B👩🏽⚕️Opioids x💊
When medicine bites
back
I hear a lot of people mentioning symptoms that tend to be attributed to "side-effects" or their autoimmunity. Admittedly, autoimmunity has such a wealth of symptoms, it can be difficult to know what's what.
We all need pain relief from time to time, after all it's not a suffering competition. Paracetamol is the go-to for treating fever, but it's a great analgesic too. I know it's the only thing that helps my migraines. Never exceed the daily maximum and if you're still taking that many after 2 weeks, it's time to consider your options. Ibuprofen is a good pain killer and anti-inflammatory. However, if you suffer with gastric troubles, it might not be for you. They're different types of drug, so if needed you can take both without risk of causing harm.
Gabapentin and Pregablin target neuropathic (nerve) pain specifically. It's always in your best interest to take the least amount possible for the shortest time because the body develops a tolerance to any medicine in time, delivering reduced effectiveness. Nearly all medicines (including supplements and "natural" remedies) have the potential for negative effects in addition to those desired. People can wind-up taking more and more medicines, to counter the unwanted effects of the others.
Some OTC pain killers also have codeine in them. Doctors also prescribe Tramadol, Dihydrocodeine, Codeine phosphate or prescription strength Co-codamol. It's not uncommon for people taking these medicines to be unaware of just what they're taking and potential adverse effects. Codeine is an opioid, similar to morphine and Heroin. They really should only ever be used for as little time as possible, with the exception of palliative prescriptions.
ALL opioids are addictive, including the OTC preparations. Within a matter of days, tolerance begins to develop, creating the feeling that they're not as effective as they had been. This should be a red flag, warning you to rethink the situation. It doesn't take long for a dependency to form. Whilst not a fully flung addiction, it feels impossible to function without the pills - that can feel frightening, like you're losing control. Addiction sneaks up on the unsuspecting. Before you know it, the pills you ensnared in a terrifying prison have with no apparent way out.
*Understand that addiction is NOT a sign of weakness. Nor are addicts bad, criminals, foolish or deserving of the suffering withdrawal imposes on people who are just experiencing the effects that these substances have in the human body. It's NOT your fault.Help is available for anyone who finds they have a problem. It's nothing to be ashamed of, you don't need to suffer in silence, alone or be afraid.
Symptoms that indicate the existence
of addiction include:
• Sneezing fits
• Watery eyes
• Yawning
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Sweating & Cold chills
• Increased pain
• Muscle cramps
• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Restless legs
A significant proportion of those who become addicted to opioids, do so because it helps them subdue unbearable emotional pain and trauma.
You shouldn't attempt to just stop taking them at once. The route to ending the addiction can depend on other medications taken, your circumstances, the amount needed and the length of time they've been used. You may not feel ready to do this just yet. It's important to feel it's the right time for you. Diving into detox and rehabilitation unprepared is often a recipe for failure. Your doctor isn't going to take away your supply and force you to endure withdrawal. It usually takes more than one attempt to get through the process.
Someone may have told you that escaping opioid addiction is nothing more than the flu. That's untrue and said to belittle the trials involved. It's probably the hardest thing someone will ever do. Unless a person has the misfortune to find themselves in this bear trap, they can't possibly comprehend how horrible it is.
It's recommended to employ a gradual reduction of the substance. Discuss this with your doctor who may be able to offer further assistance. It's a good idea to discuss your plans with the surgery's social prescriber too. They have a surprising range of tools in their bag.
The detoxification process lasts around a week, after which time the opioids have all left the body. Opioid withdrawal is physically taxing .Your doctor may offer a small amount of medication for symptomatic relief, or you can take paracetamol, Ibuprofen and Imodium from your local pharmacy. Additionally, those suppressed emotions all come flooding back at once. It may feel as though time passes far more slowly than usual, possibly even grinding to a halt. Motivation abandons you and only one thing consumes your every thought. Often, one addiction is swapped for another (such as alcohol)... take care to avoid that mistake. Drink plenty of water as it will help the opioids clear your system that bit more quickly.
Once detox is over, a rehabilitation period ensues that can last for months. The brain is learning to do everything it should without the opioids help. Try and focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a well balanced diet and good sleep hygiene. Exercise stimulates neurochemicals in the brain that produce positive emotions. Many people gain a ot of surplus weight during the process, which could cause significant pain for those with problems in the lower body and limbs. Sleep may elude you for a time, but enjoy the return as it helps to reduce inflammation.
If someone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, understand that telling them to stop for their children/parents/other important reasons, won't help. Successfully quitting opioids occurs for only ONE reason- because that individual truly wants to, more than anything in their heart. There are many ways you can support them. It really helps to divert their attention during particularly difficult moments. When they're despondent, something to look forward to is helpful. Patience, empathy and love are the order of the day.
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