Pain Killer Alternative

[SheMike]

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!

[slideshow]

Don't forget the patch......I've never used it, but I've had some really sick friends that swear by it.  There are many different ones, with different drugs in them, some more or less addicting than others.

[SheMike]

Thank you for your comments.  I'm wrapping this up today.
Rockport 12 - I do not want to get sidetracked about the open wound; that is why I'm not going to comment about why it still exists or the complications involved in healing it ... that is simply outside the scope of what I'm trying to do.  If you do not know the details, it is confusing (on the surface) why the open wound is having trouble healing.  The wound experts and doctors are focusing on this; not me.  My focus is simply what is the most non-addictive pain reliever sufficient for moderate to severe chronic non-malignant pain.  

Savas - Thank you.  In exploring pain management from a comprehensive approach, acpuncture is on the table and will be explored when the mother and daughter go to the Pain Management Clinic, which offer just about every alternative to pain management you can think of.  The clinic has already commented that the daughter has more than likely developed a physical addiction to the Vicoden and Percocet that she has been taking for 1-1/2 years.

I'm simply coming up with questions (ie alternative pain medications to Vicoden and Percocet) for my boss to ask the doctor when she next sees him.  If there are none, then there are none, but at least we know.

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to type and post.  I really do feel glad when I see people care enough to respond.

[slideshow]

Your points are "well taken"..  I agree that not all folks should have guns but some are responsible enough....At least as responsible as some police officers that I have met..The hard part is weeding through the administrative **** to decide who may own one.  My particular life experience "required" the use of a handgun...I am not so proud of it, but I am not so ashamed either.  I know if a terrorist opened up with an AK in a crowd that I am in, part of the crowd has at least a fighting chance.....

[bodybuilder1]

Oops sorry, I meant to post this under the "Thoughts on legitimate oc and recent crackdowns" thread. I'll move it.
Graeme

[bodybuilder1]

Just thought I would add something to this debate. Here in England all hangun ownership is completely outlawed yet gun crime (especially black on black gun crime has never been higher). I myself held a hangun licence about 10-12 years ago (just for target shooting you weren't allowed to carry them outside) but after the Dunblane massacre in 1996 were a guy killed 16 primary school kids and their teacher (with a LEGALLY held gun) the government banned all hangun possession. I think the government felt they had to do something after the massacre but it meant people like me couldn't shhot for target practice (sport if you like) but as a result, guns havr never been easier to get a hold of and gun crime never higher. Go Figure.
God bless all,
Graeme

[slideshow]

Again, DURAGESIC PATCH is at least worth a bit of research.   I know some foks that truly suffer that do like this option.....