What pain meds are you taking?

[blue]

I'm taking 50mg Imipramine, and 1 Ultracet twice a day. My doctor also told me to take an over the counter antihistimine. The pain medication doesn't seem to be enough. I don't want to ask for something else.

So, what works for you guys?

[Katrina]

Neurontin and Apap/codeine. I hope you find a way to get relief.

[Dixiefireball]

the pain medicine i take with for pain is perocet 10.325 i also take that helps with pain is heparin and marcaine the marcaine numbs my bladder and helps alot and klonopins a low mg of that helps with bladder spasm and keeps my perocets in my system longer.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[dandy8]

Currently I take 40mg of Oxycontin 3 times per day. I take Vistaril 50mg at bedtime.

I do hope you find some relief. If your meds aren't working you really should let your doctor know.

[blue]

Thanks for the replies!

[PikkuMyy]

I just picked up a prescription for Atavan (lorazepam?) for those BADD days. I haven't taken any yet so I don' t know how they'll work.

[blue]

Monday, my doctor prescribed Lortab, it seems to be working better.

I'm now taking:

50mg - Imipramine
750mg - Vicodin
Benadryl

The doctor also gave me a sample of something for frequency. I can't think of the name.

[blue]

This is the sample he gave me! I remembered! Is anyone else taking it?

Does anyone know if any of the medications for frequency come in generic form?

[Morgan Stone]

Im currently taking Oxycontin 20mgs twice a day but I go back to the doctor next week and am asking for a stronger dose since these dont seem to be strong enough. I also take valium 2 mgs twice a day and pyrradium as needed. Ive been on Elmiron for 6 months or so as well. I took detrolla and had an allergic reaction to it. Also, I was prescribed neurontin and took 2 pills and woke up with a migraine each morning so I am talking with pain doc about it next week before i take another.

Wishing you lots of luck with the Lortab.. it worked for me for a month or so but I got used to it quickly and it stopped helping at all.

[dyno]

Blue,
There was a medication I took awhile back, Ditrapan, that I believe had a generic, oxybutitin(sp). That was back in the early 90's. Ditrapan is still available but I don't know about a generic in the long acting formulation of that medication. It is along the same lines as what Detrol is.

[MelanieJean]

Hey guys. I take

1. Ultracet and Ultram (tramadol)
2. Vicodin
3. Ditropan XL

They all seem to work. The Ultracet is like my Pez. It's my have to have it drug. Vics are for when I need them badly. And my Ditropan XL is my everyday anti-spasmodic....

~mel~

[blue]

I'm hoping to try a generic of something. If I generic medication, it's 10. If not, it varies from $30. to $50. So, if this is going to be a regular thing, I would like it to be something I can afford to purchase.

[Christa]

Blue-

I was taking 50 mg of imipramine (25 mg twice a day) and Driptane for a year. I went from constant pain and endless toilet visits to a relatively normal life. The year prior I was a urologist lab rat, taking a million different things. The imipramine worked great for the pain but it took time to work.

Now I take 10 mg of imipramine at night and continue the Driptane. I go to work, aerobics, etc.

When I started imipramine I wasn't concerned about side effects because you know I had other priorities like living without constant pain. But just to make you aware, imipramine can increase your appetite. But if you keep an eye on the scale, it'll be under control.

Take care,
Christa

[blue]

Thank you!

[redstonebef]

I take Cystospas. I have been taking it for about 30 years now. It also helps with my IBS. Hugs

redstonebef

[kelly McC]

Hers my latest list :yikes:
1) hydromorphone-2mgs can take 3 a day as needed
2) oxytrol
3) pyridium plus as needed
4)Elmiron 100mg -1 a day (cause for now I cant tolerate 3)a day yet.
and last 5) amitriptyline 25mgs at night

[redstonebef]

Kelly M. I take Neurontin 600mgs. 3x daily also I take this for my seizures. I take cystospas, MS Contin 15mgs, MSIR 15 mg., Bendryl dye-free. I have a great deal of trouble finding pain meds that do not cause my seizures so my Dr. found this combo of drugs that keeps my pain under better control. The pain was setting off my seizures. I was so thankful too finally have a life again. I also have Hydros every year and my Dr. does a dilation of my urethra at that time. I have other health problems so I take other meds. also. Do you have effective pain control? Hugs

redstonebef

[redstonebef]

Kelly I forgot I also do my DMSO treatment once a month. I hate to cath because of so much urethra pain but it does help. I have tried just about everything over the last 30 years or more.
redstonebef

