Treating chronic pain without addiction
Here’s an article on a topic that interests me greatly, having been a sufferer from chronic pain of a moderate to severe nature for many years, particularly from 1990 to around 2004.
So you can bet I have a lot of strong opinions on it. One of these days I’ll write a longer post on the subject, but that day is not today (too busy!). I thought it might be a good topic for discussion in the comments section, so feel free.
The problem may be that abusers won’t admit they are users. They go to clinics to get drugs just like they have always done. The claim that over prescription is starting them down the path is the latest excuse. Look at growing heroin use in teenagers who almost never can get away with the pain excuse.
Here in the Northeast bus lines like Megabus stopped their NYC to Vermont runs because of heroin mules on board. It’s tough to run a busline when the State Police meet you at your final stop! The problem is a general heroin/opiod abuse not the source of the drugs.
From what I have read, some people start out on opioids and then move on to heroin because it is cheaper. There is a is problem in my hometown because it is located on a major interstate. People can see different doctors in different areas to get multiple prescriptions, some of which they sell. This opens the door to bigger drug networks.
I’m sorry you were in pain, Neo. Was it your feet due to the dancing? Sorry, none of my business…
snopercod:
I’ve written quite a few posts about it. I’m writing this comment from my cell phone so it’s hard to do the links. It was a combination of heredity, dance injury to my back, and injuries to both arms from swimming.. In particular, double-crush nerve injuries in my arms. I still have limitations and some pain, but was helped by a nerve transposition surgery.
snopercod:
See this and also this.
Thanks to the computer age getting multiple Rxs is impossible . Your script, whether filled in the pharmacy down the street or the other side of town, now comes up on a data base visible to
Pharmacists across the USA. Most likely filling multiple Scripts for painkillers will be denied.
As written up by our beloved NYT, the WVa pain management program gives opiates to 70% of its 1200 patients. The program also provides non-opiates (NSAIDs), physical therapy, injections (probably steroid + xylocaine) and a psychologist.
This is not a leap forward. It is simply reasonable conventional therapy, except for the psychologist, whom I consider as effective as the window dressing that it is.
Bottom line: They give opiates to 70%. Wow. Great leap forward! News! Less than 100%. Doesn’t tell you how the 30% non-opiate users are doing with their chronic pain.
And the program cannot be replicated without a grant! Why? Because it has an academic base?
But at least they are not doing the Tibetan nuttiness of “separating the (serious) pain from the suffering” as a WSJ article this weekend praised.
Since I suffer chronically from migraines, I try to vary my treatment with . . . chocolate ice cream. There’s something about that combination of chocolate, sugar, fat, and coldness that is as good as Motrin. Motrin, though, has no calories.
Bookworm:
I am envious—chocolate GIVES me migraines.
Bookworm – I swear by Imitrix – well, the generic version – much cheaper.