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Lumbar Steroid Injection vs Facet Nerve Block
Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 20, 2022 | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
I have stopped and started opioids over the years. I’d go months without taking and then have a flare. It angers me that the government doesn’t put money into finding a new pain medication that doesn’t have side effects and isn’t addictive instead of wasting our money fighting drug related issues (not just opioids) and work on finding cures for the issues that cause the pain in the first place. I’ve given this a lot of thought as I’ve been off opioids again the last 6 months and just had to start again. Luckily I’ve never had to go over 40 PPE. I should be grateful for that! I am so sorry about what happened to your doctor.
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I don’t mind stopping opioids, I welcome the change! I’ve always looked at using meds for pain as a quality of life matter. I just don’t want to be completely immobile! I’ve seen 3 doctors total in 19 years who prescribed my meds. I’ve taken drug screens every couple months and never violated my medication dosage.
It’s cruel to discontinue pain medication without taper. It’s also dangerous so it makes no sense to me why our government would create this situation. Doctors have no excuse not to taper a patient off opioids! It’s just getting there after being on pain meds for so long. I agreed to the treatment plan my new pain doctor offered with the goal of becoming more mobile. This is a transitional time for me!
I’m glad to hear you’ve had times you were able to manage without pain medication! There is a difference between addiction and dependence. I didn’t get ‘high’ from opioid use, it allowed me to function! I think that’s the case with a lot of chronic pain patients. Of corse addiction is a concern! But if a chronic pain patient has no history of abuse, that needs to count for something!
We need more available and affordable treatment options in this country if we’re ever going to help people who become addicted to drugs, whether it’s prescription medication or street drugs!