georgiapea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,846
Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on May 8, 2018 18:01:34 GMT
My SIL takes Tramadol and other pain meds, as a result of a car accident. After 20 years on these meds I'm guessing he is addicted and will be in the deep weeds if his doctors reduce his access.
As for my comment on other Fibro sufferers "whining" I am not blaming them for the situation in which they find themselves. Often they are young mother's trying to run a house and keep up with active children. The thought of suddenly not being able to even get up and fix breakfast has to be terrifying.
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Post by not2peased on May 8, 2018 18:10:00 GMT
doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. I'm sorry not2pleased but I think you owe beachgurl an apology. Your post to her sounds to me to be a slap on the wrist when you wrote, "I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back". Beachgurl wrote about her granddaughter's experience with multiple surgeries and her pain medication afterwards. She and her daughter's family are following the medical team's advice regarding pain medication and are following it so that her granddaughter won't have long term psychological damage from the trauma of serious pain after repeated surgeries, instead of being worried she will become an addict. Her parents are controlling the granddaughter's medication very carefully from what it sounds like. You came back and in my opinion slapped her on the wrist and told her how easy it would be for her granddaughter to become an addict. Not everyone who takes pain medication becomes addicted to it. I'm glad your husband was able to bear the pain after his hip replacement surgery but he is an adult. Beachgurl's granddaughter is a child. Big difference. She isn't old enough to comprehend that the pain will stop and when, how to push through it and everything else that goes along with it. Beachgurl's granddaughter has an entire medical team looking after her and giving her parents advice. I think they are wise to take it. I told her my opinion and have no intention of apologizing for it. I never gave her any medical advice about her granddaughter, her pain medication or anything she or her family have gone through nor did I tell her anything they or her medical team was doing was wrong-that would be absolutely absurd on my part. I have nothing but sympathy for anyone experiencing medical issues, frequent surgeries, pain, etc the OP's dgd included. this thread was about opioid addiction, not one seeking support for her dgd's pain and suffering, so I don't think I have stepped out of line in my comments. anyone can become an addict despite being carefully managed, and I felt her posts have come across as someone who feels removed from a problem that RESEARCH has shown has a high potential for producing an addiction to pain meds. Her dgd is no different from MANY people who ultimately DO become addicted to opioids and it's not a dig against anyone to say that. It's puzzling that she knows so little about something that so directly impacts her family, so I guess it's a good thing these questions are being asked now, I only hope she and her family never have to deal with addiction (and no, I am not being snarky, I genuinely hope she never has to deal with it) the tone of her posts on this subject come across to me as something "those other people" deal with, and I think she needs to carefully consider that she and her family, and almost everyone on this board who is, or have used pain medication is susceptible to addiction. I learned a long time ago not to pat myself on the back about something when the outcome is not at all clear. her dgd may never develop an issue with pain meds, and I applaud anyone who works as hard as they appear to work to ensure she doesn't, but it is by no means a foregone conclusion and IMO, she would be wise to think about that, that's all.
