Pain management, vicodin

[little_e88]

I'll start with a little about me, I was diagnosed in 2009 at 19 years old. I've been on pain management for 3 years which has me on vicodin (partially due to a back injury caused by a MVA) and Gabapentin. Both of these help but the side effects are killing my relationship. I have absolutely no interest in intimacy with my bf and it has caused many issues. I thought it was the Gabapentin so I stopped taking it only now I am in worse pain, constantly exhausted and in a terrible mood 99% of the time. I am at a loss and feel like I'm stuck. On 1 hand I have less pain and no libido and on the other I have horrible pain, fatigue and no libido. I'm so frustrated and just curious if this has happened to anyone else?

 

[Trellum]

Little e88, sorry to hear you are having such a hard time right now. I can relate a lot because I'm also young and also at a crossroads due my circumstances and the medications I take.

Have you talked with your doctor about this? I'm sure your doctor and you can work together to find the right medication for you. It's a lot trial and error with most chronic diseases, with fibro is a bit more complicated, but you shouldn't give up By the way, I also have no libido lately due a new medication I'm taking. Have you thought of taking a natural supplement to aid with your libido?

 

[1sweed]

little e88,
Sometimes it is not totally the medications fault for lack of libido. I have been on Gapapentin for over 25 years and have not experienced that problem with it. However, it also depends on the dose you take each day. Too much can make you feel fatigued. It also could be the combination of the two medications is not a good match. You might ask your doctor to try a new medication. As for the vicodin it is a powerful pain killer, but is also very addictive, and can seem to not do as well over long periods of time and this can make someone in pain take more and more, trying to combat pain and possiblly cause the lack of libido.

Another thing to consider is the fibro angle. Fibro can cause extra dryness in women. In men just being in pain all the time can make just the idea or effort involved seem not worth the trouble. After a while your body seems to just shut down and refuse to work right. It might also be your stress level is over the top and we have lots of good hints and coping skills on taming down your stressfulness in the pain management sections. Also take time to read about alternative methods.

But the first thing to do is to ask your family doctor or the doctor who orders your meds for another choice in medication. Then start working on trying to relax more and worry less. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[JennyRhae]

Yes, I understand all of that. How can you feel romantic when you are in pain and exhausted, right? I hope your boyfriend is as understanding and supportive as my husband is to me. I tried the Gabapentin myself because my insurance covered it and does not cover Lyrica. It did not work at all for me. So, I went back to the Lyrica and I'll suffer the expense for now to have even a minimum of relief. I have only been recently diagnosed, so I probably know a lot less than some of these other folks but I have found if I set my mind to a day, or a time, I can schedule my "romance." Most times, if I start easy like slow-dancing in the kitchen or a nice hot bath together then nature just takes it's course. Don't pass up opportunities either if you can help it. If the mood strikes you, and every now and again it does for me, try to take full advantage of it.That work for anybody else? I don't know. But it works for us.

I agree that finding an alternate medication might be a place to start, but you have to see what works for you. Don't be too hard on yourself and I hope you have a wonderful partner who can help you through these difficult times.

 

[finneypaul]

Yes I understand a disease some time change thought. I know you diagnosis in younger age, when any teenage see and make dreams for there future. But you can overcome on your tension, mood etc. You would try to take consultant from acupuncture specialist. may be in first meeting you will know what it work for you.