Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Pain and anger

So I have been dealing with AS pain for several years and just recently was finally diagnosed. I was given indocin and the results were dramatic. I had taken almost every possible NSAID there is with little to no results at all. With indocin, mobility improved pretty much in 48 hours and I was able to look over my shoulder without turning my whole body for the first time in years. Workouts were going great and I only had a few aches and pains, all of which were insignificant and barely noticeable in comparison to what I had previously dealt with. I took the indocin for a few weeks and eventually the sides caught up with me. Feeling nauseated, dizzy, light headed and weak was becoming constant until I had to quit taking it.

After dealing with pain for so long and then becoming pain free, I had been feeling euphoric almost because I had forgotten what it felt like to wake up in the morning NOT feeling like I had been in a car wreck the previous day. Now that the pain relief has been removed, I have noticed I am easily angered, and I fly off the handle for small things. I am normally a very mellow guy that doesn't get upset for almost anything, so this is bothering me. Its not constant, but it seems to come and go, I am just irritable overall.

Is this just a common reaction to losing pain relief? Or could it be a possible lingering side effect from the indocin? My stomach is still not back to normal and I've been off it around 3 weeks now,so I am assuming it could be related. Any input is appreciated.

I'm sure it's frustrating. It's one of the reasons I've refused to try medication, until I've exhausted all other options. Before learning about NSD I popped Ibuprofen like candy. Since then, I've taken maybe 2 or 3 Ibuprofen in six months.

I've had lasting relief following a NSD/paleo diet. I've had setbacks, but have steadily progressed, and feel like a new man now. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it, as it seems much more sustainable than taking medication.

Good luck in your journey, and may you slay the Dragon of AS.

its easy to be angry w/ AS. it could be a combination of both side affects and being teased w/ temporary pain relief. it sucks but hang in there. maybe try NSD like chris suggested.

Hey there,

Probably can lead us to anger or depression or both. When I had to come off of azulfadine at times I was anxious and down... I knew the pain would come back and it did with vengence.

I never took indocin. My father took it, similar to you provided relief to the monster. But he developed bleeding ulcers and had to come off after 1/2 yr or so.

Tim

I am going to give this a try. It will be very challenging, but right now, I am very concerned about side effects from any med that may be prescribed. If I end up not responding, I will certainly consider meds, but I would love to avoid it if possible.

The pain will get to your emotions quickly. By all means, for the sake of your loved ones, get medical help. There is a very broad spectrum of both pain relief and help with depression available to your MD; keep trying until you find one that works for you.

Check out this thread I started in the diet forum. It has some very useful links. Some are practical, especially http://www.marksdailyapple.com/. If you are of a scientific mind, there's plenty of evidence to support the effectiveness of the diet in the other links.

A lot of it is about mind-set as well. Eat to live, don't live to eat.

Pain will certainly make you cranky. The constant inflammation is physically exhausting, aside from the fact that it will no doubt be reducing the quality of your sleep. I'm sure I'm not the only one who becomes very self-focused and intolerant of things that might not otherwise bother me so much when I'm not doing well.I hope you can find something soon that works for you to get the pain under control.

if you didn't find yourself quick to anger when you were on the med, then my assumption is that it is probably not the med. pain can certainly frustrate us and make us irritable, that's for sure. but as others' have said, there are other options besides NSAIDs to try. they've named a few. i've found ice and heat and a muscle relaxant (zanaflex) and topical NSAID creme and topical NSAID (flector) patches and LDN to be useful tools in my toolbox. these seem to be the things that help without intolerable side effects.

Hey there txfast, the things you describe are all due to chronic pain. Get your pain under control and things will ease up. I took indocin off and on over the last 30 years as well as every other NSAID out there. That one was the nastiest one as far as side effects, but the most potent. Everyone here will tell you each person is different in their treatment and beliefs as to what helps them. Search out what works best for you but don't let the pain levels rule your life when there is so many alternatives, medications, that can help. Chronic pain can distroy a person mentally as well as physically. Talk to you doc.
Cindy