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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Headache And Body Pain
Question: I've had a TBI 3 years ago in XXXXXXX I suffer from constant headaches, and my body aches from the weight I've put on as I'm unable to exercise from my hemiparasis. They only medication that seems to help is large dose oxycodone. How can I tell a doctor what helps without them thinking I'm seeking meds. The truth is I am. I know what works, and I've been dealing with this condition for three years, and I've developed a tolerance. In my younger years before my injury I struggled with addiction. But have been sober for some time now. What do I do? Every time I go see a new doctor, they read my history and throw me out thinking I'm just another junky.
Brief Answer:
Tell the truth as you know it but there certainly are options
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. It is true that we live in a day and age with more sensitivity toward the use of controlled substances not just for pain but for all medical conditions. Therefore, there will always be degrees of concern on physicians' parts when they find themselves in positions where patients may request prescriptions of this type. However, my suggestion is to simply the truth to the doctor as you feel it is...there is a reason why codeine works better than other drugs for chronic pain....because it is a very potent analgesic.
However, the reason it's NOT a good choice for chronic pain is because it doesn't treat the CAUSE of the pain. Therefore, there's always going to be the dilemma for continuing or instituting a medication that may be good to treat pain but does not treat the cause vs. giving a prescription which we know improves the quality of life in terms of immediate pain relief but not in terms of overall life outcomes as you will likely have to continue this medication indefinitely and will run into all the complications of dependency, potential toxicity, and difficulty finding a physician who will refill this prescription long term.
If your headaches are part of a postconcussive syndrome type of problem then, there are other medications recognized that treat this type of headache preferentially such as valproic acid or Depakote? You may check with your doctor or ask to be referred to a headache specialist who will be able to try other things to treat chronic postconcussive headaches. Another agent which you have not listed and is one of the most TIME TESTED and simple medications to use for chronic headaches (if postconcussive and not tension type) is PROPRANOLOL.
Other medications that may be more effective than ibuprofen would be diclofenac or even naproxen.
If I've satisfactorily addressed your questions could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction?
Many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 22 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Tell the truth as you know it but there certainly are options
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. It is true that we live in a day and age with more sensitivity toward the use of controlled substances not just for pain but for all medical conditions. Therefore, there will always be degrees of concern on physicians' parts when they find themselves in positions where patients may request prescriptions of this type. However, my suggestion is to simply the truth to the doctor as you feel it is...there is a reason why codeine works better than other drugs for chronic pain....because it is a very potent analgesic.
However, the reason it's NOT a good choice for chronic pain is because it doesn't treat the CAUSE of the pain. Therefore, there's always going to be the dilemma for continuing or instituting a medication that may be good to treat pain but does not treat the cause vs. giving a prescription which we know improves the quality of life in terms of immediate pain relief but not in terms of overall life outcomes as you will likely have to continue this medication indefinitely and will run into all the complications of dependency, potential toxicity, and difficulty finding a physician who will refill this prescription long term.
If your headaches are part of a postconcussive syndrome type of problem then, there are other medications recognized that treat this type of headache preferentially such as valproic acid or Depakote? You may check with your doctor or ask to be referred to a headache specialist who will be able to try other things to treat chronic postconcussive headaches. Another agent which you have not listed and is one of the most TIME TESTED and simple medications to use for chronic headaches (if postconcussive and not tension type) is PROPRANOLOL.
Other medications that may be more effective than ibuprofen would be diclofenac or even naproxen.
If I've satisfactorily addressed your questions could you do me the kindest of favors by CLOSING THIS QUERY and be sure to include some fine words of feedback on your opinion as to our transaction?
Many thanks for posing your question to our attention on this network and do not forget to recontact me in the future at: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi for additional questions, comments, or concerns having to do with this topic or others.
This query has utilized a total of 22 minutes of professional time in research, review, and synthesis for the purpose of formulating a return statement.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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