Help! managing pain

[4peace]

ok gang. This is a rant as well as a call for help. My doctor is not the most "giving" individuaal when it comes to the topic of pain managemnet. For my arthritic situations he says Tylenol.....um....it doesnt work. I work long shifts on my feet at one of my jobs and have odne so for years. Lately however, the joint/muscle pain has become sooo irritating and uncomfortable it is wearing me out. With that comes anxiety because I'm exhausted. I don't want to be the mommy who begs her child everyday to lay down with me and cuddle( so I can secretly fall asleep while he watches spongebob). Besides we have homework, papers to grade, soccer practice, dinner to cook etc. Im worn out and the pain is wearing on my nerves!
As for the stress my Dr says...it's a mind body connection. I get that. I just can't fathom getting up earlier in the morning to meditate...I have trouble sleeping, not to mention the insane fatigue going on.
Ive thought about Tai-chi and Yoga... but I work 6 days a week and getting to a class with my schedule is impossible! I've tried!
sooo, how do you all get your doctor to REALLY listen to you???????

 

[Rebecca85]

It sounds to me like maybe you are trying to do too much, and you need to cut something back else you are going to be really ill! Unfortunately there aren't that many pain meds out there that won't have a bad effect on your Crohn's, or run the risk of addiction. Is there anyway you can cut back on the long shifts, or only do 5 days a week to give yourself time to relax? Is there any family or friends who can help with homework or chores to take the pressure off you a bit?

 

[Crohns08]

I was in the same situation; bad arthritis pain while trying to keep up a full work schedule at the university! My GI didn't want to give me anything except celebrex which is an NSAID and upset my stomach. My GP was understanding, however, and gave me tramadol which for my arthritis is a lifesaver! I would ask why you couldn't take that. It is commonly used for crohn's patients.

 

[4peace]

Thank you for the info.!!!! I'll try that.

 

[4peace]

I understand Dr's concerns about addictive nature of pain killers. I am just looking for options and to see what others have done.... There has to be something I can do to ease some of my symptoms

 

[beth]

Your doc will, by the sounds of the original post, refuse the fentynl patch. However there are others like Butrans Patches in a lowly 5ug/h which I found just enough to take the edge off the pain and not too much opiate to slow my gut completely like tramadol did. Worth asking for sure, and I'd approach it by way of stating you are in pain and asking "what can you do about it?..." and when you get offered paracetamol/tylenol say the max dose is not sufficient and you are looking for something stronger.

Good luck.