Re: Use of Pain Medication

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/24/1999 5:07:27 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

byteme@... writes:

<< I'd be curious to see what percentage of each we have on the list. I take

mine regularly whether I " feel " a need or not. The argument for doing so is

that pain increases and decreases as the day wears on. It follows a sort of

roller coaster effect. By taking my meds regularly, it reduces the effects

of the ups and downs. It's hard to explain but the theory is that if you let

the pain level get too high, it takes more medication to bring it back down

again whereas by taking it regularly, it minimizes the peaks " before the

fact " . >>

Mike,

This is true. Doctors and hospitals have now realized this and most people

will get pain medication on a schedule rather than on an as needed. They find

that surgical and injury recovery times are decreased by keeping someone pain-

free rather than just using pain management.

For me, I do both. I take NSAIDS on a regular basis, 3 times a day. However

I have the narcotics and heavy duty drugs for the really bad times and those

are clearly " as needed " .

BTW - I find Tylenol to be absolutely worthless on even the most minor pain.

I am curious as to whether other folks find that with any other OTC meds or

tylenol.

Jo

[Guest guest]

Ah! Addiction...my favourite topic! Don't run away yet, I'm not going back

to my ranting and raving about it! I do have a question though. There are 2

schools of thought on the use of pain killers: one advocates taking them

only as required while the other advocates taking them on a regular basis.

I'd be curious to see what percentage of each we have on the list. I take

mine regularly whether I " feel " a need or not. The argument for doing so is

that pain increases and decreases as the day wears on. It follows a sort of

roller coaster effect. By taking my meds regularly, it reduces the effects

of the ups and downs. It's hard to explain but the theory is that if you let

the pain level get too high, it takes more medication to bring it back down

again whereas by taking it regularly, it minimizes the peaks " before the

fact " .

How do y'all do it? Can we conduct a survey on this? I'll keep count.

Mike

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> Re: Ironic situation...

>

>

>

>

> Ken, you asked, " If you take the meds, are you going to feel like a drug

> addict? "

>

> Of course not! If I need to take the prescribed pain medication, then I

> am following my doctors orders and getting the pain relief that I need.

> I've learned a lot in a year on this list! I'd never taken pain

> medication beyond NSAIDs for my condition due to my own experiences

> working in a drug/alcohol treatment center with real addicts. I was

> afraid I might abuse them. But as the statistics bear us out, it is

> rather rare for a true chronic pain patient to become an addict...less

> than 2%, I believe. I manage with pain medication that most would

> consider minor prescriptions for pain. But it works for me. On good

> days I don't need it, and don't " crave " it. On bad days, I'm delighted

> to have it available.

> Ray

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[Guest guest]

Ahh, Mike, what a question! Do I take my pain meds every 4 hours as

prescribed, or do I take them only when I feel the need for pain relief?

Perhaps the question depends upon what kind of medical problem/disease

we each have. I have Reiters Syndrome (a kissing cousin of Ankylosing

Spondylitis), which exhibits itself with flare-ups (during which pain

levels climb to the unbearable) and periods of quietude (when pain

levels are decreased dramatically). During a flare-up I take the meds

religiously every 4 hours (or sooner sometimes) to keep myself sane!

During those times when the disease process seems to be at a low level,

I take the meds only as needed. If I had a different condition in which

chronic pain was a problem every day, I believe I would take the meds

consistently as prescribed to avoid the problems you referred to. As I

said, it all depends on what your real problem is, i.e., what causes the

chronic pain.

Ray

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Ray in Virginia

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/24/99 5:07:31 PM Eastern Standard Time, byteme@...

writes:

<<

Ah! Addiction...my favourite topic! Don't run away yet, I'm not going back

to my ranting and raving about it! I do have a question though. There are 2

schools of thought on the use of pain killers: one advocates taking them

only as required while the other advocates taking them on a regular basis.

>>

I take mine on a regular basis as I get the roller coaster effect and find I

need more to stop the pain. In less stressful, trying times [which really

aggravate my fibromyalgia and migraines] I do, however, try to take a lesser

dose especially if I feel pretty good; or, I may substitute two fioricet with

one fioricet and one extra strength excedrin.

