Wellness

[q-girl]

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@hyacinth003 wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Annabellethecat66  What do you take?  I'm having to give up the NSAID that I've taken for years.  Doctor suggested Percoset and I hit the roof... a NARCOTIC?  I don't think so. 

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If one is careful, narcotics aren't the devil they are made out to be!  Overall, they are certainly safer than NSAID's overall. 

They are effective and safe if used properly.  First you make sure how they affect you, such as do they make you tired or sleepy.  Some of that will pass as you use them.  There can be constipation issues, but that can be dealt with.

As long as they are not ABUSED, they are a legitimate source of pain relief.  There is some sort of crusade brought about by abuse.

I find myself way less tolerant of pain than I used to be.  I used to push through every sort of pain (even labor).  Now, I just don't want to be in pain.  Life is short and we don't need to be in pain if there is something to help us.

Hyacinth

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 @hyacinth003. . . .    I agree with you 100% about the safe and effective use of narcotic pain killers. You have seen the list I was on, and I was on them, or some combination of narcotics for nearly 15 years. I was most certainly physically dependent, but that is unavoidable and a very different issue than addiction. Before beginning long term use of narcotics I discussed addiction with my pain management physician. She told me that awareness and a desire to remain addiction free was half the battle. She also discussed with me to always use AS DIRECTED, and to only use them for pain relief. No matter how "good" or"happy" or whatever else they might make me feel, that's not what they are for. She also suggested to use them "sooner rather then later" so they would work more effectively without the need for higher doses to obtain relief. I consistently followed her suggestions, even after an insurance change forced me to leave her practice for several years. When I was able to return to her, and she decided to try the MMJ, we began to wean the narcotics. There was some minimal to moderate physical withdrawal each step of the way, but nothing stronger than flu-like symptoms, lasting about three days. Absolutely no addictive cravings for more narcotics.

A good pain management doctor should be able to evaluate your daughter and prescribe something appropriate that will help with her pain. She should not have to suffer, neither the pain nor the emotional side effects of chronic pain.

Hugs. . .

[hyacinth003]

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@q-girl wrote:

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@hyacinth003 wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Annabellethecat66  What do you take?  I'm having to give up the NSAID that I've taken for years.  Doctor suggested Percoset and I hit the roof... a NARCOTIC?  I don't think so. 

---

If one is careful, narcotics aren't the devil they are made out to be!  Overall, they are certainly safer than NSAID's overall. 

They are effective and safe if used properly.  First you make sure how they affect you, such as do they make you tired or sleepy.  Some of that will pass as you use them.  There can be constipation issues, but that can be dealt with.

As long as they are not ABUSED, they are a legitimate source of pain relief.  There is some sort of crusade brought about by abuse.

I find myself way less tolerant of pain than I used to be.  I used to push through every sort of pain (even labor).  Now, I just don't want to be in pain.  Life is short and we don't need to be in pain if there is something to help us.

Hyacinth

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 @hyacinth003. . . .    I agree with you 100% about the safe and effective use of narcotic pain killers. You have seen the list I was on, and I was on them, or some combination of narcotics for nearly 15 years. I was most certainly physically dependent, but that is unavoidable and a very different issue than addiction. Before beginning long term use of narcotics I discussed addiction with my pain management physician. She told me that awareness and a desire to remain addiction free was half the battle. She also discussed with me to always use AS DIRECTED, and to only use them for pain relief. No matter how "good" or"happy" or whatever else they might make me feel, that's not what they are for. She also suggested to use them "sooner rather then later" so they would work more effectively without the need for higher doses to obtain relief. I consistently followed her suggestions, even after an insurance change forced me to leave her practice for several years. When I was able to return to her, and she decided to try the MMJ, we began to wean the narcotics. There was some minimal to moderate physical withdrawal each step of the way, but nothing stronger than flu-like symptoms, lasting about three days. Absolutely no addictive cravings for more narcotics.

A good pain management doctor should be able to evaluate your daughter and prescribe something appropriate that will help with her pain. She should not have to suffer, neither the pain nor the emotional side effects of chronic pain.

Hugs. . .

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Nice to "talk" to you.  I am an RN, so my opinion on pain management is personal and professional.  Just because SOME people choose to ABUSE pain medication doesn't mean it is bad, nor should those who use it properly be PUNISHED for it.  All the regulation in the world won't stop abusers.

Hyacinth

[q-girl]

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@hyacinth003 wrote:

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@q-girl wrote:

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@hyacinth003 wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@Annabellethecat66  What do you take?  I'm having to give up the NSAID that I've taken for years.  Doctor suggested Percoset and I hit the roof... a NARCOTIC?  I don't think so. 