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Post by not2peased on May 8, 2018 18:26:39 GMT
doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. I'm really not patting myself on the back, just offering my own experiences, the same as others offer theirs. I do try to respond to as many posts on this thread (or any other I start and open up for discussion) because I feel like if you ask questions and start a conversation, it is appropriate to engage and respond. Many addicts do start out with a genuine need for pain meds for legitimate reasons. For me, that just points to the need for medical professionals to keep an active role in watching for that and treating it. It doesn't justify leaving patients in pain. Just my opinion, obviously. It may be easy for dgd to become an addict one day, but again I am taking that chance and counting on her own hatred of pain meds, her personal medical team monitoring her, and her medical team stepping in should they see any indication of that. It is scary, but I also do see others who are older with her condition who are psychologically damaged from not taking that chance, or were a child in the period where it was assumed that children didn't experience pain as an adult would, so didn't need relief. Neither situation is desirable, but it is a given that there will be a negative outcome without the meds and only a chance with the meds, so we are going with the odds on that one. So much so in fact, that if the day comes that she can no longer have pain control with required surgeries, I am fairly certain we would be strongly looking at medical care outside the country. I don't question that we have an opioid crisis. I don't question that it is causing the destruction of people and families. I don't question if this is damaging and costly to our society. I don't question whether prescription meds have been too freely given as an easy solution. I am rather amazed that so many people have been given prescriptions when by their own accounts, they did not need or want them. It hasn't been my own experience, but I believe the people saying that it has been theirs. I only question whether a retailer limiting the amount of a medical prescription they will fill, is an appropriate or effective answer to the problem. I also question whether there are not more effective practices that we should be putting into place instead. Doctor shopping and obtaining multiple prescriptions for the same medication has been talked about for ages. That seems to be inadequately addressed and it seems, again to me, that restricting that would do more to limit an oversupply than a retailer policy to override physician's advice. However I appear to be irritating too many people and I'm not crazy about it putting out there that we from time to time will have prescription meds in our home. So I'll be taking my leave from this thread. Perhaps focusing on restricting legitimate patients rather than illegal practices will actually stem the crisis. Time will tell. (not a hairflip...just leaving this particular thread behind. ) I am not at all irritated by anything you have posted and certainly don't have an issue with you or this thread. IMO, it's been an interesting discussion and I appreciate what you have shared. I don't understand why you would leave a thread over something as mild as my comments or perceived irritation from others re: your comments, but you gotta do, what you gotta do.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on May 8, 2018 18:28:46 GMT
I was watching a show on cnn last weekend on marijuana (Sanjay Gupta was the host). He said that when using opiates, the brain starts changing after only a few days of using it. I’ve only taken Percocet after my c-sections and hated it, but after seeing that I don’t know that I will ever take it again, and I will definitely be cautious of any family members being prescribed pain medications.
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Post by mustlovecats on May 8, 2018 18:46:10 GMT
This is so different from our experience as well. Man, we live by the motto "stay on top of the pain" when my dgd has surgeries. Generally she has a block of some sort in place at first, then goes to IV. When we can get to the point of tightly scheduling her meds and switch to oral, she is able to be released to a nearby "Ronald McDonald House" type place and we will stay there for a couple days or so as she gradually spreads the doses further and further between, eliminating them one at a time. She would still be medicated as we travel back home, and at home we continue to wean down the doses until she can just do the tylenol/advil rotation. To not stay on top of the pain after surgery means we suddenly have a child who is screaming in pain and pretty much losing her mind. Not something we ever want to see again. It is really hard to get it back under control after that. Our medical team's advice for us is to worry more about the long term psychological damage from the trauma of serious pain after repeated surgeries, than to worry that she will become addicted as we are weaning the meds down. I know we have never had what would be a 30 day supply. So maybe in the big picture they are conservative, just not in the immediate. doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. This seems to depend at least in part on the condition. Today’s joint replacement paients are often ready to leave the hospital with a relative minimum of pain and on OTC pain medications. On the other hand in situations where there are complications such as a fracture of the bone or injury to vascular structures during fixation of the implant some patients experience extreme pain for a time and need more relief. And others come out of hospital with a variety of pain conditions that may require more pain relief. Or the knock on effect of ongoing pain or severe pain can outweigh the risk of addiction. Your husband may have had different medical needs than the dgd in this example. It isn’t helpful to compare the two in this manner.
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Post by lesserknownpea on May 8, 2018 18:49:10 GMT
I agree with birukitty here. I’ve definitely seen both sides of this coin. Unneeded and excessive scripts should absolutely have to stop. Chronic pain should be handled carefully and monitored. But creating a situation where people will suffer—really suffer is not the answer. If a doctor and patient have worked out a regimen that handles the pain and allows the patient to function, or at least not wish for death, then I see no need to interfere with that. Doctors should KNOW who they are prescribing for. They should discuss how and when and why any meds are taken, and how the patient is handling it. Acute situations need to be stepped down as soon as the patient tolerated it. Doctors should absolutely be able to know if any other doctors have already prescribed pain meds to this patient. ER doctors should have this info, too. Goodness, “medical care” has turned into nothing but constant electronic input and direction, the nurses and doctors are so tied to their devices they can barely actually look at you. The upside of this would seem to me that doctor shopping for more meds would be caught through all these electronic records. My doctor has been refilling my pain meds about once a year or so. I hardly use them, but when I need one I need it very badly. He knows I weaned myself off of pretty heavy use after my back was broken, and is satisfied that my careful, occasional use is appropriate. I will be very unhappy if these new changes interfere. ETA: I am in no way saying that doctors and nurses are not giving the best care they can. Just referring to the ubiquitous electronic input they must now be constantly making.
