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Question about Pain Management
I've been giving this a lot of thought. Because opiate withdrawal is not life threatening, doctors are handing these things out like candy. Yes, you get that little pamphlet advising you that these drugs can be addictive. The truth is that these drugs were never intended for long term use. I think it would only take a few minutes out of a doctors time to show you a short video of what these drugs can do over prolong use.........addiction and dependence is a very fine line and showing a short video of what one will suffer as a result of prolonged use (watching someone suffer withdrawal) as a possibility may make the patient make alternative choices.
There is no reason that I can see for doctors to be prescribing medications that at one time were strictly for patients on their death beds.........virtually nobody reads those pamphlets anyway, so where does the responsibility lie?.......If you are informed correctly, then your doctor can accept no blame.
Nauty
There is no reason that I can see for doctors to be prescribing medications that at one time were strictly for patients on their death beds.........virtually nobody reads those pamphlets anyway, so where does the responsibility lie?.......If you are informed correctly, then your doctor can accept no blame.
Nauty
May I suggest that those of us who have a legitimate need to take narcotics due to a real medical condition or diagnosis hold our heads high with dignity and grace? I am not offended by naughty's remarks. I am saddened by them. It is usually the case that when a person lashes out at others with accusatory words and condemnation, they are feeling less than confident themselves. Those of you who know you've tried every method possible to control your pain, but who have failed to get relief; you know that your drug use is necessary and appropriate at this point in your life. You do NOT need the approval of anyone on this forum, in your family, or anywhere else. It is unfortunate that the public is, for the most part, ignorant about narcotics and their use. If someone wants to argue semantics with you, saying you're addicted - I for one, say, yes, I'm addicted - but it's due to having developed a dependence to a medication that I need to control pain from my MS, Sys Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Interstitial Cystitis, Peripheral Neuritis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Arthritis. (that's not the complete list, buy by then, whoever I'm with isn't listening anymore lol) I would have to go through withdrawal to stop, but, I would have to restart, as my medical condition hasn't gone away, but continues to progress.
Those who can manage their pain without narcotics, by using biofeedback, or tens units, etc., should do so. I'm glad naughty finally found out that she was on a drug she didn't need, which wasn't in her best interest. It's a shame she didn't choose to read the drug information that comes with every prescription That is something every patient should take the responsibility to do. Doctors are humans too. There are good ones and bad ones, and no one has any guarantee that they're going to have a doctor who always makes the right choices for THEM. They might make that same choice for someone else and it would be right. That's why we have to be informed and be our own advocate. Perhaps she feels self anger for not having researched the drug she was prescribed, and for too easily going on a drug for a condition that hadn't been diagnosed (?) and that didn't need such a powerful drug as a solution. Perhaps she is once again not taking the time to consider that the people on this forum are not her; don't have her same condition; don't have her same level of pain; and have already tried all those other things first that she is just now utilizing. And why she thinks the 80's didn't have doctors giving narcotics, and now, they're given out like candy, I'm not sure. I got narcotics in the 80's - but then, I had real conditions that needed that type of treatment. There was a review of the practice of narcotic prescribing a decade ago or so, because too many people were being denied with chronic conditions due to the fear of addition. What they discovered was that this was largely the elderly, who didn't have the addiction threat due to their reduced longevity, and that those who take narcotics for pain were found to react different physiologically from those taking them for a high. As I said in another post - amount, frequency, reason for dosing etc. - these things actually effect how the drug becomes addictive. THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT IF YOU TAKE AS PRESCRIBED - YOU WON'T BECOME DEPENDENT/ ADDICTED - OVER TIME - YOU WILL. It's a problem those with severe chronic pain accept in order to live a life with some semblance of quality and grace. Anyway, more pain management drs showed up to help manage those with this need. It's a form of medical abuse to not treat chronic severe pain. But it is still very highly regulated. Some doctors are just more cautious than others.
I would suggest that if there are posters out there who have discovered alternative methods of dealing with pain - share them with us - inform the community of the different things that work for you. But don't chastise the methods of others whom you don't know and whose conditions you don't know anything about. That way, we can all learn from each other in an atmosphere of acceptance and support. Isn't this supposed to be a forum for support and information dissemination? There's no doubt an anger management forum somewhere if your goal is to put others down. I don't think anyone should have to defend their treatment plan, decided on with their doctor, to a stranger online. But hearing all the options that others have tried? Of course - I want to hear about everybody's experiences. I might learn something useful.
I wish everyone a day of pain distractions and a moment of true joy! Blessings, Jan
Those who can manage their pain without narcotics, by using biofeedback, or tens units, etc., should do so. I'm glad naughty finally found out that she was on a drug she didn't need, which wasn't in her best interest. It's a shame she didn't choose to read the drug information that comes with every prescription That is something every patient should take the responsibility to do. Doctors are humans too. There are good ones and bad ones, and no one has any guarantee that they're going to have a doctor who always makes the right choices for THEM. They might make that same choice for someone else and it would be right. That's why we have to be informed and be our own advocate. Perhaps she feels self anger for not having researched the drug she was prescribed, and for too easily going on a drug for a condition that hadn't been diagnosed (?) and that didn't need such a powerful drug as a solution. Perhaps she is once again not taking the time to consider that the people on this forum are not her; don't have her same condition; don't have her same level of pain; and have already tried all those other things first that she is just now utilizing. And why she thinks the 80's didn't have doctors giving narcotics, and now, they're given out like candy, I'm not sure. I got narcotics in the 80's - but then, I had real conditions that needed that type of treatment. There was a review of the practice of narcotic prescribing a decade ago or so, because too many people were being denied with chronic conditions due to the fear of addition. What they discovered was that this was largely the elderly, who didn't have the addiction threat due to their reduced longevity, and that those who take narcotics for pain were found to react different physiologically from those taking them for a high. As I said in another post - amount, frequency, reason for dosing etc. - these things actually effect how the drug becomes addictive. THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT IF YOU TAKE AS PRESCRIBED - YOU WON'T BECOME DEPENDENT/ ADDICTED - OVER TIME - YOU WILL. It's a problem those with severe chronic pain accept in order to live a life with some semblance of quality and grace. Anyway, more pain management drs showed up to help manage those with this need. It's a form of medical abuse to not treat chronic severe pain. But it is still very highly regulated. Some doctors are just more cautious than others.
