I apologize for the absence. \u00a0Unfortunately I had a lot of pain and back issues following my car accident a few weeks ago, which landed me in the hospital for 6 days. \u00a0It was a less than optimal way to spend my birthday, to say the least.<\/p>\n
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In any case, here is Part 2 of Living with Opioids. \u00a0For a recap, visit\u00a0https:\/\/blogs.psychcentral.com\/chronic-pain\/2013\/06\/living-with-opioids-part-1\/<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Last article we talked about the side effects opioids has on the system, but now we look at a common complaints I have heard from many people- obtaining narcotics and not being believed that their pain is real, as well as what affects long-term opioid use can have on the body.<\/p>\n The medical society has made narcotics into such an \u201cevil\u201d class of drugs that many doctors have such strict rules that they cannot, or choose not to help people in pain.\u00a0 I was \u201cpunted\u201d to so many doctors before I found one that would take me because, like people in love, doctors are afraid of getting hurt.\u00a0 My first interview with my pain management doctor felt more like an interrogation of both myself and my husband.\u00a0 I was scared when I left.\u00a0 I was ordered to give a Urine Drug Screen, put on \u201cprobation\u201d and left terrified of how this was going to go every month.<\/p>\n My pain management doctor is actually a very funny and nice man, but his treatment of me makes it clear that he has \u201cbeen burned\u201d by drug-seeking patients in the past, and therefore everyone is suspect until proven otherwise.\u00a0 It is sad that there are people who try to cheat the system and, by doing so, make it so difficult for those of us who truly need help.<\/p>\n Of course, in talking about these pills, we cannot forget to mention the physical toll they take on our bodies in the long run.\u00a0 Long-term use of opioids for pain management can be harmful to multiple organs and the effects on the body can include:<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Affects on the immune system, including higher rates of infection.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decreased libido and difficulty in sexual functioning.<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decreased testosterone (men)<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Osteoporosis<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Changes in hormones and menstrual cycles (women)<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sleep Disturbances<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Psychomotor Performance<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fertility Issues\/Birth Defects if taken when pregnant<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bladder dysfunction<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mood Disturbances<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Liver damage (when combined with NSAIDs and over-the-counter medications like Tylenol)<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cardiac Damage (not very likely, but possible)<\/p>\n \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hyperanalgesia.\u00a0 This is a big word for basically every tiny pain you feel is amplified and feels like a 100 on the silly 1-10 pain scale.\u00a0 This is a result of your pain receptors getting confused from chronic use of opioids pain medications.\u00a0 The unfortunate problem that accompanies this is that your pain medication becomes less and less effective and therefore dose increases are required over time for the medication work.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a scary list when you see it put in front of you like that.\u00a0 I often wonder what will happen to my body in the long run because of these medications\u2026but at the same time my body cannot withstand the pain so there is no option at the moment.\u00a0 I try to do what I can to detoxify and cleanse my body regularly, whether with herbal supplements, eating as healthy as possible, exercising, etc.\u00a0 There is not much you can do, however, to clear this medication from your system without stopping it from blocking the pain.\u00a0 Stopping narcotics brings about a whole new set of problems as long-term opioid use has been known to have a brutal and dangerous detox.<\/p>\n If your chronic pain condition requires you to take these medications, my best advice is to always keep an up-to-date list in your wallet or phone and make sure all your doctors, specialists and surgeons have a copy, as does your pharmacist.\u00a0 If you have allergies, make sure that is noted in all medical records.<\/p>\n You are your own best advocate, so you are the one who needs to keep track of your medications and the side effects that they are causing that may be bothersome to you.\u00a0 You are the only one who knows how you feel, so it is up to you to tell your doctor everything that is going on.\u00a0 Doctors may hold the power to prescribe, but only you know how you really FEEL and it is important to convey that to them so they can figure out how best to help you.<\/p>\n As a final note, do NOT let others opinion of your medication stop you from getting help.\u00a0 Yes, there are many commercials and brochures talking about the evils of prescription drug abuse and how bad narcotics are, but they are effective and sometimes, necessary.\u00a0 If others have something to say about your choices, kindly remind them that they do not walk in your painful shoes and therefore should reserve their opinions. Your body, your choice.<\/p>\n As a side note- if you are like me and you have to carry medication with you all the time, I found a cool site that makes nice, sturdy key chain pill holders so you can discreetly carry and take your pills when you are on the go. \u00a0Check it out at\u00a0http:\/\/www.thepillholder.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Resources:<\/b><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.webmd.com\/pain-management\/guide\/narcotic-pain-medications<\/a><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.painphysicianjournal.com\/2008\/april\/2008;11;S105-S120.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n