pain management is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!

[frogster1060]

ive been taking oxycodone and soma for my pain and it works.Also i get epidurils every 3 to four months.I find them very helpful.

[sandee1818]

Tuckamore I tend to agree that with following the Dr's orders one is relatively safe from long term effects but as you say there are those who will disagree. With that being said I wanted to present both sides here and post some information on long term effects of opioids.


REALITIES OF LONG TERM OPIOID
http://www.vachronicpain.org/Downloads/Realities%20of%20Long%20Term%20Opioid%20Therapy.pdf
HYPERALGESIA - increased sensitivity to pain or enhanced intensity of pain sensation

*Chronic Morphine Use Produces Visible Changes in Brain Cells
http://www.drugabuse.gov/MedAdv/MAs-yr96a.html#10-10
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) today announced the results of a study that provides the first direct evidence that long-term, chronic opiate exposure is associated with structural changes in both the size and shape of specific neurons in the brain.

*http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010615/editorials.html
Changes that have been observed in association with chronic administration of opioids include physical atrophy of dopamine-producing neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Such changes may account for some of the aversive symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It is theorized that neuroadaptations to chronic drug exposure may also lead to the long-term anhedonia that many opioid users experience and may explain why sustained abstinence is so difficult for many users

[Tuckamore]

You asked a good question. It depends on what you are using. The big one is anything with acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol)  and to a lesser degree aspirin can cause damage to your kidneys or liver. Those are drugs like vicodin, percocet and lortab.

Actually long term use of the opiate itself doesn't destroy your body but you develop a tolerance to them, simply called opiate tolerance, requiring higher and higher doses to to achieve the same effect. And there is the dependence, fatigue and sometimes depression that can go hand and hand with opiate use.

There are others that may disagree with this statement but if you use the opiates as they are prescribed they are actually safe, with the above exceptions. I have wittnessed little elderly ladies that have taken high doses of opiates for very long periods of time with the only side effect being that of constipation.  

I hope this helped reaasure you a bit. I also wait too long before I increase my dose but we both know that is not the effective way of pain control. You sound like a sweet person, don't suffer needlessly. Take care, Tuck

[Heather3418]

You brought up something in your post that I never spent much time thinking about..."long term effects of opiates."  Of course you are right Tuck, I'm sure there are long term effects.  Do we know what they are?

I probably shouldn't be asking this question, since I am already afraid of having to take pain medication for CP.  Anybody in their right mind, would not want to spend their life on pills.  I sure don't.

Of course, the lesser of two evils, pain versus 'some' pain relief - is the only reason I take medication at all.  As I get older, I AM worried about the long term effects from pain medication.  I have heard that as we age, medications affect us differently and more profoundly.  This scares me.

I would appreciate your opinion of knowledge about long term affects of opiates.  The only thing I presently know, if that our bodies become accustom to them and higher and higher doses are needed later on, to get the same side effect.  Thank God, it has taken me a very long time, to ever increase my pain medication.  I try to just live with alot of pain, rather than take higher and higher doses, just to get relief.  It's a hard way to live a good quality of life, but nevertheless, the way that I have decided to approach chronic pain.

Thanks for your insights, in advance.

Heather

[Tuckamore]

Hello Frogster,

Welcome to MedHelp. I am glad you have found something that relieves your pain. Yes as with all opiates you must be cautious but don't let us put a damper on your good news. I am happy for you.

Just proceed with caution as I am sure you are and take them as prescribed and you'll do well. CP suffers, at least I am speaking for myself must live one day at a time. Get through this day without any flares, do all the things I'm suppose to and when I lay my head on the pillow than hope that tomorrow will be a good day. Yes we have to worry about the long term effects of opiates but I for one have no choice. If I want to function I must take them. And if it I find something that actually works even the better.

So please keep us updated on how you are doing. Someone is always here if you want to chat. Take care, Tuck

[hepc66]

i did said same thing that the pain mangement   was wonderful  take pain medcaiton and soma  for 4  years  now i want to  quit i m so fed up  take them everyday  becuase when u hook on it and u go without them even for one day u get  sick and try   go on  drug street to buy  five dollar  for one pain pill is pain in  the ***

[twild]

I agree with extrmeski.  It can be tricky because you start by saying that you will only use it when in pain....and before you know it, you are hooked.  Some are lucky not to have to go down that path.  Pain management was nothing but more trouble.  Heck even when I insisted that I did not want any more pills after a seizure on the job site, the doctor still prescribed me the pills.....and of course I took them even though I knew it was wrong.  Be careful with the fog that comes from within you.  It can envelop you

On that note, I wish you all the best.  Keep it in perspective and you will be okay.

[extrmeski]

it's a double edged sword becoming pain free but then being addicted to powerful opiates in the process.  It's just a fine balance.