pain meds are killing me! - Interstitial Cystitis (ICN) Support Forum

donnadb040 · 11-09-2009, 12:46 PM

Finally got a doctor to prescribe something for pain for my fibromyalgia... This time, it was darvocet. I have come to the conclusion that narcotic pain meds (the 3 I've tried-darvocet, hydrocodone/vicodin and ultram) CAUSE me to have to most excrutiating bladder pain/spams. A while back when on vicodin, I was having really horrible bladder spasms... Went to urologist and was diagnosed with IC. At the time, he did a hydrodistension and a few weeks later, the symptoms subsided (along with the cessation of the vidodin). Currently, while taking the darvocet, I am having the same bladder symptoms! The bladder pain is DEFINITELY worse when I'm taking the darvocet! In fact, I've been pain free (bladder wise) since the last hydrodistention.. On days when I don't take anything for pain, my bladder is fine (of course, the rest of me hurts) but when I take the pain meds, its excrutiating! Anyone else have problems with meds irritating the bladder???? Ugh! Finally get a doc WILLING to prescribe pain meds and I cant even take them after begging docs for years to give them to me! What else can I try for the fibro pain??? I'm on Lyrica for the 3rd time... It never seems to do anything for me but every doc i see really believes in it and pushes me to try it again... ONLY ME could have pain FROM the pain meds!!!!! Just makes me wanna throw in the towel!

Cassaundra · 11-09-2009, 01:48 PM

It'll get better!

The only problem with pain meds is the retention that I have from them. As my gyno told me:

Your body knows when to go to the bathroom because the nerves feel pain. When you use the pain meds, the sensitivity is lessened, hence the reason why its harder to go to the bathroom.

oh.. and constipation, haha. But other than that they work well for me.

only you knwo what is good for your body. If Lyrica does not work for you, make them listen!

Feel better and good luck.

By the way, have you tried asking for an antispasmodic?

donnadb040 · 11-09-2009, 02:47 PM

Hi Cassie...thanks for the reply! I have tried SEVERAL antispasmodics and they do nothing for me except dry out my entire body!!! Tried elmiron too....nada! I'm at my wits end when the meds for pain CAUSE pain!!

***ICNDonna*** · 11-09-2009, 04:14 PM

My only problem with pain meds is nausea --- and my doctors prescribe anti-nausea meds for me to avoid that --- the only problem with that is they make me sleepy.

Donna

purpleviolet · 11-09-2009, 06:26 PM

Instead of vicodin can you ask for valium. I find that helps and doesn't cause retention.

Zygala87 · 11-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Donnadbo40 I am so sorry this is happening to you. I have not heard of pain pills being so hard on IC pain. Most of us beg to have some pills just to get relief should we go into a big flare. I do know that Lyrica takes about a week or more to kick in. My Sister suffered since the early 70's from pain due to a terrible care/train accident. Lyrica has been the only med. that has helped her. It did take time for it to work. When it did, it was like a miracle. Maybe give it a little more time? I have no real answers but I care deeply. A HYDRO helped me greatly so I rarely take pain meds but they are in my safe should I need them. How horrible for you that they just make things worse! Keep us posted. Sending hope and Prayers to you. Hug, Ziggy

Skynard · 11-10-2009, 12:44 AM

I found this to be true when I take a whole Percocet. The codeine (the culprit per the pharmacist) causes retention, but I can take 1/2 and it won't cause the retention and brings the pain level down. I take 1/2 every four hours as needed. I also take 1/2 valium as needed every four hours. If the pain is not past the "emergency" point, the pharmacist has me take two extra strength Tylenol (500 mg each), this manages the pain and I have zero issues with retention with those. Others on here talk about great success with Valium suppositories - you don't get the side effects that way. When I called my IC specialist yesterday, she raved about the success of them in several of her patients. Maybe something to try...

Wishing you well on your journey.

Skyn

Glenda2 · 11-10-2009, 02:17 AM

I began taking Narcotics before I was Ten Years Old , due to My Tumor Disease and Pain from Tumors all over My Spine.

Started Out on Tylenol 3 went up to Ty 4.
Never worked , harsh side effects.

Progressed up the Ladder the Older I got , and the worse my symptoms became.

Took everything in between and worked my way to The Top.

Demerol , Morphine , Methadone and Fentanyl.

They never worked , and all these drugs cause me the same dang side effects.

Twitching and Jerking like a Grand Mall Seizure.
Heart exploding Palpitations that put me in the ER 5 times for EKG's to Make sure my Heart wasn't exploding.
Itching so severe I was Bloody Raw.
Dizzy so bad I'd pass out and be pale as a Ghost.
Sweating so bad it looked like I just walked out of the Ocean Surf.

I finally gave Pills up.

Even the other med's out there make me strangely ill.

I just cannot tollerate Pills of any kind. Even the Elmiron for me is bad.

With my cousin being a Medical Examiner , and telling me , The Human Body was Never really designed to take Drugs. And when it does , it Rebells. ( Side Effects )
I belive it 100 %.