I also have a multitude of health problems. I also have herniated discs C5-6 and L4-S1. I also have had an AC joint separation which bothers me often. I have plantar fascists, neuropathy in my legs, prinzmetal angina, migraines, heart attack, TIA'S, visual problems, multi vessel vasospasms, GA glion cysts in my knees, carpal tunnel, and IBS. So I definitely understand the frustration of having a multitude of health issues. It can be very frustrating. But we do need to stay strong and positive to enjoy life. I take a lot of medications but my dr is very hesitant about giving me pain medication. They finally prescribed me Norco once a day. But I am afraid to start it and become dependent on it but on the other hand it helped me and my quality of life seemed better. It's just fear because I have had family members who have problems with "Drug addiction" and I don't want that to happen to me. That's my dilemma.

Hi @A MyFibroTeam Member,
Thank you, appreciate the opportunity to help people in any way I can! It's hard for some people to understand, for obvious reasons not everyone has a medical degree or background. Thus limiting their perspective on how the physiology of the body works. That's why I am here, not only because I myself obviously have Fibromyalgia, but to hopefully be helpful in any way I can! I love helping people, it's just my nature.
Just to show you that, although it's hard to believe, I worked on an Oncology /cancer floor my 1st 4 yrs as a nurse. I had to explain the same physiological facts to get even my cancer patients, whom of which some were obviously terminal, in order to help them get and receive the help I could give them to alleviate their pain , and to get them to take the meds I had to offer them as ordered by their Drs.
I understand people's concerns about the addiction factor, mainly because it's so prevalent in our society today. I just don't want to see people suffer unnecessarily because they're not given the explanation of the fact that by just taking the ordered pain meds as prescribed, they won't have any issues with addiction. Thanks again for your support of my offer to help everyone I can.
Regards & gentle hugs, Barb / BCRN :)

@A MyFibroTeam Member,
Hi, let me introduce myself, I'm Barb / BCRN on the site. I'm a retired RN, from having to go on permanent disability. I too have a multitude of medical problems and take plenty of meds, although I wish I didn't have to of course!
I just thought I'd try to help you with your very valid concern regarding addiction by taking Norco. (Or any other opiate based med). Just wanted to let you know a little bit of medical facts, in hopes that it will ease your mind about getting addicted due to taking the Norco.
1st. You actually have pain receptors in your brain. They obviously work by getting the signal that your body has pain, doesn't matter where.

2nd. If you truly have pain, and only take the med when you do have pain, you're not going to become addicted.

3rd & lastly , The reason addiction comes into play, is only when someone who has pain or not, starts talking the med even when they don't have pain. In other words, lets say you don't have pain, but you keep taking the med anyway. This is when and how addiction starts. I just hope I gave you some insight into the real reason for how addiction occurs. I would hate to see you suffering from all the things that you obviously have causing you pain, just because you're in fear of becoming an addict. Trust me , the DEA has tightened its guidelines so much in the last year, your Dr is definitely not going to give you a script for a pain med without good reason! ! Well, good luck and I hope that you use the pain med if you need it , that's the reason you were given it to begin with.
Regards & gentle hugs, Barb / BCRN :)

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A MyFibro...

Change your Meds I;m on Savella Its new I.ve been taking for 2 years and got my flares down to maybe 4 a year. Thats
when I take my norco.

Hi Barb. Thanks for the reply. Had a really rough start this morning and started really thinking hard about the disability. Lol. Had muscle issues, very fatigued, weepy, just felt like I didn't want to do it, but...I forced myself to get up, sat on the side of the bed to let the first pains of the day subside a little and I got up and started my day. People don't understand what a struggle it is to just get out of bed and get moving. I hurt all day everyday. I'm so sick of people telling me I need to just exercise a little, maybe walk a little...What don't they understand? I HURT...!!!!!

Anyway, we all need someone to vent to sometimes. Be careful with Lyrica. I took myself off of it cold turkey and had terrible withdrawal. I didn't feel suicidal I felt homicidal. It sounds funny but I was lying next toy, then husband looking at him while he slept and thinking of ways to kill him. My Dr's reaction when I told him was to up my dosage. I quit taking it that day. It took about 2 weeks for me to feel normal again . My new Dr says she would never prescribe that to any of her patients. That's when I started Savella and GabaPentin.

Good luck on getting back into your nursing. I know how it is to love your job. I've been in HR for 25 years and I love it.

Hurting and exhausted so I'm gonna try to get to sleep. Goodnight and God bless.