Crushing injuries, amputations and motor vehicle accidents may leave a victim in long-term pain. And when a patient is in significant pain, physicians often prescribe pain medications to ease the discomfort during the time of healing and recovery. Many of these medications, including codeine and morphine, are opiates. What can you do to avoid an over-dependence on pain medications? Here are a few tips to help you safely achieve a level of pain relief that adequately controls your suffering.
If you’ve experienced a severe and painful injury that will require a lengthy period of healing, that puts you at higher risk for opiate addiction. First, recognize the signs that you may be slipping into opiate dependency. First, are you increasing the amount of pain relievers you are taking in a 24-hour period? Do you have excessive sweating, nagging thoughts or cravings for opiate pain relievers? Tell your doctor, as sharing your thoughts will help your physician adjust your dosage.If you are not able to do so, have a trustworthy relative or friend keep track of your medication dosage and the number of times you take oral pain relief medication in a 24-hour period.
Keep in mind that you do not have to take pain medication at the first available opportunity. You can do so if you are struggling with achieving an adequate level of pain relief; however, you are taking serious risks with your health if you exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor. As pain medication can cause a brain fog, write down each time you take a dose of pain medication.
Most physicians adeptly balance pain relief with the risk of addiction. Physicians want to keep a patient comfortable, but only you know the level of pain you are actually experiencing. Pain scales based on facial expressions are one way a doctor assesses a patient’s level of pain. The more accurately you are able to communicate the level of pain, the better your doctor will understand how to provide you relief.
Over-the-counter medications can provide highly effective pain relief, but there is a significant risk should a patient take too many doses of acetaminophen, which also may be sold under the brand name of Tylenol. It’s best to avoid alcohol while taking this over-the-counter pain reliever, as it can cause liver failure if you exceed the manufacturer’s dosage recommendation.
The best way to avoid opiate dependency is to be cognizant of your thoughts. Are you craving that feeling of being high? That’s a danger sign that you may be taking too much medication, or you may simply have a genetic tendency to addiction. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but you do need to relate that to your medical care provider so you can receive the proper treatment to avoid becoming addicted.