Anyse - Weird Doctor pain discussion

[Guest guest]

HI Anyse,

I am quite interested in learning more about your discussion

about pain in the manner of a philosophical debate.....

I know from an physiological aspect, some research has shown

that long-term use of narcotics makes us more sensitive to

pain....lowering the pain threshold via synapses I would imagine.

However, I am surprised to consider the psychic pain

contribution in matters of chronic pain due to CP. I am aware of

the so-called predisposition to disorders of chronic pain of

unknow etiology being associated with mental health but I am

wary of this type of broad generalization that seems to be used to

push patients out the door. So I am thinking that this is not the

type of psychic pain that your doctor was referring to (?).

No doubt our personal experiences with both physical and

emotional pain can influence how we perceive " real " pain - both

in quality and severity - but if we say that it is a major factor in all

perception of pain then it seems to make any assessment

useless. Prior to my first attack of pancreatitis I never would

have been able to describe excrutiating pain....and since then, I

seem to have set my pain threshold higher rather than lower, in

that what I once would have considered unacceptable levels of

pain I now endure as " normal " and pain that may have alarmed

me enough to seek medical attention in the recent past, I now

ignore or self-treat. I think that is similar to other's with chronic

disease....for the asthmatic, getting out of breath with mild

exertion may not be alarming or unusual and is easily

self-treated.....but for me, not having any problems in that area, if

I were to wheeze like my husband does as a normal event...I

would be calling my doctor........

Anyways....I am curious about the discussion....The idea of us

" rewarding " our pain by taking pain meds - from a psychic point

of view - tends to make me think negatively about what your

doctor is saying....an implication that somehow our " soul " in the

brain (as opposed to the physiological processes or anatomical

changes that occurs with long-term narcotic use) is somehow

making us want to take pain meds unrelated to the actual

physiological sensation of pain. That is, our mind is dictating the

levels of pain solely so we can feel good about taking the meds.

I am not sure if this is a cause or an effect: that is, do we delude

ourself so we can take the meds? or does taking the meds

make the pain real? (that is, I want the pills so I must be having

pain). . No doubt, there has to be some rationalization for taking

narcotics if you feel the need to overcome the societal stigman of

" using " but again, in my case, I would be much happier, both in

my intellect and my soul if I never had to take another oxycodone

again in my life. Unless I am deluding myself by appearing to be

" rational " about this (?)

Interesting.....

Laurie