Re: That's the problem with narcotics.

From: carynlruzich@comcast.net
Sun Jun 22 22:56:49 2008


Kathi & Sheri O,

I did not mean to imply that narcotics are of no use to people in pain. That is something you read into my reply. What I had to say about narcotics was from my personal experience, specifically pertaining to ME.

How I wished narcotics were a long term fix for myself! I have had over 20 surgeries in 30 years and have had all the pain medications modern medicine has to offer. I have been to a couple pain clinic. I have been prescribes fentyl patches, morphine, codine, dilaudid (one of my personal favorites) in an attempt to relieve my pain but unfortunately also have damaging side effects for ME. Since I have an ileostomy, my digestive track is short and therefore anything that slows it down causes me to experience severe pain.

I am well acquainted with the wonders of narcotics from my own experience as well as from my loved ones experiences. If they work for you that is great! But for many, narcotics are not without side effects and limitations. It is medically excepted that tolerance to any drug can be achieved by prolonged use. And once you've exhausted nacotics as a means to pain relief, there is little more medicine has to offer.

So my entire point was to carefully consider what you expect from narcotics. From my experience and one I'm relatively sure most physicians will tell you, narcotics are reserved for short term or end of life treatment because of the harmful and dangerous side effects. And the more you use them, the more of them you need over time to achieve the same results. That's why I offered up some options I have found to help ME (sometimes).

I judge no one, especially those of us who live in constant pain. I just had surgery 8 weeks ago and I already feel the little buggers back. Narcotics are not an option for me, so I do what I can to make MYSELF more comfortable.

Best of luck!

Caryn

>-------------- Original message --------------
From: krdfld@aol.com Sheri O, Thank you for sticking up for people on narcotics. It's hard to believe that's so many people can be narrow minded if something doesn't work for them then it's no good for anyone. I wouldn't function at all without my fentanyl patches either, they are a Godsend. My life would consist as your's would a dark room, bed and a gun. I wish there was more options but there's not so I'll take what I can get. I don't abuse them, or do anything illegal with them, but yet some people have made me feel like a junkie. Which is sad. If these people only had to walk an hour in our shoes they would have a better understanding. I appreciate people's suggestion's of other ways to relieve pain, but let's face a different combination of therapies work better for some people. No two people are exactly the same even though we share the same problem. Thanks again!! Kathi

-----Original Message----- From: IAS Admin (Tracy) <tracy.joslin@adhesions.org> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@mail.obgyn.net> Sent: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:10 pm Subject: That's the problem with narcotics. From: sheriosullivan@comcast.net (Sheri O') Subject: Re: That's the problem with narcotics.

Dear Caryn, Please don't discourage others from trying pain medication. I'm sorry you cannot tolerate narcotics. I'm glad heating pads and warm baths help relieve your pain but they do nothing to relieve mine.

Pain medication is NOT a short-term option or end of life thing. Pain specialists offer a wide variety of medications (not all narcotics) to relieve the pain from adhesions. The Fentanyl patch was a miracle for me. The steady level of medication in my system allows me to have a life. I am on permament SS disability, I can no longer work, and I can't walk my dog anymore. The pain medication allows me to still be me. I don't feel 'drugged' or 'loopy' all day. I can plant beautiful flowers in my yard, write to friends and relatives, make a delicious dinner for my husband, and a million other things that make my life bearable. Without pain medication my life would consist of a dark room, a bed, and a gun.

Every person has the right to try everything and anything that works for them without judgements, explanations, shame, guilt or embarassment. Our bodies may be 'broken' but our spirits (souls) are whole and beautiful.

At Thu, 05 Jun 2008, carynlruzich@comcast.net wrote: >
>You absolutely develop a tolerance to medication over time. That's the
problem with narcotics. Once you start on them, you have to continue to increase the dose if you stay on them any length of time. Narcotics are not a long-term fix. They are a short term treatment option or an end of life thing. >
>I can't tolerate narcotics for any length of time due to an ileostomy, so I
use heating pads or warm baths or hot tubs. Floating in my pool also can relieve my pain. The act of stretching your insides out and soaking in water seem to help me as much as pain medicines. I also can't wear form fitting clothes. My pants or jeans have to be very loose, nothing tight around my waist. I even cut the band on nylons when I have to wear them. My underwear are a size or two bigger than I need. Everything I wear has to be loose. Lucky for me I work at home and don't have to get dressed everyday. I also wear alot of casual dresses. >
>Best of luck to you,
>
>Caryn

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