Pain Pill Addiction: Methadone Facts

Question: Pain pill addiction?

(Posted by: AmericanBulldogLover on 2008-05-18 14:50:27)

Honest advice only please i have fibro...and am perscribed various pain medicines including hydcorocone, tramadol, neurotin and others... im TERRIFIED of becoming addicted...but i am overly cautious about pills, never take more than im supposed to, and i call my pharm almost daily to ask questions.....do you think ill form a physcial dependance instead of a physiological dependance?

Posted by: US_DR_JD on 2008-05-22, 00:01:25

Opiates are poor choices in fibromyalgia. They normally do not have a significant effect on the mostly neuropathic pain, and their only benefit is to dull the mind so the patient doesn't care what is happening. This results in a worse quality of life than having the fibromyalgia without the opiate. Regarding the physiologic dependence, if you take opiates for any extended period, you will develop some level of physiologic dependence. Depending on what amount you use the medication for the side effects of mental clouding and euphoria will determine the amount or risk of psychological addiction. All opiates, including hydrocodone and tramadol have the potential for abuse, addiction and dependence. Lately we have noticed that the withdrawal symptoms of patients who have been placed on tramadol for pain by their primary care physicians are often worse than with many other short acting opiates.

Posted by: luvinjbj on 2008-05-18, 14:58:49

If you take your meds the way your suppose to you'll be fine. Well your body may become dependant but being addicted is diffrent. Some people say there is no diffrence but my pain Doc says diffrently. I have been on narcotic pain meds for over a year now, and I take them the right way. I wish I didnt need them, and if I didnt have the chronic pain that I do then I would not take them. Yes my body is physicaly dependant on them in order to move, but addicted no, I think not. Good luck to you, as long as you take them the right way you'll be fine.

Posted by: MareCare on 2008-05-18, 15:33:30

As I have been disabled for nearly eight years, I take pain medications and anxiety medication every day. As long as you take them as directed, know of any undesired side effects, talk to your doctor if you have any-he can find alternative medications. The fact you are aware of becoming dependent on them is good, because it shows you have common sense! I might have to take mine the rest of my life, which doesn't thrill me, but I cannot function with the pain I suffer from without them. Yoga does help me to take less of the meds on some days. Try that, it may work for you, too! Take care~ Mare

Posted by: gillianprowe on 2008-05-18, 15:50:34

Fibro, to my knowledge pain killers really have no effect, you need to be taking Lyrica. Best of Luck