HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

pain meds

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/10/2013 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
one more thing...
now, don't laugh!
my liver hurts. is that 2 b expected considering the circumstances? will it get worse?

have any of u EVER felt ur doc was maybe not a lenient with the pain meds with us that have abused them, then 4 someone that had a needle stick or blood transfusion? i'm quite worried about that as i can not stand pain. i know no one likes it, but mine seems 2 b extreme. i can't even deal well with discomfort. i'm worried when the time comes i won't get as strong or as many as i need. i have not done drugs or drank for over 30 years. i have not smoked or eaten meat or any animal products. boring, but safe:)) but, u c, the "clean living" did not help my husband, and now it's my turn. obviously has not helped me.
this liver pain reminds me of what could come and i worry about it. will they ration me?
how did u all feel after an rfa?
thanks so much
kat
Posted 8/10/2013 6:34 AM (GMT 0)
Well I am the opposite of you I guess. I hate pain meds, they make me sick and I won't take them. I am worried that eventually I will have pain that I can't handle and will have to take something. I think a lot of doctors do under-medicate chronically ill patients because they are scared of the Federal drug laws and the DEA.

I hope your pain doesn't get worse and your will feel better soon.

hugs, doni
Posted 8/10/2013 6:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Kat, I'm from the chronic pain forum and happened to be spam searching and saw your post.

Wanted to say that if and when the time comes and you feel they're not treating your pain as aggressively as they should there are actually Pain management Drs certified as addictologists! Specialized to treat CPers whom have at some time or another had a abuse or addiction problem. They are a wonderful option to regular Drs who do no more then judge regardless of how long ago your problem was.

They wont withhold meds and leave you to suffer needlessly.

Sorry for the interruption, just wanted to calm a very real fear.
Your welcome to join us in CP as there is tons of information and folks who understand pain.
Posted 8/10/2013 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
Vickie that is good information to have. I hear about this all the time from people with problems other than liver disease too, I'll point them in that direction. thanks
Posted 8/11/2013 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kat! Like others have said, the doctors will help you with your pain. Just be honest with them - tell them how you are feeling. They also get some cues on how pain is affecting you in other ways, like your blood pressure - when you are in severe pain, bloop pressure tends to rise, as does respiration. You also may perspire when in serious pain. It also helps to keep a 'pain journal' - keep track of your pain each day: duration, activities surrounding it, type (dull, sharp, throbbing, etc.), what you did to help alleviate it/how the pain responded - anything related to your pain issues. Keeping a journal can prove to be invaluable to you and your doctors!

I also wanted to add that the pain you are feeling is not from the liver itself - the liver has no pain receptors. However, an enlarged/swollen liver can press on other organs, thereby causing pain. Ascites can cause pain, also by the pressure put on other internal organs, like the spleen or the diaphragm.

So anyway, just keep your docs informed on what's going on and how you are feeling - you need to be your own biggest advocate when it comes to your health care issues! I hope you are feeling better soon. Have a peaceful day.
Posted 8/11/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
You have received some good info in these posts. I was going to mention that the liver has no pain receptors.

I did hard IV drugs back in '68-69, which is how I contracted Hep C. I have been free of hard drugs since Nov. '69 and free of pot since Dec. '86. Also free of alcohol since Aug. '86 (27 yrs. on Aug. 1st.) Mayo still tests me for drugs and alcohol occasionally.

I've had some major surgeries (including transplant and 2 hip replacements with 3 revisions) and had to go home with heavy pain meds. They got me off of them as quickly as possible. I have some chronic pain issues and for those I take Lortab, which is managed by my PCP. For YEARS I had to see her once a month for a new prescription. She just didn't trust me. about 8 yrs. ago, she started giving me a 30-day supply with 2 refills.

At Mayo, when i had a leg ulcer that took 9 mos. to heal, I was on oxycodone and after the first 2 Rxs, the transplant team referred me to Pain Clinic. They could see that this was going to be a long-term problem. The tighter restrictions on pain Rxs in FL this year have made it even more difficult to get pain meds.

I'm very sensitive to pain, also. So far, I've had no problems in continuing my Lortab (which is a lesser class than Percocet or Oxycodone.) This might be a good option for you in the future. But if you should need a transplant or other surgery, don't worry...they will make sure you get enough pain med to make you comfortable. They will take into consideration your long-term abstinence from drugs, but will still keep a watchful eye on how you do with meds.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 8/11/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
i am a former opiate abuser. i understand that feeling you get when you ask for pain meds. but you still need them. HMOs and medical networks usually have a grievance process, that will listen to your concerns, and mediate an outcome. with all your medical records on line now, its difficult to play the "game". be careful of the acetominophen in opiates. my dr switched my hydrocodone to NORCO. norco only has 325 mg of acet.
be well barry
Posted 8/12/2013 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
The best painkiller I've found (and it was for kidney stones) is dilaudid. It has no tylenol, aspirin or advil combined with it. Also kills pain without making me feel goofy, and doesn't lead to as much constipation as other opiates do.
Posted 8/12/2013 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
I was placed on Dilaudid after one of my surgeries, but I guess they didn't see it as a good choice for a chronic pain problem.

Methodone is also being used as a pain med these days. At one time, it was used to detox from opiates.

Hugs,
Connie
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

HealingWell

Connect With Us
© 1997-2024 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.