Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I saw the pain specialist, and other news.

Hi Gang.

After months of hassle and waiting, I finally got to see the pain management specialist. I was nervous at the doctors office, and it was made worse by almost getting in a car wreck on the way there. I had sooo much I wanted to tell him, but as nervous as I was, I only managed to sputter out the most important stuff. He and his assistant made it a very nice visit though.

I am starting out on Celebrex to try out for 2 weeks (samples), then I try out Ultram (prescription) for a short trial period. I get to continue to use the one that works best for me, or try another med if need be. Celebrex is an nsaid so I don't know how well it will like my stomach pain. He is aware of this, but he said this is better than the commonly prescribed nsaids and I can stop them immediately if I like. He never received my medical records for my upper and lower scopies, or any medical records from my back operation yet, and it's been months since they were requested.

The other news I have is that my wife will not go see a doctor for her nightmare problem, but the good news is, it has calmed down enough to the point where she gets some sleep and I haven't gotten hit since I talked about it here. I can't make her go, so all I can do is talk to her about it.

My feet are killing me from all of the walking so I'm going to lay down for a while.

PS. I was here earlier today but I didn't want to mention my appointment, because if I did, I would have jinxed myself with a surprise cancellation or something.

Take care,
James

James, you already know this, I'm sure, but get Prevacid, take NSAIDS with a full glass of water and with food. That should help the stomach cope a little better.

I'm glad to hear your wife's night terrors are hitting a little less hard these days.

Warm hugs,

James, I have been thinking of you. I am so glad your wife's night terrors are better. I hope the pain management dr. can help you. I guess mine helped me some but gave me so many steroids that now I am having more problems. That was from all of the spinal procedures. I haven't decided if I am going back. My rheumie says I can't take any more of the Biologics, TNF blockers and is trying to get me off the steroids. I am at 5 mg. and time to move down a MG but I put it off because of hubby's surgery. I guess I am stuck with pain meds. My thumbs are both just broken down and hurt and I can't use them. I may see an Ortho about them but one surgery per family at a time (in our neighborhood):o)

Take care. Hope the meds help. Do protect your stomach. That is one of my big problems right now. OK I set myself up with that one, didn't I? I know you guys. LOL

Blessings.
Possi

Hi, Possi,

Thanks for the reply. Oh my gosh, I can remember when you started telling me about your thumbs, it sounds like it got bad fast.

When I was there, my wife brought up my getting shots (she means steroid shots) and I was about ready to start biting my nails. Luckily he said he wasn't planning on it. I hope you start getting effective relief soon, and that your hubby is doing well.

Take care,
James

Hi Kat,

I'm already 'one step ahead of you'. Do you have that figure of speech in Canada? I already refilled a script for Pepcid a few days ago. It seems to work well against ibuprofen pain, so hopefully Celebrex won't hurt me. Thanks for the reminder.

Take care,
James

if the pepcid doesn't work, try one of the ATPase proton pump inhibitors. when i developed gastritis in 93', the doctor first tried the histamine blockers (pepcid, zantac) but they were like eating candy for me, they helped a little but about 3 or 4 hours later, i was in terrible pain again. then we tried the prilosec and i've been on that for 17 years now, with no side effects that i am aware of, it simply keeps my acid levels within normal range. even on the prilosec though, i wasn't able to tolerate the cox2 inhibitors (vioxx, celebrex) and my mother likewise couldn't tolerate the celebrex. but i think we are unusual cases as stomach ulcers and stomach cancer runs in our family. but if you are careful, making sure you keep food in your stomach, take the "stomach protecting" medications, you may be just fine. i was actually able to take the vioxx a few times a week for about 3 years before it did my stomach in. good thing i had to stop it because it turns out that it was causing edema for those 3 years that no doctor caught, no one knew why my arthritis had slowly, progressively gotten so bad. if it hadn't been for the gastritis forcing me off the cox2 inhibitors, i may have never found out.

glad that pain management has put some new tools in your toolbox! hope the combo of drugs helps. since i can't take the NSAIDs or Cox 2 inhibitors due to edema and gastritis, and can't take any of the narcotics or ultram due to being on LDN, i was given lyrica to try, blocks nerve pain and muscle pain, but couldn't be on that because it gave me migraines and it didn't seem to help my pain anyway. just wanted to bring up lyrica and neurontin as other drugs to try for pain, cymbalta is another one. but for now, hope this one-two punch helps you.

and glad that your wife's problem seems better for now as well.

We do indeed have that figure of speech here in Canada. We are 'on the ball' ... as are you with the Pepcid!

Warm hugs,

Hey James,

I'm really glad you got into the pain specialist. I have never thought any other kind of doc took the AS variety of pain seriously. I guess it is hard to understand what you have never experienced. I think a pain specialist should really be able to help you out.

When I took celebrex at first my stomach was OK, but not for long. When it got bad I would just pop a zantac (ranitidine generic) at the same time as the celebrex and it really helped me.

I also used to take tramadol. At higher doses it made my mouth dry and my dentist said they had mouth drops for that, to protect your teeth. I guess the dryness is bad on teeth. Just thought I would share, for IF you encounter any of these same things.

Good luck man. Wishing you pain-free living!

-Donette

Hi Donette,

This is my first time ever seeing this kind of doctor. I don't know about all pain management specialists, but mine said he only treats people temporarily, just long enough for the person to go back to work, or to be able to continue the same treatment with their referring doctor. The paperwork said something similar.

He and his assistant knew what AS was, but I can tell they both didn't have too much experience with it. I'm glad they at least know what it is. That saves me a ton of explaining lol.

Thanks for the advice. I sometimes get dry mouth from painkillers in general. I never knew what to do about it either.
Take care,
James