Pain medication is NOT a short-term option or end of life thing. Pain specialists offer a wide variety of medications (not all narcotics) to relieve the pain from adhesions. The Fentanyl patch was a miracle for me. The steady level of medication in my system allows me to have a life. I am on permament SS disability, I can no longer work, and I can't walk my dog anymore. The pain medication allows me to still be me. I don't feel 'drugged' or 'loopy' all day. I can plant beautiful flowers in my yard, write to friends and relatives, make a delicious dinner for my husband, and a million other things that make my life bearable. Without pain medication my life would consist of a dark room, a bed, and a gun.
Every person has the right to try everything and anything that works for them without judgements, explanations, shame, guilt or embarassment. Our bodies may be 'broken' but our spirits (souls) are whole and beautiful.
At Thu, 05 Jun 2008, carynlruzich@comcast.net wrote:
>
>You absolutely develop a tolerance to medication over time. That's the
problem with narcotics. Once you start on them, you have to continue to
increase the dose if you stay on them any length of time. Narcotics are not
a long-term fix. They are a short term treatment option or an end of life
thing.
>
>I can't tolerate narcotics for any length of time due to an ileostomy, so I
use heating pads or warm baths or hot tubs. Floating in my pool also can
relieve my pain. The act of stretching your insides out and soaking in
water seem to help me as much as pain medicines. I also can't wear form
fitting clothes. My pants or jeans have to be very loose, nothing tight
around my waist. I even cut the band on nylons when I have to wear them.
My underwear are a size or two bigger than I need. Everything I wear has to
be loose. Lucky for me I work at home and don't have to get dressed
everyday. I also wear alot of casual dresses.
>
>Best of luck to you,
>
>Caryn