function. Her certainly explained all the risks, but they never outweighed the agony I would live in if I didn't have those meds. When you live with a chronic disease that normally has pain as a major symtom, taking pain meds will not lead to us becoming addicts. I have seen evidence to the contrary. We aren't out there seeking other ways to deal with our pain. We go to licensed and hopefully caring doctors (which I have) that will make sure we are as healthy as possible.

I never thought I would be on pain meds on a regular basis because of my high threshold of pain, especially after many years without taking them often but I knew a few people that did require pain mgmt and I knew it was a possibility because I researched IC for a long time....I still do! I even went into remission, but ten years or so later, my IC did progress to severe IC and there was no way that I could deal with the pain level I endured every day without pain meds. I always took short acting meds since they were effective in my case. I don't know if it was because I have a high pain tolerance or I listened very carefully to my doctor's instructions on the use of narcotics. I just feel quite lucky that I have otherwise been a very healthy person besides living with IC on a daily basis.

It was very important to not allow my pain to go above what my body could handle. Pain is not healthy for your body. It cause depression, tears down your self worth, causes high blood pressure because our bodies can't handle pain 24/7, etc. Try reading what living in pain 24/7 can do to you. Again, I am not being disrespectful, I just want you to understand that just because many of us take pain meds doesn't mean we are addicts and that we don't take care of our bodies. I don't take anything for granted anymore and make sure that if I feel strange or not comfortable on any meds, I always know that I can call my doctor and see him asap.

There are risks with taking any meds, which is why I went to my doctor as often as he requested so that he could monitor my meds and my illness. I have had several liver enzyme tests as well as blood and bone tests. I read every warning and side effect on ever med that I put in my body and again if I notice anythingout of the ordinary, which is rare, I contact my doctor's office. My blood pressure has always been below average even when I am on the high end of the pain scale. Also besides pain meds, I was taught other ways to help me deal with pain such as deep breathing, focusing on other things which as very much like Lamaze when I was in labor. I also take lots of hot baths and follow the IC diet very carefully and avoid triggers that can cause my pain to not be manageable even with pain meds. In the meantime, I have had the interstim surgery which as been a major factor in managing my pain. I know that treatment isn't effective for everyone, but for me not only did it help with my freq/urg issues, it allowed my bladder to heal enough that I wasn't begging to have my bladder removed. Yes, that is how bad my pain level was.

I still take some of my meds, but I have been able to stop taking 2 all togther and a couple just PRN. I will probably always require pain meds for the rest of my life until they do find a cure. I am certainly not addicted to them. I can get by with 1 or 2 Lortab a day. I am very in tune with my body, so I do my best to avoid any other triggers besides foods that I am sensitive to. I do my best to stay stress free and get as much rest as I need. I also see my doctor, I go to a uro/gyno that specializes in IC and pelvic pain every month or 2 even though it's been 20 years after my initial diagnosis. He watches my progress and monitors my symptoms to make sure that the combo I am on is still managing my pain as well as my other symtoms which allows me to work, be part of my family and spend time with my friends. I haven't increased my pain meds in 10 years. I rarely have flares anymore. Flares for me used to be the world I lived in, so I had to learn how to function around them which wasn't easy at all. I love my life and want to function as well as I can. I have had IC for the majority of my adult life. IC has taken some things away from me, but it has also allowed me to realize that I am able to endure alot more than I thought I could.

Very few things on here get to me because we are all learning what works and what doesn't. Just because something works for me doesn't mean it is the answer to everyone's problem and symptom. But as hard as many people on here try their best to get acknowledgement that yes IC is a painful disease and they actually have to beg for pain meds to manage their pain just so they can take care of their own kids, not to get a buzz or escape life. Yes, some of us do have side effects. For me, I don't take meds that give me side effects that aren't managable. The majority of the time, they decrease with the use of the meds, just like the patient information sheet says it will. Just reading your first sentence that you can't imagine taking Ultram for a full year when you couldn't handle a few months. Please take some of your time and read some of the people stories that have been dealing with IC for a long time. I certainly don't know what your side effects were on Ultram. I didn't have any on Ultram, it just didn't work and I had never been on pain meds in my life with the exception of childbirth and having my wisdom teeth removed. So I certainly wasn't an addict, nor am I one now. I have been on nerve meds that did cause me side effects that were worse than the actual symtom I was taking them for, but I would contact my doctor and we would make the changes necessary so that I was able to continue living as normally and pain and symptom free as possible.

