Duration of Medicating Oneself

Hello Ladies,

This has been on my mind for quite some time. I know meds arent for everyone...but for those of us taking medication for this crap condition: How long are we to be on the meds for ???

When I asked my "specialist" she said Oh most women are on them for six months then taper off...

Im not convinced. I have heard of women tapering off...but mainly women who required low doses to tame this pain.

There have been moments when I missed a dose of my meds and the pain came back and it was awful.

Those of us on meds...do we need to be on the meds for an indefinite period of time??? Im just terrified that when, one day, I will not want to rely on pills that my pain will come back in full force.

I feel like there is a lack of answers out there. The doctors dont know what they are doing. It just causes me additional anxiety and depression.

Take care girls

This is something I was also told six months then taper off about but from what I've seen online there are very few women who can actually ever come off them once they are on them, unless of course they find out the source of their V and treat it at the same time as taking the meds. I've been taking meds for about a year for it now and I haven't even managed to get significant pain control yet. I think the ladies who only take meds for 6 months then come off them are ones who are genuine neuropathic pain which the meds work very well for and calm down the pain signals whereas if there's some underlying cause like pelvic floor muscles etc obviously the meds don't work as well in the first place and nor do they stop the nerves misfiring so they don't get rid of the problem which of course means 6 months then taper off isn't going to happen.

Yes Sarah I have also read that very few women have a smooth tapering off phase...theres withdrawl and also flare ups I have read about. I dont know anymore...

I expect to be on them for the rest of my life. I have never been told i will be able to taper off after a certain period of time. I get a blood test to check my liver once a year. I'm like you Sarah, I haven't even gotten to the point where my pain is manageable. I also have read that the meds will work for a period of time. But, then we need to try a new med or adjust the levels.

Hey Jules

Yes thats what im anticipating...the need to medicate for the rest of my life and/or try new meds when current ones lose their effect.

Its just very sad for me to think this. Taking medication for the rest of my life, dealing with the side effects, not being able to wear jeans ever again, no bike riding...etc etc....sorry for the rant.

Thank you kind ladies for your input.

Maybe that won't be the case. We don't know what the future holds. I don't mind being on meds. But, it would be awesome to not have to rely on them. I am doing acupuncture w/ the hope that my pain decreases and maybe i can reduce my meds. No need to apologize. We all need to rant from time to time.