Nucynta is a narcotic and has all the same risks/benefits associated with it as other narcotics. I was on the IR version back in January and it did help my nerve pain, but the side effects were so extreme and I was so ill, I only stayed on it 11 days. It's not used very often around here and even some (many) doctors don't know anything about it or heard of it.
Shingles can be extremely painful and post-shingles pain can last a long time and be tough to treat. It is also exacerbated by stress and it's possible trying to come off medications is triggering flare-ups. Even though you're on a low dose, maybe you can talk to your doctor about tapering very slowly and possibly using vitamins/supplements can help your body be less stressed and help with the shingles flare-ups.
Atthebeach makes a very good point about hyperalgesia. I personally believe this is more common than people, even doctors, think. I never thought I would be off narcotics for my pain. My pain management docs had me on so much and at such high doses and every time I questioned it, they told me I needed it and would be on them for life.
You can manage most pain without narcotics. It's not always easy and some days are particularly bad but for me, I'd prefer some bad pain days than the side effects of narcotics. Additionally, narcotics is not that successful in treating nerve pain and other types of pain.
I do know they are using Botox in treating some types of post-shingle pain and it might be something you could ask your doctor about. I have a friend who works in pain management and also has experience in rheumatology and she personally uses Botox for both shingles pain and other types of chronic pain and has had very good success with it.
hi hun, i am so glad to see you back and that you are going to try again.
by faith this time you will succeed. since your husband is away now i think it would be a really good time to get off the meds.
the pain gets worse with the opiates, remember we talked about this,
hyperalgesia.
do you have pills left now?
are you still taking the valtrex and lysine?
have you set up any counseling?
you can do this. keep the faith. keep posting for support.
we are here for you.
hugs and prayers
debbie
Hi There, I think you should have no trouble at all getting off the pain meds, but you need to get the shingles under control. Since you do not seem to abuse the meds and are at a low dose, can you taper?
Taking two lortabs a day isn't much at all. I have no experience with the other meds, so I'm not sure how they may interact, but detoxing from two a day won't be bad.
But, because you have legit pain issues you really need to tell your doc about wanting to stop, especially if you break out with shingles when you've tried to stop before. Keep posting; were here to help.
Nucynta ER is a narcotic schedule II drug
He did give me Nucynta ER
Hello and welcome to the forum. You are in a tough spot right now and I do feel for you. I know some friends who have shingles and it is very painful. Have you talked to your doctor about prescribing something other than opiate pain meds for your pain? Since I don't have any personal experience with shingles (other than people I know that have had it) I don't have to much I can advise you on. I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. Someone may come along on the forum and give you better advice. Be patient as it is slow around here right now but someone wil come along. God Bless---Rick