In addition to starting a new thread, I figured I would start here.
For the past two years Ive been rx'ed 120 7.5/325 lortabs a month for rheumatoid arthritis, and bad tmj (disk slipped off the joint.)
I usually run out of my rx in two weeks and either get some 30 mg oxies (I take a half at a time) or percocets. If I can't find those, I maintain on subs which is great to keep the wd away, but don't do a thing for the pain on a low dose (An 8mg sub lasts me a week).
My question is, is oxy known to greatly reduce inflation? It takes the swelling in my hands down similar to Celebrex AND gets rid of the pain while it's working. I have searched around on the web to find any studies that shows oxycodone reduced inflammation, but came up with nothing other than a few odds and ends that say that inflamed tissue has opiate receptors- which may be why I get the result I do.
I'm a runner (used to run 20-30 miles a week before this RA shit, now I am lucky to do 12 a week) when I am on the oxy, I can knock out a 5 mile run in 40 min like I used to. It's awesome.
Any ideas?
I also feel like a combo of two opiods (like hydro and oxycodone) are better at relieving pain than just one, and can do so with less overall medication. I have brought that up to my gp, but he seems more interested in getting me off of the 120 lortabs that I get than relieving my issues. nI don't want to push the issue in fear that I will get cut off completely.
Opioids are pure painkillers and don't have any anti-inflammatory properties. I'm quite surprised to hear you're getting monthly opioids for rheumatoid arthritis - the drug cocktail for RA is a combination of a (or multiple) DMARD for disease treatment and an (or multiple) NSAID for symptom relief. I'm somewhat familiar with RA and haven't heard of anyone with the condition receive opioids either in lieu of or on top of the typical DMARD therapy.
You should be careful with exercising too much and overusing your joints on opioids though. Exercising with RA is important for staying mobile and for overall health, however if you feel no pain while running due to opioids and not naturally, you might be overusing and damaging inflamed joints without realizing it.