[kelly McC]

Hi:hi: ,
I did try neurontin it made me extremely sick the side effects lastest 3 days from 1 pill my doctor said more than likely a allergic reaction since I can not tolerate many pills I have a huge list:( and its growing. I am glad it works for you. I also will begin DMSO treatments in May. The hydromorphone works best for me since I can tolerate it. I am thankful because I can not tolerate much. I do get slight side effects from it but nothing like others have caused me.:rolleyes: but glad something works for me.
Kelly

[Babs RN]

I take Vioxx, Percocet as needed, Ditropan for spasms and Ambien for sleep. I also take colace so I won't get constipated. In addition I take Elmiron no matter what. Just started Effexor.


Barb

[MakinIT]

Hi!

I take:

MS contin 30mgs 3x/day
Valium 15-20 mgs per day (5mgs 3x per day + 1 more if needed)
Lexapro 20 mgs (anti depressant)
Atarax 50mgs before bed

and, I was just taken off of Topamax for migraines...However, the migraines are coming back now so I'm likely going to have to go back on.:( That is the drug that really dopes me up. I've been so clear headed since going of it 2weeks ago that I am really bummed my headaches have come back. I've had to give myself two imitrix injections in the past week. I was at the point where I wasn't having any problems with migraines so I thought I could go offf. HA.

Such is my life. (sorry, pity party coming on because I can feel a headache coming on...)

Tracey

[blue]

Christa, I don't have any side effects from the imipramine. Have you had any?

[Iris]

Hi, I take Effexor XR 150 mg, Elavil 25mg, Ambien 10 mg, and Ultram 50 mg, so far so good, Iris.:thumbsup: :flower:

[Ronald]

I take Oxycontin 2x80mg, 20mg Oxynorm(Oxycodone) per day and it still if not enough.

[sleepyangel30]

not taking any, i bearly pain.

[rachelm]

I take several drugs all the time and then a few as needed. Here is my list:
Elmiron 400mg
Elavil 50 mg (for neuropathic pain signals)
Attarax 100mg antihistamine
Zanaflax 4 mg (muscle relaxer)
Zoloft 50 mg. (antidepresant used for pain)
Gabitrel 8 mg. (similar to neurontin for longterm pain)
Celbrex 200mg (antiinflamatory)
morphine IR 15-30mg (as needed for pain)
Pyridium (as needed for spasms)
Phenergan (as needed for nausea)
various antibiodics at times to prevent recurring infections. I usually will go on a low dose when I have more than one infection in a month.

I have taken neurontin but my dr. wanted to increase the dose and knew that would make me gain weight so he switched me to Gabitrel which doesn't have the side effect. I also took Lortab 10 for a year. There were several months that I had to take 8 a day but then I went for about 7 months without any. This year when I started flaring again it would only last for about 45 min. so my pain dr. switched me to morphine ir and it's helped. I think it's important to start with the lowest strength but don't stay there if it's not cutting the pain because the longer your in pain the harder it is to get out of the pain cycle. Now at the first site of pain I immediately take a morphine so that I can control the pain and hopefully prevent the downward cycle that I used to get.

I tried ultram last year but it didn't do much for me. I wish it had because it's not considered a narcotic and there are less side effects with it. If you haven't seen a pain dr. you might consider that. They are more willing to try different drugs and monitor you until you find one that works. They can also do nerve blocks which has been helpful for some people. Good luck!

Hopefully the lortab will help a lot more than the Ultram.

Rachel

[janelle77362]

I am taking Ultracet but it doesn't seem to be helping me. I was on Vicodin but my urologist took me off of it because he said he didn't want me to get addicted. I noticed that several of you are taking narcotic drugs like vicodin or oxycontin. Is there any way I can convience my doc that my pain is bad enough to warrant narcotic drugs? I am in pain ALL day.
Thanks,
Janelle :butterfly

[Christa]

Blue-

I don't really have any side effects from imipramine except increase in appetite. In fact I think it's the best tolerated med I've taken since this whole IC ordeal began.

My weight slowly crept up over a year, but now that I'm on a lower dose my appetite is back to normal.

I did have slight withdrawal symptoms when the dose was lowered. I have problems with dry mouth but I think that's more from the Driptane.

I hope it'll work for you.

Take care,
Christa

[rachelm]

Janelle,

You may want to see a pain dr. because you have every right to get treatment for your pain. It may help you to go to the pain management section of the handbook to read up on the reasons for narcotics to treat pain.

