Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'll defer to Stan4 even though I'm familiar with AZ (live there) since he's up on all of the states laws apparently much more than "woeful" I.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Livelystone
Bummer sorry to hear this
I recommend keeping a close eye on your reaction to it. I had to stop it because of what it did to my lower body joints. If you have a tendency to over eat or not get enough exercise be careful because this pill is associated with weight gain.
Still (and because I have a half bottle left) I am going to ask my doctor about trying it again. For sure my neck and shoulders are much worse now then when I was taking it
If you do have to stop it wean yourself down rather than pull the plug on it
Good luck
It's amazing how drugs are being prescribed to people and taken by said people (myself included until recently) without those people looking to see what they're taking and what the manufacturer/FDA says they're for.
Gabapentin is a drug that has specific "on label" uses but is also prescribed for what is called "off label" uses as well. The side affects are many and varied, I couldn't take the leg pain/ leg kicking it brought on when I tried to sleep. From what I've read this is a common side affect as well as some really nasty ones that can follow. I know I won't consider it again unless forced.
Here's some info on Gabapentin: Gabapentin Uses, Dosage & Safety Information - Drugs.com
Quote:
Originally Posted by eok
I have most of a bottle of percocet left over from 6 years ago. I wonder what happens to them when they expire. I'm probably going to need another surgery in a few months. Would it be bad for me to use the old percocet while recovering from the new surgery? Or do percocet get old and no longer work? I'm assuming with the new tighter controls I might not get enough this time, so I might have to use something else, such as the old ones.
I also had a surgery in the distant past for which I was prescribed Tylenol 3. I assume that's just a triple dose of Tylenol. But doesn't Tylenol cause liver damage? It was so many years ago I no longer remember how many I took, or whether I had any left over.
As I've said earlier in this thread, when Opiates age they "can" lose potency (according to my pharmacist of 25 years) but how much if at all is dependent on how they're stored (cool,dark place etc).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Annie53
Good grief!
I guess the only people who should get opiate pain killers are those with terminal cancer pain!
Outpatient surgeries can be very painful and no one should have to suffer unduly for days because of
addiction paranoia.
I have had several foot surgeries, out patient, bones were broken and cut. I was in severe pain for days even WITH opiate pain killers. I would never in a million years ever consent to such surgery if opiate pain killers were taken off the table.
And, as far as taking an opiate pain killer once in awhile for menstrual cramps or a back flare up, there is nothing dangerous about it. In fact, the opposite is dangerous, taking pain killers continuously for long periods of time.
I have had opiate pain killers for out patient surgeries and for root canals and wisdom teeth removal and just like mochamajesty and millions of others, if I had a few left over I used them when needed and nothing bad ever came of it.
This addiction paranoia has got to stop or millions of innocent people will suffer unnecessary pain and agony because of it. Using opiate pain killers for a week after painful medical procedures or taking a leftover pill for cramps or a back flare up once in a blue moon is not dangerous and does not turn someone into an addict.
What some people miss is nowadays due to insurance/medical advances many if not most procedures are done "out patient".
Things that used to require a week's stay are now wham-bam out the door now...
Ugh, my son's shoulder surgery is for a torn labrum as well.
P.T. is critical in rehabbing from surgery. I picked the wrong P.T. person and was allowed to go too fast through the P.T. steps which resulted in frozen shoulder adding weeks of more intensive P.T. and PAIN to the procedure.
It's amazing what the shoulder does and how it does it! I was told it's the one joint with the most range of movement in the whole body, what a design!!!
It's also amazing what you depend on your shoulder for, down to wiping ones behind, unzipping ones zipper to go to the bathroom, washing ones hair,brushing teeth etc.
All things that come to a screeching halt when you are in that sling.
Try washing your hands one handed...
Talcum powder/baby powder will become your friend as things get funky and skin sores can occur having your arm locked to your side for weeks on end.
Is it too easy, too hard, or about right to get drugs through legal channels?
From my experience, way too easy. I was shocked when my teenage son had his wisdom teeth taken out and he was given a prescription for Oxycodone. Oh not just a few, 30 of them.
It's amazing how drugs are being prescribed to people and taken by said people (myself included until recently) without those people looking to see what they're taking and what the manufacturer/FDA says they're for.
Gabapentin is a drug that has specific "on label" uses but is also prescribed for what is called "off label" uses as well. The side affects are many and varied, I couldn't take the leg pain/ leg kicking it brought on when I tried to sleep. From what I've read this is a common side affect as well as some really nasty ones that can follow. I know I won't consider it again unless forced.
Here's some info on Gabapentin: Gabapentin Uses, Dosage & Safety Information - Drugs.com
Something is not right here
Gabapentin has for a side effect a cure for restless leg syndrome. This is EXACTLY what I experienced with it and considered it a "pleasant surprise".
Gabapentin is not for muscle or tissue pain and will not offer relief for them
On the other hand opiates are woefully inadequate when it comes to offering relief from nerve pain
By the time you shut down nerve pain with an opiate, the patient is at best "knocked out" for all normal day time functions, and much closer to a dangerous overdose than any "real" doctor treating nerve pain will subject their patients to
Constant nerve pain is so many light years WORSE than all other pain, there is no realistic comparison that can be made
Gabapentin has for a side effect a cure for restless leg syndrome. This is EXACTLY what I experienced with it and considered it a "pleasant surprise".
