What is the connection between narcotics and neutontin and Bladder Pain.

[ncoplin]

I just discovered that may be making my pain worse. Any information would be helpful.

[Hidden]

Hi there

I don't know anything about the drugs you're taking and what side effects they have. However, a review of the evidence on pain management suggests caution before taking drugs or having injections. See the link below for example:

iasp-pain.org/AM/AMTemplate...

I went on a pain management course some time ago. They told us that we should try to manage without drugs, otherwise they'd see us in a few years to treat the side effects. I'd already had injections before the course that had made me worse and I'd had far too many painkillers by then. I spoke to someone running the course recently who said there's now evidence that opiates actually increase sensitivity to pain over time.

I take the pill to slow down the return of my endometriosis and take painkillers when I have a migraine, but otherwise I have turned down the offer to be on anti-depressants, prescription painkillers, anti-epilpsey drugs, muscle relaxants and drugs to stop me weeing so often. I could be on a huge cocktail of drugs, but I don't think that would be in my long term interests. That's my choice and I understand why people take tablets. I also understand there's a huge drug industry and a whole army of GP's who make a living from us taking tablets every day so the incentives of those trying to help us is a bit skewed.

There are various papers on the IASP site which might contain information of relevance to the drug you're taking, for example:

iasp-pain.org/AM/AMTemplate...

iasp-pain.org/AM/Template.c...

The following paper is about anti-epilespy drugs, but is quite old now:

iasp-pain.org/AM/AMTemplate...

If you have a terminal illness then you can take drugs and keep increasing the dose and the side effects don't matter. If you're going to live for years to come then you have to make difficult choices.

My personal view is that if you take drugs for chronic pain then it's an experiment, it may or may not work for you and there will be side effects to contend with in the short and long term and that's a trade off that each person has to make an individual decision about.

Nobody understands your body better than you, if you think it's making you worse then stop taking it.

It's great if you can find tablets that make you feel better and that don't cause you other problems, but because that's difficult also look at complementary therapy to the extent possible. And try to get a correct diagnosis, I spent eight years with doctors barking up the wrong tree. Just because you've been told one thing doesn't mean they're right. If your know what you're really dealing with then it's a great help.

I wish you luck.

Tina

[ncoplin]

Thank you Tina..I was taking Dilauded 4mg 2x a day and Fentanyl patch 50mcg every 2 days. My pain was getting worse and targeting my bladder. So what does the pain Dr do? Prescribes Neurontin. Well that is notorious for causing bladder pain. Along with a muscle relaxent. My other pelvic pain support group mentioned the connection so I did some research. I stopped the Dilaudid and Neurontin. Lo and behold my bladder pain has gotten better. Still have pain but not near as bad. I hope it continues. I also noticed some other aches and pains have started to subside. I hope to cleanse myself of all these awful meds eventually.

[CounterTransference5]

Hi there, ncoplin, I was curious, well much more than curious - interested in your statement in relation to Neurontin (Gabapentin). I have been taking this for over two years - increased from 700mg to 900mg, also told even increase it to 1800mg which was a safe dosage for pain management?! This I really cannot truthfully believe as this is a very dangerous drug, not easy to reduce or come off completely. Yet I have had recurrent urinary tract infections, which suddenly turned into interstitial cystitis as they are completely resistant to antibiotics. The bladder and pelvic pain are quite unbearable at times - ever since taking Neurontin aka Gabapentin. Why don't doctors inform you or warn you of these side effects before commencing these capsules. Or as I understand it they only want 'patients' treated asap and out of their surgery in double-quick time! What's the point as you will have to return anyway to have a new set of symptoms treated and dealt with through their utter incompetence! Wishing you all the best.

[ncoplin in reply to CounterTransference5]

Sorry, I haven't been on in a very long time so I just saw your post. The pain meds I am on cause Urinary retention. Urine can be very irritating. I can't empty my bladder and it spasms. The pain is really bad. Now the Urologist says I have Interstitial cystitis. I also have rectal spasms. Both of these were caused by the Hysterectomy and made worse from the pain meds. I didn't take the Neurontin for very long. Felt too weird. I take Pyridium for the bladder symptoms (it helps) and I do a bladder cocktail. I use sodium bicarb, Heparin, Lidocaine and steroid. I cath. and put these into my bladder. It helps a bit. Numbs the bladder for a few hours.