I would suggest that if there are posters out there who have discovered alternative methods of dealing with pain - share them with us - inform the community of the different things that work for you. But don't chastise the methods of others whom you don't know and whose conditions you don't know anything about. That way, we can all learn from each other in an atmosphere of acceptance and support. Isn't this supposed to be a forum for support and information dissemination? There's no doubt an anger management forum somewhere if your goal is to put others down. I don't think anyone should have to defend their treatment plan, decided on with their doctor, to a stranger online. But hearing all the options that others have tried? Of course - I want to hear about everybody's experiences. I might learn something useful.
I wish everyone a day of pain distractions and a moment of true joy! Blessings, Jan
Thanks. You're made some pretty awesome contributions yourself. :)
Ghilly
Ghilly
You're awesome.
I applaud you for finally being informed about narcotics being addictive. I knew that going in, but finally chose it anyway. It is always a shame when anyone, addict, or other, messes things up for people who truly could benefit from something. Criminals can get guns, so honest people have a hard time obtaining them for protection. People hijack planes so the rest of us have to go through hell to get on a plane. There are always going to be people who abuse substances - any substance. But it doesn't mean there isn't a legitimate reason for using that substance. I'm glad food isn't outlawed just because most of American's abuse it!
My use of narcotics is an unfortunate necessity. I feel "normal" on them, as far as psychological parameters are concerned. It doesn't relieve all of my pain - nothing would - but it helps me at least function. I have two kids and am on my own. I'm disabled and sometimes can't get out of bed. I can't imagine anyone believing that everyone else experienced things the same way they did. You say you didn't even know they were addictive. Did you have a diagnosis? Have you ever felt pain that was so intense that all you could do is scream? rock back and forth? Have you ever had post-surgical pain? Would you tough that out too?
I was not lucky enough to have a normal MRI, nor scan, nor blood work, nor x-ray, nor spinal tap. All my tests were positive and abnormal. While in the hospital one time trying to make the decision to go off these meds, on a reduced dose, my pain doc came in, sat on my bed, and his arm accidentally touched and moved my leg. I screamed involuntarily and he just looked at me and said - you just can't do this. I've tried tens units, PT, biofeedback etc. At some point, for some people, there just isn't another choice. Are there some who fake it and abuse? Of course there are! But why are you throwing stones at all for the sins of a few?
I would suggest a course in empathy.
I do wish you well and I'm glad you've found a successful path for yourself.
Jan
My use of narcotics is an unfortunate necessity. I feel "normal" on them, as far as psychological parameters are concerned. It doesn't relieve all of my pain - nothing would - but it helps me at least function. I have two kids and am on my own. I'm disabled and sometimes can't get out of bed. I can't imagine anyone believing that everyone else experienced things the same way they did. You say you didn't even know they were addictive. Did you have a diagnosis? Have you ever felt pain that was so intense that all you could do is scream? rock back and forth? Have you ever had post-surgical pain? Would you tough that out too?
I was not lucky enough to have a normal MRI, nor scan, nor blood work, nor x-ray, nor spinal tap. All my tests were positive and abnormal. While in the hospital one time trying to make the decision to go off these meds, on a reduced dose, my pain doc came in, sat on my bed, and his arm accidentally touched and moved my leg. I screamed involuntarily and he just looked at me and said - you just can't do this. I've tried tens units, PT, biofeedback etc. At some point, for some people, there just isn't another choice. Are there some who fake it and abuse? Of course there are! But why are you throwing stones at all for the sins of a few?
I would suggest a course in empathy.
I do wish you well and I'm glad you've found a successful path for yourself.
Jan
I have to agree with the posters above me. I have fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and without my pain medication I wouldn't be able to get out of bed. It really upsets me to be lumped together with those who take opiates for recreational purposes. It is really sad that those of us with chronic pain have to live in fear of having the only thing that helps us to function taken away. I am 54 years old and the worry of addiction is the last thing on my mind.
Sandee, tuck and ghilly are 100% correct.
The abuse of prescription medications affects pain management patients as much as anyone. Why? Because doctors have to figure out if you're a "drug seeker" which I've stormed out of offices after hearing more than once.
It took me over 2 years to actually get into pain management, 2 years of terrible quality of life from my chronic pain. All these drugs do is bring me back up to a baseline level, like someone without any pain, so I can live my life.
There are doctors and patients out there that abuse these things but it's not everyone, and it's extremely offensive when everyone is lumped together. There's a big difference between dependence and full blown addiction from abuse. They are not the same exact thing.
The abuse of prescription medications affects pain management patients as much as anyone. Why? Because doctors have to figure out if you're a "drug seeker" which I've stormed out of offices after hearing more than once.
It took me over 2 years to actually get into pain management, 2 years of terrible quality of life from my chronic pain. All these drugs do is bring me back up to a baseline level, like someone without any pain, so I can live my life.
There are doctors and patients out there that abuse these things but it's not everyone, and it's extremely offensive when everyone is lumped together. There's a big difference between dependence and full blown addiction from abuse. They are not the same exact thing.
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