[SweetOceanBlue]

Currently I'm on Duragesic Fentyl Patch, also on occassion I take Vicodin, and if the pain gets toooo bad, then I'll go see my Rheum for a Toridol / Demoral Injection. For my Anxiety I'm on Clonzapaem, which I also use as a PRN as needed. Over the years I've been on various Pain Meds, so I've had my share... If anyone has any questions about various Pain Meds, please let me know I have a 2004 Drug Reference Book.

:butterfly
SweetOceanBlue

[rachelm]

I'm sorry I pushed send before I was ready. :D

Try these linkhttp:

//www.ic-network.com/handbook/painrights.htmls


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

If these don't work you can just search the ICN patient handbook for the section on pain. There is some great info. You may want to share this with your dr. but I would still look for a pain dr.

My urogyno. had to convince me to take Lortab last year so that I could improve my quality of life. He referred me to a pain dr. but continued filling my pain meds. until I got in to see the new dr.

There are some things that you can do to releive the tension pain of IC. If you don't have an excercise ball you might want to get one. I sit on mine and do pelvic tilts to stretch the pelvic region and release the pain. I also have learned breathing and relaxation techniques that help me get through the pain.

I still need my pain meds however, and I'm not afraid of getting addicted any more. First of all there is a huge distinction between addiction and dependency. If the drug improves the quality of life and allows you to do more normal activities then you are not on the road to addiction. This year I had to change meds because the Lortab just wasn't working long enough so my dr. put me on Morphine IR. I was afraid to go back to work on it but my dr. explained that it was o.k. because it didn't make me sleepy but it would allow me to get through the workday. Since I first started taking it I was able to go completely off of it when my interstim kicked in and then when the trial was over I started having pain so I had to take it again. I have learned and my nurse remind me that I need to take it for periods but I'm also very capable of going off of it when I don't need it anymore.

I hope that you are able to find a good dr. Janelle, I think I may have met you at Bowie Elementary. Are you married to Russell? I have several good dr. that I could reccomend in the DFW area. I don't know how far that is from you but it might be worth the drive. I noticed you lived in Texas. You can pm me if you want the info. Anyway, I will be praying that you find a successfull treatment for your pain.

Rachel

[MakinIT]

Well....this question has made me feel better about the drugs I take...and I agree, Janelle.....Most uro's don't like to prescribe narcotic pain medication...I don't know why but they really seem to be behind the 8 ball on this. My GP prescribes my morphine, the uro (who I adore) prescribes valium, atarax...she won't touch the narcotic stuff, is relieved my GP does that.

I'd see a different doc for pain relief!!!!!!!!


Tracey

[Sharon]

My Uro's idea of pain management......He just says go home and deal with it. :(

[MakinIT]

That's such Bull@#*!!! Haven't they read the research on how pain patients can't heal when they are in pain? It's such crap. I'm on some pretty strong narcotics...I'm not looking forward to getting off them, it is going to be a pain and I won't feel good (yes...physically addicted) but I'm able to do laundry, cook, clean up....I also have to nap frequently because I get tired. But I have some of my life back and I don't curl into a ball for the majority of my day anymore...

Tracey

[hawkbabe]

I GET ALL OF MY MEDICINE GENERIC EXCEPT FOR ELMIRON BECAUSE THERE IS NOT GENERIC
DARVOCET IS WHAT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER ON THOSE BBAAADDD DAYS:headbang: ALSO VALIUM HELPS TOO.
THE GENERIC IS WAY CHEAPER!!

[janelle77362]

Well I convinced my uro that I was in enough pain to warrant real pain meds so he prescribed me Darvocet. :thumbsup: Yeah maybe I will able to actually get some things done today. I miss enjoying my life. Although he only wants me to take these at real bad times which I understand. Hopefully I will get out of this horrible flare and not need to be on pain meds anymore.
Janelle :butterfly

[rachelm]

Janelle,
I'm glad that you were able to get some meds. Don't wait too long into a pain cycle because you will end up needing more meds than if you had taken some right when the pain began. This is often misunderstood because Dr. are so afraid of narcotics but in every pain article I have read they stress that pain prevention is the best way to treat chronic pain. Good luck! I hope you're able to get back to some of your normal activities.

Rachel

[MakinIT]

Agreed...if you are not on a constant pain reliever (ie: MS contin like me, I take every 8 hours whether I feel like it or not) then you need to take your pain relievers at the beginning of a pain cycle so it doesn't get awful, especially taking something on the lower end like darvocet.....good luck to you.