Carol

[Guest guest]

> It's hard to explain but the theory is that if you let

>the pain level get too high, it takes more medication to bring it back down

>again whereas by taking it regularly, it minimizes the peaks " before the

>fact " .

Yes, you tense up and then the pain is worse (and harder to get rid

of). I try to cope by taking non-narcotic painkillers and using Heet

regularly, and taking Darvocet when I need it. Though I always take

Darvocet before going out in the car, since the odds are

overwhelmingly high that I'll need it before I get home. (Very few

roads are smooth enough not to bump at some point.)

Meredith Dixon

dixonm@...

[Guest guest]

Mike,

I'm afraid I'm going to cloud your question a bit. There are

basically 3 reasons for my taking pain meds, and I can't take NSaids. I

generally take meds when I need them, except if I am having a continuous

run of bat pain.

* I have a rheumatic syndrome in my (mostly) upper back that comes on

intermittently in the early AM. Can persist for weeks or just a few days.

When it is drawn out I -- x times a day every day.

* When I am active, my whole spine gets inflamed, so then I take it for

about 3-5 days as needed.

* I get rheumatoid flares in hands & take meds when I need them for this.

Have progressive neuropathy in feet, expanding over lower part of body.

Sometimes I get painful spastic paralysis & take meds,. Other times I get

loss of feeling, which obviously requires no pain meds.

Hope this sufficiently confuses the issue.

Ken

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[Guest guest]

I find pain management to mbe an interesting subject also, having fibro ,

migraines, mps, and pms! How i take my meds does depend on how i feel,

however, i have taken aspirin on a regular basis after a series of migraines

or on days where barometer changes would usually set one off. i have found

that this does reduce the need for stronger meds, in my case, amerge or

fiorinal.

i have had a particularlly brutal week of migraines. it is not often that i

need 6 fiorinal and amerge in a 24 hr period, but this week has been it. it

is my cycle week where hormones go nutsand i never know which emotion will

show up next. Feels like multiple personalities sone months. already on

zoloft for this but response is not good as headaches are still too

frequent.

sorry i am rambling; my brain is still reeling froom migraines. it is

snowing here and another weather front is expected later today. i am in ct.

i will be online most of the day if anyone wants to chat, as i need to

occupy my mind, but do nothing strenuous - including THINK the rest of the

day!

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[Guest guest]

Actually, I don't see that as cloudy at all. The answer is " no " . You pretty

well restrict yourself to taking meds " as needed " for each specific

condition.

I take mine, whether the sun shines or not, whether I am in spasm or not,

etc. The only time this does not happen is when I get really involved in

something and I forget. By forget I mean totally lose track of time,

including meals, meds, sleep at times, and so on. When that happens, if I am

close to the next regular time, I wait and get back on the clock. I never

double up on meds (if I missed any) and I found out I can't take them too

close to each other or my gut feels like it's being ripped out by a

jackhammer. Otherwise, normally I take them every 4 hours.

(I admit that some days I enjoy forgetting my meds. For the most part, when

that happens and if I don't feel overly bad physically, I feel like I just

enjoyed a small victory over the pain. It's a feeling sort of like " I beat

you today! " . Isn't that weird?)

Mike

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--------------------------------------------

> Re: Use of Pain Medication

>

>

>

>

> Mike,

>

> I'm afraid I'm going to cloud your question a bit. There are

> basically 3 reasons for my taking pain meds, and I can't take NSaids. I

> generally take meds when I need them, except if I am having a continuous

> run of bat pain.

> * I have a rheumatic syndrome in my (mostly) upper back that comes on

> intermittently in the early AM. Can persist for weeks or just a few days.

> When it is drawn out I -- x times a day every day.

> * When I am active, my whole spine gets inflamed, so then I

> take it for

> about 3-5 days as needed.

> * I get rheumatoid flares in hands & take meds when I need

> them for this.

> Have progressive neuropathy in feet, expanding over lower part of body.

> Sometimes I get painful spastic paralysis & take meds,. Other times I get

> loss of feeling, which obviously requires no pain meds.

>

> Hope this sufficiently confuses the issue.

