View Single Post
  #8  
Old 12-05-2017, 06:41 PM
blackshire's Avatar
blackshire blackshire is offline
Master Modeler
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 6,507
Default

That nerve (as well as others that "fired" at the least provocation, including just from inhaling too deeply while asleep) is why I refuse to let myself be 'weaned off' morphine pills, despite the current hysteria about the so-called "opioid crisis." To the question (which some doctors have asked me), "But what if you get addicted to the morphine?", I say: "So what? My pain is tolerable now, while it was totally out of control before I started taking it." (A disabled Vietnam veteran friend of mine had his morphine pills cut off "cold turkey" last month by a zealous young PA [a Physicians' Assistant, who suggested Extra-Strength Tylenol instead], but this decision was soon reversed after his psychiatric nurse--my friend also has severe PTSD--had a little chat with the PA and pointed out that PTSD, including intrusive thoughts about "neutralizing threats," is greatly exacerbated by extreme pain...) Also:

The truth is that there is *no* opioid crisis (which suddenly, out of nowhere, became a news item about a year and a half ago), because the rate of addiction among patients has not changed over the years. This so-called crisis erupted (as a physician guest--and other doctors and pharmacists who called in--explained to George Noory when he discussed this issue on his radio program last week) because new--but considerably more expensive than opioids--painkillers are being developed. Keeping new patients from taking opioids (and getting currently opioid-taking patients off them) also ensures that insurance companies and the VA (Veterans Administration) won't have to pay for the more expensive follow-on painkillers, either, and:

While I whole-heartedly endorse the sciatic nerve attack-preventing exercises that Stefanj and Tbzep mentioned above, if any of you--due to your unique situations--need or would be helped by powerful painkillers (in my case, ankylosing spondylitis is an aggravating factor, which will never go away and will worsen over time), don't let your doctors talk you out of them. Pain destroys quality of life, and chronic pain--especially if it is severe, but even if it is not--ruins enjoyment of life. You have the right to fight pain with the most powerful "weapons" available.
__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see:
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050
http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511
All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com.
NAR #54895 SR
Reply With Quote