K8izGr8, no I see a Rheumatologist, a pain mgmt Dr, a GI Dr, and have been looking for a GP that understands Fibro and is open minded. I'm fed up with having to go to the Dr when I'm sick, have to tell them my entire medical history every single time because they can't manage to remember me, or look at my records that are right in front of them, etc. Then they treat me like I'm either a hypochondriac and my pain is all in my head or that I'm a pill head. I just want someone who believes me, listens to me and can remember my issues or at least be bothered to take a minute and glance over my chart.

I have been to another pain mgmt Dr in the past and I never saw anyone but the PA's, they basically wrote prescriptions and sent you on your way. I stopped going for over 2 years and my pain was so unbearable I couldn't sleep hardly at all. I was at my wits end and went to a Dr who referred me to a pain Dr. They tried to send me to one in my town who is known for prescribing ridiculous amounts of medications. I asked if there was someone farther from my home who wouldn't throw pills at me and would actually try to help. I have been happy with my doctor for helping me as I have never felt so good since my pain started when I was 11. After more than a year I am on one 30mg Hysingla ER (extended release hydrocodone without acetaminophen), robaxin muscle relaxer 3x a day, 3 gabapentin a day, and if needed a 5mg oxycodone for later in the afternoon when the Hysingla wears off. I only take that if I'm hurting so bad I can't get comfortable or focus on anything but the pain.

I have tried physical therapy, chiropractor, trigger point injections, dry needling, also recently had nerves burned in my lower back which has helped a lot, and more medicines than I can remember in the last 17 years and out of all of it, what I'm on now helps me more than anything has. So, when yet another Dr acts like I don't know my own body and what helps me, it ticked me off. Which is why I came to all of you to ask what works for you. Because in the end, Dr's don't have a clue how we feel and what helps us, only we do... So thank you all for your help and input!

@A MyFibroTeam Member I take tramadol daily, if you make sure you also take magnesium it helps with the constipation. Just be sure to also drink plenty of water. The magnesium helps your bowel to absorb the water.

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A MyFibro...

At one time I did the same thing, I only took my meds when the pain got bad and I realized that by that time the pain was so bad it took at least an hour to work . Now your talking about having a flare up because I didn't medicate in time. So now religiously every morning and night I take them. Waiting for me , is like closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out " it doesn't work ! As far as the addicts that are abusing drugs now , god forbid they come down with fibromyalgia or a pain disease because nothing's going to work for them. They're building a tolerance to the meds now and when they need them, they're going to be ineffective .
Brenda

It is very frustrating. My first 2 scripts of Norco they called in. Then bam you have to come into office to pick script, bam drug test and contract. It was a pain. They changed the level of Norco. So for a year I did it. One drug test came back for valium. The Dr forgot I had a script for that a yr prior. She gave me 30. Was surprised I still had it. Used only when I travel far in the car. About 3 months ago they said they would call it in. My Dr got Escribe. Saved me a trip to office and feeling like the staff is looking at me. Do I depend on it OMG yes. I go off it occasionally for kind of a gut check. I end up in a ball unable to function. I feel blessed to have you ladies. Don't feel so isolated and not alone of my feelings.

I think it's important to point out that there is a difference between dependence and addiction. Pain patients can be dependent on their meds, including opiates, to function. That's different from abusing a drug that gets you high that you become addicted to. Just saying. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if going off them in either case, but I think many people fail to see a distinction.