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Yes, it is complicated. As someone that previously lived in chronic pain for some time, it is frustrating that due to abuse, those in pain have a hard time getting relief. For many, they are a life-saver. That portion of the population seems to be the loser in the latest clamor over the issue.
It's crazy. I had meniscus surgery last year and the surgeon gave me a prescription for Oxycontin without me even asking for it. Instead, I took Advil for the first couple of days (I think the Oxycontin is still somewhere in my hall linen closet). Those who really need it for pain management have a difficult time getting it, but then someone like me just has it handed to them. But, to be truthful, my surgeon was so brilliant, I didn't even have to use crutches. I was in discomfort, but certainly not what would quality as serious "pain." I soon figured out that, in my case, the best "pain management" of all was consistent commitment to physical therapy--I was astounded at how effective it was--but that won't apply in many other situations.
In general as long as you take them responsibility you won’t get addicted. .
Narcotics are actually meant to be taken back-to-back-to-back or they don't really work, which is why "taking them responsibly" has no meaning. And to say "if you take something responsibly you won't get addicted" is a ridiculously simple statement. Oxy is heroin. Period. One of the most addictive substances known to man. It happens before you even know it. I had shoulder surgery 7 years ago. Took the lowest prescribed dose of oxy at the longest prescribed interval for a couple weeks (5mg every 6-8 hours). After a few weeks I stopped taking it. I was sick and tired - literally sick and tired - for two weeks after I stopped taking it. It took me a couple weeks to realize I had gone through withdrawal. And like RedZin when I arrived at the ER for the original injury, I sure enjoyed the Fentanyl shot they gave me.
My 16 year old DS had all four wisdom teeth out last summer. He did not request nor did I give him any painkillers. Nothing. He wanted nothing. The only thing he complained about was how long he was numb.
We can get through stuff without being medicated out the wazoo. These drugs should be for people with end stage cancer and such.
True story: 35 years ago I had knee surgery with post OP complications. My 3 day hospitalization became 15 day visit with way more pain meds than expected. At the time, I lived alone and would be on my own at home (with stairs), so the doctors were very concerned with having me off prescription pain medication before I was released.
About 5 days after surgery, They told me that every other shot of pain meds would be "something lighter that would ease the pain, but not quite as much as the other, stronger stuff." it worked exactly as predicted.
I later found out that the "lighter stuff" was saline. Worked like a charm.
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