Fabulous article on pain medication and addiction

[icnmgrjill]

Check out this blog at Health Central.

http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic...ction/?ic=6042

Jill

[jen74]

Interesting article. I remember having a urogyne tell me she will NEVER prescribe pain meds to an IC patient as they all end up becoming drug addicts. I actually laughed in her face. I mean what an idiotic thing to say! I always thought that the definition of a drug addict is someone who is taking pain meds for other reasons besides pain ( like to get high). I do know that body can get tolerant to pain meds, where they will not work as good over time and the dosage has to be upped or you have to switch to something else. But that happens with alot of meds, not just pain meds.

Really good article though. Now we only need to show this article to some of these inept doctors and educate them!!!

Jen

[PattyPlum]

I have been to the ER twice and they give me Vicodine for pain. I can't seem to get my primary physician to prescribe it to me for fear of constipation. How and I convince her I need it on hand so I don't need to go to the ER for $2500 pop. I will take 1/4 pill or half to relief a flare up. Should I just try another doctor?

[Barbm]

Yes try a different doctor

[Ku Ku]

I have a wonderful doctor who knows very little about IC but is willing to research and help how she can.

However even she gets tied in with the compensation headache of pain relief - in other words she doesn't want to get sued if I do become an 'addict.'

Luckily she has the presence of mind to try alternatives rather than simply not subscribe anything recently changing me from Coedine to Neurotin (one an opiate the other an anti-epileptic drug that helps block nerve signals). Trouble is I am in constant flare and its worse at some times than others. Being on an opiate gave me the choice and the ability to do things. Need to go food shopping but can't even envision making it out of the house? Take codeine. Want to go out for hot milk and syrup (because its not coffee anymore hehe!) with a friend but cafe chairs are hell to sit on? Take codeine. But 'Sat at home or at a friend's place in pain?' the answer was never an opiate (Despite having been relying on them for a year when the packet suggests 3 days can incite addiction) but always 'Hot water bottle' or 'Hot bath.' Far from an addicted mindset really :P

Despite this I am on the Neurotin - one at night. It helps me sleep through the night but does nothing for the daytime :P Hopefully the side effects will wear off soon and i'll be able to take one during the day but it will never give me the 'life' I had with an opiate to hand :P

And can I get a vaginal vallium suppliment? Can I hell. Much too strong, could get addicted. Lets try all the other treatments first despite the fact they don't target my poor cramped siezed up lady parts. Can't wear tampons? Not a problem just have some neurotin before you sleep and it won't bother you for a few hours

I just think this culture of fear and mistrust is blinding doctors from helping their patients in the most effective way possible, they're too afraid of getting sued or prosecuted to believe there are some people out there not interested in a free legal high but actually just about getting their life back together!

[Barbm]

Ku KU, Please go to the home page on this site and under "News and Events" click on the AUA Guidelines. I would encourage you to read all of it, but particularly look under "first line treatments" and "second line treatments". The only thing I would add to this is that there are some great pelvic physical therapy books on this site if you don't have a pelvic physical therapist near you, you can buy the books and do it yourself. I would also take Cystoprotek which you can buy on this site. There is a lot of research going on that is promising with the ingredients in Cystoprotek. Also, print the AUA guidelines out and take them to your doctor. IC is not that common of a disease and this might be helpful to your MD. Lastly, if the MD will not prescribe narcotic pain medications, ask for a referral to a pain management MD. Remember that it took a long time for your bladder to get bad , so it will take some time for you to get better.Hope you do well!

[Ku Ku]

Unfortunately I live in the UK and while my doctor would probably be willing to read the guidelines she won't be entitled to follow them and shes not the type to listen to 'stuff from the internet' unfortunately... Though it may be worth letting my specialist have a read as I don't think he knows they exist

I cannot even begin to tell you how lucky I am to have the specialist that I do - as you've rightly stated its not a commonly known disease and while America is making leaps forward in diagnosis etc The UK still don't largely know jack about it!

My sister has been suffering from similar symptoms for less time than I but managed to eventually get referred to a specialist (different hospital / city) that has asked her to try the diet for 4 months before official diagnosis or any other treatment begins. ><!!!! I was asked to try for a much more reasonable 6 weeks!

Point in case I am having to go through Hydrodistention sometime in the next month or so as it is the only *recognised* way for a diagnosis at the moment and without it I cannot apply for disability payments (which would make a massive difference to stress if nothing else!). My specialist also believes it is a cure-all and has told me there is a 50/50% chance that it will 'fix' the problem permanently... I'm not discounting his view entirely but also not holding my breath either. :|

Despite this my urologist actually informally diagnosed me a couple of months ago and recommended both the diet (though he only knew of a much simpler form than whats on here and didn't have any resources to give me) and Quercetin with Bromelain as well as writing detailed notes for my GP (MD to you).

I think a referral to a pain specialist may be a good idea, i'd not thought of it before but I think trying to manage this for me is a bit of a strain on my GP's knowledge and ability - getting someone who knows their stuff is likely to be a much bigger help for me tbh!

The pelvic pain book is a great idea, thank you! I hadn't realised I could do it myself and have been trying to find a therapy centre. It is something I am going to bring up at my next appointment but it may not be on the NHS (free / covered by insurance to you) and currently I don't even know if I can afford to live in this house i've just moved into any longer than 6 months, let alone pay for regular treatments... a book on the other hand... that I CAN buy!

As for Cystoprotek thanks for pointing it out, it looks like a more advanced form of the querctin supplement i currently take. Unfortunately it doesn't have a license over here so a single bottle would cost me $70 + import fees which for something that *may* not work for me I can't really afford (at least until i've exhausted all other options over here first!) plus i'm not sure how much Querctin really is doing for me !

I'm prepared for a long slog with this to get it under control, thats fine (Somedays, somedays not so fine ofc!) its just frustrating to be around so many clueless 'professionals' sometimes :P!

[Barbm]

Just one more thought seeing that Cystoprotek would be hard for you to get. I bet you can fine glucosamine/chondroitin at your local pharmacy. It is commonly used over the counter to treat arthritis. The GAG layer of the bladder is made up of this stuff. Try Nature's best made in the UK. It will cost 9.9 pounds(?) for 120.

[Ku Ku]

Thanks for that! I think i've managed to track some down even cheaper, so i'll definitely give those a go !