Does anyone take pain medication regularly?

SSG Leo Bell — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:46:25 -0400

I was wondering if anyone has taken pain medication on a daily basis?
I've been on them for over two years now and my surgeon wanted to up the amount, but my PCM just wants me to stay on the same amount.
It's not really taking the pain away for long periods of time. Basically it's not lasting the 12 hours it should.
I'm wondering if I should ask for a different one, or just try to do as prescribed?

Response by PFC Joseph Levi made Aug 26 at 2015 1:48 PM

PFC Joseph Levi — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:48:29 -0400

I do.......you should change opiates after a certain amount of time. for example, I took Oxycodone for a awhile, they switched me to Morphine for about a month and then back to Oxycodone. It acts as a reset button for the effectiveness.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 26 at 2015 1:49 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 13:49:56 -0400

I take a preventative (Topiramate) twice a day, and Sumatriptan as need for Migraines (depends on diet & stress level).

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 26 at 2015 7:58 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:58:45 -0400

Every day brother... 33 years and more than a few explosions will leave their marks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2015 8:39 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:39:59 -0400

I'm not a doctor by any means. However, if the meds your taking don't work, tell your doctor and get him to change it. I would tell your PCM what the surgeon said and have them talk with each other. I took motrin for so long while active duty, it got to the point it was like taking M&Ms. I was then put on naproxen and the same thing happened. Finally, a civilian doctor put me on mobic, low dose. so if one did not work I could take one more. So far so good. These are not heavy pain meds by any means.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 27 at 2015 2:58 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 02:58:59 -0400

SSG Leo Bell At least twice every day.

Response by SSG Edward Evans made Aug 27 at 2015 8:33 AM

SSG Edward Evans — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:33:24 -0400

Yes, but I have been on them so long that I have more than one type. AP Codeine , tramadol and others, what surgery did you have? I've made my self cut back on the stronger ones due to side effects. Are you taking any preventive like Celebrex? Even if he does not want to change you are the one in pain, not the Doctor, tell him you are hurting. Good luck, anything else I can help with let me know.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 30 at 2015 6:06 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 18:06:47 -0400

Yes I have been taking neurontin (900 mg per day) since 2008 SSG Leo Bell . This year it was updated to 1200 mg per day of neurontin supplemented with tylenol - same principal as percocet, vicodin, etc. all of which I have taken for extended periods; but, I hate the associated constipation. Dilaudid and Demerol made me itch, see and hear hallucinations and also cause constipation. I have been taking twice daily doses of colace for some time.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made Mar 27 at 2018 7:10 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 19:10:48 -0400

motrin??

Response by SSgt Arlene O'Hara made May 9 at 2019 6:22 PM

SSgt Arlene O'Hara — Thu, 09 May 2019 18:22:44 -0400

Tramadol works for my back I hurt in the military. I've been on it 1 yr. I cant get out of bed without it. I need what works for me or I'm useless.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 7 at 2019 10:47 AM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 10:47:12 -0400

Yes, I do!

Response by SPC Ray Blaylock made Mar 13 at 2020 12:12 PM

SPC Ray Blaylock — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 12:12:04 -0400

Yes I've been on pain meds for over 10 years now I started out on darvocet but when my pain got worse and the FDA took darvocet off the market I started on hydrocodone first 5 mg then 7.5 and now on 10 mg plus now I am on pain patch 50 mcg and the hydrocodone for breakthrough pain but all the VA wants to do is stop all my narcotics because of the people that have abused the meds that have now us that really need it are having to pay for there dumb ass mistakes and as said before these VA drs dont care about us or if we have pain they just want to make sure they dont get into trouble with the medical board for over prescribing. Both my knees are bone on bone my rotator cuff on both arms are tore from lifting 100 lbs 155mm rounds for 4 years and of course other work and I have compressed disk in my lower back. And i have gained a lot of weight due to lack of ability to exercise due to pain. My VA dr told me last month and I quote " Since you dont want to lose weight on your own iam going to motivate you by tapering you off all the pain meds and xanax". First of all it's not like I dont want to lose weight if course I do. But taking me off my meds wont motivate me to do shit except maybe do less than iam doing now or start self medicating with alcohol again which I dont wont to do. I've said enough I could go on all day. But until we all come together somehow I dont see the VA changing any policy for just us few. Good luck my brother and god bless

Response by SSG Dale London made Mar 13 at 2020 9:39 PM

SSG Dale London — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 21:39:25 -0400

Twenty-four years and counting.
Opiods are really nasty buggers -- the longer you use them the less effective they become. But wait, there's more: not only do they begin to lose effectiveness, your body will start to manufacture MORE pain in order to get more opiod. The only answer is to change meds. If you keep chasing relief using opiods you will find yourself with an even bigger problem: addiction (of which the loss of effectiveness is potentially a sign).
Now, as to who you shold listen to, it's your PCM. By nature surgeons focus on the short-term -- and upping your meds as suggested is a short-term solution. It will work for a while but before you know it you'll be right back where you are now and you'll be even more hooked.
Talk to your PCM and get into a pain management program.
Trust me, you don't want to up opiods.