When do you find it best to take pain medication?
Hi,
I am new to the Fibro board. I had a RNY at Johns Hopkins on 6/29/09. I have lost 28 pounds so far. I have never posted before so bear with me! I have suffered from Fibromyalgia for all of my adult life. I see a Pain Specialist on a monthly basis and she is great about "tweaking" my meds. I am currently on Effexor (Chronic Depression), Morphine IR and Valium for pain. I can't seem to kick the pain with my normal dosages. I have not increased them but thought after my surgery I would need less pain medication rather than more. I have e-mailed my surgeon and they want me to go to a pain clinic in Baltimore. I see a pain specialist (trained at Johns Hopkins-not that that means anything) her in Annapolis where I live! So driving 40-60 minutes to see another doctor seems senseless. I do have appointment with both doctors next week, so I will address it with both of them at that time. I have left a message for my pain specialist but thought I would come to the "experts" , those of you who have done the trial and error. I do know everyone is different but any advice is appreciated.
My question is-when do I take the pain medication for the best results. With food, before or after food, on an empty stomach. I feel like there is a malabsorbtion issue with the pain medication. Does this make sense?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Susan
PS-If you prefer to PM that is fine too!
I am new to the Fibro board. I had a RNY at Johns Hopkins on 6/29/09. I have lost 28 pounds so far. I have never posted before so bear with me! I have suffered from Fibromyalgia for all of my adult life. I see a Pain Specialist on a monthly basis and she is great about "tweaking" my meds. I am currently on Effexor (Chronic Depression), Morphine IR and Valium for pain. I can't seem to kick the pain with my normal dosages. I have not increased them but thought after my surgery I would need less pain medication rather than more. I have e-mailed my surgeon and they want me to go to a pain clinic in Baltimore. I see a pain specialist (trained at Johns Hopkins-not that that means anything) her in Annapolis where I live! So driving 40-60 minutes to see another doctor seems senseless. I do have appointment with both doctors next week, so I will address it with both of them at that time. I have left a message for my pain specialist but thought I would come to the "experts" , those of you who have done the trial and error. I do know everyone is different but any advice is appreciated.
My question is-when do I take the pain medication for the best results. With food, before or after food, on an empty stomach. I feel like there is a malabsorbtion issue with the pain medication. Does this make sense?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Susan
PS-If you prefer to PM that is fine too!
Collinsmdzia
Hi Susan,
Welcome to the forum. There is a malabsorbtion with the pain meds, so you actually will need to bump up your doses. You meds slip right through and you only get a small amount. It is like vitamins. How they tell us to take 2 vitamins, one in the morning and one in the evening. That is the same for pain meds. We need more than the average bear. I always tell my doctors that I need two vitamins and they only need one, so my meds are the same way. I would say, take your meds with a little food, that way they don't upset your stomach. I use the fentanyl patch and the Norco for break through and I take that 4-6 x a day on an empty stomach - RNY 3.5 yrs post op. I don't have problems. I don't know if the meds are absorbed by food or not. You should call a pharmacist and ask, then share that info with us so we know as well. That is a good question. What is the Morphine IR and how does your combo work for you. Kristy
Welcome to the forum. There is a malabsorbtion with the pain meds, so you actually will need to bump up your doses. You meds slip right through and you only get a small amount. It is like vitamins. How they tell us to take 2 vitamins, one in the morning and one in the evening. That is the same for pain meds. We need more than the average bear. I always tell my doctors that I need two vitamins and they only need one, so my meds are the same way. I would say, take your meds with a little food, that way they don't upset your stomach. I use the fentanyl patch and the Norco for break through and I take that 4-6 x a day on an empty stomach - RNY 3.5 yrs post op. I don't have problems. I don't know if the meds are absorbed by food or not. You should call a pharmacist and ask, then share that info with us so we know as well. That is a good question. What is the Morphine IR and how does your combo work for you. Kristy
Hi Kristi,
Thanks for the welcome and information. The morphine IR(Immediate Release) and the Valium had worked well prior to my surgery. It does make sense due to the malabsorbtion that I will need more or something different. I have taken it with food the last few days. Although I am not sure it has made a difference. My the NP (who I really like) at surgeon's office said she had no idea (which I thought was strange) and to ask my nutritionist. My nutritionist is Margaret Furtado, who has one written a book on WLS and has another one WLS and nutrition for Dummies coming out it December. I have an e-mail into her. I know she has been out of the country on speaking engagements. I certainly will let you all know what I find out and from whom I get the information from. I am also waiting on a call from my pain doctor. I have appointment with both on Thursday of next week-so I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again!
Susan
Thanks for the welcome and information. The morphine IR(Immediate Release) and the Valium had worked well prior to my surgery. It does make sense due to the malabsorbtion that I will need more or something different. I have taken it with food the last few days. Although I am not sure it has made a difference. My the NP (who I really like) at surgeon's office said she had no idea (which I thought was strange) and to ask my nutritionist. My nutritionist is Margaret Furtado, who has one written a book on WLS and has another one WLS and nutrition for Dummies coming out it December. I have an e-mail into her. I know she has been out of the country on speaking engagements. I certainly will let you all know what I find out and from whom I get the information from. I am also waiting on a call from my pain doctor. I have appointment with both on Thursday of next week-so I'll keep you posted.
Thanks again!
Susan
Collinsmdzia
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