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Post by birukitty on May 8, 2018 18:50:47 GMT
doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. I'm really not patting myself on the back, just offering my own experiences, the same as others offer theirs. I do try to respond to as many posts on this thread (or any other I start and open up for discussion) because I feel like if you ask questions and start a conversation, it is appropriate to engage and respond. Many addicts do start out with a genuine need for pain meds for legitimate reasons. For me, that just points to the need for medical professionals to keep an active role in watching for that and treating it. It doesn't justify leaving patients in pain. Just my opinion, obviously. It may be easy for dgd to become an addict one day, but again I am taking that chance and counting on her own hatred of pain meds, her personal medical team monitoring her, and her medical team stepping in should they see any indication of that. It is scary, but I also do see others who are older with her condition who are psychologically damaged from not taking that chance, or were a child in the period where it was assumed that children didn't experience pain as an adult would, so didn't need relief. Neither situation is desirable, but it is a given that there will be a negative outcome without the meds and only a chance with the meds, so we are going with the odds on that one. So much so in fact, that if the day comes that she can no longer have pain control with required surgeries, I am fairly certain we would be strongly looking at medical care outside the country. I don't question that we have an opioid crisis. I don't question that it is causing the destruction of people and families. I don't question if this is damaging and costly to our society. I don't question whether prescription meds have been too freely given as an easy solution. I am rather amazed that so many people have been given prescriptions when by their own accounts, they did not need or want them. It hasn't been my own experience, but I believe the people saying that it has been theirs. I only question whether a retailer limiting the amount of a medical prescription they will fill, is an appropriate or effective answer to the problem. I also question whether there are not more effective practices that we should be putting into place instead. Doctor shopping and obtaining multiple prescriptions for the same medication has been talked about for ages. That seems to be inadequately addressed and it seems, again to me, that restricting that would do more to limit an oversupply than a retailer policy to override physician's advice. However I appear to be irritating too many people and I'm not crazy about it putting out there that we from time to time will have prescription meds in our home. So I'll be taking my leave from this thread. Perhaps focusing on restricting legitimate patients rather than illegal practices will actually stem the crisis. Time will tell. (not a hairflip...just leaving this particular thread behind. ) I agree with you 100% beachgurl and support you 100% too. For those that are so insistent, and yes I'm looking at you not2pleased, that further restricting pain medication from those that are in chronic agonizing, excruciating pain is more important because they might become addicted I disagree with you. Until you have a family member or you yourself are in this position I'm sorry, you haven't got a clue what you are talking about. Recovering from one surgery and having pain for a few days is nothing compared to ongoing chronic pain, the pain of fighting cancer or multiple surgery after surgery after surgery. What's next? Are we going to deny pain medication to those undergoing surgery and anesthesia?
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Post by not2peased on May 8, 2018 18:52:48 GMT
doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. This seems to depend at least in part on the condition. Today’s joint replacement paients are often ready to leave the hospital with a relative minimum of pain and on OTC pain medications. On the other hand in situations where there are complications such as a fracture of the bone or injury to vascular structures during fixation of the implant some patients experience extreme pain for a time and need more relief. And others come out of hospital with a variety of pain conditions that may require more pain relief. Or the knock on effect of ongoing pain or severe pain can outweigh the risk of addiction. Your husband may have had different medical needs than the dgd in this example. It isn’t helpful to compare the two in this manner. LOL, I thought it goes without saying that individual situations can vary greatly, but apparently it doesn't, so... "the duration, dose etc of pain medication can vary greatly depending on many factors" the main point of my post was that zero pain levels is not always the end goal these days and there is an increased understanding that some levels of pain (again, given individual circumstances) may exist under certain circumstances. in the past, any pain was viewed as unacceptable, no matter what (the 5th vital sign mentality) that view has changed quite a bit in the medical community- in large part due to the opioid crisis.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 16, 2024 9:40:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2018 18:53:01 GMT
This action by Walmart is for acute pain not chronic pain.
