Opioid Pain Relievers Can Make Pain Worse in Some Patients

[malone]

Really

Briza,
I am sorry but I was totally offended by your post! First of all there is a difference between a debate and hearing someone else's views. I am sorry you had a hard time coming off the meds but I do not want to scare others who have been taken out of the game by pain they can't endure without their pain medication. I have come off oxycontin and percoset 3 or 4 times in the past 8 or 9 years and if you have a medical professional help you there is nothing to fear. When ever i go into a spontaneous remission I can't wait to get off the meds. There is no constipation, no drowsiness and no dependence on anything or anyone. I wish I never had to take them again but when I did not I had no life! I pushed my teenage daughter away because I was always so short and crabby and tired from the pain. Luckily we were able to fix it all and our relationship is the best but without help to endure the pain I get I would be lost. I have passed many kidney stones with no pain meds and did not think it was too bad--in other words I can tolerate pain. I felt like your post was condescending and unkind. I have to admit when I first read your first reply I felt like I used to in the old days when doctors would look at me like I was a "druggie". And it is not called addiction it is called habituation. My body is used to getting the meds just like it is used to getting synthroid for my thyroid. I do not crave it mentally nor do I ever abuse it by taking more than prescribed. I personally hate being habituated and can feel really bad about myself sometimes as do many here. I hope everyone who is on long term pain mgmt understands the difference and feels good about the fact they are doing what they need to do to live life to the fullest. I know I came down hard on you but please do not take it personally but this is a touchy subject for most of us who are just tired of justifying ourselves. Please be careful about your tone because I am sure you did not mean to offend me or anyone on long term pain meds. IC is difficult at best and we must make sure we don't criticize each other it is hard enough as it is. Ginny

[Claredale]

Malone, I don't think Briza was saying that we shouldn't use pain meds.

T83

[hdb1982]

Vicky and Tracey,
As always, you girls understand exactly what I am trying to say even if I don't say it right.

I didn't mean to get off on my soapbox but this strikes a cord with me. We, as in all chronic pain patients, have to deal with this way of thinking all the time. We have to hide what meds we take from all but a few select people. We lie when asked if we take pain meds. I expect this from people whom have no idea what living this IC hell is like. But when one of our own says "Personally I dont think that it is a good idea for anybody to be so dependent on pain meds" It is very hurtful and enrages me. We have to deal with this all of the time. When I come here I feel this is my safe zone where people get it and understand. This is the last place in the world I would expect to hear someone pass judgment about the use of narcotics. What you said was not only condescending but hypocritical as well. It was okay that you took them when you needed them. I am glad you don't need them anymore. If the day ever comes when you need them will you take them???? I pray for the day to come for me to not need them but I have accepted it may never happen and I may need pain meds for the rest of my life. They not only make it possible for me to play with my daughter and everything else I want to do but for me to be able to do it pain free. To enjoy it. To be honest even if I were never given another pain med I would still do everything I do now. Would I enjoy it? Hell no, it is impossible to enjoy anything when you are suffering. People who suffer through the pain act as if they deserve an award. When in reality pain is very bad for your body and overall health. It causes a lot of unneeded stress on your body, causes depression and anxiety, alters your mood and disposition, causes strain on your heart, raises your BP and heart rate so on and so forth. None of those things are healthy. To suffer through all of that when you could take 1 pill take the pain away is ignorant in my opinion. I fight with my dad about this all the time. He refuses to take anything when he is in pain, even Tylenol. I have called him stubborn and pigheaded more than once over this issue and I am sure I will say it many more times. I hope through this you learn to not judge those who need the help of narcotics to relieve their pain and go about their lives. And even though you may suffer the same disease that does not mean you know the amount of suffering they endure every single day hour after hour. It is because of this way of thinking there are hundreds of thousands of people suffering. All b/c they don't want judged. Isn't that sad?

[hdb1982]

Bri,
I have read and reread your post over and over and don't "see" a tone anywhere. Nor do I see you saying whether or not pain meds are good or bad. I saw you trying to keep peace. Maybe she got you mixed up with ltlmiss since she said she was sorry you had a hard time coming off your meds. It was ltlmiss that had problems, not you. Maybe she just put the wrong name in. If that isn't the case I guess I am missing something b/c I do not feel your thread came across that way at all.

[amaranthe]

I didnt see that Bri's post had anything it about not taking pain meds either. I also think maybe Malone meant to write that to someone else.

I thought Bri's post was good and she was right that though some of take pain meds, some dont, and both are okay. Everyone has to make the descion for themselves based on their pain level. But, I read her post as a peacekeeping effort and, like Donna's post, one that was trying to get things to stay on topic and keep things from becoming divisive.

So, no worries, Bri! I think we all knew what you meant and I thought it was a great post.

[Dreamlove15]

Although this has become a heated issue discussion,

I think im going to take the chance and say something.

I think that honestly Doctors are so hesitant to prescribe pain meds to their paitents because of what this so called society has become. Isn't it sad how people like us suffer on a daily basis and yet get treated like were addicts when we ask for something to give us relief? I think we live in the day and age where, physicians assume everyone is going to do the same.

