Opioids And Drowsiness

[LeoWyatt]

How does one combat drowsiness caused by opioids?

 

[vespasia]

In honesty- go back and review your analgesia with your neurologist.

Opiods can provide pain breaks but they are not something that chronic pain sufferers should be using long term as they are increadibly addictive and can lower pain thresholds and make pain seem far worse.

Chronic pain management is not the same as cancer or acute pain management.

 

[LeoWyatt]

Right, I was looking for information on acute pain management. I figured people on this forum would know something about that so I posted this here. I also, did not know where else to post it.

 

[vespasia]

Possibly general health.

This is a UK website on pain management. It covers opiod use for acute pain. For sudden severe/acute pain opoids can be very useful and tend to be used for 12 hrs- a max of 72.
The longer the use the greater the increase of withdrawal.
http://www.britishpainsociety.org/book_opioid_patient.pdf

 

[Chaplain David]

How does one combat drowsiness caused by opioids?

Hi,

It depends on where the drowsiness comes from IMO. I'd suggest running this by your doctor. That's what I'd do.

Faithfully,
CH Sacerdote

 

[drjean]

Well, it could be you could take a smaller dose...be sure to tell your physician about the drowsiness and see. If it's a temporary thing, then why worry about it? Truly the medicines tell us not to operate machinery etc (drive, work...???) if we do have such results from a medicine like an opiod. It could be that while you are treating the acute pain you shouldn't be working etc. That might help the healing as well.

As for other info given about chronic pain not being like cancer... I'd like that addressed in another thread if they are reading here (rather than take this one off topic) because it sure can be!

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[EbonNelumbo]

I personally don't have this problem. I have been on opiates for years due to a car accident, and an ex husband accident, that left me with intractable pain. I just recently had a foraminotomy on my back (rt side) for sciatica and have had some relief and eased up on the meds. Some opiates, in my experience, will make you drowsier than others...Dialaudid for instance, makes me pretty loopy, but I had to be on it right after my surgery.

Take sacerdote's message, try talking to your doctor if it's a problem. Sometimes they will prescribe a longer acting, time release one which has better effects in the long run, and may not make you as drowsy.

 

[Doc Severide]

Opiods can provide pain breaks but they are not something that chronic pain sufferers should be using long term

No, just no. Been taking Narcotics for 7 years. I cannot function without them the pain is too great.

as they are increadibly addictive and can lower pain thresholds and make pain seem far worse.

Addictive? whatever... It's one or the other...

Chronic pain management is not the same as cancer or acute pain management.

I've seen them both treated the same way...

 

[vespasia]

Thankfully I am under a leading Prof' of Neurology who does specialise in managing neurological disorders that do cause suicidal levels of pain. Morphine pumps never stopped the pain and I even trailed the realms of neuro-toxins, had assorted nerve blocks and can access an urgent appointment with a neuro the same day. Living with that kind of pain takes more than simple analgesia as analgesia is not enough to learn how to live with that level of pain on a hour in hour out basis. Sadly its easier for most doctors to hand over more and more drugs than work holistically to manage pain that cannot be easily controlled.

Not everyone who lives with severe levels of chronic pain is blessed to have access to a leading Prof' in the pain management field though.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

I think the people who have the most trouble with addiction to narcotics are the ones taking it to get high rather than to combat pain. Take only what you need to get your pain to a manageable level (and that isn't zero) and follow doctor's orders, and you will likely do all right. Abuse the stuff or don't follow orders and you could end up in life threatening situations. Idiots who try to use narcotics to get high may never wake up again. Especially those foolish enough to try to mix it with alcohol. Read the directions and obey!

I take hydrocodone without any euphoria or "high". But it only keeps my otherwise 9/10 pain down to 3-5/10 levels. As for drowsiness, I have the opposite problem. It keeps me up all night! I know it's a bit of a paradox, but that is how my body reacts to the narcotics. If I did have a problem with drowsiness, I'd probably just drink more coffee, but ask your doctor because it might mean you are taking too much for your level of pain.