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Post by not2peased on May 8, 2018 18:59:20 GMT
I'm really not patting myself on the back, just offering my own experiences, the same as others offer theirs. I do try to respond to as many posts on this thread (or any other I start and open up for discussion) because I feel like if you ask questions and start a conversation, it is appropriate to engage and respond. Many addicts do start out with a genuine need for pain meds for legitimate reasons. For me, that just points to the need for medical professionals to keep an active role in watching for that and treating it. It doesn't justify leaving patients in pain. Just my opinion, obviously. It may be easy for dgd to become an addict one day, but again I am taking that chance and counting on her own hatred of pain meds, her personal medical team monitoring her, and her medical team stepping in should they see any indication of that. It is scary, but I also do see others who are older with her condition who are psychologically damaged from not taking that chance, or were a child in the period where it was assumed that children didn't experience pain as an adult would, so didn't need relief. Neither situation is desirable, but it is a given that there will be a negative outcome without the meds and only a chance with the meds, so we are going with the odds on that one. So much so in fact, that if the day comes that she can no longer have pain control with required surgeries, I am fairly certain we would be strongly looking at medical care outside the country. I don't question that we have an opioid crisis. I don't question that it is causing the destruction of people and families. I don't question if this is damaging and costly to our society. I don't question whether prescription meds have been too freely given as an easy solution. I am rather amazed that so many people have been given prescriptions when by their own accounts, they did not need or want them. It hasn't been my own experience, but I believe the people saying that it has been theirs. I only question whether a retailer limiting the amount of a medical prescription they will fill, is an appropriate or effective answer to the problem. I also question whether there are not more effective practices that we should be putting into place instead. Doctor shopping and obtaining multiple prescriptions for the same medication has been talked about for ages. That seems to be inadequately addressed and it seems, again to me, that restricting that would do more to limit an oversupply than a retailer policy to override physician's advice. However I appear to be irritating too many people and I'm not crazy about it putting out there that we from time to time will have prescription meds in our home. So I'll be taking my leave from this thread. Perhaps focusing on restricting legitimate patients rather than illegal practices will actually stem the crisis. Time will tell. (not a hairflip...just leaving this particular thread behind. ) I agree with you 100% beachgurl and support you 100% too. For those that are so insistent, and yes I'm looking at you not2pleased, that further restricting pain medication from those that are in chronic agonizing, excruciating pain is more important because they might become addicted I disagree with you. Until you have a family member or you yourself are in this position I'm sorry, you haven't got a clue what you are talking about. Recovering from one surgery and having pain for a few days is nothing compared to ongoing chronic pain, the pain of fighting cancer or multiple surgery after surgery after surgery. What's next? Are we going to deny pain medication to those undergoing surgery and anesthesia? when did I ever say any of what you just attributed to me? it's clear the "conversation" you think you are having with me is all in your head. I never said anything even close to what you stated. and my peaname is "not2peased" not not2pleased" not2pleased is someone else-perhaps the one you seem to have a hard on for? LOL I said anyone who uses pain meds can become addicted-which is 100% true, btw.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,244
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on May 8, 2018 19:03:53 GMT
doctors are re-thinking the whole "stay on top of the pain" as it relates to post surgical pain. being in pain isn't viewed as a totally unacceptable state of being these days, and while agony is generally not viewed as something desirable, some level of pain or pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time isn't the bad thing it was. after my husband's hip replacement surgery, he was given 5 days worth of opioids and that was it. he experienced a LOT of pain for some time after stopping his opioids-he just had to live with it Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. Well, I understand that pain does serve a purpose, and after surgery some pain would keep a patient from doing things that might cause damage or more pain. But saying that "pain that isn't adequately controlled for periods of time" isn't a bad thing is crazy to me. I had surgery recently and I was in tremendous pain, much more than I expected, and was rather astonished at how little the nurse cared about that and how quickly she was trying to get me out and on my way home. Pain that leaves you in tears and barely functioning is NOT good. The only upside was that I knew the pain would get better over the next several days. BUT, the people who live with that level of pain on an ongoing, daily basis need something that will make it possible for them to function. My mother is 89, and has severe pain from arthritis. Surgery at her age is not an option. She needs pain meds to take the edge off. We are NOT worried that she might become addicted - at this point, we are more concerned that she have some quality of life and not spend every moment in distress from the pain. And, there is a difference between dependence and addiction. Is she dependent? Most likely. Is she addicted? No. Opiod addiction is a serious problem, and not something anyone aims for in their life. I don't have easy answers, but we also need to address the problem of pain control for those who suffer from chronic pain that diminishes their quality of life or ability to function.
