1. < Chronic Pain

Abilities and Life Expectancy (living life)

Posted by pfbacon @pfbacon, Jul 17, 2020

Some of us are taking medicines that were, or still are, considered addictive drugs, like narcotics, prescription pain killers, and pot. According to my doctors, we end up taking these when other medicines, like anti-seizure meds and over-the-counter pain meds, don't work any more (I have Neuropathy, it's progressive, and progressively painful). My doctors are reluctant to say what my life expectancy will be once I start taking those.
Can we use narcotics, pain killers, and pot for decades? Are we lucid enough to take care of ourselves? If not, who takes care of us? Perhaps some of you who have been doing it for awhile will be willing to tell us how long you've been using such medicines and what it's like: can we go on working? Driving? Do you live independently or in hospice or with family? Thank you ... Peggy

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Jul 23, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "Linda- some drugs make people addicted. It's often not a matter of control, it's a matter..." + (show)
@merpreb

Linda- some drugs make people addicted. It's often not a matter of control, it's a matter of the drug taking control. Thinking that someone can't control themselves is a judgement call. It's just not fair to classify everyone like that.
I have chosen to take antidepressants for the rest of my life. I know that my mind and body have adapted to them so much that if I quit I'll go into withdrawal.

Does that make me an addict?

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@babette I know there are those who just are addicts ,once when I was working I had an addict pin me to the wall he had his hands around my throat thank goodness this was a room where the other men came to my rescue then called the other nurses . So I know there are addicts what I was saying if you know a med is affecting you that you cant life without it and want to stop it can happen with help from your Dr or other sources .

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ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jul 24, 2020

I have waited to pipe in and most have said what I think and have been told. I tell my doctors I do not want to be on an opiate. But it is my only choice to have a life worth living. I cannot take nsaids because of my stomach and esophagus. Addicts crave the drugs.. those that take it for pain as I am do not crave it.

I am on oxycodone 5mg every 4-6 hours. Most of the time I take 4 pills within 24 hours. Sometimes I take 5 or 6 pills within that time. Sometimes I take 3. My worst pains are my ribs and chest.. chest pain that is much like one would have with a heart problem. (My last abdominal surgery in 2015 was open and I was cut from breast bone to under my shoulder in back. The surgeons had to cut through one rib and crack another and also cut muscles. They also had to repair my diaphragm and much more.) I cannot do much bending or much of anything at one time. This morning I have done a couple of loads of laundry and run the Hoover Lynx.. a lightweight cordless sweeper. I took a half of an oxycodone to quell the pain. .. 3 hours after my regular dose and 3 hours to the next dose. Sometimes a Tylenol.. usually generic form for me.. helps if I need something extra. I have osteoarthritis throughout my body. The oxycodone does not get rid of that pain either.. it just make it tolerable. I can do gentle exercises like walking and stretching.. which help the mind as well as body.

Most of the time my mind functions pretty well. I do have thinking problems when I have to take an antihistamine in addition to the oxycodone. I went to my ENT doctor last week and he ordered me a prescription for an antihistamine nasal spray. It seems to work better and does not seem to effect my thinking as much as the oral one did. Sometimes topays to ask if something else might work better. I had asked my pharmacist's advice. My doctor agreed that it might being I have the stomach and esophagus problems.

As we get older.. I will be 69 in a little over a week from now.. we tend to take more medications. I have tried my best to keep them as few as possible. Most are to help with my asthma. It seems to me that the combination of medications we take have a lot to do with how an opiate affects us. .. body and mind. My mom is now in a nursing home at age 92. Her mind has worked well until more strokes started hitting her since last December. She takes a med for neuralgia, restless legs, dementia and for chronic pain she takes morphine. When she lived with us she would sleep a lot after the meds taken, but her mind functioned well most of the time despite the mild dementia. I think doctors are of the mindset that medications are the best thing to treat a condition. Many times plain old exercises and diet changes will help more than medications. I looked through my mom's meds when she lived with us and I discussed her meds with her doctor.. different than the one she had before living with us and we managed to eliminate 3 of them. Unfortunately not the ones that made her dizzy or sleepy.

My husband and I had rather not go into a nursing home, but we do not want to be a burden upon each other or our children or possibly grandchildren. We took care of my mom as best we could and it broke our hearts to put her in a nursing home. I just could no longer do it even with my husband's help. I don't want my husband or children to feel the guilt I feel in putting my mom in a nursing home. We cannot afford to hire help.

I know you did not ask about this part .. but. Legal documents of will, living will, power of attorney, organ donation, etc. should be up to date and discussed with family and executer/s appointed.. I stress it is important to discuss your wishes with your family. If you have no family you need to appoint someone to be the executor of your legal matters if something happens to you and you cannot do it. No one knows if or when they might become unable mentally to make decisions. My mother-in-law that I loved dearly had an accident and her brain was damaged. I had a first cousin pass away yesterday at age 82. He was slightly brain damaged as a child from a high fever with scarlet fever.. he would be considered by society as slow. About 15 years ago even more damage to his brain when someone broke into his home and beat him. He had to go into a nursing home because his sister was not able to take care of him.