---

If one is careful, narcotics aren't the devil they are made out to be!  Overall, they are certainly safer than NSAID's overall. 

They are effective and safe if used properly.  First you make sure how they affect you, such as do they make you tired or sleepy.  Some of that will pass as you use them.  There can be constipation issues, but that can be dealt with.

As long as they are not ABUSED, they are a legitimate source of pain relief.  There is some sort of crusade brought about by abuse.

I find myself way less tolerant of pain than I used to be.  I used to push through every sort of pain (even labor).  Now, I just don't want to be in pain.  Life is short and we don't need to be in pain if there is something to help us.

Hyacinth

---

 @hyacinth003. . . .    I agree with you 100% about the safe and effective use of narcotic pain killers. You have seen the list I was on, and I was on them, or some combination of narcotics for nearly 15 years. I was most certainly physically dependent, but that is unavoidable and a very different issue than addiction. Before beginning long term use of narcotics I discussed addiction with my pain management physician. She told me that awareness and a desire to remain addiction free was half the battle. She also discussed with me to always use AS DIRECTED, and to only use them for pain relief. No matter how "good" or"happy" or whatever else they might make me feel, that's not what they are for. She also suggested to use them "sooner rather then later" so they would work more effectively without the need for higher doses to obtain relief. I consistently followed her suggestions, even after an insurance change forced me to leave her practice for several years. When I was able to return to her, and she decided to try the MMJ, we began to wean the narcotics. There was some minimal to moderate physical withdrawal each step of the way, but nothing stronger than flu-like symptoms, lasting about three days. Absolutely no addictive cravings for more narcotics.

A good pain management doctor should be able to evaluate your daughter and prescribe something appropriate that will help with her pain. She should not have to suffer, neither the pain nor the emotional side effects of chronic pain.

Hugs. . .

---

Nice to "talk" to you.  I am an RN, so my opinion on pain management is personal and professional.  Just because SOME people choose to ABUSE pain medication doesn't mean it is bad, nor should those who use it properly be PUNISHED for it.  All the regulation in the world won't stop abusers.

Hyacinth

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@hyacinth003. . . .    I had no idea that you were a nurse.  I have nothing but admiration and respect for the hard work, compassion and care that nurses show to their patients and patient's families every day. As a respiratory therapist for 15 years, I was privileged everyday to work with some very talented and caring nurses who taught me much about great patient care. I have been unable to work for almost eight years and I miss that job, that environment every single day.

I am with you regarding the government intervention, and the fact that regulation will not stop addiction. My husband, who has spinal stenosis, and who sees a different pain management physician than me, is suffering because of the CDC regulations now. His doctor has cut his narcotics back so far that it is decreasing his quality of life in many ways. My husband is not and never has been a couch potato, but is being forced to become more of one. He can no longer maintain his twice daily walks that helped to maintain his blood pressure and Type II Diabetes. He loves to be outdoors, either piddling around or even sitting on a chair chatting with a friend, but more and more he must be resting on the sofa due to pain. But his doctor seems to be more interested in pleasing the CDC than documenting and advocating for the patient and his overall health. I am trying to convince him to change to my doctor, have even spoken to her for him, but sometimes I guess change is hard. 

Hugs. . .

[shosh]

@q-girl

i haven't signed in here since then, but had read your responses, and detailed info, and i thank you so much for it.

after looking into it further, i think nj makes it very difficult for a patient with valid needs- the 'lists' of approved ailments, dispensaries, and doctors are quite short.

the prejudice against this drug family is so deeply rooted, it's surely no worse than any other drug we already use.

my very conservative pcp surprised me recently by saying that the ''mmj should not be the last choice for these patients, but the first choice''!

she was always very 'stingy' regarding narcotics, and i realize that she understands that this alternative, for most people, could be life changing in the best way.

for many folks, the everyday side effects of narcotics are another burden they don't need.

> do you feel you are having any negative effects from the mmj? i haven't read of any so far.

idk what changes may occur after our nj elections- i think this will expand very slowly here no matter who is in. i think the way it is being done, [the druggie pot names for ex] gives fuel to the fire that folks are just trying to get high.

i think it would be accepted more readily, if it appeared more 'medical' if you know what i mean. and the fact that 'non medical' people are the ones to advise the patient on what to take- well do they have any formal training or ?? seems maybe hit and miss on recommendations.

are there enough really experienced people to handle the number of patients if it does expand? i hope for everyones' sake this all works out asap.

 they take away the opiates and give chronic patients no real alternatives.

the mess is being made worse, but a well run mmj program could be a major solution. this is a national problem and deserves to be handled that way, i think.