Pain and Pills

woodbon

Hi,
I've just had a formal diagnosis of fibro and some oa confirmed by my GP after a visit to the rheumatologist. I have to have a MRI to rule out any Anykilysing spondilosis (I know the spelling is wrong), as my Mum had it and I also carry the gene.

Well, today I've proved the value of my pain killer tramadol slow release, as I ran out on Thursday and couldn't get any more until today, as we live in the middle of knowwhere, which is nice but not convieniant.

My pain has grown over the weekend from a not really bad pain until today which has been intolerable. Everything hurt in the end and I just spent the day on the bed. Tried getting dressed but the clothes felt like they where on burning skin. and my joints hurt so much I could't hold my head up for long. I suppose I'm stupid, but I never thought the drugs helped me so much and sometimes, I still get these flares even with them. My lovely husband brought them home this evening and after a couple of hours, I'm started feeling better, still quite sore and achy, but not so bad. I do know that its something that I can say only works for me not everyone, it took me a long time to find the right prescription and some people never do, poor things.

So lesson learned - never run out of meds for long!!!
Off to bed again, as I'm tired and my hands are starting to hurt a bit!
Love Sue xxxx

Tubby

I know the feeling regarding drugs.....I can't miss one dose before I am in agony. Unfortunately it is Diclofenac (plus others when things get bad....) which isn't getting good press at the moment. Doesn't help when the health centre mess up with your prescription and leave you a little high and dry for a while either!

Hope things are better for you today

stickywicket

woodbon wrote:

So lesson learned - never run out of meds for long!!!

Never run out at all, Sue, with some. Tramadol slow release shouldn't suddenly be stopped. I think it says so in the enclosed leaflet. What you've described could be withdrawal symptoms rather than the fibro. I hope yu're back on track now.

woodbon

Hi I did think of withdrawal symptoms, and read them up, but I didn't feel like their discription of them at all. It was just like my bad days and my osteo in my fingers was worse as well as the pain in my hips. Although, if you suddenly stop something that damps your pain, its perfectly possible that you have a change in pain thresholds or something!!

It could be withdrawal. and I can only take paracetamol, as I have had peritonitis caused by a peptic ulcer, caused partly by diclofanac, but I think medical opiniion has changed since then. The reason (or part of it) was that the chemist had run out of tramadol and I had to wait. Not good but living 5 miles from the nearest chemist I can't go to another.

Anyway, I will make sure I don't run out again,
Love Suexx

frogmorton

Hi Sue

lovely to see your name on here again.

Good to know that the tramadol ARE doing something isn't it? and makes you happier taking them I expect.

Good news too (sort of :? ) that you finally have a diagnosis

Love and ((()))

toni xxx

woodbon

I came back then I wasn't too well (bad cold & hospital appointments : :x ) but, pleased to have something to fight!

I'll be glad to get yet another MRI over, I hate the noise of those machines.

Love Sue

frogmorton

Oh yes Sue - I remember how much you hate MRIs :?

Well we are available for pocket duties?

Love

Toni xxx

barbara12

Hello Sue
I am glad you have at last got some answers...not easy is it, like you say you now know what you are up against.
Good luck with the MRI I cant imagine why those machines have to make so much noise..wish someone would make one that was quiet... :roll: blimey you think these meds are not working...now you know different...wishing you well with everything.and get some well earned rest.xx

DebbieT

Hi Sue,

I have Fibro too. I also take tramadol SR, its a god send to me. If I miss even a few hours I know it. I get wot I call 'lead legs' but if I'm off of the tramadol sr it's in my whole body. I think you were definitely feeling withdrawal symptoms along side ure FM & OA pain. I've been messed about in the past more than once & suffered thru it, it's awful!!

I'm glad you know never to run out again now I always order my repeat meds, including methotrexate, a week b4 I run out so I'm safe.Lol x

woodbon

Thank you. I'm still stiff but I think thats just the way I am. Fibro also gives me sore skin these days, my clothes sometimes feel as if they are sort of burning me, falling apart, my husband says!

My MRI is at 8.30 a week on Sunday, trust me to get that slot. Still we're lucky, the local hospital runs one of the machines at the weekend to catch up with the appointments. I'll be glad to get it over with. I don't see the consultant until December, but I expect they'd call me in if it showed anything drastic. :shock: Pocket duties would be nice!!
Love Suexx

frogmorton

Of course Sue

You can count us in so long as I can stay in my jammies

love

Toni xxx

dachshund

Hello Sue
i'm pleased you are feeling a bit better.i will be there for you when you have your mri scan.
take care.
joan xx

woodbon

Hi,
Thank you so much, I know how kind you all are and so I'll put a bar of chocolate in my pocket for you all! Love Sue