Well the truth is there are some out there who do abuse pain meds for whatever reason and yes those people have no business taking them.

But, we all don't fit in that nice little box, that says "one pill is going to turn into 20 a day...or so..."

We all don't abuse the meds we are given. The word ALL should mean something. Others abusive pasts should not become out own.

and the reality is, pain sufferers like us IC'ers get punished for others "mistakes"

Patients actually do get relief from pain meds, I am one to say. They may not take my pain away completely, but when im screaming in pain and my blood pressure is shooting through the roof, I need something.

I personally only take my meds when I need them, I don't have a set schedule when I take them. I only take them when I absolutely need them. Now that is how I take them.

I can't speak for others, but I can assume that everyone on here who takes pain meds, takes for pain, which why they are called, "Pain Medication."

I honestly wish I could get away from taking them, I don't take the daily. I'm actually really stubborn about it. But when my days before filled with tears of pain, you bet i'll be taking one.

I just don't understand why there is such a stigma about pain meds. I too was given valium before, instead of pain meds once. I sat there thinking, these Dr's are willing to give me Valium, which is highly addicting yet they don't like to prescribe pain meds. Sometimes I dont see the logic in it, perhaps they have a limit of how much they can prescribe who knows.

But all I know is that having to take pain meds is not such a bad thing to do, I mean, I know from wtaching my mother since I was a baby, that they help helped her function w/o them she wouldnt have been able to. They give you a bit of life back. How can they expect someone to be a mother when she can barely take care of her kids? Do they look at them and condemn her for having kids, or help her carry out a semi normal life as a mother...yes.

so my thing is, im not ever asking for a life-time supply of pain meds, I actually hope that sometime soon that I won't have to take them. i hope that soon I can find something that will give me that "spark" I use to have.

I guess I have personal reasons for saying this, but Im not going to get too in depth. I just know certain people, NOT here of course, but its ruined it for the "real" pain sufferers.

I wish this stigma would change...

[snowgirl]

I didnt see that Bri's post had anything it about not taking pain meds either. I also think maybe Malone meant to write that to someone else.

I thought Bri's post was good and she was right that though some of take pain meds, some dont, and both are okay. Everyone has to make the descion for themselves based on their pain level. But, I read her post as a peacekeeping effort and, like Donna's post, one that was trying to get things to stay on topic and keep things from becoming divisive.

So, no worries, Bri! I think we all knew what you meant and I thought it was a great post.

it was late last night but I also wanted to post I felt Brizas post was I like that word from above peackeeping effort to get this post back on track. I saw nothing other then that in her post. I do think Malone also meant to post her reply to another post listed . Vicky

[IC SARAH-CPP]

I think people were confusing Briza's post with Little miss's post.

I pretty much agree with Heather and the others here. I was very offended by your post littlemiss. I also remember when you went through your detox and I seem to remember you coming on here and saying you were addicted to pain meds, not dependent? I don't know your exact situation but I find it very off putting that you would use language like that with people who suffer through what we do on a daily basis.

I think Heather said it perfectly that we are VERY happy you might not need pain meds anymore but please don't bash those of us who do still need them. You took them when you needed them but now that you no longer need them, they are bad news? Hmmm.

Sarah

[malone]

Right!

Hi,
Thanks to all the people who corrected my post on the name! Bri--I apologize! I was SO tired when I wrote it. I am having other health issues in addition to the IC and it is wiping me out big time! Sorry it was meant for Missy. And I truly believe if a mediacal professional helps you come off your meds you will be fine! Anyway thanks ladies! Ginny

[ICNDonna]

I think we've totally veered away from the original post in this thread. Not all people are helped by pain medications. Nobody is saying that others should not take pain medications if they are needed and if they are effective.

Some doctors do not feel they are adequately trained to deal with long term, full time, pain management --- that's why there are pain specialists. Just as you wouldn't expect an ophthalmologist to treat your IC or a broken leg, you shouldn't expect every person with MD after his/her name to be trained in long term pain management.

Some people with interstitial cystitis need medications full time to control their pain so they can live normal lives --- others do not. There is absolutely no reason to debate this issue.

Donna

[ltlmiss]

Wow! I had no idea that what I wrote would be so offensive. I was like you, exactly like you, always feeling the need to defend and need to justify myself. I was only telling my story hoping that it could HELP somebody, not hurt somebody, but I am not going to say that I am sorry because I was only writing my experience, I did not name names and personally attack anybody. If you think that I am ignorant about how it feels to be so desperate for pain relief or pain medicine your wrong, if you knew anything about me you would know that I was suffering horribly before I got off pain meds. I was also not saying that anybody here was "addicted or dependent" I was talking about how doctors treat a person on pain meds. It does make me sad though that people are still here so angry. Thats why I dont come here but every few months or so, people are so angry. I never meant for anybody to take what I said so personally. I guess I forgot what the "no-no" words were. Excuse me!!!

