Well I called and insisted I see the Rhumy Dr. They asked if I was Hurting Bad and I said very Much, That I thought I was going Crazy, I got an App. Well after spending about 35 minutes with the Dr. She started writing me Scripts for my Pain, She said I was Having a Flare, She put me On Tramadol for the Daytime, and when The pain gets horrible I have Hydrocodone 7.5/325. Along with my Methotrexate, Humria. I was very honest with her and told her I thought I was going Crazy to no sleep for 3 days do to the Pain, My Ankles felt as if they were going to explod? She also said That I seemed Depressed, I did tear Up alittle, and felt like a Whimp, But I told her I didnt want and Depression Med's right Now, I had to sign a Paper like Contract now that I am taking pain meds, and had to do a Drug screen, as well. I do not take Street Drugs, and told her I felt insulted. I am not a Drug seeker, I have pain, and she agreed and huged me. Wow I sleept very well that Night, when I got home I took a Pain Pill and sleept till 1 am, and never Moved My wife thought I was dead. I know alot of people think Narcotic's are just a quick fix, maybe so, But I will take them Over The pain I had.
This is standard practice, the screening and monitoring that goes along with painkillers.
In terms of depression, it's not uncommon for people with chronic illness to become depressed. Right this moment it may be due to lack of sleep, but I wonder if the lack of sleep might be related to this as well? You're doing the right thing. Deal with the immediate pain so that you can feel better. You can consider the question of depression when you are not in so much pain, and so sleep deprived.
I hope things start to improve. So glad the doctor was able to see you right away.
It is a great thing you have such an empathetic Rhuemy, though from what everyone else says here, opiates are like steroids; good for short bursts to break a pain or inflammatory cycle , but taken longer term, more evil than the disease - so spend a bit of time researching the best way.
I use opioids (mostly milder than you, only cause my Enbrel works so well), and it’s just some codeine on a bad day (no dopies) and / or some tramal at night (and I’m talking once a month on a specially bad day).
But, I’ve done this for a while, and I’ll be honest, for me I start getting a resistance about 3 days - 72 hours, even when I only use them occasionally. So, I encourage you to use it to break the pain / sleep deprivation cycle - it’s great. But don’t rely on opiates to be any long term solution.
I’m partly passing on my own experience, but also the spirit of advice from other forum members who have dealt with this a lot longer than me (Lamb, Seenie, twotrees!).
This post will be related to yours - I just went to my PCP on Monday. She did all the cordial stuff.... you know.. shake your hand.. ask how you are.. etc.. u know u arent well... but u say fine... why do we do that??... lol... and then to just tell you all you need to get rid of your pain is lose weight..... ughhhh... She has no empathy or compassion at all. She reminds me of a drill seargant in the army.. lol
I wish she would take a week in my shoes.. and then come back and tells me how she is....
I already know it would help to lose weight.... I maintain.. lol.. but its too high to start with.. so I work out 4 days a week at work.. I just have to focus on the eating part of it.. I know I can do it.. because a few years back i was able to lose 25 lbs.. and before that over 40.
I never thought I was an emotional eater.. but the older I get... I think I am. It somehow makes me feel better when Im depressed or down.. does that make sense? Like it is my only friend in the world... geez.. that didnt sound too good...
Most of the time I can deal with everything.. but I understand when we are in such severe pain - nothing else matters but relief.. By the way .. I am on pain meds too - refused to take them for a very long time.. and then to be able to keep on working full time.. i had to buck up and take them... i try to only take one full tablet a day 1/2 in the early morning.. and then 1/2 at dinner time.... When I was first forced to see a pain clinic... guess what they did?? They turned me away.. they said I had too many issues and they couldnt help me!!! HELLO!!!
I have a very good relationship with my rheumy... but he is 60 miles away... so it makes it hard - to just get in at the spur of the moment and he is such a good dr.. he doesnt just take anyone.. so you know he is booked solid...
I better quit writing a book here.. I could go on and on.. lol.. it just helps to vent.. as we all know...
I'm glad you got some relief. You may not want to dismiss the depression meds. Cymbalta is a depression med that also helps with pain - just a thought. (and depression can hurt as much as pain).