People with fibromyalgia often turn to painkillers for temporary treatment. A lot of times, heavy doses of painkillers may seem to be the only thing that can effectively relieve you of pain. But is the use of opioid painkillers for fibromyalgia safe? If not, are there other alternatives? Read on to find out.
How Do Opioid Painkillers For fibromyalgia Work?
Opioid is a type of drug that is derived from opium, thus, the name. As you probably already know, opium is a powerful and addictive substance. The substance is so powerful to the point that it suppresses the activity of one’s central nervous system.
Your nervous system consists of the networks of nerves that send signals to each other at a high speed. The drug works by getting in between these connections and attaching itself into the nerve cells, which is called the opioid receptors. This is what prevents your nerves from receiving pain signals, and thus making opioid an effective painkiller.
Opioids also target some other areas of your brain, like the brainstem, which is what regulates your heart and lungs. This is what makes them dangerous.
For those that suffer, as I suffer, it’s unfair to deny a patient opioids. Those that abuse them are driving a stake through those that need them. The consequences are unfair to patients that require them. My husband passed away last night, and he was on Oxycodone, 12 hr acting, twice daily. He had AL Amyloidosis. He couldn’t walk because of nerve pain and pain in his lower stomach. I am suffering from nerve pain, as I am type1diabetic, but all I receive is Gabapentin
Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. I too am a diabetic, but I am type 2. I also have fibromyalgia and have had it since ’93. Some days I hurt so bad I can’t hardly move. All I do is cry and ask God “why me?” I guess we all have our cross to bear and this is mine. It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have to deal with neuropathy as well. All we have to depend on at times is the opiods and now they want to take that away. I wouldn’t wish this pain on my worst enemy!!
I can relate. I have fibromyalgia, Neuropathy, severe arthritis (waiting for my second knee replacement). My life is pain. I don’t ask, “Why me, God?” I think we are predisposed for these conditions or they are hereditary. I say, “Don’t grieve for me when I’m gone. I won’t have any more pain.” I don’t understand the thinking of small minded people who think taking opioids under a doctor’s supervision is so terrible for people in so much pain they want to die! People in severe pain commit suicide. Take away my pain or take my life – it’s hell on earth otherwise.
Sharon, I am sorry for your loss. I don’t know what I would do if they took my meds away. I have fibro, RA, degenerative disc disease to name the ones giving me the pain. It is a shame that we go through this and fight for what help we can get.
When I was given a higher dose of Opiates I could do my daily task, I even started a small garden. Now, I take 3 10mg Norcos a day. Now my days are spent 90% in bed. I have severe stenosis, 3 in my lower back and neck, a failed spinal fusion, mauled by 3 dogs. One area I was bit hurts as bad as it did the day the dog grabbed my leg.
I can’t take gabapentin, I was given 3500mg a day in the past and it caused ulcers in my esophagus. I am extremely upset at the surgeons who refused to repair my body, and instead chose to medicate it instead. 240 Norcos a month 60 15mg Morphine a month. The morphine was way too much, but the pain clinic insisted I take both. My home health doctors office new my goal was to reduce intake of any narcotics,they helped me reduce down to the 90 pills a month. The pain isn’t gone, nor will it ever be. But I have learned to adjust to the pain. I have a high pain tolerance. I can brake a bone and not notice it and just add it to my pain. The worse part is the more I try and do physically, the more pain I will endure at bedtime. That is when I take the most medication, else I couldn’t sleep. Norco, Elavil, Zolpidem, Baclofen. Sometimes I literally wake up crying, it is so odd to wake up in tears and to realize your body fights the pain while your mind tries and rest.
I was born with spinal deformation, I don’t know what it’s like not to be in pain, except when I wake up from a surgical procedure, for those few brief moments, my body is numb, no pain, no anxiety, so relaxing.
I for one hate taking any sort of medication, but I know my body needs the rest from the constant spasms, shooting nerve pain, wound pain, stenosis, arthritis, etc. I went as far as to have a hysterectomy (I am in my early 50s) just to stop that pain and constant flow, it was too hard on me. I also had a bladder sling installed to help with my incontinence issues. Fibromyalgia is definitely a game changer. I only wish the doctors would simplify the medication orders and realize less > more. I can’t take Cymbalta or Lyrica, I couldn’t handle the side effects. I no longer want to be a test dummy for the pharmacutical companies, I want simplicity! 3 Norcos, 2 Baclofen, anxiety medication and my night time meds. No patches or new fangled cure all, just simplicity. I am sick of be awarded money for all the wrongs the big Pharma industry has done to my body. Multiple class action lawsuits, etc.
Sharon, am so sorry for your loss and your situation. I also suffer with Fibromyalgia pain along with Degenerative Disc Disease and a few other issues with my pain. At the moment, i am given a 50mg tramadol and a little bit of stronger muscle relaxer than flexiril and a strong anti-inflamatory….these are not working as i wished they would. Im am trying to get into a pain clinic. My problem is that i am allergic to almost all opioid pain meds. I feel all of you guys pain. Im so sorry that we all have to deal with being the chosen ones for this very dibilitating issues when they are trying to take our options away from us.
I am looking for new pain clinic, as ive just moved last month. I have fibro, plus mutiple back issues. Its not fair to take away the ONLY meds that help our pain. I hate taking pills but i hate worse being in so much pain i cant sleep.
Sharon, I am sorry for your loss.
I take Norco 10’s. I will only let myself take 1 a day. I have several autoimmune as well as fibromyalgia and neuropathy. There are other meds I take also but, and after having this pain for 10 years…I understand the suicides from pain. My state is one of the big brother states tracking those who take opioids but yet meth, coke and heroin is on the rise. ?? I switched from Tramadol and it was the best thing for me. I wish you all well.