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azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
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Post by azredhead on May 8, 2018 19:04:21 GMT
The only thing I wanna add is I think even those who do suffer with chronic pain- one of the hardest things is to think 'it's all in your head' with no real solutions. Whether someone else tells you or you think that yourself. Being in pain in general messes with your head and those that do have the pain also are afraid to be labeled or flagged as 'drug addicts'.. I wish there was a solution so that those that do have them don't suffer because of those who have abused it. Even being on them long term is hard as you don't function like you normally would. It's head game as much as it a medical if that makes sense?
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2018 19:08:55 GMT
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2018 19:16:24 GMT
I'll also add that Mayo did a study of their pain management prescriptions and found what many of us are describing as our experience with oversubscribing for minor surgeries:
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moodyblue
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Posts: 6,244
Location: Western Illinois
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Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on May 8, 2018 19:23:17 GMT
I personally have never like any of the 'codone' meds and haven't found them particularly effective. They might take the edge off but don't handle the pain very well. And I may now be allergic to it, since I developed a rash and was itchy all over this last time. What I found interesting with my recent surgery was that while I was prescribed Norco (hydrocodone with Tylenol) when I went for my followup appointment and said that I had switched to ibuprofen, the nurse practitioner said that ibuprofen actually worked very well for "for this kind of pain." I wanted to ask why they didn't prescribe the 600 or 800 mg ibuprofen instead of the opioid. If I have to have a surgery in the future, I will ask about that in advance. I know that some people can't take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for various reasons, and kidney or liver issues are a very real concern. We need more pain control options.
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Post by birukitty on May 8, 2018 20:13:41 GMT
I agree with you 100% beachgurl and support you 100% too. For those that are so insistent, and yes I'm looking at you not2pleased, that further restricting pain medication from those that are in chronic agonizing, excruciating pain is more important because they might become addicted I disagree with you. Until you have a family member or you yourself are in this position I'm sorry, you haven't got a clue what you are talking about. Recovering from one surgery and having pain for a few days is nothing compared to ongoing chronic pain, the pain of fighting cancer or multiple surgery after surgery after surgery. What's next? Are we going to deny pain medication to those undergoing surgery and anesthesia? when did I ever say any of what you just attributed to me? it's clear the "conversation" you think you are having with me is all in your head. I never said anything even close to what you stated. and my peaname is "not2peased" not not2pleased" not2pleased is someone else-perhaps the one you seem to have a hard on for? LOL I said anyone who uses pain meds can become addicted-which is 100% true, btw. Well excuse me for misspelling your name not2peased but I am coming off of a 3 day migraine (a migraine I've had 3 days in a row-Saturday, Sunday and Monday- with today being a day where my migraine is a level 3-4 in pain) and I am experiencing a bit of brain fog. That's what happens to me and many migraine patients after a migraine is over. I'm sure you know I meant it was you who I was talking to. Your opinion is that anyone who uses pain meds can become addicted. I hear you. I happen to disagree with you. I think (and this is my opinion-and by the way everyone on this board is allowed to have one) that you have to have the chemical makeup in your body for addiction to become addicted and/or you have to misuse the pain medication in such a way that you become addicted. That's my opinion, your's is different. I get that. At this point I'd like to agree to disagree.
