I recently started going to a pain management doctor after my primary doctor refused to give me pain medication unless I saw a pain management doctor. My first visit was very cold and just about what they can put me on. The PM Doctor prescribed Lyrica and duexis. I have severe anxiety regarding new medications. It literally makes me sick and intensifies the pain. I asked the PM DOC if there was a way to get physical therapy, something that will help me without having to take more meds. He said yes, but that I will take will take Lyrica forever. That was last week and I’m struggling to get the courage to take the new medications that have these side effects that scare me. I need some advice or help from others in my shoes - do I try to find another PM Doctor or is everyone getting the add more medication response from there’s?
I find medication an great help.Sure i get a few side effects but i dont care as long as the medication helps the pain.
To be as comfortable as you can and at least the edge off you may need to succumb to a few side effects. It’s a matter of survival vs. Agony. Hope things work for you. I understand your struggle. Hugs!
I decided a looong time ago to stop reading the side effects!!! Take the meds & when you notice something that isn't in your normal parameters then go to the Pharmacist (who will see if yes that is a side effect) & then go to the MD w/the Pharmacy's paperwork. M
I use Tramadol and Flexeril for pain (management?). I also take nsaids (Aleve). I try to only use Tramadol and Flexeril when I'm staying home. And some days are better than others. In other words, use what's available to you, if it helps. If the side effects are worse that the actual pain, then you need to ask for something different. But if the Lyrica works, then use it.
Hi Bee, I understand the hesitation, I too don't like to start or take many meds. I finally realized a few months ago I was just being stubborn and decided to give Gabapentin a try like my doctor was wanting me to. I am glad I did; while it didn't help with the pain, it has definitely helped me with the fog so that is worth it for me. Yes, I do notice a few side effects, especially being hungrier than usual but I am trying to work thru that. No one knows until they try a med how it will work but I am glad I finally decided to try it. Hugs!!!
Hi Bee. I am on Lyrica right now and my doctor gave me instructions on starting it gradually and when to increase the dose. I have been on it for 3 months and am not sure if it is helping, for some people it works and some it doesn’t. As far as side effects, go slowly and dont worry too much. I have never heard that Lyrica is something you will be on forever. It needs to be increased gradually and decreased gradually, aka tapered. Whenever I increased my dose I would be drowsy and foggy for about a week and that would decrease with time. It did make me hungry and gave me the munchies, and I also gained weight on it. That being said, I would rather try something that might take away my pain, rather than to live in pain without hope of relief.
I also have been on the path you inferred in your last sentence, the “lets add more meds” mentality. I have now started seeing a Holistic doctor that is checking my thyroid and vitamin levels in more detail. She did not add more medications but did advise I take supplements and vitamins. Here is the website where I found my current holistic doctor: http://www.holisticmedicine.org/index.asp
I agree, at a certain point in time, I became so desperate that I would have signed up for almost anything to relieve my pain. Cymbalta did not help me but also did not give me a side effects. I am now on a myriad of meds and neither of them gives me side effects but my pain level is drastically improved. I do my research on the meds and give it a chance to work, if it doesn't, on we go to the next.
Farida
I see a rheumatologist. I am taking 200 mg of Lyrica. I take 100mg in the am and 100mg at night. I take 4 to 6 50mg Tramadol a day. I also take Salsalate two times a day. I take 100mg of Zoloft a day. I take Magnesium three times a day. I also have a vitamin D deficiency so I take vitamin D three times a week. All this for Fibromyalgia. When I was first diagnosed, I refused to take any medication. After 2 yrs of living with the pain, the depression, the "Fog", I gave up. I guess you have you have to ask yourself if you can deal with how you are feeling. My doctor does labs every 3-4 months and checks my liver and kidney functions. If you experience side effects, stop taking the medication. I would not start them at the same time because if you have side effects, you wont know which medicine it is from. I still have bad days and I am still in pain but without the medication, I would be extremely miserable. Did you ask your dr for a medication that has lesser side effects?