Gabapentin is not for muscle or tissue pain and will not offer relief for them
On the other hand opiates are woefully inadequate when it comes to offering relief from nerve pain
By the time you shut down nerve pain with an opiate, the patient is at best "knocked out" for all normal day time functions, and much closer to a dangerous overdose than any "real" doctor treating nerve pain will subject their patients to
Constant nerve pain is so many light years WORSE than all other pain, there is no realistic comparison that can be made
I think that statement <bold> is painting with too broad a brush. Can you be a bit more specific on what you consider "nerve pain" and what a "real" doctor is please?
As far as I know many,many people are treated for spinal nerve issues (pain) with opiates and it does work without them being "knocked out" for any functions. In fact it allows them to function and have some quality of life.
As for Gabapentin uses, it has many "off label" uses, one being low back pain. What cracks me up and I just now flashed on is my insurance won't cover Lidoderm patches for spinal pain (off label) but will cover Gabapentin (off label) for it. Hmmmm, could it possibly be cost????
OMG are you OK? Did the doctor explain to you HOW Habit Forming the pills are? They are concentrated opiates and you could end up with what they used to call a monkey on your back. This is NOT a joke. Opiates in concentrated form are physically addictive and you could get sick or die if you try to stop them yourself.
Please stop taking these things for your occasional back or period pain. Please consider why you are feeling compelled to take them as well. OMG why on earth would the doctor prescribe an opiate to you for outpatient surgery? Were you in excruciating pain? This must be the answer to why we are seeing so many new heroin addicts.
Opiates are DANGEROUS, they are physically addictive and can alter your body chemistry when abused. If you end up being addicted they could RUIN your LIFE. I'm sorry I don't know you but please talk to your doctor. You should dispose of the pills (there are usually prescription drug programs available for excess drugs) and not use them for occasional period or back pain. They are NOT aspirin...
...
I honestly thought you were being sarcastic at first. You're right that opiates are not aspirin, that people should be well aware of how to respect their risks, and abuse of them can cause some people serious life problems. However for many people their occasional use for a day or two, for pain, is not going to cause any problem except, perhaps, a day or two of constipation.
From my experience, way too easy. I was shocked when my teenage son had his wisdom teeth taken out and he was given a prescription for Oxycodone. Oh not just a few, 30 of them.
Probably 5mgs which is the lowest amount. Wisdom teeth surgery can be painful-especially if the teeth are impacted. I don't see anything wrong with prescribing pks for it. I was in high-school when I had the same surgery (with impacted teeth) and honestly I felt that the pain meds didn't do too much. I also was not interested in using them afterward. 5mgs may seem like a lot but for perspective I have known people with serious oxycodone addictions-like 150mgs per day (5 30mg pills).
There seems to be a general fear of opiates, but oxycodone by itself is probably safer than with acetaminophen.
I think that statement <bold> is painting with too broad a brush. Can you be a bit more specific on what you consider "nerve pain" and what a "real" doctor is please?
As far as I know many,many people are treated for spinal nerve issues (pain) with opiates and it does work without them being "knocked out" for any functions. In fact it allows them to function and have some quality of life.
As for Gabapentin uses, it has many "off label" uses, one being low back pain. What cracks me up and I just now flashed on is my insurance won't cover Lidoderm patches for spinal pain (off label) but will cover Gabapentin (off label) for it. Hmmmm, could it possibly be cost????
I apologize for taking so long to reply
Unfortunately I have been associated with spinal disorders and pain for over 25 years. Like many others I have lower back problems that are basically made up of herniated discs as well as having a spine not shaped the way it should've been. To make matters worse my tail bone was broken in 3 places.
I know that at the time whatever pain is being experienced can easily seem to be the worst that ever has been experienced. However, the pain I have that is the result of bones and nerves coming in direct contact with each in my neck (as it has been explained to me by VA doctors) is beyond me being able to describe with words
For my lower back pain opiates did a great job, however for what's going on in my neck they don't even scratch the surface of the pain.
Unfortunately that's about all of the light I can shed on it because I am a layman and have little knowledge beyond my own experiences
What I meant about the statement "real doctor" was, because IMO it would take so much in the way of opiate pain pills to overcome my neck pain, for some persons it would be a fatal dose......... and these day "real doctors" are too scared to go out on a limb for anyone
I hope this helps and you find relief from your pain
Unfortunately I have been associated with spinal disorders and pain for over 25 years. Like many others I have lower back problems that are basically made up of herniated discs as well as having a spine not shaped the way it should've been. To make matters worse my tail bone was broken in 3 places.
I know that at the time whatever pain is being experienced can easily seem to be the worst that ever has been experienced. However, the pain I have that is the result of bones and nerves coming in direct contact with each in my neck (as it has been explained to me by VA doctors) is beyond me being able to describe with words
For my lower back pain opiates did a great job, however for what's going on in my neck they don't even scratch the surface of the pain.
Unfortunately that's about all of the light I can shed on it because I am a layman and have little knowledge beyond my own experiences
What I meant about the statement "real doctor" was, because IMO it would take so much in the way of opiate pain pills to overcome my neck pain, for some persons it would be a fatal dose......... and these day "real doctors" are too scared to go out on a limb for anyone
I hope this helps and you find relief from your pain
I can relate to your story, pretty close to mine since about '85 or so. I found some decent relief with Lidoderm patches (2009-2013) for the neck issues until the insurance company decided they no longer wanted to cover them, maybe the VA will cover 'em for you?
Opiates do work and they work well for many things. Sadly, there's just some injuries that require a heavier hand (surgery) before any opiate could work.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
A thousand pardons sir!