[amaranthe]

Wow! I had no idea that what I wrote would be so offensive. I was like you, exactly like you, always feeling the need to defend and need to justify myself. I was only telling my story hoping that it could HELP somebody, not hurt somebody, but I am not going to say that I am sorry because I was only writing my experience, I did not name names and personally attack anybody. If you think that I am ignorant about how it feels to be so desperate for pain relief or pain medicine your wrong, if you knew anything about me you would know that I was suffering horribly before I got off pain meds. I was also not saying that anybody here was "addicted or dependent" I was talking about how doctors treat a person on pain meds. It does make me sad though that people are still here so angry. Thats why I dont come here but every few months or so, people are so angry. I never meant for anybody to take what I said so personally. I guess I forgot what the "no-no" words were. Excuse me!!!

I understood what you were saying...you were telling YOUR experiance, since the thread is about this, and saying, "yeah, this happened to me." I knew you didnt think pain med patients were addicts. I think this is just such a heated topic, that when ICes just hear the word addict, that faces get red and blood pressures go up, since most of us have had a family member say that to us before or even a Dr. But, from what I remember about your past posts (and what I think you were trying to say in this one) was that YOU had this problem and didnt realize it at the time, until there was a misunderstanding with your Dr. one month and it resulted in your being red flagged and having to go off them. But, then, the great thing in your own situation, was you found that once got off them, you havent needed them the way you did before either. (Not that you dont have pain, but that now you are able to manage it without it going above a 3 or so most days without pain meds! Which is wonderful! So, in some situations, (like yours), taking pain meds can be like taking Tylenol all week when you have a headache, and then the Tylenol wears off, and the headache is back and worse, so ya gotta take it again (or possibly take more to get rid of it.) But, then, it turns out that when you go to the Dr. they tell you it is a rebound headache, actually CAUSED from the Tylenol and that you have to go off it to get rid of the headache. Does that make any sense? I hope that explains it.

Anyway, I know that LtlMiss doesnt think that none of us need pain meds. I think she was just trying to explain her OWN sitution and that this was mostly just an unfortunate miscommunication.

Littlemiss, PLEASE do not quit coming here or posting just b/c of this one misunderstanding! When things like this happen, we just have to talk things out and work thru the misunderstandings within our IC family, just as we would in our "real" family. You are a wonderful person and have much to contribute to the boards, and have helped me personally many times, and i have seen you help alot of others too. Please dont throw all that away just because of a few bad days here. I think we have all misunderstood online before, or things didnt come out the way we intended. But, we are all IC sisters and brothers and we are all going thru this together! Whatever path we happen to be on.

Please dont go anywhere! I am so sorry that you have had a rough few days here. Just remember, you have ppl here who care about you. (I care about everyone else here that posted too. I just really think the whole thing was a misunderstanding/miscommunication. So, please, lets all come together and support each other, no matter what path the other person is on. Here's a round of hugs to everyone!

Hugs,
Amaranthe

[prestwood16]

I think when it comes to pain meds there will always be the problem do they or don't they help! For some they are are a miracle and for others their IC may or may not be at the same stage or they have a doctor who my know something the other doctors don't! I've been watching and reading this thread off and on since the beginning and started paying attention to the pain meds I take! My question to myself was are they really helping my IC or are they helping my other problems such as my fibro or Endo, but are they touching my IC? The two or three pain meds I take are Lorcet, Ultram and B&OSuppositories. My research on myself has been Lorcet and Ultram do not barely touch my IC pain, whether they make it worse I haven't yet decided. If I wanted to take 2 Lorcets, then YES it would help, I would be asleep for hours and hours! Ultram only helps my fibro and it is the only drug that will help it. I'm unable to take advil, unless I take acid reducers and then advil doesn't touch my fibro. They only time advil helps me is craps and if I feel a Migraine coming on!! The only Opiod that helps my IC and "Nips it in the Bud" is the B&O Suppositories or "Magic Bullets". Thank you to whoever told me about them. They are a lifesaver. Especially since my surgery!! The other stuff. Ultram I need for fibro and lorcet I keep around if I'm in so much pain I want to knock myself out, but I do feel pain killers aren't the way and are not something I want to turn to for the rest of my life! Do I want them available to me? YES, we need them! Do we need them everyday? Yes, some of us do! Me, at my stage, even though they say it is severe IC, I don't want to use them everyday, and I don't except Ultram and according to my doctor that's nothing. But, we are here to support one another, not bash each other for how one another deal with pain! Not only do alot of us deal with the physical pain of this, we have the emotional pain and family and friends who turn their backs when we need them most. This network is our place to come and vent because we are all the same, but yet we all are still different. But, we all need each other to cope with this awful disease we've been given. So, who cares what jane doe is taking. You may not agree, but at the end of the day we all have the same disease, the same struggles and we wouldn't come to this network if we didn't need each other!! And, I know no one means to hurt one anothers feelings they just want to help and sometime it comes cross the wrong way, but remember again we are all here for the same reason SUPPORT!!!
Julie