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Post by ouchy on Dec 12, 2006 10:31:21 GMT -5
ihurt--I think you are off to a GREAT start! It's how you learn in the beginning! Please don't let it discourage you! I think you will be a great asset to this forum! I usually get 500mg hydrocodone, which I think contains .5mg vicodin (not sure, i don't have the bottle in front of me). I get an rx w/ 30 in the bottle and 1 refill. One bottle lasts maybe 1/2 year? Depends on my cramps, migraines, etc. I usually will fill the refill before I am finished w/ the bottle, though, because where I live, narcotic rx's have started expiring w/in 3 months of the first fill. I just stockpile them, and when I'm running low I just ask for a refill. Usually at my annual exam I just say I need a refill, and my doc. gives me one. I TOTALLY am with you about the Tylenol and Motrin not even helping!
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Post by Theresa Moore on Mar 25, 2007 21:11:19 GMT -5
I have been on constant narcotic pain meds. I told my doctor he could no longer do anything for my pain, as it was chronic, and gave him all the research on endo I got that proved he cannot cure me. So I was sent to a Pain Management Specialist (you can find them in the yellow pages). Call one of those if you have trouble with your doc. They will bring you in once a month just to refill your scripts and you don't have to worry about pain anymore. At this time, it is non of your Gyno's business, until it is time for another surgery. He shouldn't control you being in pain like this!! I am currently on Fentanyl, the lowest dose, but if it starts not working my pain doc just ups my dose... She is a life saver. I told her that I will probably just get a hystorectomy. She says Why? Don't do that to yourself!! If you hurt...come to me!! Pain Management Specialist actually care!!
Hope this helps everyone!!
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doll
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by doll on Mar 29, 2007 21:36:58 GMT -5
:)Ladies, Boy, we really need to come together on this subject. I was able to attend the WORLD Endometriosis Conference last year and this was a BIG subject we all talked about at lunch and so on... Women with endo (I've got stage IV, but we know the stage does not matter...as one who has stage II might have the same pain as one with stage IV) MUST make a stand and let doctors know Advil and Motrin sometimes JUST DON'T WORK! I am sooooooo happy for the women that take Advil or Motrin and it works...GOOD GRIEF I'm happy for you. ;D I'm doing a happy dance for ya! HOWEVER, and man-o-man...please note that ONLY because it works for some...no way does that mean it works for all of us. Sometimes it's just not enough and does not cut the mustard! I take Vicodin and it has been a lifesaver for me. I could not be without it on period days! NO WAY JOSEEEE! My doctor knows this, and gives it to me with no problem. What we discussed at the table were women who have endo, which actually say, Well, I take Tylenol and it's enough for me, why can't they all take that?" Those women should be more supportive of other Endo suffers who have to take schedule II pain meds. We don't want to take it, but sometimes we JUST HAVE TO. I know lots of endo ladies who take Darvocet, Vicodin, etc... If I did not take my Vicodin on my period days, I could not even go to work and pay my bills. It's that simple. So, as you all can see, I'm FOR WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP ONE GOING! One day I truly wish women would unite as one and help one another out! ;D
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Rin
Full Member
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Post by Rin on Mar 29, 2007 23:57:15 GMT -5
I am currently taking Tylenol 3's, it doesn't completely take away the pain but it dulls it abit. I had my period last week and was in so much pain. I was taking two Tylenol 3's every 4 hours just to be able to handle the pain. They are not working all that well anymore, but I am afraid to ask for anything stronger. I know to many people who have become addicted to pain meds and I don't want to end up like that. I go to see my doctor tomorrow and I will discuss it with her then. Hopefully I will find something that helps.
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Post by Tiff on Mar 31, 2007 12:55:20 GMT -5
I was prescribed vicadin which never really helped and a about a years ago started getting percoset. My DR. does give me refills and they come with 25 pills each time. I try to avoid them as much as possible expecially since they do not help with the pain too much. They usually just knock me out, which is good for days I don't have to work. But I am a Sub. teacher and can not take meds that make me feel this way while working.
I have never heard of Menastil, what exactly is it? Also a few of you said that you are taking Ultram, what is this and what are the side effects?
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Post by Tiff on Mar 31, 2007 12:59:02 GMT -5
Oh and another thing I wanted to mention with Vicadin and Percoset for those of you have never taken it and are trying to get prescriptions. These pain killers can mess with your stomach and they tent to cause constipation. If any of you are like me who have intestinal pain constipation is a real bad thing. So just be careful on how much you take so you can avoid it.
