Matafleur
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True enough, people do build up tolerances to pain meds. In addition to that, if you take an opioid pain killer which includes Vicodin, eventually the body forgets how to make it's own pain killers. I did a lot of research on this when I took care of my friend, who had, had a number of back surgeries. Every time she had to have another surgery, the docs would wean her off her pain meds a week or so before so that the anesthesia and IV pain meds would work. Her pain levels would increase to the point that a hospital identification band felt like a red hot poker to her. It took a couple nights in the hospital with her to realize she was detoxing and I quickly alerted the nursing staff who gave her something to take the edge off. Her pain management doctors would change her meds every few months as well. This was to limit her addiction to them and continue their effective pain relief. Recently, a friend of a friend, who has FM, weaned herself off all pain meds. She has found that after a couple months, while the pain she has is still there, it has taken on a different dynamic without heavy pain meds. I mean, it still hurts, but it's not a mind numbing, bounce your head off a wall pain. She said she's happy she got off the meds. At the very least, she said that she can think a bit more clearly and has more energy. I have another reason for not wanting to take prescription pain meds and that is the children. I cannot be an effective parent when all I want to do is sleep, am dizzy, etc. I also cannot risk not being able to wake up at night should the children need me. I do let the docs prescribe the meds to me because SS doesn't seem to think anything is wrong with you unless you have a lot of prescriptions. Now I'm NOT saying that we all can and should, live without pain meds. I am just saying that in our efforts to find some relief, we often forget the double edged sword of prescription pain medication. If a the docs want to take you off meds, ask them why. They may have some logical reason behind it. Post edited by: Matafleur, at: 04/21/2008 00:51 |
"MDJunction to me is somewhere i feel safe i feel i can be myself and not be judged. I love the fact that i get to see that im not alone in what i am going through and i also get the chance to help others on their journey through guidance and communication.