I have heard what America and the world is going through right now referred to as “UNCERTAIN TIMES”. We don't have a crystal ball telling us what the future will bring us or those we love. We can only do our best to be prepared for the uncertainties of daily life and react to them as best we can.

ZeeGee

REPLY
2 replies
nevi5 | @nevi5 | Jul 24, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "I have waited to pipe in and most have said what I think and have been..." + (show)
@fourof5zs

I have waited to pipe in and most have said what I think and have been told. I tell my doctors I do not want to be on an opiate. But it is my only choice to have a life worth living. I cannot take nsaids because of my stomach and esophagus. Addicts crave the drugs.. those that take it for pain as I am do not crave it.

I am on oxycodone 5mg every 4-6 hours. Most of the time I take 4 pills within 24 hours. Sometimes I take 5 or 6 pills within that time. Sometimes I take 3. My worst pains are my ribs and chest.. chest pain that is much like one would have with a heart problem. (My last abdominal surgery in 2015 was open and I was cut from breast bone to under my shoulder in back. The surgeons had to cut through one rib and crack another and also cut muscles. They also had to repair my diaphragm and much more.) I cannot do much bending or much of anything at one time. This morning I have done a couple of loads of laundry and run the Hoover Lynx.. a lightweight cordless sweeper. I took a half of an oxycodone to quell the pain. .. 3 hours after my regular dose and 3 hours to the next dose. Sometimes a Tylenol.. usually generic form for me.. helps if I need something extra. I have osteoarthritis throughout my body. The oxycodone does not get rid of that pain either.. it just make it tolerable. I can do gentle exercises like walking and stretching.. which help the mind as well as body.

Most of the time my mind functions pretty well. I do have thinking problems when I have to take an antihistamine in addition to the oxycodone. I went to my ENT doctor last week and he ordered me a prescription for an antihistamine nasal spray. It seems to work better and does not seem to effect my thinking as much as the oral one did. Sometimes topays to ask if something else might work better. I had asked my pharmacist's advice. My doctor agreed that it might being I have the stomach and esophagus problems.

As we get older.. I will be 69 in a little over a week from now.. we tend to take more medications. I have tried my best to keep them as few as possible. Most are to help with my asthma. It seems to me that the combination of medications we take have a lot to do with how an opiate affects us. .. body and mind. My mom is now in a nursing home at age 92. Her mind has worked well until more strokes started hitting her since last December. She takes a med for neuralgia, restless legs, dementia and for chronic pain she takes morphine. When she lived with us she would sleep a lot after the meds taken, but her mind functioned well most of the time despite the mild dementia. I think doctors are of the mindset that medications are the best thing to treat a condition. Many times plain old exercises and diet changes will help more than medications. I looked through my mom's meds when she lived with us and I discussed her meds with her doctor.. different than the one she had before living with us and we managed to eliminate 3 of them. Unfortunately not the ones that made her dizzy or sleepy.

My husband and I had rather not go into a nursing home, but we do not want to be a burden upon each other or our children or possibly grandchildren. We took care of my mom as best we could and it broke our hearts to put her in a nursing home. I just could no longer do it even with my husband's help. I don't want my husband or children to feel the guilt I feel in putting my mom in a nursing home. We cannot afford to hire help.

I know you did not ask about this part .. but. Legal documents of will, living will, power of attorney, organ donation, etc. should be up to date and discussed with family and executer/s appointed.. I stress it is important to discuss your wishes with your family. If you have no family you need to appoint someone to be the executor of your legal matters if something happens to you and you cannot do it. No one knows if or when they might become unable mentally to make decisions. My mother-in-law that I loved dearly had an accident and her brain was damaged. I had a first cousin pass away yesterday at age 82. He was slightly brain damaged as a child from a high fever with scarlet fever.. he would be considered by society as slow. About 15 years ago even more damage to his brain when someone broke into his home and beat him. He had to go into a nursing home because his sister was not able to take care of him.

I have heard what America and the world is going through right now referred to as “UNCERTAIN TIMES”. We don't have a crystal ball telling us what the future will bring us or those we love. We can only do our best to be prepared for the uncertainties of daily life and react to them as best we can.

ZeeGee

Jump to this post

Dear ZeeGee, I just e=read your post and I want to offer my support to you and tell you how brave you are. Your story has inspired me to get on with my life and not let my circumstances determine how I live and what I do. Thank you.