>

> Ken

> Turbin | mailto:kturbin@... | http://www.1west.net

> * Page me online through ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1719872

> Tel. (702) 312- 6888 | Fax (702)312-6889 | GetICQ http://www.icq.com/

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Mike, I am in your corner on this one, I even went so far as to try the 12

hour time release Morphine at one point (MS Contin) which caused me to start

having panic attacks. But in the long run I take all my meds on a 4x a day

basis, like clockwork and on most occasions I have a lot less of the up and

down effect, so less need for trips to the ER with uncontrollable spasms.

But I am sure that everyone has their own special thing that works well for

them, my problem lately is that my sleep has become practically non-existent!

The most that I can get at one time is about 2 hours, and that is becoming

rarer and rarer. I am hoping in changing my muscle relaxer to Soma that it

will maybe help to break the chain in this matter.

I am going on Monday to get the Proliferen (SP) shot, some kind of sugar

concoction that is injected into the Piriformis muscle to make it stronger,

they have already warned me that it will cause a major flare, but hopefully

the results will be worth it. We have changed my pain and muscle relaxer meds

to try to get a kick from them without using something major.

Everyone cross your fingers for me, Love to all, Cheryl

[Guest guest]

I take darvocet and ultram one every four hours and have other meds that I

also take every four hours. If I don't take the meds I really hurt and can't

do much and have to wait longer for the meds to work and for me to be able to

move. I am cutting down to one tablet of each instead of two and am dong well

so far. If I get a job that could mean an increase in the meds. I hope to get

some relief for my back at the doctors this week. My knees get stiff and soar

if the weather changes which is happening all the time in Minnesota where I

live. So then I need to take extra meds. I don't think I could walk without

some thing to help. I don't even want to know what I would be like if I didn't

have the meds. Amy L

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/99 5:42:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, byteme@...

writes:

<< (I admit that some days I enjoy forgetting my meds. For the most part, when

that happens and if I don't feel overly bad physically, I feel like I just

enjoyed a small victory over the pain. It's a feeling sort of like " I beat

you today! " . Isn't that weird?)

Mike

mailto:byteme@...

homepage: http://members.home.net/mcourteau

-------------------------------------------- >>

NO THIS is not weird.....I also feel the pain is a demon or adversary that I

love to overcome in ANY POSSIBLE way. I will NOT NOT let it steal my JOY....if

at all possible I will not let it steal my day....and REJOICE in " its face "

over good days and accomplishments.

well maybe i am weird too hehehehe

();o)

agape, kay

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/99 6:52:52 AM Pacific Standard Time,

katchamp@... writes:

<< i have had a particularlly brutal week of migraines. it is not often that

i

need 6 fiorinal and amerge in a 24 hr period, but this week has been it. it

is my cycle week where hormones go nutsand i never know which emotion will >>

HI ....i have taken Fioricet (fiorinal with tylenol no aspirin) for

migraines.....what is Amerge? please

(((hug))) kay

[Guest guest]

just had to say i agree with kay; i also feel like a day with little pain

9comparatively) is a stolen day of joy. i have to say that a prodrome to

some of the migraines i have is a few hrs of euphoria of a sorts; i feel

great, can do more than usual, and want to do everything NOW...for after the

headache there will be at least 48 hrs of brainlessness!

i take these euphoric hrs as a gift and treasure them..sorry to say, have

had NONE this week!

kat

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[Guest guest]

Ken, humidity is a factor for me with migraines; the higher it is, the worse

i feel!!

AS far as barometer, this is the amount of air pressure exerted on a given

object in a giver space, ie; psi/square inch. that is pounds of air

pressure per square inch of space.

it is not necessarily the barometer reading that affects pain; it is the

CHANGE in pressure. Sudden changes, even though very small, upset the

balance of body fluids and therefore change pressures on vessels and other

fluid areas of the body. does this help?

kat

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/99 11:35:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,

kturbin@... writes:

<< but what relationship do you find between barometer &

migraines? Never could make sense out of the barometer.

Ken >>

me to neither Ken....but then I am blonde.....any of you smart people willing

to " splain it to us? love, kay ();o)

[Guest guest]

Kat,

I use humidity as an indicator for arthritis & nerve damage pain.

Perhaps I' dumb, but what relationship do you find between barometer &

migraines? Never could make sense out of the barometer.

