Fibro Challenges Online Support Group

I'm in a minor flare, just saw my doc 2 weeks ago, & we changed my meds. in the meantime, my pain has got to the point that the Lyrica and tramadol are not even touching it. I called yesterday to try to get back in to see her so I could discuss getting something stronger like vicodin or something. I don't ask for narcotics, even when I need them, and my doc know it. She didnt have any appts available, so I had to leave a msg for her. The med asst called me back, & all the doc did was call in relafen, which is an anti-inflammatory. I was already taken ibuprofen, and have taken relafen in the past and it didn't work. How the heck do any of you get your doc to prescribe narcotics like vicodin or percocet for the pain?? It is now Friday, she has no appts til next week, and I'm left facing the weekend in major pain with no relief! The thought of having to live with this level of pain for one more day is about enough to send me into a total emotional melt down! Any suggestions?? I hate feeling like I'm some kind of drug seeking junkie...I've been treated that way before by doctors, and it sucks! Help!

oops! that's MAJOR flare...either the fibrofog or autocorrect got the best of me!

I decided to just bite the bullet & call my doc's office back & speak to the one nurse in her office who I know will listen to my concerns, & let her know just how miserable I am, & flat out ask for vicodin or something similar. We'll see what happens. I'm so afraid I'll look like a drug seeker that it takes a lot for me to ask for narcotics. I really have to get over that, & learn to ask for what I need. I don't know what she'll do, but at least I asked for once! Please pray that she will call in something that will actually help! She's always been so responsive in the past, let's hope she continues to be!

Mel, I'm sorry you are having so much pain. I was wondering about the 'minor flare' so when you corrected that to 'major' I wasn't surprised.

It's good that you finally just told the nurse how you were feeling and asked outright for what you need. Sometimes that's what it takes. If your dr. still doesn't address your problems and needs, then you might want to find a dr. who understands more about fibro and the pain it can cause. I also took Relafen but it didn't help so I stopped taking it. Too much risk of bleeding for me when it didn't even help.

Have you ever asked your dr. about referring you to a pain management doc?

I hope you hear from your dr. soon and the news is good. Keep us posted?

Hugs, Karen

Post edited by: oregonnative, at: 04/15/2011 07:33 AM

Go to a walk in clinic or call and let the office know you will see anyone today because it is so bad and you cannot go through the weekend with no help. It is inhumane for a doctor to leave the patient without relief. Then, get a referral to a pain specialist from your doctors office and make the appointment today so you have it ready when you get the referral. Ask the pain office for someone who sees fibro patients. PCPs usually don't like the paperwork of reporting opiod prescriptions and pain mgmt docs do it routinely.

Feel better...and know you have a right to pain relief. Some doctors don't believe that opiods are effective for fibro. I just wonder how many that say this have ever suffered like we do. Hope it is sunny where you are!

Post edited by: Kvasconez, at: 04/15/2011 07:56 AM

I have dealing with that issue for many years, when trying too get narcs, you would think that they are being asked for the world on a silver platter! Dr.'s are very stingy with narcs!!!!

I just came right out and asked my doctor but quickly added that I would only take it at night and when I was in a major flare. I take the bottle with me to show him how many I've taken to reassure him I'm not abusing it.

Good luck with that, mmason! I live in Pinellas County, Florida. There has been a witch hunt down here, where narcotic pain relief is concerned. The docs are afraid to prescribe.

My Infectious Disease Doc quit prescribing them, back in November. Between trying to weed out the real pillheads from the people who are in legitimate pain, plus, always being under threat of having her office raided for BS, she decided to just stick to healing infections.

I can't say I blame her, but that leaves me in excruciating pain, with no relief. I can't afford to go to pain management.

For years and years, doctors treated me like a pillhead, too. "In your head, and out for pills" were two of their favorites for me. What it turned out to be was Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Typhus. There's probably more strains that haven't even been found, yet.

I know what you're going through, being that fibro is a symptom of Lyme. Now, I'm forced to do even less than I could with the pain medication. The internal organ pain is soooooo bad. I refuse to exert myself anymore. I'm trying real hard to stick around as long as I can for my kids.

Forced to live in all this pain, and they wonder why some people end up turning to alcohol and other drugs? Really?

Mel, I am glad you contacted the nurse, hopefully she will be able to get some results for you. Your right about being pro-active about asking for what it is you need. I hope they are able to do something for you to lessen your pain. Hugs, Ann

Tickscorn and Santos, Welcome to the family girls! Glad you joined us, you will find wonderful and supportive people here who do understand what you are going through. If you would, under the forums tab is an introduction area for you to each tell us a little bit about yourselves. That way all the other members will know we have a new person to our group and can welcome you. Thanks, Ann