Question:
Malabsorbtion of pain meds
My doctor gave me Vicodine for my pain of Fibromyalgia but it isn't strong enough and I found myself taking 1 every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours. I also found that Percocet works great with Cymbalta. But the doctor won't write the rx for every four hours so I was tempted to online to buy the pain meds because my doctor is a whimp and retiring. I don't know if they are safe to use or which one to use. I tried to tell my doctor I was malabsorbing the meds but he failed to listen. Any suggestions are welcome and thank you in advance for you thoughts. RNY 1/3/06 — Kristy (posted on December 26, 2008)
December 26, 2008
My suggestion is to find yourself a very good rhumatologist. They
specialize in arthritis, inflamatory diseases and fibromyalgia. My
rhumatologist recently put me on Cymbalta and gave me Darvocet N-100 for
pain. It has been a good combination for me. Many pain meds and muscle
relaxers do not combine well with Cymbalta, and is likely the reason you
are not getting the drugs you want. Besides Percocet is not usually given
for fibro. I used Tramadol for pain for years but had to give it up for the
benefit of Cymbalta. Check around for a good rhumatologist as Fibro can be
difficult to treat and not all the same meds work for everyone. I was
diagnosed in 1991 with symptons since 1980. I have been on many regimens of
meds since then looking for the best combination. Good luck to you.
— Gena L.
December 26, 2008
My suggestion is to find yourself a very good rhumatologist. They
specialize in arthritis, inflamatory diseases and fibromyalgia. My
rhumatologist recently put me on Cymbalta and gave me Darvocet N-100 for
pain. It has been a good combination for me. Many pain meds and muscle
relaxers do not combine well with Cymbalta, and is likely the reason you
are not getting the drugs you want. Besides Percocet is not usually given
for fibro. I used Tramadol for pain for years but had to give it up for the
benefit of Cymbalta. Check around for a good rhumatologist as Fibro can be
difficult to treat and not all the same meds work for everyone. I was
diagnosed in 1991 with symptons since 1980. I have been on many regimens of
meds since then looking for the best combination. Good luck to you.
— Gena L.
December 26, 2008
I dont think its a malabsorbtioon issure but more of a tolerace. I have
found that since my surgery medication affect me quicker. If you take
narcotics on a regular basis you build a tolerace to them thus needing more
to achieve pain relief. Like the others above I would look for a
specialist.
— urbrat2
December 26, 2008
Do check with a reumatologist. In my case, I was never in pain after
surgery. While in the hospital, I had a pain pump and I could push the
button as often as I felt the need. The doctor prescribed liquid pain
medication to use at home. There are many options for pain management and
you should not self-medicate. A good trained physician should be the one to
help you. Good luck.
— maria09elena
December 26, 2008
Kristy sometimes our pcm's don't work well with us after surgery. They
don't get the mal absorption of medications, however, I personally have not
had to increase anything when I have to take meds. What I do however, is
eat a small amount of food with my meds to force it in my pouch a little
longer. I think this helps a lot personally. Try that and see if it
works. Pain meds are VERY addicting, and it would be very wise to not
increase them. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
December 26, 2008
I have Fibromyalgia and my Dr. has me on Lyrica. This has been the BEST med
by far for me to help with the day to day struggles with it.
I can count on one hand how many times I have taken narcotics ( for the
Fibro) since going on the Lyrica.
Also I agree that you could be building up a tolerance vs. mal-absorption.
I was pretty tolerant of more than one pain med. before my surgery.
Good luck in finding a good Dr. I think that is half the battle.
— *****GIGS *******
December 27, 2008
I have fibro, my fibro is allmost gone due to using cherry juice twice a
day and taking vit. D 100iu twice a day. I'm not taking any medications
for fibro except that now. It took about 4 wks b/4 I felt the full
relief.
Sandi
— sandikellerrn
December 27, 2008
I have no answer but wanted to share my wonder about malabsorbing meds...I
rarely take meds for anything...Not cough meds or narcotic meds or even
tylenol...Last night I took two tylenol for unusually horrid menstral
cramps...The pain started to go away after 10 minutes...and then I
sneezed...8 times in a row (that's a normal sneeze for me) And the cramps
came back with a vengence....No one at work had any tylenol and I was
desperate so I took a powdered aspirin (goodies) and that did begin to help
a little...Finally had to lie down on the floor in an unfinished old house
(covered in drywall dust) It just kept coming back before it would
stop....I was ready to go to the ER for real!....My daughter showed up with
Pamprin and again I was at the point I thought I was going to the ER and
was desparate to at least take the edge of this pain...The pain radiated
down my thighs...It was just awful...So I chewed up the pamprin (GROSS!!!)
and FINALLY after 2 tylenol extra strength, 1 powdered aspirin and 2
pamprin was I able to be pain free...I have no idea what that was all about
and why NOTHING worked...I cannot believe I had to take NSAIDs to get rid
of the pain...I'm going to have to talk to a doc about this...I do not want
to be in that situation again... So I totally understand what you are
talking about and wonder if we do malabsorb pain meds of all kinds???...I'm
fine today so far...but I am scared to death...I loaded my purse with
tylenol and will take as many as I have to since 2 do not work on me! I had
NO Idea! I have heard others complain too...So it might be a legitimate
thing to look into...The thing is...I wonder if the drug is still in our
blood enough to poison us without the pain relief???? Be careful until you
know if we can still overdose without realizing it...I know in my pain
last night I would have taken anything to feel better! I did! It scared
me!
— .Anita R.
December 27, 2008
Part of the problem with prescribing most narcotic pain meds more
frequently is that they contain Tylenol along with the narcotic pain med.
Tylenol is very toxic to the liver and can be very dangerous taken in high
doses. PCP's are only comfortable prescribing meds at a certain dose,
anything stronger that is needed should be referred to a pain specialist
and/or a rheumatologist in your case. A good one will completely
understand your malabsorption and/or tolerance issues and be willing to try
different meds or doses until you find what works best for you. Best of
luck,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
December 27, 2008
If you aren't happy with your doctor and your medical needs are not being
taken care of, then you need to switch doctors (you said he's retiring
anyways). Buying pain meds over the internet is risky. It's illegal to
buy narcotics without a prescription (over the internet or otherwise) and
it's also illegal to possess them without a prescription. If you did
somehow manage to buy them online, you've got no guarantee that you are
actually getting what you think you are getting. It seems like a huge risk
to take when you could most likely get your needs met by switching to
another doctor. Also, if you aren't already, I would suggest finding a
pain clinic or a doctor who specializes in chronic pain.
Good luck.
— mrsidknee
December 28, 2008
Besides what everyone else said, I would see if your doctor can prescribe
you the Percocet in liquid form. I can't take pain pills as they do not
absorb, but the liquid forms work really well.
— eddyrider3
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