I'm sure that like most, I said I don't want the "heavy" drugs. It was funny but for about 2 yrs I was looking for answers and just going to dr. after dr. By the time I was diagnosed my body was doing some serious breaking down. I didn't really have a choice. I was diagnosed 2009. By 2013 I had 3 major joints replaced and four incidents of paralysis from the waist down. I'm proud that I no longer am on the fentynal patches and oxy combo. I take percocet. Still opiod. It clears out much quicker and I can still use my brain and do what I need to do. I have had to now include medical marijuana. My body wants to have three more joints replaced. I'm hoping I can do them all next year and be done!! Do not be afraid to take pain meds. If you have nerves firing from pain the medicine is attracted to those nerves. Pain patients won't get high like abusers. You do get a bit giddy but most importantly, you allow your muscles to relax. That is one of our biggest problems. I wish you the very best of luck finding what works for you!!

@A myRAteam Member you are so right, my doctor wants to put me on something stronger but I keep refusing, but this weekend, one of what should have been the most happiest of my life, I found myself depressed because my pain was so bad. I was with my kids and all their friends - who all grew up hanging around my house with my boys they love me like a mom- moving my youngest and his fiancé to their new house. I normally stay and make sure all the kids (LOL now adults) are fed have drinks and spirits at the end of their work, safe rides home... I'm the mom and love doing this. All I could do was drive out, make a delivery, after going up and down the stairs a couple times (I have a very hard time walking up or down stairs) I was in so much pain was going to leave, my son asked to make arrangements for food as they were all hungry. I called in the order stayed paid and had to leave. I wanted to cry so bad on the way home because my previous life I would be helping everywhere. This" New Normal" is not me. I suffered 3 days, I now just want a normal life, my life or close to it, and if stronger pain meds will work then I'll take them. Quality of life is more important then sitting or laying the rest of my life. I have tried so many meds for stopping the disease that they don't work, I get the worst side effects. Hoping for a better future. And hope you are making the best of life.

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A myRAtea...

I take oxycontin 30 mg. Twice a day and percot 5 mg three times per day. I've read all the stuff about being or becoming physically addicted. I feel like it comes down to quality of life. I wouldn't be able to function without pain meds.

I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. I am on humira & Leflunomide for my RA & lyrics for my fibromyalgia. I also take hydrocodone for pain.

Nothing, unless I can find a Vicodin somewhere. The doctors here are too afraid to give pain medication. My Rheumatologist tells me she doesn't do pain control and I have to get it from my primary and my primary is too worried that I'll abuse it or something. He always wants to give me prednisone and I always say no thanks because that stuff will put 10 pounds on me in a week.