Just felt I shoud add my experiences with this.
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doll
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by doll on Apr 1, 2007 10:52:25 GMT -5
Tiff, I will agree with you 100% on the constipation issue! I spoke to my doctor and he told me to take my dose with a stool softener and it has helped a bit. I don't think we should take Narcotics JUST BECUASE..only when truly needed them and in complete moderation. ANYTHING USED TOO MUCH IS BAD! Many women with endo have issues with constipation or diarrhea ! Many suffer from bladder infections, etc...LUCKY US HUH? Anyway, I did try ANAPROX which is a NASID, but my gosh...that killed my stomach! The Vicodin happens to work better for me and does not cause that stomach lining UGH feeling that ANAPROX did for me. We are all different and as such...meds affect us in different ways. What works for one...does not work for another. Once in a while if my pain is REALLY bad, my doc give me a Toradol shot (on the hip) and it aids as a piggy back medication. It makes the previous med one has taken work a bit longer. It has helped in the past. I tried Toradol by mouth (pills) but NOPE...did nothing for my pain. However, the injection did. Whatever one does...I believe one should discuss it with the doctor! Hope this helps someone... ;D
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Post by Theresa Moore on Apr 3, 2007 23:10:42 GMT -5
Doll: (and everyone else):
I agree that it should only be taken when needed. I am also stage IV, but I have chronic pain everyday of my life. So that is why I am on the Fentanyl patch constantly. I did have to work my way to it though. I also go through acupunture, and I have nerve blocks put in my spine every 3 weeks. Both of these help to make my pain where the 1-2 lowest doses of fentanyl will take care of my pain. Although, with endo being one of my disease, I also have IC (a lot of with advanced endo also have IC) which is another disease of the bladder that causes chronic abdominal pain. I was also just recently diagnosed with another disease called PCOS, which is basically chronic cysts only with a lot more side affects of the disease - including pain, fertility, and thinning hair. I was also told that a lot of women with endo also have PCOS as well as IC. So, with three diseases I am always in pain, and just applied to SSI for disiabitlity since I am on these meds and cannot work (haven't been able to for years even when I didn't have meds)
Basically I do agree it is when needed, but if you are in chronic pain, then don't be afraid to take narcotics or find a pain management specialist like I did. If you take narcotics for pain, and not for personal use, then it is very rare to get addicted. Addiction is taking meds for personal use. Yes, if you ever go off of them you will have withdrawls and side affects, but it is just like any other long term meds that are out there because your body is use to the medication. I was worried at first too, until my doctor explained this to me and I researched it further.
I hope this helps! You shouldn't have to go through life in pain, with no help, or ever be called a drug seeker when you are in pain on top of having a disease that causes pain.
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doll
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by doll on Apr 4, 2007 14:27:18 GMT -5
I agree 100%!
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Post by ouchy on Apr 7, 2007 13:28:47 GMT -5
Posted by guest user shamonne in another thread. ________________________________________________________________
I have really really bad trouble and pain in my bowel with period. I was so afraid of taking narcotic analgesics because of this intestinal pain, but after overdosing ibuprofen like crazy for several years, now I am about to try tylenol 3 (with codeine) which my doc prescribed for me.
Is there anybody successfully using narcotic analgesics with bowel endo? I am so worried that it might worsen my bowel problem, but pain is so severe and not controlled by iburprofen, acetoaminophen, naproxen, bextra or anything else, so I have no choice but to try stronger painkiller.
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Post by ouchy on Apr 7, 2007 13:30:05 GMT -5
Hi, shamonne. Welcome to the forum. Narcots can lead to constipation, so they're not always recommended for women w/ endo. I do have bowel endo, and I have been using narcotics for endo pain relief for over 10 years now. I think narcotics affect all women differently. Also, probably depends a lot on the dosage.
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Post by karen80222 on Apr 7, 2007 19:44:23 GMT -5
Hey all! I am fortunate to have a gyn who when I told her that ultram seems to help me and I can still function, she wrote me an as needed script. Sometimes I have to take them every day for a week, other times not at all -- just depends. I agree with EVERYONE in that motrin and tylenol do nothing except destroy your liver -- at the amounts you have to take! I have been reading a lot about people getting addicted to ultram and that makes me nervous. I had a horrible experience coming off of Effexor and never want to go through that again! Has anyone had experience with that?
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