The use of pain relievers, especially controlled opioids, is dangerous. Therefore it is imperative that you ask these questions to your doctor so that you can manage pain in a safe and effective manner.
In her report, published in the American magazine "The Healthy", the author, Lisa Marie Conklin, said that doctors and patients are dealing with pain management with more caution these days, but this does not mean that you should suffer or worry about your addiction to the analgesics that you consume.
Opioid analgesics - such as morphine and codeine - are controlled for some reason, as they can be very dangerous when not used under your doctor's supervision and care.
The pain specialist Asher Goldstein pointed out that "the primary pain caused by one injury may differ from another type of pain, and the same applies even to the medication appropriate for a similar type of pain."
Here we give you 10 questions to ask your doctor to get the appropriate treatment for your pain, as the incorrect use of painkillers has complications that may lead to kidney damage and even death:
1- What causes pain symptoms?
If your pain does not originate from a clear source, try to pinpoint the problem by locating the pain. In other words, record what you were doing and what was happening before your pain began. "Even simple things like changing diet, not getting enough sleep, or the amount of stress you're experiencing, can affect your pain level," according to Dr. Jeremy Allen.
2- What is my diagnosis?
It must be remembered that pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It is important to know that your doctor has a good understanding of the underlying cause of your pain, but without a correct diagnosis it will be difficult to prescribe the appropriate treatment.
3- Are you treating me from acute pain or chronic pain?
The acute pain begins suddenly, but begins to fade once the treatment process resumes. On the other hand, chronic pain usually lasts longer than six months, and it is necessary to understand the expected time frame for pain and treatment.
For his part, Dr. Jacob Crowthers said that he "deals with acute pain and chronic pain completely differently, and there are certain strategies that may work with one and ineffective with the other."
4- Have I considered all the medications that I take and my other health conditions?
Some medications do not interact well with the body and can cause more trouble. Taking a bad mixture of opioid medications can lead to serious side effects. These substances will eventually produce unequal amounts of the basic enzymes that the body uses for treatment, which may lead to inconsistent performance of each analgesic or accumulation of these substances in the body.
5- What is the best way to manage pain?
Dr. Eugene Fescusi says the best current "way to manage pain is to start with a pain reliever that does not contain opioids similar to acetaminophen, as well as an anti-inflammatory that does not contain a steroid compound like ibuprofen or perhaps a drug like gabapentin. The key is to use the lowest dose Effective for the shortest period of time. "
6- Can I try treatments that do not contain opiates first?
Back pain or any other part of the body does not necessarily need an opioid prescription. In fact, acute and chronic pain can fade with physical therapy, such as acupuncture or massage, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory.
7- I don’t want to take prescription analgesics, what other options do I have?
What many people do not realize is that often prescribed medications can increase the severity of pain, while they may respond well to over-the-counter medications.
Before taking the prescribed opioid course, lifestyle changes may contribute to pain relief, such as yoga, meditation, weight loss and exercise.
8- I am using physiotherapy, why do I still need pain reliever?
Physical therapy can cause great pain, but the final results of this treatment will help manage pain. In this regard, anesthesia and pain specialist Anita Gupta said, "Medicines can help facilitate physical therapy and reduce the inflammatory process that can occur during a physiotherapy session."
9- What are the common side effects of taking pain relievers?
The author states that side effects differ from person to person. In fact, any medication can have unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, fatigue, dry mouth, and nausea. Therefore, ask your doctor about the possible side effects of pain reliever, and be sure to discuss the rare effects so that you have a better idea of what to pay attention to.
In this context, Dr. Allen explained that "some medications can also cause digestive problems, liver problems and impaired adrenal functions."
10- Can I be addicted to pain relievers?
The author indicated that patients need to know that addiction to pain relievers is a potential risk, especially with long-term use and patients who have causal factors.
Dr. Medhat Mikhael explained that there are exam tools that your doctor may use to assess your risk of addiction. These risks include problems with alcohol and smoking.