I have had 2- total knee replacements, and a back fusion, and most recently hand surgery. I was prescribed pain killers for all 4 surgeries, and was able to use them as prescribed with no I’ll effects, or addiction. I suppose I don’t have the body chemistry that “needs” that type of medication beyond the pain killing need. I haven’t ever felt a “high” or a CEA ing for the opioids the problem with what’s happening, and with the govt. putting a slow-down on use, hurts those who legitimately need the pain killers.
I hope there can be a “happy median” so those who truly need opioids for real pain relief, can get them, and those who need the “high” and get the help they need to quit using.
As a former prescriber, I witnessed the tidal wave of opiates that washed over America from the 80’s til now. Our practice received unsolicited samples on a regular basis to the point where they expired in our supply closet and we just threw them in the trash. It was hard to tell who was shipping this generic hydrocodne.
There was no accounting for their receipt or disbursement other than notes entered on patient files.
I was a stingy provider especially when reseach showed that over-the-counter NSAID’s were providing similar pain relief.
It was always pretty clear which patients were seeking prescriptions beyond medicinal usage. They often called on Fridays or had fanciful stories about the loss of their written prescription. It was helpful when Indiana changed the law and no longer allowed providers to phone in prescriptions for opiates. Indiana also set up a great online portal which allowed a provider to search the prescription filled history of an individual patient. Some of them were very busy and innovative.
I was hit by a car while cycling last summer and had a couple of pelvic fractures. Upon release from the er they injected me with a bolus of Dilaudid and my first thought was “Wow, I can see how people get hooked- this is terrific!”
Opiates seem to be irresistible to a certain type of body chemistry. Some patients took a small dose and refused any additional. Some patients took a small dose and then couldn’t get enough. My experience with them was similar to Tylenol. At the same time my best friend’s 20 something daughter died at the hands of them. Or it could have been fentanyl and she did or didn’t know.
I have had 2- total knee replacements, and a back fusion, and most recently hand surgery. I was prescribed pain killers for all 4 surgeries, and was able to use them as prescribed with no I’ll effects, or addiction. I suppose I don’t have the body chemistry that “needs” that type of medication beyond the pain killing need. I haven’t ever felt a “high” or a CEA ing for the opioids the problem with what’s happening, and with the govt. putting a slow-down on use, hurts those who legitimately need the pain killers.
I hope there can be a “happy median” so those who truly need opioids for real pain relief, can get them, and those who need the “high” and get the help they need to quit using.
As a former prescriber, I witnessed the tidal wave of opiates that washed over America from the 80’s til now. Our practice received unsolicited samples on a regular basis to the point where they expired in our supply closet and we just threw them in the trash. It was hard to tell who was shipping this generic hydrocodne.
There was no accounting for their receipt or disbursement other than notes entered on patient files.
I was a stingy provider especially when reseach showed that over-the-counter NSAID’s were providing similar pain relief.
It was always pretty clear which patients were seeking prescriptions beyond medicinal usage. They often called on Fridays or had fanciful stories about the loss of their written prescription. It was helpful when Indiana changed the law and no longer allowed providers to phone in prescriptions for opiates. Indiana also set up a great online portal which allowed a provider to search the prescription filled history of an individual patient. Some of them were very busy and innovative.
I was hit by a car while cycling last summer and had a couple of pelvic fractures. Upon release from the er they injected me with a bolus of Dilaudid and my first thought was “Wow, I can see how people get hooked- this is terrific!”
Opiates seem to be irresistible to a certain type of body chemistry. Some patients took a small dose and refused any additional. Some patients took a small dose and then couldn’t get enough. My experience with them was similar to Tylenol. At the same time my best friend’s 20 something daughter died at the hands of them. Or it could have been fentanyl and she did or didn’t know.