Quick question. I know a lot of us deal with abdominal pain which can be anywhere from mild to severe and is not always associated with an infection.
Had anyone been prescribed a prescription pain killer by your specialist and if so what was prescribed?
Thanks.
Hi Matt - everything you want to know but are afraid to ask here
Pain management is so important. I have been on everything and have withdrawn from them all as well. As an addictions counsellor, I was shocked at how each affected me so differently, so I did some research a while back.
First - Discuss all of the effects and side effects with your Doc., like driving and other restrictions when considering narcotic pain relief.
There are 3 families of narcotic pain medications. There are 2 oldies derived from the opium plant itself (codeine and morphine) and a third 'family' derived from Thebaine which is used as a base for all of the synthesized narcotics such as anything Oxy and hydrocodone. (The synthesized stuff gets confusing - Oxy and hydrocodone are derived from a bit of codeine and Thibane, but you can also derive hydrocodone from Thibane itself - sheesh)
There are also combination drugs like Tylenol 3s with Acetaminophen and codeine, Percocet with Acetaminophen and Oxycodone and Vicodin (Dr. House's favorite) Acetaminophen and hydrocodone. There are many other combos - so be aware of what you are taking.
Codeine is the mildest of the 3, is most constipating and has a sedative effect. In Canada, you can get Tylenol 1s with 8 mgs. of Codein over the counter, T3s are by controlled prescription only and have 30mgs of codeine each.
Oxycontin is billed as a lot stronger and less constipating, but is quite different in that it has a slight stimulating and euphoric effect. For this reason it has been compared to heroin as being VERY addictive. As an addictions counsellor in a youth custody facility - saw a lot of this.(I was prescribed it pre-transplant- withdrawal is painful - I will never take it gain).
Hydromorphone is for more severe pain, has a sedative effect and can be constipating but on this drug, you may not care as much. I was prescribed this most transplant and did not have trouble weaning off afterwards.
Note - All narcotics affect memory and can affect sleep patterns as well.
Again - I suggest discussing all of the affects and side-effects with your doctor. Also ask any family members if they have had reactions to them as the side-effects are more severe for some than others.
Hope this helps
Ruby
Hi Stephen
The good news is that they cleaned up some of my adhesions during the transplant surgery. I still gurgle, but not in severe pain anymore. Hope you get the same 2 for 1 deal!
Ruby
Stephen Cox said:
Thanks Ruby. Excellent info. I take hydromorphone because I have a serious adhesion problem. I could not function without it.
Good question, Matt. We have Tramadol on hand for pain. If you can tolerate the discomfort, you should. Often times the abdominal pain my fiance has turns out to be gas pains (common for PSCers, although I'm Latin, so it may be all the beans I feed him) JK. We have simethicone (fancy for GasX, prescribed by our Doc) that can be taken whenever there is discomfort. 99.9% of the time, it's gas. Keep in mind, a lot of drugs are metabolized through the liver. The less work for your friend the better. God bless, and prayers you will not have to use any pain meds in the future.