Abuse of Opioids takes away from all the good it can do

Posted by rayjay535353 @rayjay535353, Sep 18, 2022

Hi, I'm Jaime- 68 year old male having chronic pain for 30 years.
I've had 14 sports related surgeries that began at age 18 and have just gone through 2 Posterior cervical decompression with multi level fusions during the past 18 months. I have been to numerous pain specialists, tried every supplement advertised, have every gadget that is offered online, and have had no less than 25 cortisone shots, knee replacement, epidurals etc. Throughout the 30 years, I have found that Opioids are the only thing that has allowed me a quality of life. Side effects? Show me a medication that doesn't have any. I had to be extremely disciplined to only take as prescribed. If a pain doctor doesn't offer opioids, they should find another profession. I take Hydrocodone 10/325 4 times a day max and less if not needed, Nobody seems to defend the use of opioids, but if you don't abuse it, it could be a life saver, not a killer

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

dmk | @dmk | Sep 20, 2022

In reply to @bruc "I don't understand your question ? Are you asking if you can get hydro without Acetaminophen..." + (show)

Someone in post was saying they were worried about their liver with hydrocodone with acetaminophen so I was just saying it can be prescribed without acetaminophen in it

On Sep 20, 2022, at 2:57 PM, Kirlin Account wrote:

No I am saying that if people are worried about acetaminophen their dr can prescribe hydrocodone without acetaminophen

On Sep 20, 2022, at 1:39 PM, Mayo Clinic Connect wrote:

papaboo | @bruc | Sep 20, 2022

This site may answer questions better https://www.medicinenet.com/oxycodone_vs_vicodin_hydrocodoneacetaminophen/article.htm#oxycodone_vs_vicodin_hydrocodone/acetaminophen__for_pain_review

pacodennis | @pacodennis | Sep 21, 2022

Has anyone had experience with using "Kratom"? It is a opioid but quite different. I would like to here from anyone who has experience with it. Thanks.

rayjay535353 | @rayjay535353 | Sep 21, 2022

In reply to @dmk "Someone in post was saying they were worried about their liver with hydrocodone with acetaminophen so..." + (show)

You can get Hydrocodone with Ibuprofen. Not sure of doses available, but I've had it a couple of times. If I'm taking it with 325mg of acetaminophen, 3 tabs=975mg and 4 per day is 1300mg.
You should ask your doctor if that is too much for your liver- For bruc

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 21, 2022

In reply to @pacodennis "Has anyone had experience with using "Kratom"? It is a opioid but quite different. I would..." + (show)

Here are links to 2 discussions here on Mayo Connect regarding Kratom use, effectiveness & safety:
— Kratom warning:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kratom-warning/
— Kratom for PN pain in feet?:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/kratom-for-pn-pain-in-feet/

Here is a discussion of Kratom on Web MD:
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/myths-about-kratom
They point out that it may be regulated or illegal depending upon where you live. I live in a heavily Somali community, and Kratom addiction is a very real problem for many men (and some women) leading to a lot of domestic issues.

Sue

kenc | @kenc | Sep 22, 2022

The problem as always, the US goverment punishes those who obtain the medication legallly with a relatively low addiction rate, while letting the street vendors, whose products murder thousands of people, pretty much go unabated.

suecutuli | @suecutuli | Sep 23, 2022

Yes! I have the same experience.
I have detoxed more times than I can count in the last 15 years.
My doctors have told me that opioids can cause me to experience more pain. Every time I have been without the opioids my pain has become too much to bare. I have tried everything!! Spent tons of money doing it. I was just de toxed for 3 months hoping something had changed. It started taking me to a dark place wondering how I was to live in so much pain the rest of my life as a very active 64 year old. My life is better on opioids until it is t and then I start over again. I hate the stigma and know I’ve suffered enough!
Good luck to you and I really appreciate you sharing.

alh123 | @alh123 | Sep 24, 2022

I’m a chronic neuralgia sufferer for 12 years …severely disabled with very low quality of life . Endless number of meds , psych techniques and procedures , devices and surgeries . Nothing worked and only thing that helps is 8 mg of hydro morphone …gets me to occasional social events where I would otherwise be on the couch. Been off opioids completely twice . Pain soon required I go back on. I am at present substituting it for suboxone in the hope to wean down before I attend the Mayoclinic program ,
I am a Dr and I have asked all my surgeons , and Pain specialists I’ve seen ( 20 plus) . They all say they have patients that are stable on long term opioid doses as nothing else works. I am one of them too . People who legislate on this issue have to take this into account plus Drs and patients need to recognize and plan for the long term side effects especially the effect on testosterone.

kenc | @kenc | Sep 25, 2022

In reply to @alh123 "I’m a chronic neuralgia sufferer for 12 years …severely disabled with very low quality of life..." + (show)

That happens to men w/ age anyway. 😉 Keep up the fight. Been there, done that, and have the mental scars to prove it.

hopeful2 | @hopeful2 | Sep 25, 2022

I remember hearing on NPR about 30 years ago about a researcher in Oregon that had discovered a substance form sea urchins or jelly fish that was as strong as heroin but completely non addictive. They said it would revolutionize the treatment of pain. Tried to find out many times what became of it and never heard another word. I had no idea at the time how relevant this topic would be in my husband's and my life until severe pain from injuries and disease have set in. Anyone have any information as to what happened to that research?
I am very concerned as a senior citizen that the trend is becoming, at least where I live, that if you need pain meds you need to sign up for hospice. Has anyone seen this where they live? Of course this is not what hospice is intended for.