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Post by not2peased on May 8, 2018 20:19:57 GMT
when did I ever say any of what you just attributed to me? it's clear the "conversation" you think you are having with me is all in your head. I never said anything even close to what you stated. and my peaname is "not2peased" not not2pleased" not2pleased is someone else-perhaps the one you seem to have a hard on for? LOL I said anyone who uses pain meds can become addicted-which is 100% true, btw. Well excuse me for misspelling your name not2peased but I am coming off of a 3 day migraine (a migraine I've had 3 days in a row-Saturday, Sunday and Monday- with today being a day where my migraine is a level 3-4 in pain) and I am experiencing a bit of brain fog. That's what happens to me and many migraine patients after a migraine is over. I'm sure you know I meant it was you who I was talking to. Your opinion is that anyone who uses pain meds can become addicted. I hear you. I happen to disagree with you. I think (and this is my opinion-and by the way everyone on this board is allowed to have one) that you have to have the chemical makeup in your body for addiction to become addicted and/or you have to misuse the pain medication in such a way that you become addicted. That's my opinion, your's is different. I get that. At this point I'd like to agree to disagree. everyone is entitled to their opinion but don't you think those based on research and facts carry a smidge more weight? who can get addicted to pain meds I suffered with migraines for many years so I am familiar with the pain as well as the after effects-I hope you feel better soon
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milocat
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Posts: 5,559
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on May 8, 2018 20:21:20 GMT
Here are my questions. I just don't "get it" in a way. I notice my community is always having days and events to raise awareness that heroin use can be deadly. Honestly, I don't even understand that logic. I can't believe there are people who are not aware of this basic fact. I would assume that people who want to believe otherwise, will not be convinced by any sort of billboards or festival days devoted to the issue. I guess it's like asking why are people still raising awareness about drinking and driving. We know it can be deadly. On one hand too much preaching and it falls on deaf ears but on the other if you don't mention these things people will just ignore them or forget or think they aren't really that big of a problem. And they are raising awareness because people are STILL doing it, after all these years (all) these things are still a problem.
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Post by birukitty on May 8, 2018 20:21:24 GMT
That article is about recovering from surgery after returning home. Her pain was managed with pain medication while she was in the hospital, and hospital stays in Germany are longer than they are in the USA. Also my story regarding my sister is about 20 years of chronic, unrelenting, excruciating pain. Not healing pain after one surgery. The doctor I had dinner with in Germany was a trauma surgeon. She never said Germany is a source for more opioids than the USA. nor did I. What she said was that my sister wouldn't be left to suffer the way she is these days with her pain medication being reduced so forcefully after 20 years of using it without any problems whatsoever.
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Post by dewryce on May 8, 2018 20:35:51 GMT
My SIL takes Tramadol and other pain meds, as a result of a car accident. After 20 years on these meds I'm guessing he is addicted and will be in the deep weeds if his doctors reduce his access. As for my comment on other Fibro sufferers "whining" I am not blaming them for the situation in which they find themselves. Often they are young mother's trying to run a house and keep up with active children. The thought of suddenly not being able to even get up and fix breakfast has to be terrifying. I say this gently, and not meant to criticize but show another perspective. You indicated that you weren't blaming them, which is wonderful and understanding. But words like "whining, shrieking, wretches" feel so judgemental, at least to me as someone with chronic pain. And people with invisible illnesses already get so much of that from people who show no compassion towards the issue, it's hard to also get it from someone who understands.
