Pain Control

[cruiser5]

My son takes percoset for pain from a car accident which left him an amputee on right side and fused ankle on other leg.  He will always have to take some type of pain medication but he feels this is ruining his life because he is so dependent on it and somehow his body thrives on it.  He is presently goes to a pain management group who regulate his pain meds.  He tried to take methadone and was unable to continue it.  I was wondering if suboxone would be better for him?  We think he needs to check himself into a rehab facility for this and other reasons.  What's your advice on this me and any other help you can give us.  Thanks

[maky158]

Honestly, if anyone has to take a pain medication with a narcotic in it everyday, will be addicted. Now I believe there is two different forms of addiction. One is that after taking it as prescribed for a long period of time, your body will need it to function. The other is when it becomes abused as in taking more of it to get high. If he needs to be on a pain medication all the time, expect he will depend on it. He'll depend on it to regulate his pain and also because his body has become so used to taking it regulary.  I am in pain all the time and I need pain control. I rely on good pain management and really if I my body became addicted, it wouldn't matter because I need the medication anyway to be somewhat normal (pain free).  Even if he had to take Lyrica, he would have to be weaned off that if he ever needed to come off of it.  I feel as long as he is supervised under a physician, taking his meds as prescribed and it's working for him, then I wouldn't mess with that! If he is abusing his meds in anyway, then YES, ask about detoxing him and getting him on something else he can't abuse, even though it won't be as effective. You really need to weigh the benefits with this one. I wish the best of luck to you and your son!!

[jamlws]

Sorry to hear about your son. I know when my kids are hurting I hurt too. That being said I am also one that has to be on pain meds cause of my pain and I feel like it runs my life but in order to have a life I have to be on them. My kids  need me feeling less pain then I am normaling in when I am off meds. If he is abusing the drug then yes I would worry about it but if he just needs it for pain then he has to take them to feel better. I would do what sandee said have him check into a med that he can take 2 times a day. Best to luck to you and your son.
Jamie

[sandee1818]

I am sorry your son has been through such traumatic experience as well as you his parent. Parents hurt when their child is injured or hurt too.
Is he abusing them or just feel like he is dependent on them to live. Feeling dependent is normal as we feel like we can't really function without them because of the pain.
Some doctors do prescibe suboxone for pain control but it is meant to withdrawal of other medications and drugs. There have been studies done on using it for pain control but to be honest I have met very few here that it works for.
There are long acting pain medications that will allow him to take one dose twice daily that may work better for him.
Has he discussed this with his doctor at all?