Ken

At 06:52 AM 2/25/99 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>I find pain management to mbe an interesting subject also, having fibro ,

>migraines, mps, and pms! How i take my meds does depend on how i feel,

>however, i have taken aspirin on a regular basis after a series of migraines

>or on days where barometer changes would usually set one off. i have found

>that this does reduce the need for stronger meds, in my case, amerge or

>fiorinal.

>

>i have had a particularlly brutal week of migraines. it is not often that i

>need 6 fiorinal and amerge in a 24 hr period, but this week has been it. it

>is my cycle week where hormones go nutsand i never know which emotion will

>show up next. Feels like multiple personalities sone months. already on

>zoloft for this but response is not good as headaches are still too

>frequent.

>

>sorry i am rambling; my brain is still reeling froom migraines. it is

>snowing here and another weather front is expected later today. i am in ct.

>i will be online most of the day if anyone wants to chat, as i need to

>occupy my mind, but do nothing strenuous - including THINK the rest of the

>day!

>

>

>

>

>

>_______________________________________________________

>Get your free, private email at http://mail.excite.com/

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Kat,

Thanks & congratulations! You are the first person who has made any

sense out of this for me.

Ken

At 11:40 PM 2/25/99 -0800, you wrote:

>

>

>Ken, humidity is a factor for me with migraines; the higher it is, the worse

>i feel!!

>

>AS far as barometer, this is the amount of air pressure exerted on a given

>object in a giver space, ie; psi/square inch. that is pounds of air

>pressure per square inch of space.

>

>it is not necessarily the barometer reading that affects pain; it is the

>CHANGE in pressure. Sudden changes, even though very small, upset the

>balance of body fluids and therefore change pressures on vessels and other

>fluid areas of the body. does this help?

>

>kat

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Ken,

Barometers are great for weather men. However, if humidity is going up, my

pain increases.

Mad

@ | *

U

[Guest guest]

Can you tell me a little more about the Proliferen shot ? I had a treatment

years ago whereby they injected a sugar into trigger spots along the spine,

up to 24 injections in all. All around the L4-5 level. That's not it, is it

?

mailto:byteme@...

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>

> From: Bobbi99932@...

>

> I am going on Monday to get the Proliferen (SP) shot, some kind of sugar

> concoction that is injected into the Piriformis muscle to make it

> stronger,

> they have already warned me that it will cause a major flare, but

> hopefully

> the results will be worth it. We have changed my pain and muscle

> relaxer meds

> to try to get a kick from them without using something major.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/26/99 1:45:19 PM Eastern Standard Time, MadMad4JC@...

writes:

<< From: MadMad4JC@...

Ken,

Barometers are great for weather men. However, if humidity is going up, my

pain increases.

>>

Hi, Madeline. Welcome. This is the first time I've seen you here. Or, have

you just been lurking for months. Hope you are doing fairly well these days.

[i'm way behind on message boards, so I'll probably find out more about you

when I get caught up on them.]

{{{and angel wishes}}}

Carol

" In the little decisions of life, use your mind; in the big decisions of life,

use your heart. " [author unknown]

[Guest guest]

Dearest Carol,

I discovered this list because of you, I think. If it was not you, it was

someone who thought enough of me to suggest in an email that I check the

Onelist out. This is truly a blessing to me. I am finding out that there are

things that can help and more than that people who truly care.

Love,

Madeline

[Guest guest]

Never heard of sugar trigger-points before? What'd it do?

Ken

At 09:23 AM 2/26/99 -0500, you wrote:

>

>

>Can you tell me a little more about the Proliferen shot ? I had a treatment

>years ago whereby they injected a sugar into trigger spots along the spine,

>up to 24 injections in all. All around the L4-5 level. That's not it, is it

>?

>

>mailto:byteme@...

>homepage: http://members.home.net/mcourteau

>--------------------------------------------

>Reach me by ICQ. My ICQ# is 19431463 or,

>http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19431463 or,

>*E-mail me Express to my computer screen

>19431463@...

>--------------------------------------------

>

>>

>> From: Bobbi99932@...

>>

>

>> I am going on Monday to get the Proliferen (SP) shot, some kind of sugar

>> concoction that is injected into the Piriformis muscle to make it

>> stronger,

>> they have already warned me that it will cause a major flare, but

>> hopefully

>> the results will be worth it. We have changed my pain and muscle

>> relaxer meds

>> to try to get a kick from them without using something major.

>

>

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