REPLY
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 24, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "I have waited to pipe in and most have said what I think and have been..." + (show)
@fourof5zs

I have waited to pipe in and most have said what I think and have been told. I tell my doctors I do not want to be on an opiate. But it is my only choice to have a life worth living. I cannot take nsaids because of my stomach and esophagus. Addicts crave the drugs.. those that take it for pain as I am do not crave it.

I am on oxycodone 5mg every 4-6 hours. Most of the time I take 4 pills within 24 hours. Sometimes I take 5 or 6 pills within that time. Sometimes I take 3. My worst pains are my ribs and chest.. chest pain that is much like one would have with a heart problem. (My last abdominal surgery in 2015 was open and I was cut from breast bone to under my shoulder in back. The surgeons had to cut through one rib and crack another and also cut muscles. They also had to repair my diaphragm and much more.) I cannot do much bending or much of anything at one time. This morning I have done a couple of loads of laundry and run the Hoover Lynx.. a lightweight cordless sweeper. I took a half of an oxycodone to quell the pain. .. 3 hours after my regular dose and 3 hours to the next dose. Sometimes a Tylenol.. usually generic form for me.. helps if I need something extra. I have osteoarthritis throughout my body. The oxycodone does not get rid of that pain either.. it just make it tolerable. I can do gentle exercises like walking and stretching.. which help the mind as well as body.

Most of the time my mind functions pretty well. I do have thinking problems when I have to take an antihistamine in addition to the oxycodone. I went to my ENT doctor last week and he ordered me a prescription for an antihistamine nasal spray. It seems to work better and does not seem to effect my thinking as much as the oral one did. Sometimes topays to ask if something else might work better. I had asked my pharmacist's advice. My doctor agreed that it might being I have the stomach and esophagus problems.

As we get older.. I will be 69 in a little over a week from now.. we tend to take more medications. I have tried my best to keep them as few as possible. Most are to help with my asthma. It seems to me that the combination of medications we take have a lot to do with how an opiate affects us. .. body and mind. My mom is now in a nursing home at age 92. Her mind has worked well until more strokes started hitting her since last December. She takes a med for neuralgia, restless legs, dementia and for chronic pain she takes morphine. When she lived with us she would sleep a lot after the meds taken, but her mind functioned well most of the time despite the mild dementia. I think doctors are of the mindset that medications are the best thing to treat a condition. Many times plain old exercises and diet changes will help more than medications. I looked through my mom's meds when she lived with us and I discussed her meds with her doctor.. different than the one she had before living with us and we managed to eliminate 3 of them. Unfortunately not the ones that made her dizzy or sleepy.

My husband and I had rather not go into a nursing home, but we do not want to be a burden upon each other or our children or possibly grandchildren. We took care of my mom as best we could and it broke our hearts to put her in a nursing home. I just could no longer do it even with my husband's help. I don't want my husband or children to feel the guilt I feel in putting my mom in a nursing home. We cannot afford to hire help.

I know you did not ask about this part .. but. Legal documents of will, living will, power of attorney, organ donation, etc. should be up to date and discussed with family and executer/s appointed.. I stress it is important to discuss your wishes with your family. If you have no family you need to appoint someone to be the executor of your legal matters if something happens to you and you cannot do it. No one knows if or when they might become unable mentally to make decisions. My mother-in-law that I loved dearly had an accident and her brain was damaged. I had a first cousin pass away yesterday at age 82. He was slightly brain damaged as a child from a high fever with scarlet fever.. he would be considered by society as slow. About 15 years ago even more damage to his brain when someone broke into his home and beat him. He had to go into a nursing home because his sister was not able to take care of him.

I have heard what America and the world is going through right now referred to as “UNCERTAIN TIMES”. We don't have a crystal ball telling us what the future will bring us or those we love. We can only do our best to be prepared for the uncertainties of daily life and react to them as best we can.

ZeeGee

Jump to this post

@fourof5zs Thank you for what you have posted. I think it will give everyone something to think about. I certainly admire you for taking care of your mother.
May I ask why do you take oxycodone?

REPLY
pfbacon | @pfbacon | Jul 24, 2020

ZG, thank you for posting - we have some things in common. I have known some people who had surgery and were left with chronic pain. Peggy

REPLY
1 reply
ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Jul 25, 2020
In reply to @pfbacon "ZG, thank you for posting - we have some things in common. I have known some..." + (show)
@pfbacon

ZG, thank you for posting - we have some things in common. I have known some people who had surgery and were left with chronic pain. Peggy

