Opioids for Chronic Pain: What You Need to Know

pain doctors near Hendersonville, NC

If you or someone you love is living with chronic pain, you know all too well that there are a wide range of treatment options. One of these options is opioid medication. While opioids can be useful in the treatment of chronic pain, it’s essential that they are used with caution and only under the supervision of a physician. Today our comprehensive pain management team will share some important information about the use of opioid medications for chronic pain.

 

What Are Opioids?

Opioids are a type of prescription medication within the narcotic branch of medication. They work by binding to specific pain receptors which then changes the pain message being sent to the brain.

Some of the more common opioid medications prescribed for pain management include:

  • Codeine

  • Fentanyl

  • Hydrocodone

  • Methadone

  • Morphine

  • Oxycodone

Before prescribing any of the above medications – or any treatment, for that matter, a qualified pain specialist will do a thorough assessment of your pain. If you are in need of help with your chronic pain, our pain doctors near Hendersonville, NC (additional locations in 12 other convenient North Carolina locations) can help.

 

How to Take Opioids Safely

Data collected by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the number of deaths involving opioids continues to increase each year. This has led the CDC to release guidelines on prescribing opioids for chronic pain. These guidelines help keep both doctors and patients informed and safe. If you or a loved one is currently using opioids to treat chronic pain, it’s important to remember the following:

  • Be accountable. Use the same pharmacy each time you fill your opioid prescription so that the pharmacy team can help you monitor your consumption and keep it to a safe number.

  • Follow instructed uses only. Take the medication only as directed and review dosage instructions regularly to ensure you are following them correctly. Never dissolve, break, crush or chew opioid pills. Because opioids can cause drowsiness, do not drive or operate heavy equipment while on them.

  • Keep your doctor informed. This includes letting him or her know if any side effects you are experiencing and how well your pain is responding to the treatment. Before beginning any treatment, be sure to inform your doctor of any other treatments or medication you are currently taking.

To learn more, view our video on opioids for pain management featuring one of our comprehensive pain management specialists, Dr. Lewis.

 

Potential Dangers & Side Effects

The use of opioid medication is considered controversial because of the associated dangers and potential side effects. Before beginning treatment with opioid pain medication, your doctor will go over all these details in depth. We’ve included some highlights here.

Dangers associated with the chronic use of opioids include:

  • Tolerance to the medication but less effective over time

  • Dependence on the medication

  • Addiction to the medication

  • Overdose leading to fatalities

Possible side effects include:

  • Constipation, nausea and other gastrointestinal issues

  • Brain fog

  • Depression

  • Fatigue

  • Difficulty staying focused

 

Comprehensive Pain Management

At Comprehensive Pain Consultants of the Carolinas, our first priority is to fully understand the cause of your pain with an in-depth diagnostic approach. Once we have a greater understanding of your pain’s source, we will build a personalized plan that will be monitored and adjusted regularly with care. Give us a call today to learn more about how we may be able to help you better manage your chronic pain.

Lauren FischerPain Clinic Asheville 3