Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 I just met with a neurologist who is a pain management specialist. The meeting definitely opened my eyes. My concern about taking narcotics for an extended period of time was leading me into behaviour that he said would get me addicted right away. Let me explain. I have been on dilauded a form of morphine, then oxycontin both highly addictive substances for two months since my total knee replacement. Having always been concerned about addiction, I would only take the pills when my pain got very bad. I would feel them working and think that I was not addicted because I had not built up a tolerance to them. Au contraire. My doctor said that it is exactly those spikes of pain relief that cause physical addiction. He said it is imperative to maintain a level of pain medication in the blood stream that works continuously in the body. He said that thinking you are building up a tolerance is actually just the body adapting to the pain meds and not causing the " sensations " we associate with pain relief, such as sleepiness. He said my infrequent use causes that spiked reaction which is a precursor to addiction. That is what the body craves. I am now taking my pain medication " as prescribed " and will discontinue them according to instructions, not cold turkey as I am predisposed to do and I feel quite confident that my pain is being managed appropriately and without fear of addiction! I hope my experience might reassure any of you who may have been concerned. Oh, and I never get sick from my pain meds like I did before, no longer suffer constipation, dizziness, light headedness, confusion etc! It really does work and is really improving my recovery unlike before! Hugs, Theresa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 > > > I have been on dilauded a form of morphine, then oxycontin both > >> highly addictive substances for two months since my total knee > >> replacement. > > > >Can anybody tell me the difference between Vicodin and Dilauded? I have > >major reconstructives come up in less than a month, and my doc is > >recommending Vicodin. Which certainly works, I had them after my DS > >surgery...but they make me ITCH. Hard to decide which is worse, pain or > >itching. How would the Dilauded compare? > > Oxycontin is a timed-release form of oxycodone, or Percoset. Vicodin > is hydrocodone. I get pain relief from either, but find that Vicodin > gives me a nauseous headache followed by a terribly headachy > hangover, shild Percoset gives me only a mild hangover. Of course, > each of us reacts differently. I can't recall much about Dilaudid. > I think that I had it in '84 for my appendectomy, but I really do not > recall. > > --Steve > -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 Hi, there. Just researched some of this stuff today. I read that Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a good heroin substitute, in that it's 2-8 times more powerful than morphine. Like Vicodin, it is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine. For me, Vicodin positively sucks, because I get the same reactions as Steve. This Dilaudid, however, sounds very intriguing! If it were my choice to make, I would choose the Dilaudid because I've always wanted to know what heroin felt like! That being said, I would be aware of its extremely addictive qualities and act accordingly. Addiction could take place in as little as two weeks or two months. But just because it's addictive doesn't mean that the drug's no good for you or anyone else. Heroin, for instance, is simply morphine " boiled down " to become more potent. What a great idea for a pain killer! Just be aware and careful. Best, > > > I have been on dilauded a form of morphine, then oxycontin both > >> highly addictive substances for two months since my total knee > >> replacement. > > > >Can anybody tell me the difference between Vicodin and Dilauded? I have > >major reconstructives come up in less than a month, and my doc is > >recommending Vicodin. Which certainly works, I had them after my DS > >surgery...but they make me ITCH. Hard to decide which is worse, pain or > >itching. How would the Dilauded compare? > > Oxycontin is a timed-release form of oxycodone, or Percoset. Vicodin > is hydrocodone. I get pain relief from either, but find that Vicodin > gives me a nauseous headache followed by a terribly headachy > hangover, shild Percoset gives me only a mild hangover. Of course, > each of us reacts differently. I can't recall much about Dilaudid. > I think that I had it in '84 for my appendectomy, but I really do not > recall. > > --Steve > -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 13, 2001 Report Share Posted November 13, 2001 Mich, I am allergic to Vicodin also! The Dilauded is a three ply, or narcotic. It works great and is constipating as hell. So If you take it, please, take it as directed and take colace with it daily. You may even need milk of magnesia and/or metamucil with the colace! I feel it is an effective pain killer which you will need after reconstruction. To me, vicodin vs pain, is similar to spitting on a forest fire! Hugs, T > > > I have been on dilauded a form of morphine, then oxycontin both > > highly addictive substances for two months since my total knee > > replacement. > > Can anybody tell me the difference between Vicodin and Dilauded? I have > major reconstructives come up in less than a month, and my doc is > recommending Vicodin. Which certainly works, I had them after my DS > surgery...but they make me ITCH. Hard to decide which is worse, pain or > itching. How would the Dilauded compare? > > Thanks, > Michele B., Cols, Ohio > Failed VBG 1986 > Revision - Open BPD/DS 7/14/00 > Wt 320/161.5 BMI 50.2/25.8 -158.5 pounds > Dr. P. Maguire, Kettering OH > Self-pay > Brachioplasty, Mastopexy, Abdominoplasty, Lateral Trunk Excision - 12/8/01 > Self-pay > http://hometown.aol.com/chezmich/index.html > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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