I just don't want people that are new to this site to think they need to be scared of the possibility of taking pain meds. To many of us as SandyRN says, it's no different than maintaining your blood pressure, diebetes or even depression. As long as we are under a doctor's care that we trust, which I hope we all are. That is the biggest obstacle we have in dealing with IC is having attentive doctors.

T

[Tinkerbell23]

Actually Norco is just another brand. The active ingredient is hydrocodone. Norco is a lot more expensive b/c it is the only brand that makes hydrocodone with 325mg of Tylenol. If you get a Lortab 5/325 7.5/325 10/325 it is Norco. The other manufactures make them with different dosages of Tylenol like 500mg or 650mg or I have even see Vicoden ES with 700 or 750mg Tylenol. It is not stronger nor weaker than Lotrab, Vicodin or Lorcet. They all have the same active ingredient

Yeah i just meant that norco would be stronger then the 5/500mg vicodin that is normally given out.

why is it that we feel "weird/guilty" about being on pain meds? i hate having to ask my dr for it. even though i am CLEARLY not abusing it because i have to make a certain amount of pills last a certain amount of days. and i never take them infront of my dad because he thinks my dr is nuts for putting me on it, he has yet to accept that i have IC, so to him theres nothing wrong w/ me that tylenol or advil cant fix. and if i take it infront of my friends they either ask for some, which causes me to bug out on them or they say how "lucky" i am that i can get these types of meds. one night my sister, my cousin and i were talking and it came up some how that i have never tried any illegal drugs and my sister said "yeah but you 'do' vicodins" I was like "i dont 'do' vicodins, i take the prescribed and needed medicine for my pain". its so frustrating...

[Mothergoose]

It is a visiuos circle

[Claredale]

I hate so many people that have IC feel guilty asking for pain meds. Is it the doctor's reacton? I have never been afraid to ask my doctor for meds. I show him my condensed version of my pain journal and let him know if anything was going on that may be causing other issues to trigger my pain, but he has never in the slightest bit, not Dr. Doggweiler made me feel that I was seeking pain meds. Actually they have always been the ones to ask me if I have been able to manage my pain. Dr. Doggweiler really tried to get me to go to a stonger longer acting med while I was in the process of getting approval for my interstim, but I assured her that I was able to handle it. I felt safe with Lortab since it didn't make me feel any different and I was able to function most of the time. My current doctor wrote my prescription for B & O supp as a routine script that I was given each month. I told him that I only used it when necessary, but he knew that it would work faster especially when I was woken up in the middle of the night with intense pain.

T

[ak49]

Aliana,
Getting off coffee is tough and it is a rough go for about a week, but I think pain is tougher to take. Only you can make the choices that lead to less pain. Have you tried Prerelief with a cup of coffee or some baking soda in water.

[Mothergoose]

The way I deal with the coffee is I have a small shot of expresso, with steamed 1% milk. I have a machine I make these at home. Expresso is supposed to be less acidic coffe, and it is in contact with the water very breifly so less acid. I only have one a day. I seem to do fine on this, and it satifies me yearn for coffee.

If I have a lattie while in a coffe shop I order a med or lg but with a single shot, you have to say single shot or you get 2 or 3.

Also I have found that some coffe shops, if they put flavors in use sugar free flavoring, but it has artifical sweetener, so beware.

[Arshees]

Oh hey I meant physical addiction not like a drug abuser perhaps I should have clarified that sorry to offend anybody. Changing meds or coming off the pain ones was hard for me (PHYSICALLY) maybe its not for everyone. Nobody warned me which is my dr's fault exactly how it would feel if you go cold turkey or even cutting your dosage which is why I wrote something on here it would have been something I wish I knew.

[alina]

She called me today and said swear on my LIFE that you are not on percocet...she said she spoke to one of her friends who is a doctor and they are all warning her that I may be addicted to the meds, since I have been on them for five months and then when I didnt have them for a few days I was in so much pain. I had to LIE to my mom and swear on her life that I am not on it. She was crying and saying she thinks I am addicted and she hasnt seen any difference in me since I have started goin to the doc . I told her that I HAVE seen a HUGE difference and that I couldnt even get out of bed before I started all of these meds. She just kept crying and hung up on me. Then I was crying because I feel so guilty for making her upset...She thinks my doctor is a psycho...I HATE THAT MY OWN FAMILY DOESNT UNDERSTAND MY CONDITION! Im so sorry but I needed to vent :( Thanks for all of your support everyone, you guys keep me from goin nuts!