Tracey

[redstonebef]

Rachel and Tracy are so right. If the pain cycle can be broken it is so much easier to stop the pain. I take my MS Contin every 12 hours. I can at least manage my pain better. I have been in a bad flare for 2 weeks now and cannot seem to break it. Take care and hugs to all of you

redstonebef

[MakinIT]

Redstone: Have you been on the same dosage for awhile....? i take MS contin 3 times a day (30mgs X3). I used to take 30mgs x2 each day and found it really helped to up it to 3. (However, they won't go up anymore on that!!) I also take valium, 5 mgs 3 x /day. I find when I'm in a bad flare it is because my bladder is really contracting/spasmining. So I'm allowed to take one more valium and that usually helps. Can you get a doc to prescribe a relaxant? My uro says valium is the best for IC...It gets there the quickest. (I adore her...although she wouldn't prescribe the MS contin, had to get that from my reg. doc) I also take atarax, 50 mgs, at night...it helps...but I have to deal with groggy head in the morning.

good luck....Tracey

[redstonebef]

Tracy, I sent you a Private e-mail last night. Did you receive it? Thanks, If not I"ll send another.

redstonebef

[MakinIT]

Thanks redstone: I got it and wrote back:)

Tracey

[Hangin' Tough]

I am currently taking the following:
percocet 5/325 up to 3 per day
hydrocodone 5/500 up to 2 per day
ditropan XL 10mg 3 per day
desipramine 10-25 mg per day
baclofen 20mg 3 times per day

There are about 15-20 other drugs that I have taken to no avail. But my pain management dr. and urologist continue to work with me (what a relief).

This is about all the pain management dr. is going to give me as long as I continue to have to commute to work. I have a horrible time trying to sit all day. I have to go to the restroom about every 30 minutes. I commute an hour each way and make at least one restroom stop to and from work. So, once I decide that the pain that I endure is not worth it, I will apply for my job sponsored disability insurance. This is why I took the psuedonym Hangin' Tough. Hope all have a great day.

Steve

[MakinIT]

Yeah...I just saw my GP today. He finally gave me something for breakthrough pain (percocet 10/650) I took one and am flying high, I don't dig it..it's too bizarre feeling...wierd, my MS contin doesn't do that to me. He is also putting me on another nueroleptic...Zonegran..for IC pain and migraines...So, my medicine chest has just increased a bunch. And I was working on getting it down. But maybe once I have a nuerostim implanted I can get rid of them.

Tracey

[rachelm]

Hey everyone,

I haven't been on the boards much lately as I'm back at work, getting ready for my June wedding, looking for a new job, finishing my grad class and recovering well from my interstim implant. I too found that the percocet 10 made me feel funny even though morphine 30mg IR didn't nor Lortab 10. I didn't take it for more than a day when I told my dr. I would rather go back on the morphine again and risk getting tollerant as I did with the Lortab. Luckily now I haven't needed any morphine in 2 days and had greatly reduced it prior to this week. Really since my implant I was only on the morphine to deal with the incision pain not the pelvic pain. Today it seems that my incision has finally quit draining constantly so I'm not having to change it all the time. I'm also able to lay on that side again and the soreness from the implant site is much better. All in all I'm doing well which was a very needed break from an extremely bad IC flare that lasted for 5 months. I'm still tired easily and I pace myself and stop when I need to but for the most part I think I'm through the worst of it for now. I hope it lasts this time because I don't know how many years I can get by missing as much work as I have the last two years. My big challenge now is making sure that if I choose to go to another district in order to teach in the program that I trained for this year, I will have insurance coverage for my IC. My drugs alone would be $600 a month without the insurance so I can't take the chance. If anyone has had the experience of changing jobs and dealing with this I would love to hear how it worked for you. Take care all. Even though I'm not on as much I still think about all of you often and thank God that I found such a supportive and educated group of people all struggling with this rollercoaster disease.

Rachel

[MakinIT]

HI all...Still waiting for my nuerostim....and waiting.....It's very frustrating..my docs office keeps telling me I'm going to have it done soon...then they keep delaying it.

My GP yesterday gave me Zenegran for my migraine pain and finally gave me some meds for my breakt hrough pain...(percocet...and you are right,,,, it makes me feel WIERD..I've been on Morphine, ms contin, for months, neve an effect...but the percocet is definately a bizarre feeling)

Tracey