What Kind Of Pain Medication Do You Take

[stacdliw]

I've had gastroparesis for over 6 years and was just diagnosed with Autonomic Neuropathy, POTS,and Dysautonomia last year in October at Vandy. I have the type of POTS that my heartrate goes up over 120bpm when standing; however,the blood pressure does not drop and I have no orthostatic intolerance.

About a year ago, I began having moderate/severe pain right below my sternum. Within the past three months, the pain became more frequent and tests were run for gall bladder, ulcers, and gastritis. All the tests were normal. I began noticing that the pain occurred shortly after eating or even drinking a sip of liquid. The pain can last from 4-12 hours. My GI and neurologist determined the pain was due to the autonomic neuropathy affecting my entire digestive system and I was referred to a Pain Specialist.

When the Pain Specialist took my history, he commented, "You're not a book, you are an epic novel." He also stated that I was a complicated case in that it would be difficult to find a pain medication that would be good for the digestive system as well as not raise the heart rate. He then suggested the Butran Patch as a possibility and said we would discuss it at our next appointment, April 23.

When I researched the Butran Patch, I discovered that one of the contraindications for its use was low blood volume. Don't POTS patients have low blood volume? If I can't use this pain medication, I would like recommendations from others as to which pain medications they use.

I presently use 2 50mg of Tramadol that I use for my fibromyalgia, but it takes over an hour to ease the pain and even then then is still some nagging pain. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks,

Bev Ray

[bruc]

I too have GI dysautonomia.

Cant take any pain medications because they all slow the tract down and its bad enough the way it is; they will only make it worse; in my case.

The pain is unbearable at times.

Not much I can do about ti but just try and get through each day.

Been this way for 20 plus years.

[stacdliw]

I too have GI dysautonomia.

Cant take any pain medications because they all slow the tract down and its bad enough the way it is; they will only make it worse; in my case.

The pain is unbearable at times.

Not much I can do about ti but just try and get through each day.

Been this way for 20 plus years.

Surprisingly, I haven't noticed the Tramadol affecting my digestive system too much, except an increase in constipation which Miralax seems to relieve. Luckily, I have not noticed any increase in nausea from the Tramadol---- yet!

Maybe I should just stick with the Tramadol and suffer with the nagging pain that it doesn't ease since it doesn't appear to adversely affect my digestive system or heart rate.

[sugartwin]

Not all POTS patients have low blood volume. Some do, some don't. I take tramadol and oxycodone as needed for joint pain from my EDS. Neither one is particular friendly to my GI tract, but Miralax helps and have Phenergan on hand for the nausea.

[issie]

For me tramadol and Bentyl is the right combination. The bentyl is a muscle relxr. It not only helps with pain but also relaxes the colon muscles and constipation isn't a problem. In fact, it helps to keep things moving - because things aren't so slowed down. I think part of it is the colon muscles don't contract properly and with the relaxer - things continue to go in the right direction. It's an old medicine - once used for IBS. So, there's the bowel help. Having EDS too, and FMS - pain is there. I try not to take these every day - only a few times a week - so they will continue to work. I don't want to be addicted nor do I want them to stop working.