Aa
Pain Killer Alternative
I have been asked by my boss to find a non-addictive pain killer(s) sufficient for severe chronic non-malignant pain.
After reading through a few forums, especially helpful one from 2001 --http://www.medhelp.org/forums/addiction/messages/30733.html --
it appears that there are really no viable alternatives to narcotics for effective severe chronic pain control. Ultram was discussed in the 2001 forum as the best alternative (which I know was a while ago ... many new medications may now be available). NSAIDS were portrayed as leading to stomach problems.
I am not a doctor or nurse (nor expected to be), but my boss wanted some alternatives to present to the doctor this week.
The background: Her daughter has had two surgeries in the past two years, which have resulted in severe open wounds from the surgeries that have had a hard time healing (I don't really want to get hung up on why these wounds are not healing). So Percocet and Vicoden have been presribed in pretty high strengths (I don't have those numbers to share). The daughter is 21 years old. She becomes mean on the Vicoden and doesn't like the Perocet, because she is also a student at college, and cannot function too well on the Percocet. The mother is concerned that the daughter now has a physical dependence on the Vicoden (maybe Percocet too), as the daughter has been using both now for 1-1/2 years; the mother is unsure if actual addiction (emotional, taking the drug for a "high") has resulted; but physical dependence is pretty much a given now. Other pain-management tools are being considered, as well as options to heal the open wound. But for now, my question is strictly narrowed to: are there any viable alternative(s) to narcotics for effective pain control for moderate to severe pain? If not, what are better alternatives to the Vicoden and Percocet? We know that we will have to deal with withdrawal issues, too. Really appreciate your responses. I have a great respect for the people in this forum, as I have spent the last 2 hours reading through various discussions. Thanks!
After reading through a few forums, especially helpful one from 2001 --http://www.medhelp.org/forums/addiction/messages/30733.html --
it appears that there are really no viable alternatives to narcotics for effective severe chronic pain control. Ultram was discussed in the 2001 forum as the best alternative (which I know was a while ago ... many new medications may now be available). NSAIDS were portrayed as leading to stomach problems.
I am not a doctor or nurse (nor expected to be), but my boss wanted some alternatives to present to the doctor this week.
The background: Her daughter has had two surgeries in the past two years, which have resulted in severe open wounds from the surgeries that have had a hard time healing (I don't really want to get hung up on why these wounds are not healing). So Percocet and Vicoden have been presribed in pretty high strengths (I don't have those numbers to share). The daughter is 21 years old. She becomes mean on the Vicoden and doesn't like the Perocet, because she is also a student at college, and cannot function too well on the Percocet. The mother is concerned that the daughter now has a physical dependence on the Vicoden (maybe Percocet too), as the daughter has been using both now for 1-1/2 years; the mother is unsure if actual addiction (emotional, taking the drug for a "high") has resulted; but physical dependence is pretty much a given now. Other pain-management tools are being considered, as well as options to heal the open wound. But for now, my question is strictly narrowed to: are there any viable alternative(s) to narcotics for effective pain control for moderate to severe pain? If not, what are better alternatives to the Vicoden and Percocet? We know that we will have to deal with withdrawal issues, too. Really appreciate your responses. I have a great respect for the people in this forum, as I have spent the last 2 hours reading through various discussions. Thanks!
You are going read better things about the Neurontin than the reality will be. I believe though that it may well work for the specific nerve pain that it is prescribed for, bu it is NOT a "cover all bases" stop you from hurting kind of pill.
Acupuncture, I know nothing about, but I think Savas is a genius so he probably knows what he is talking about.
Acupuncture, I know nothing about, but I think Savas is a genius so he probably knows what he is talking about.
Thank you for your new comments ... I'll look up the new prescription medication ideas brought up! The acupuncture and other non-medication approaches will all be considered when the mom and daughter go to the pain management clinic. I think I have heard of the TENS unit ... I'll look that up too.
Amazonangel - thanks for mentioning Neurontin ... have not heard of that one. I'll post this evening what I find out.
Amazonangel - thanks for mentioning Neurontin ... have not heard of that one. I'll post this evening what I find out.
good morning slideshow, how are you? i hope feeling a little better than yesturday, i noticed you seemed a little down...hope all is well and you are back to yourself...i havent been to bed yet...its going to be a llooonnngg day... chat soon...
Sorry about my spelling. I know how to spell but I type too fast and just don't "review" these posts.
I've used Cymbalta for several months, and it ended up going the way of the rest of the ADs, the garbage, just didn't do it. Cymbalta is "supposed" to work on seratonin balance and adrenaline, but it just didn't work for me......That does not mean that it would not work for others. Neuronin I found to simply make me dizzy and nauses. I think its designed for some particular nerve pain and just too specific for my injuries.
... there is also an item my pain mgmnt doctor used on me (honey - i've tried 'em all!) that is the newest version of the T.E.N.S. unit. it's a little bix with little electrodes that attach to your skin and disrupt the pain signals being sent.
again, it's the latest version of the TENS unit, and I don't know it's name, so you'll need to do a little research... again, for me it didn't work, but my pain mgmt's wife had the same back issues i have and it was REALLY working for her.
all of these things are at least checking out. they're helping people somewhere, that's for sure.
i'd defnitely, again, try the acupuncture too, as a few of us have mentioned...
good luck!
again, it's the latest version of the TENS unit, and I don't know it's name, so you'll need to do a little research... again, for me it didn't work, but my pain mgmt's wife had the same back issues i have and it was REALLY working for her.
all of these things are at least checking out. they're helping people somewhere, that's for sure.
i'd defnitely, again, try the acupuncture too, as a few of us have mentioned...
good luck!
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