Also with the Vicodins, other pain pills, sometimes you get a rebound effect when taking them, like they stop working if you take too many.

With pain, I have found out from numerous surgeries and the FM, I have to make sure I take my next dose at exactly the right time so that I dont have any gaps, as the breakthrough pain starts up right away. The trick is to make sure you take them regularly.

I try to steer clear of pain meds whenever possible because for one, they really dont work well for me and two I do not want to become addicted. I also have my dr mix them up too. Sometimes I ask for percocet, sometimes vicodin, sometimes ultram.

Good luck ladies, hope you feel better soon

Debbi

Thanks for the info. Does the VA have pain management doctors on staff or do they refer you to civilian doctors?

I honestly don't know the answer to that, perhaps you can call the VA and ask them? I would assume that there are many issues a veteran would have to deal with which would require pain management. I've never dealt with the system, only friends of mine and heard their tales of woe.