My wife suffers chronic pain from lupus. Joint pain, headaches,muscle pain, bone pain, sharp back pain and is?

taking Demerol, lortab, trammadol for the pain; and is taking xanax for anxiety. She says the pain medication doesn't help. What would explain this

The pain associated with lupus is usually a result of inflammation. The inflammation is the result of an immune system that has gone mad. If the inflammation is not treated the pain will return as soon as the drugs wear off.

Lupus patients on pain management (which I think is a good idea in this case) often change meds periodically because patients can build up a tolerance to the pain medications, rendering them less effective.

The pain causes anxiety (fear, depression, etc) which in turn aggravate the lupus and create more inflammation and pain. When you feel like your life and your body are out of control, of course you will be anxious. And telling someone to "just think positive" only causes more aggravation when you are in pain and afraid.

You wife might considering seeing a pain management specialist for the pain and a good mental health counselor to deal with the emotional issues that come along with a chronic and incurable illness like lupus. Psychologists who work with oncology (cancer) patients are likely to understand the issues.

Demerol, lortabs and tramadol aren't effective because they lose most of their potency in stomach acids. She should see a pain management specialist.

Happy Bunny Day and I am sorry to hear about your wife. It may be because she wants more or a higher dosage of pain killers. Or, they may not be the right pain medication for her. I have tried some meds that just don't work on me but work great for other people. Tell her to ask her doctor what she can do about this situation.If she is just drug seeking, then you have a problem that is bigger than you thought. Some people who suffer long term pain, try to get a higher dosage just to get high on and this is a problem that is in her head and she may need to see a shrink. I hope, for both of your sakes , that it is not the latter of the two. Good luck for the both of you.

That answer from bunny above is so STUPID!
I know these things happens but i mean does she know what lupus is???
Your wife will be in great deal of pain!!
She should go see her doctor and i agree with the pain mangement idea aswell!!
Just because there painkillers doesn't mean to say they will be working on her pain, it can be a lot of trial and error finding suitable painkillers for long term pain in an individual.

Good luck and good health to your wife!!

lupus is painful. I have it, so I know. I hate to agree with the above answers but if you are addicted to the pain meds, your body will manufacture pain in order to get more.With the addict gene in my family, so far I have been able to choose rest, Aleve, etc to manage my pain. Prayer helps too. I'll pray for you and your wife.

because it is caused by inflamatory process

Reasons and remedies are many, but pl see what suits you.
If you are in cold country use all warm things.

If you have cough/cold body hot water bath will help.
Massage and exercise in front of morning sun is good thing, pl try.

There is hardly any medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for RA, OA, Back ache, Ear ache/ringing, Stomach ache and almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.

Acidity, WORRY, sadness, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation; drug side effects, stress, bad smell, TV & COMPUTER SOMETIMES, Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy, BODY CONSTITUTION etc are their causes.
None of them can be treated with medicine.
Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.

Acupuncture is the best treatment.
I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.

Pain killers don't treat the pain but we loose the sense of pain for some time; in that duration our body itself treats sometime and credit goes to meds.
The useless drugs have tremendous power of side effects like liver/kidney failures, ulcer, inflammation of intestines and lot more.

Avoid late sleeping if possible; worry, tension, spicy foods, sour fruits, stale bakery foods, all cold things, smoking and alcohole.

use warm things.

Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

What Linda posted is the most correct answer. People with Lupus are in an immense amount of pain for long periods of time. Certain pain meds are only meant for short term pain relief and narcotics' effectiveness can diminish over time. It is important to seek the advice of a pain management specialist if she isn't getting the relief she needs from her rheumatologist.

Depression is a symptom of both Lupus and long term pain. Imagine how it feels to know that from the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep you'll be in pain. That can be a pretty depressive road. Support and empathy can go a long way to helping with depression.

You don't want to jump to conclusions that a couple of people did in this answer room. Don't assume that your wife is trying to get more pain meds to get 'high'. Not once in your question did you mention that you thought she had a problem with the medications other than their lack of effectiveness.

I wish you and your wife the best of luck. I have supported my wife with severe organ involved Lupus for the last 15 years. It can be a difficult road but it has really brought us closer together. I get to be her ambassador when she goes to the doctor. I tell her how much pain my wife is in and also how her meds are working. I also fight to get her the help she needs. Working as a team really makes it that much better.