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moodyblue
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,244
Location: Western Illinois
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 21:07:23 GMT
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Post by moodyblue on May 8, 2018 20:38:19 GMT
Bears repeating - there is a difference between dependence and addiction.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on May 8, 2018 21:59:16 GMT
Honestly - i'm glad you have a hard time understanding it... ...it directly affects my family and so many of my friends and it's honestly hard for me to see some of the things i see said here the stigma that is right under the surface and the 'not my family' (even if subconscious) that lingers it's never 'my problem' until it is gina gina, I hope I haven't caused you additional pain. I apologize if I have. From where you stand, as personally involved as you are, what would make a difference? Would limiting prescriptions to 7 days, and requiring more frequent refills make a difference in the situations you are experiencing? Or are we missing the mark, and not providing what these family and friends really need? ETA: Since you mentioned that your community has a lot of drug activity, and have close relationships with people who are unfortunately effected, would you say that you would know how and where to turn extra leftover prescription pills into cash? Not implying that you would, just wondering if your own experience in that is different from mine. yes. if i had leftover drugs i could move them as quick as i could dial the phone - i know who is addicted around here - and i know who moves drugs - and if i didn't know exactly - it's not hard to find out but i live in a very small town - everyone knows everything about everyone and believe me - everything i know - i've passed on it's incredibly hard to get these people busted - and when they are - they just get bonded out there is virtually no help in our area if you aren't well insured the state rehab is full of drugs and sketchy employees
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2018 22:00:26 GMT
That article is about recovering from surgery after returning home. Her pain was managed with pain medication while she was in the hospital, and hospital stays in Germany are longer than they are in the USA. Also my story regarding my sister is about 20 years of chronic, unrelenting, excruciating pain. Not healing pain after one surgery. The doctor I had dinner with in Germany was a trauma surgeon. She never said Germany is a source for more opioids than the USA. nor did I. What she said was that my sister wouldn't be left to suffer the way she is these days with her pain medication being reduced so forcefully after 20 years of using it without any problems whatsoever. Of course she wouldn't, she wouldn't have been prescribed the opioids there in the first place.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2018 22:04:47 GMT
Bears repeating - there is a difference between dependence and addiction. There absolutely is a difference - but both can lead to higher tolerance and ultimately overdose.
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
Jun 25, 2014 19:18:36 GMT
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Post by ginacivey on May 8, 2018 22:09:23 GMT
Have you considered how easy it would be for your dgd to become an addict? you are giving an air of "us vs. them" when you discuss her opioid use (perhaps not intentional) but anyone who takes any sort of pain meds, and yes, that includes people who need them like your dgd- can, and do become addicts-even with very careful monitoring or after an age in which the adults can't monitor and control behavior. I'd be very hesitant about patting myself on the back, when for a lot of folks, addiction very much is a "there, but for the grace of god" issue for many. many addicts started out just like your family member-someone with a genuine need for pain medication for legitimate reasons. anyone can become an addict despite being carefully managed, and I felt her posts have come across as someone who feels removed from a problem that RESEARCH has shown has a high potential for producing an addiction to pain meds. Her dgd is no different from MANY people who ultimately DO become addicted to opioids and it's not a dig against anyone to say that. It's puzzling that she knows so little about something that so directly impacts her family, so I guess it's a good thing these questions are being asked now, I only hope she and her family never have to deal with addiction (and no, I am not being snarky, I genuinely hope she never has to deal with it) the tone of her posts on this subject come across to me as something "those other people" deal with, and I think she needs to carefully consider that she and her family, and almost everyone on this board who is, or have used pain medication is susceptible to addiction. i felt the same way after reading the thread but i acknowledge that my own experience will skew how i view this topic but i do warn the general public to be care of 'not me/or mine' syndrome 'not my kid' can come back and punch you in the gut gina
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,527
Location: London
Jun 25, 2014 22:33:20 GMT
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Post by uksue on May 8, 2018 22:18:07 GMT
I have a load of codeine tablets in my house , mainly because my GP surgery kept including it every time I requested my other medicines.
I occasionally use it because I have no colon and sometimes need to slow my digestion down . Luckily for me it gives me a sick headache and I've never become dependent on it, but I have an older cousin who was addicted to codeine in the 70's and used to get the bus from one pharmacy to another all day every day to buy benylin, which I assume was the only way he could get it at the time . Eventually he got banned , although he went through treatment back then he ended up becoming a vagrant and died of pneumonia .
I think drugs give effects to some people not others and some people are of an addictive personality ( although of course you can get physically dependent on a drug as well.)
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uksue
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,527
Location: London
Jun 25, 2014 22:33:20 GMT
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Post by uksue on May 8, 2018 22:23:55 GMT
my dh used strong pain meds for 30 yrs. he has gone through multiple surgeries.. and often big deal things.. growing bone, muscle transplants. etc. he never had a problem with the pain meds.. and has maintained a functional life due to pain meds. now, with the new controls, his doc won't give them to him anymore.. though they are more effective than the combo of tylenol and advil he must take now. he gets bone pain very often.. so the pain meds allowed him to live a good life and it is harder now. but he does not have an addictive brain.. maybe if we had a single payer system.. the one system showing your whole medical history would help monitor the ones who try to abuse the drugs. I think this sort of prescribing makes a nonsense of the physicians experience and expertise 😟 My daughter has dreadful pain due to interstitial cystitis and they refuse to allow her to try amytriptiline, even though it's known it works well for lots of people for nerve pain ( it worked beautifully for me when I had shingles .) they prescribe my daughter all kinds of other pain meds that are messing her irtitable bowel about ( which also triggers her IC) and it's also costing her a fortune. I have about 11 weeks of amytriptiline tabs left and have been so tempted to let her try them, even though I know- especially as a trained nurse - you should never give other people meds that were prescribed for yourself .
