Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Suggestions

There is nothing wrong with taking narcotics as well to ease your pain. When you have tried everything else and know in your heart that you have done your best then it is time to see a Pain Specialist. My first go around with AS was controlled just by Sulphasalazine and Swim Therapy. After 4 years I was in remission for 14 years. 7 years ago I came out of remission and have went every route I could and tried everything. Just this year, year 7, I finally saw a pain specialist. Now I wish I would have done this several years ago. After not being able to walk or sleep I started Percocet. I also have injections straight into my feet and back and neck so I can walk and turn my neck. I am now on Morphine and it works better than the Percocet as it is time released and there are no side effects. If I am having a bad flare due to a weather change then I have to still take the Percocet to bring down that level of pain. I take neither of these on a full time basis only as needed. I don't have any withdrawal symptoms either. I am also back in swim therapy as it mentally and physically makes me feel better. This disease is painful and you do what you have to to have some quality of life. I hope this helps some of you who are afraid of taking narcotic's. I certainly didn't want to and waited this long. Pain Specialists are there to help people just like us. My Pain Specialist knows more about AS then my Rheumy and he knows a lot.