Jump to this post

@pfbacon

Choices are not easy at times. In 2014 one loop of my intestines pulled into my chest along with my stomach as a complication of a surgery. I needed more surgery, but I was too weak. In 2015 about 6 months after that surgery 2 more of loops of my intestines pulled up into my chest and pushed my left lung against my ribcage and partially collapsing my left lung. My intestines had not strangulated yet, but could at any time and that would be a sure death. Surgery was very high risk. As the thoracic surgeon explained to me his part of what he had to do to my ribs and muscles so they could get to where they needed to work I told him it sounded like it will a painful surgery to recover from if I made it. I asked him how long does it usually take. His answer was some recover within a year, some 5 years, but many never fully recover. Of course I set my expectations high. Here I am past 5 years. I have had some help with the pain by seeing a pain specialist for awhile and a physical therapist. I am now having burning pain, especially at night in the ribcage and my shoulder. I have a small tear in the labrum. I can only lie on my right side in bed, but if I come to the couch I can prop slightly on my back with the support of the back of the couch and an added pillow under my head. It gives my right hip a break from pressure. ... but then my back starts aching in this position sometimes.. so some nights nothing helps.. but maybe walk the floors for a bit or a walk in the yard when I take mama's dog out. I guess one day I will refer to Ziggy as my dog, but for now we share the same mama. He gets so excited when he hears her voice. We will be glad when they open the nursing homes up for visitors. Ziggy loves visiting mama.

Chronic pain really sucks.. but I have a husband and grandchildren that make the struggle worth it.
ZeeGee

REPLY
1 reply
wheelerma | @wheelerma | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@merprep Thanks I am aware but as all my post about Tramadol you can see I..." + (show)
@lioness

@merprep Thanks I am aware but as all my post about Tramadol you can see I was on 4 at first after my fracture now I only take 1if needed well there are days I don't need it so yes it can be addictive to those who can't control themselves

Jump to this post

Tramadol does not help my back pain, but really works for a headache.

REPLY
bustrbrwn22 | @bustrbrwn22 | Oct 6, 2020
In reply to @fourof5zs "@pfbacon Choices are not easy at times. In 2014 one loop of my intestines pulled into..." + (show)
@fourof5zs

@pfbacon

Choices are not easy at times. In 2014 one loop of my intestines pulled into my chest along with my stomach as a complication of a surgery. I needed more surgery, but I was too weak. In 2015 about 6 months after that surgery 2 more of loops of my intestines pulled up into my chest and pushed my left lung against my ribcage and partially collapsing my left lung. My intestines had not strangulated yet, but could at any time and that would be a sure death. Surgery was very high risk. As the thoracic surgeon explained to me his part of what he had to do to my ribs and muscles so they could get to where they needed to work I told him it sounded like it will a painful surgery to recover from if I made it. I asked him how long does it usually take. His answer was some recover within a year, some 5 years, but many never fully recover. Of course I set my expectations high. Here I am past 5 years. I have had some help with the pain by seeing a pain specialist for awhile and a physical therapist. I am now having burning pain, especially at night in the ribcage and my shoulder. I have a small tear in the labrum. I can only lie on my right side in bed, but if I come to the couch I can prop slightly on my back with the support of the back of the couch and an added pillow under my head. It gives my right hip a break from pressure. ... but then my back starts aching in this position sometimes.. so some nights nothing helps.. but maybe walk the floors for a bit or a walk in the yard when I take mama's dog out. I guess one day I will refer to Ziggy as my dog, but for now we share the same mama. He gets so excited when he hears her voice. We will be glad when they open the nursing homes up for visitors. Ziggy loves visiting mama.

Chronic pain really sucks.. but I have a husband and grandchildren that make the struggle worth it.
ZeeGee

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@fourof5zs I can’t believe what you are going through! My prayers are with you

REPLY
1 reply
Hank | @jesfactsmon | Oct 7, 2020
In reply to @bustrbrwn22 "@fourof5zs I can’t believe what you are going through! My prayers are with you" + (show)
@bustrbrwn22

@fourof5zs I can’t believe what you are going through! My prayers are with you

Jump to this post

@fourof5zs I just read your post from 7/25 also ZeeGee. I repeat what Jen @bustrbrwn22 said, I can't believe what you have gone through either. Incredible story! Just hair raising what you had go on internally with your organs. I don't shed tears that often, but I just had a few reading about you. It's so heartrending. I am so sorry, but also what an inspiration you are! Please hang in there and know that we care here. Best, Hank

REPLY
cldmeyers | @cldmeyers | Oct 7, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@summertime4 You are so right my Dr told me if you take narciticthe way I perc..." + (show)
@lioness

@summertime4 You are so right my Dr told me if you take narciticthe way I perc
Scribe you won't become addicted it's the abuser,s that become addicted Ive been on a couple but they didn't help that much so Tramadol does according to Dr,s dierections

Jump to this post

I'm on 2 Tramadol a day for arthritis, and when I've had to be off it for a day or two, I don't notice a difference. I'm apparently not very addictive, though my doctor checks me every 6 months before she'll renew the scrip. I tried a hemp gummy which didn't do much. I just keep doing exercises specifically for the painful areas and go.

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