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 8, 2018 22:30:30 GMT
my dh used strong pain meds for 30 yrs. he has gone through multiple surgeries.. and often big deal things.. growing bone, muscle transplants. etc. he never had a problem with the pain meds.. and has maintained a functional life due to pain meds. now, with the new controls, his doc won't give them to him anymore.. though they are more effective than the combo of tylenol and advil he must take now. he gets bone pain very often.. so the pain meds allowed him to live a good life and it is harder now. but he does not have an addictive brain.. maybe if we had a single payer system.. the one system showing your whole medical history would help monitor the ones who try to abuse the drugs. I think this sort of prescribing makes a nonsense of the physicians experience and expertise 😟 My daughter has dreadful pain due to interstitial cystitis and they refuse to allow her to try amytriptiline, even though it's known it works well for lots of people for nerve pain ( it worked beautifully for me when I had shingles .) they prescribe my daughter all kinds of other pain meds that are messing her irtitable bowel about ( which also triggers her IC) and it's also costing her a fortune. I have about 11 weeks of amytriptiline tabs left and have been so tempted to let her try them, even though I know- especially as a trained nurse - you should never give other people meds that were prescribed for yourself . Why wouldn't they let her try amytriptiline - isn't that an antidepressant?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 16, 2024 9:40:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2018 22:35:18 GMT
I can only speak from what I have seen in my family, as my sister is a recovered pain prescription addict. My sister married a man, way older than her (by 25 years) and they moved to the middle of no where. She ended up unhappy in her marriage to someone who was old enough to be her dad, and lonely. She self medicated - because of the depression, she couldn't sleep so she would take 'something' to sleep. Eventually that quit working and she would take more and more. When that quit working, she convinced herself 'xyz' was wrong. And her Dr would give her whatever pain medicine she thought she needed to get through life. She would dr and pharmacy shop.Everyone in her small town knew she was an addict but that didn't stop Dr from giving her prescriptions. And once they did stop giving them to her, she would find another dr to give them to her. All the while, she finished her Masters. She had a great, full time job and had a son. She was a room mom. Until she was caught driving on the wrong side of the road, high. She spent a week in the hospital because she had taken so much that her organs were shutting down. But once she was out of the hospital, she would go right back to the drugs. She did rehab. She did out patient therapy. Nothing worked. She would convince them to let her leave the program early. It got to the point that she would steal medicine from friends homes (let me go the restroom, and while in there, take whatever med she could find). She broke into homes. She stole from family. And finally resorted to stealing prescription pads. She was arrested, FINALLY, and spent 6 months in the county jail because no one would bail her out. After being convinced of several felonies, she was forced into a year long rehab as part of her sentencing. She finally got clean then. When she was arrested, she was taking 35 hydrocodone pills a day. She overdosed 4x (that we are aware of). But she lost her home, her husband, her child, her job, her extended family (she is just now starting to rebuild relationships). How sad for your family. I'm so sorry. My sister has a pill problem too, but not nearly to this extent. Hers was for a legitimate medical condition. Had a legitmate perscription, and used the drug as directed. Unfortunately, it was very addictive, and now she doesn't think she can live without it. She has cut back in the attempt to get off of them. Last time I talked to her, though, I don't think it's working.
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Post by fuji on May 8, 2018 22:44:56 GMT
i felt the same way after reading the thread but i acknowledge that my own experience will skew how i view this topic but i do warn the general public to be care of 'not me/or mine' syndrome 'not my kid' can come back and punch you in the gut 100% agree with this. You never, ever know. I always feel there's an underlying tone of condescension and superiority by some who think it could never happen to them.
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