my update

**alexciasmom** · 05-26-2012, 05:51 AM

Today I feel like the tin man from wizard of oz and I lost my oil can. My head feels like a soda can took to many rides on the tilt a whirl.

**gunnyl** · 05-26-2012, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Al

Ths is often the case with vets--particularly those with PTSD. Their docs get far more "bang for the buck" treating them pharmaceutically, esentually masking the symptoms, rather than going putting them through talk therapy and counseling.

Al

You're 100% right on that Al............Sad but true...............

GL

**alexciasmom** · 05-26-2012, 06:19 AM

O yeah yesterday the doc took me off the morph and added oxyicoton and off lortabs and added pircocit. Then uped my gabbipenton and cymbalta. Sort can't spell right now my head hurts. To much. Have a good day all best wishes.

**gunnyl** · 05-26-2012, 06:22 AM

alexciasmom,

That is way too many pain meds............In my opinion!

GL

Al · 05-26-2012, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by gunnyl

alexciasmom,

That is way too many pain meds............In my opinion!

GL

I agree. With all these meds, it is really hard to know what is working and what is going the wrong direction.

Al

**me2** · 05-29-2012, 02:53 AM

I know just that many pain meds would mess me up. They are a viscious cycle to get on. When I took them no one told me about their effect on bowel movements either. I froze up something fierce. Now when I have to take those class of pain meds for even short periods of time I do a pre-emptive strike with Senna and stay on it until I am done with the pain meds. It works for me.

I saw a chart in the newspaper recently that showed state by state what regions were prescribing narcotic pain meds and by what quantity. I was shocked to see areas of the country where docs were prescribing very large quantities. And not surprised that my state was very low. My docs are loathe to give out meds like percocet, oxycodone, oxycontin, morphine etc. I don't know why other areas are handing them out like candy.

**annekat** · 05-29-2012, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by me2

I know just that many pain meds would mess me up. They are a viscious cycle to get on. When I took them no one told me about their effect on bowel movements either. I froze up something fierce. Now when I have to take those class of pain meds for even short periods of time I do a pre-emptive strike with Senna and stay on it until I am done with the pain meds. It works for me.

I saw a chart in the newspaper recently that showed state by state what regions were prescribing narcotic pain meds and by what quantity. I was shocked to see areas of the country where docs were prescribing very large quantities. And not surprised that my state was very low. My docs are loathe to give out meds like percocet, oxycodone, oxycontin, morphine etc. I don't know why other areas are handing them out like candy.

I've been watching those Intervention shows on TV about people who really get messed up with drugs, and the pain killers listed here are involved in many of those cases. They can be very dangerous, especially when combined with each other or with other drugs or alcohol. I'm not suggesting anyone here is in that much trouble, but I think we need to be very careful with these!

Kirk, I'm curious, what is Senna? Yes, I could look it up......

**me2** · 05-29-2012, 05:06 AM

Well, I had to look it up. Wikipedia has lots of good info. The short answer is that it is a plant with laxative properties.
My knowlege of it is from my sister in law who has been a nurse forever (especially if you ask her) and worked a lot in elderly care. Senna is renowned amongst her people as being effective and gentle. Many laxatives are a bit harsh or don't work real well.
Senna is supposed to be one of the best, I can attest to its effectiveness. I became aware of how great it is when I had hernia surgery. Recovery was rather slow and painful. Okay, a lot painful. The combination of pain killers ( causing constipation) and the location of my wound made the Senna an absolute hero to me.