FCE and Meds.??

[vickinat]

Hi All, I am going for an FCE next Tuesday the 18th. I'm having this done for my doctor to see what I'm capable of, and to see if my work restrictions need to be changed. This is going to be done where I have my PT and Aqua therapy, and I'm comfortable with the people there. My doctor and therapist have said that after 10 months I should be getting better but actually am getting worse. My therapist and myself suggested pulling me from work as another option, just for a little while, but the Dr. is going to wait and see what the FCE says.

I have read before that an I/W should stop using meds for the injury before an FCE is done, so that the true abilities without meds covering them up, can be assesed. Which makes sence to me, because the meds keep the pain lower, and can allow more abilities, but I don't want to stay on meds for life to perform functions that would be shown in the FCE. I tried to back off of some of them yesterday and my back hurt more at work and at Pt,my spasms/cramps became worse. How many days before the FCE should I stop the meds? Since it is this coming Tuesday morning, I need an answer soon.

I am also concerned about an adverse affect this could cause, since I have been on some form or another of NSAID since the initial injury, as well as meds for the spasms/cramps. My lower back and hip are hurting pretty good this morning so far, and I didn't take some of the meds yet.

Sorry so long, any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks
Vickie[/color][/size][/font]

[Tuffy]

Vick, This is a good question for Bad Boy, Maybe if he is reading he can give you the answers,. I would think that 3 days before you test would be ok. and just your pain meds. and take them as soon as the test is finished.

Asuggestion! PM Bad Boy and ask for his opinion........

[vickinat]

Tuffy
Thank you I will try to pm Bad boy.
Have a good day
Vickie

[Pooh]

I think it depends on the meds- I was on anti-depressants for my pain relief since most of my pain is nerve related and I needed to stop a full week or better before hand - which meant tapering off them first so that I could stop.

[AQA]

Vickinat, based on your last paragraph in your first post. I would take the meds. as usuall, but not take any on the day of the exam. I followed that routine for all three of mine as well as the mmi/ir exam. You may want to have them handy so you can take them reight after. If you will be driving yourself to and from the exam. You may want to wait until you get home to take them.
Take Care.

[vickinat]

To all who responded:
Thank you for the advice, the meds for the spasms/muscle cramps is an anti-depressant Cymbalta and an anti-seizure med Klonopin, due to using so many others and these were the ones which finally helped and didn't knock me out. The NSAID is Indocin SR.
Tuffy:
I did PM bad boy and asked him to read my post here.

Thank you Vickie

[Pooh]

Vickie

One thing I know about AD that you have been on for a while - if you miss a dosage - i.e. take them once a day - (That's what I do now) then trust me I surely know - prior I was on meds that I took in the am and pm - so it was different. I don't know how you take cymbalta - but if it is once a day - then I wouldn't take it the night before especially in light of the problems you already had.

Bad boy can give you more info on AD's as I think he was also on AD's. As far as my migraine meds - i.e. anti-seisure med - I took it that morning because sorry - severe migraine is not something I want to deal with not like I wouldn't get a break through on any way. Now some AS meds are also used for nerve pain as well but again the dosage has to be therapeutic level for that.

My FCE place actually sent me a letter stating not to take any medications the day of the test other than bp, diabetes meds and other meds necessary. Any meds related to pain they didn't want me to take at all. It was my neuro that told me that I needed to be off my AD for at least a week for them to get a good reading of my pain level.

[red1030]

Hi Vickinat, I would suggest that you use a lot of caution when attempting to change the medications that your doctor has prescribed for you. I understand the need to show what your pain levels will be during a FCE, but just be very careful. Maybe Monday morning you should call your doctor and ask him about this as well and find out which meds you can stop for a day versus which ones you can stop through a weaning process. You would not have a lot of time. Being a nurse, I can't tell you to stop taking something that the doctor has prescribed, but I can say to use caution and to ask for assistance from your physician.

Good luck with your FCE and do not do more than you can do. I believe I have read BB say many times, if it hurt stop. Do not do things that make you hurt worst. Just stop and say it is causing pain and be prepared to give them a pain scale of how much pain so they document your true measurement of pain. Best Wishes and let all of us know how it works out...Red

[vickinat]

Red:
Thanks for the info. I don't feel very good today, it might be because of taking less meds and some not at all today. I'm hurting more, but I expected that, I didn't expect my stomach to get upset and get a headache.
Take care
Vickie

[capricorn]

Hi Vick......Wishing you all the best on the FCE BUT wanted to tell you the Klonopin is not an anti-seizure med it's a benzo. Please done't stop taking it suddenly. It will definitely cause you problems and to not feel well.


CAP