[ak49]

Alina,
I'm sorry your mother doesn't understand about IC and some of the meds we need to live with this. When I was first tentatively diagnosed I did a lot of research and found this site, yeah:smile tee. I printed out a portion of the handbook that talked about IC, diagnosis, treatment, etc and gave it to my husband to read. He did and supports my diet and anything I have to do, or not do, to deal with IC. He's been with me in the ER and knows I usually have a very high pain tolerance, so when I say. "I really hurt". He grabbed the car keys. Now, he says take a pain pill and go to bed, don't be a brave idiot. Love that man.
So, possibly a similar printout for your mom would be beneficial and if she has a computer and uses it, turn her on to this site and remember doctors who are your mother's contemporaries were taught that IC was "female hysteria". Be comforted that she loves you enough to care and if this were a more common disease like diabetes, she wouldn't freak out if you took insulin.
I'm a mom too with a couple of kids older than you and my mother's response was to take a month or two to get over this and then take a long flight and road trip to visit her. For me, driving in the car over bumpy roads can be torture when I'm already uncomfortable. Denial is a great thing for some people.
Your mother may be reacting out of fear. Don't you react too. Its not good for you. Someday you can tell her and I just know she will forgive you.

[InolaC]

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this on top of your IC issues. I have been there before myself, quite a few times on and off, and not until just recently did my relationship with my family begin to improve along with their understanding of what i was dealing with. I have been on and off of narcotic pain meds, literally every one of them from codeine to fentanyl, since before i was old enough to even make decisions about medicines. (for 18 of my 22 years alive.) I was put on demerol when i was around 4 years old which is when my mother first had to take me to the hospital regularly for severe migraines. And it has been a very rocky, trial and error, back and forth game the whole time. But feel free to pm and id be haappy to talk to you more about what its been like with my family and hopefully can give you a few "intervention" type pointers for helping them understand. just know that even if they are bringing you down they love you and in a very ill-informed way they truly believe they are helping/trying to help and that they know whats best, so even if they are completely wrong, they are still doing it out of love.Good luck and may God be with you and your family

[ICNDonna]

The only people who know what medications I take are my husband and my physicians. I have taken pain medications as needed for all of my 33 plus years with IC and I'm still not addicted. If I don't have pain I don't need or take pain meds --- and no problem with that.

Donna

[anewday]

I agree w/ Donna that not everyone needs to know what you are taking.

I have been on pain meds for over 8 months now. I understand the "guilt" but in my mind I know I am not addicted or abusing them. That is what matters. I take them way less than they are prescribed for. If I started taking more than I need to manage my pain, or to cover up emotional pain, or selling them, or just to feel good, THEN I would have a problem. I take Celebrex 2x a day everyday for joint pain- if I didn't take them I would hurt- that doesn't mean I am addicted to or abusing NSAIDs!

I used to worry about one thing- that I would get anxious when I was running out. Especially since I work on the weekends- I would worry that I would run out and of course you can't acall until Monday for narcotics. But I think about it this way. I take Synthroid everyday becasue I don't have a thyroid. If I don't take it I feel HORRIBLE. Of course, it's easy peasy to get it refilled. But I make sure I have enough of it- if I was about to run out of it before a weekend I would freak out because I know how bad I would feel. What is the difference?

[SandyRN]

Oh hey I meant physical addiction not like a drug abuser perhaps I should have clarified that sorry to offend anybody. Changing meds or coming off the pain ones was hard for me (PHYSICALLY) maybe its not for everyone. Nobody warned me which is my dr's fault exactly how it would feel if you go cold turkey or even cutting your dosage which is why I wrote something on here it would have been something I wish I knew.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but addiction is still not the right word. It's dependence. This is normal physiology as you should learn through nursing school. It doesn't mean addiction. These two words mean something totally different. I keep saying this because it is important for all of us here to know the difference so we do not consider ourselves addicts. If you take your pain medicine for pain, you take it as it is rx'd and do not attempt to 'treat' yourself with different dosages, then you are not addicted. You are taking your meds for pain. Also, it IS possible to become dependent on medications, but that only means your BODY needs them for pain relief. The body can grow used to the meds and needs them for pain control...this is still not addiction. This is tolerance. It's normal to need more of a medicine, almost any kind of daily med for hbp, thyroid problems, and chronic pain, as you continue taking the same dosage for a certain period of time.

An addict will lie, cheat, steal, hide meds, run out of meds before it is time, take more than needed and justify it to him/herself and those around them, lie to the doctor to get more, lie to multiple doctors to get rx's...etc.

I can assure you that people with chronic pain aren't addicts in any way. They are dependent and they will develop a tolerance.

Sandy