Is it bad to take pain killers for prolonged time?

Question

I have two bulged disks and a herniated disk in my lower back and am in constant pain.

The doctors gave me a whole slew of pills, but I don't like taking them. What should I do?

I'm taking percosets in bad times, once a week or so, anti-inflamitories daily, t3 about every second day, i go to this in bad times before the precoset, motrin all the time. Is this going to make me brain dead?

Answer 1

I am a chronic pain patient.  I go to a pain clinic where I see a doctor that specializes in pain management.  I have been on narcotics for a year and a half.  I am now on Fentanyl Patches, which are a VERY high powered narcotic.  When I started going to the pain clinic; I had the same thoughts and concerns as you. I was very worried about taking narcotics.  Would I get addicted? How would it affect me short term, long term?  How would I feel and would the side effects be awful?  But when I was 23 years old and not walking without the assistance of a cane; I decided if I did my research that I would be very careful and try narcotics.  The first several I tried made me feel goofy and drugged.  I told my doctor immediatly and he would switch me out and try another.  About 15 different pills later; I found my match.  It was a very difficult process, but I'm SOO glad I pursued!  I have about a  90% pain reduction from when I first started going to the clinic.  You will not be brain dead.  Just take it seriously.  Do your research on the medication, make sure you discuss with your doctor all your concerns (take a list to your doc appt).  Make sure you never mix any medications (OTC or RX) without first speaking with your doctor or pharmacsist (or both!).  Make sure you report all side effects to your doctor.  You can find the right medication.  As long as you take it exactly as dosaged by your doctor; there is little to no risk you will become addicted and if you begin to feel addicted; tell your doctor right away so they can help you.  Good luck and never give up on your quest to become pain free!

You may want to try a pain clinic if you haven't already; they can give you alot of options that are not medication related.  

Answer 2

If you are genuinely using the Perc's in bad times and not everyday /every four hours you will be fine. This is how they should be taken. Only as needed. You develop a problem when you start taking them everyday for at least a week or two but if you are giving your body a break in between doses you will be fine.

Oxycodone is nothing to play around with and it is highly addicting.

Answer 3

Your body can become immune to them, So yes, it is bad, brain dead, no.