Not good

nanasue

I am having such a bad day today, woke up in lots of pain, it's so bad it's making me feel sick. Very depressed, I hate this illness. I really don't want to go down the anti-tnf route but it looks like I'll have to. GP changed my painkillers yesterday to dihydrocodeine, I only took one and for the next 7 hours I was completely wiped out, had to sleep, couldn't keep my eyes open and also felt very weird and spaced out and they didn't completely get rid of the pain, I can't take them if it means I can't function normally. My rheumy appointment isn't till 18th October, so do I go back to GP or ring rheumy nurse (who is useless). Sorry to moan but I can't think straight at the moment so need to write it
down and hopefully get some feed back from you lovely people

Sue x

mig

Oh dear nanasue sorry you are suffering,dihydro works for me,tramadol didnt,hope you get sorted soon.Mig

traluvie

Hi Nansue..

I would definately see GP again.. I couldn't take dihydrocodeine either.. i was so spaced out i felt horrible so i was transferred to tramadol which work with me alot better..It may be a case of trial and error to see which suits you best..Hope you find something to help you, make sure you ring GP.. thinking of you, hope ya feel better soon..x

stickywicket

I agree with Traluvie. Back to the GP. Feeling half asleep for 7 hours a day will do nothing for either your joints or your mood. There are probably other options available.

One thing worried me a little - when you said 'they didn't completely get rid of the pain'. Nothing does, Nanasue. Don't even attempt to go there. You could end up on an almighty cocktail - and still in pain.

I hope you can get something sorted quickly.

dreamdaisy

The anti TNFs can be very effective so I hope you can come to terms with your mis-givings and give 'em a whirl. They may not get rid of this dross completely but they can certainly ease its worst aspects and give some relief - surely that has to be worth a go. I know what you mean about the pain etc, I thank whoever I'm used to it as the OA is a whole new ball game. I hope you can find some dullers that suit you better: remember they are only that, nanasue, nothing more. DD

bubbadog

I'm so sorry you are suffering so much nanasue, I really hope your meds get sorted soon. Big ((HUGS)).

nanasue

Thanks for your replies. I was taking tramadol, which works really well for me and does get rid of the pain, but I was worried about getting addicted, so I weaned myself off them, but the co-dydramol isn't enough all the time, but the dihydrocodeine is addictive too. I told doc I wanted something stronger than co-dydramol but wasn't addictive, she didn't discuss anything with me, just said try dihydrocodeine, what's the point of swapping one addiction for another? I'm a bit cross, I thought she understood what I wanted and was helping me, now I've got to go back again. I'm going to speak to local pharmacist to get her to explain about pain meds to me so I can go back to doc with some knowledge. Why does it all have to be such an effort all the time. I'm feeling a bit better this evening but still very tired. What pain meds do others take, I don't have a clue what else is available. Any advice will be gratefully received.

Sue x

stickywicket

I think it's a good idea to speak to the pharmacist, Nansue but I think I'm right in saying that, once you get beyond paracetamol and NSAIDS, all painkillers run the risk of addiction. I've always believed in the fewer the better as, for me at least, I find the more I take the more I have to take to get the same paindulling effect. Obviously, though, when things are bad, I need more temporarily. I hope you manage to get yours sorted to your own satisfaction.

theresa4

Hi sue

It's no good if the pain killers don't work but if they do then take them. I too worried about addiction and my gp said if you had a heart condition and took your heart pills every day without fail could that be considered an addiction ? He says pain is just as debilitating as a heart complaint therefore in need of treatment. I'm on dihyxrocodeine but only when I really need it I don't take it all the time even when pain is bad it's usually when I'm crying but even on occasions when I take it daily I have no withdrawals from it. My gp is an addiction specialist as well but does not consider pain meds if required as addiction just a reality. And I have to agree with him so go back on your tramadol if it worked for you x I couldn't take it because of hallucinating and nightmares. And find a gp who actually hears the words coming out of your mouth x
Love and hugs
Theresa x
Ps sorry bout message being a bit garbled I'm on my phone and typing is sore x

nanasue

Thanks all, what you've said makes me feel a bit better about the situation.
Theresa, thanks for replying when you're in pain, what you said has really helped. I just wish doctors would explain a bit more, as yours obviously does. They either think we're too stupid to understand or that we're physchic. The more we know the more we can help ourselves and don't have to bother them so much, that's what I think anyway. I'm feeling a bit better today, I'm going to see the pharmacist later so I'll let you know how I get on.

Sue x

nanasue

Spoke to very nice pharmacist, she said she can't give me any answers off the top of her head because of my asthma and bronchiectasis but she is going to do some research and get back to me in the next couple of days. Very good of her to take the time, some people out there can be nice and helpful. It doesn't take much to be nice so why don't more people do it, also it can make you feel good if you help someone. I really can't understand why some people are miserable and unhelpful, especially when they work in hospitals etc. dealing with the public, why do the job if you think they're a nuisance. Sorry, as you can see it's a pet hate of mine. I'm still getting over the fact that a midwife on the post-natal ward when my daughter had her baby,was a miserable old bag (that's being polite). It's good to know there are nice people out there. Hope you all have a good day tomorrow,

Sue x

skezier

Hi Sue,

I am sorry i am late but it sounds like you have absolutely reached empty for a min there?

This bone stuff is draining, it stops you sleeping well so you get tired and more drained and it effects every aspect of your life and when your down the impact you feel its having is akin to a ten ton weight on you.

I really think you need some tlc and some rest flower.... I don;t know if you can get either but for a min your body is telling you to rest up big time.

I agree with you over the hospital folk and why be horrible..... without us they wouldn't have a job!

I been thinking what i can say to help but Sue inside you there is a inner strength thing and it will come to your rescue.

Its a rollercoaster this bone c*** and its shift! The better days will come and the antis...Sue I have failed on both sulfa and mtx and am not allowed to have the antis.... That might be why i say go for it flower....

I think the chance to feel better and have the bones under control is worith a shot and the side effects may not happen for you at all.

Give it some thought and obviously do whats right for you but will be 100% behind you what ever you decide to do.

hang i there and leaving a ((( ))) and a better day draft. Cris x