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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications,  Treatments,  Therapies >> Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
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Message started by foolclip281 on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:33pm

Title: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by foolclip281 on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:33pm
I have CH and I find that narcotics are many times VERY effective in relieving the pain. Maybe not all the way, or as quick as imitrex, but they sure are cheaper... And I find they very much work. I don't see how many of you who clearly understand pain as we all know it, can seemingly get on this high horse like your some kind of MD and chastise people who are just asking questions. A pain pill may not work for you for a CH but if it works for someone else don't scream at them over the computer, tell them how ignorant they are and how smart you are, tell them how you know exactly what works and what doesn't. It's annoying and to new guys to this site like me makes you lose all credibility as someone to take advice from. I don't care if you've got 826,000 posts and have been on here for X amount of years, if you're mean to people and your way is the highway, you are not helping people. If a pain med works for someone don't tell them otherwise, remember how we all feel when we're told "Oh it's just a headache, get over it, I get those all the time." ;-)

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Racer1_NC on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:41pm
Mainly because if you take that much of a narcotic, you will eventually get hooked on them.

Much better options available out there....that work better.....without the nastiness of addiction.

That being said there are a couple of people on here that have used them temporarily as part of an Doctor's overall strategy to get a handle on a  particularly hard case. TEMPORARY and TRANSITIONAL are the key words.

Bill

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by vietvet2tours on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:45pm

foolclip281 wrote on Jun 8th, 2010 at 6:03pm:
I want to kill myself when I get CH... when i'm not having one i'm a happy go lucky guy. I've been to psych wards myself, so I understand his pain.  Basically I know many people on this site will disagree with me on my suggestion but in a circumstance where he is in HORRIBLE pain, mentally and physically, go to the ER and get some drugs, ASAP... then when the pain is under control in the moment get moving toward a non-narcotic approach until he finds something that works for him.

Your quote


foolclip281 wrote on Jun 9th, 2010 at 4:34pm:
Hello,
To tell the truth I don't know what I need, I guess I just came to this sight seeking others who "felt my pain" to use a popular cliché.  It seems maybe I just needed to vent, but I still value the advice.  I've received more advice in 2 days than the last 2 years in regards to headaches in general.  Maybe I tried to spill to much of who I am at once, to maximize my feedback results, and you view it as me being arrogant, ignorant, unable to focus, or unable set a goal to get working toward a pain free lifestyle.  I don't know, I could care less. I have found many people so far on this site willing to listen, and give loving words of encouragement... Then again I have already been crossed by many of these "online experts" that have a virtual chip on their shoulder because they have been members since 2000 b.c. and have ten billion posts to their names. They ridicule, they judge, they post like editors, and talk like doctors.  They may not mock outright, but undercover out the side of their mouths.  I know their types; I just read their replies and keep it moving.  I don't know why you say I refuse to see a headache specialist; I have in the past, and plan to again.  Did it occur to you I was gathering all the info. I could prior to making an appointment? Again, I don't know why people get so agitated so easily.  About the codeine thing, well I’m sorry but it did take away the pain.  I don't care how against it some may be, what works for one may not work for others, do I plan/seek/desire to use that as a way to treat my pain?  No... but I was in a desperate situation at the time on the frontline of a battle I am just beginning so I chose to go that route, for now. I have an addictive nature and avoid narcotics like the plague now, but as an apparent “sufferer” yourself I’d expect a bit more understanding from someone in my own shoes, as opposed to an average joe who doesn’t know the pain of these things.  I hope that clears it up for you, good luck with your endeavors and God bless.

Again your quote

foolclip281 wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:25pm:
Opiates do help for clusters, maybe not every person, but they do for some, i take tram 50 mg 3 times a day and while it's not as effective as it use to be, it's better than nothing.

Again your quote.

              Potter

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by just-squiggles on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:50pm
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Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Chad on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:16pm
Take all the narcotics you want pal....it's not helping sh!t other than getting you addicted.  Even triptans don't make you high.  The doctor that prescribed them to you is even more of a jackass. 

You'll never find a quicker and MOST natural abort method as oxygen.  Once you try it, you'll be hooked.  Now, why haven't you mentioned anything about it yet?
It's a hell of lot cheaper and safer.

Do whatever you want to treat your clusters.  When you quadruple your opiate doses due to your tolerance level, i'll still be aborting my hits in 5 minutes or less with no wait using pure O2.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by George on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:21pm

foolclip281 wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:33pm:
If a pain med works for someone don't tell them otherwise, remember how we all feel when we're told "Oh it's just a headache, get over it, I get those all the time." ;-)


I don't see the parallel.  I've seen no one dismiss your pain, just your chosen treatment for it.  And make no mistake--this is what you have chosen to do.  There are other ways to treat this condition.  Ways that are more effective, for more people.

We talk about experiences--what has worked, and what has not.  Most people here, at one time or another, have been prescribed narcotics for CH.  In the majority of cases, narcotics simply don't work.  At all.  Narcotics, in general, are ineffective for neuropathic pain, and CH is a neuropathic event.  It's experience you're running into, over and over again, not someone pontificating at you from a high horse.

When you say something that is counter to the experience most people have, do you expect no one to disagree with you?  I can't think of any place, anywhere where that might happen.

Best,

George 

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Brew on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:22pm
All you're looking for is validation. Nobody's being mean - it's just that many of us have been down that road, and are here to tell you that it leads nowhere. It's a Nowhere Road.

It's also quite apparent that nobody here is going to change your mind. Fine. Just don't try to drag any other newbies down that Nowhere Road with you, cuz we'll jump in the middle of your shit for it.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Racer1_NC on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:27pm

Brew wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:22pm:
, cuz we'll jump in the middle of your shit for it.

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Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by George on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:36pm
Just found this quote of yours in the thread below this one:

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foolclip281 wrote on Jun 7th, 2010 at 12:37pm:
I take tramadol 50 mg. 3 times a day... it worked for a while but now they are back... when i get a ch at full force tramadol is like throwing a pebble in the ocean....


What's the deal, here?  Or are we not supposed to ask any questions?

Best,

George

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by MattyAA on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 1:42pm
if they help you take them, there are others on this board who take fentanyl or other opioids and have some results with them.

Though some people here had really bad experience with opioids and just drasticaly warn others before they have to travel same bumpy and dangerous road.

Hope this helped somehow.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Callico on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 2:20pm
You are free to do what you wish, but we who have been there and have paid the price for using opioids will do all we can to keep others from them.  I was put on several years ago when there was diddly known about this disease and getting off of them was pure torment.  I'd rather have the CH than go through that again.  In fact I went for almost 20 years totally med free because all anyone wanted to give me was pain meds and I WILL NOT GO THAT ROUTE AGAIN!!!  You do what you want.  Please have your family forward your address so we can send flowers when you OD finally.

Jerry

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by just-squiggles on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 4:34pm
"if they help you take them, there are others on this board who take fentanyl or other opioids and have some results with them."

Just ask Athos,oh wait,you can't,fentanyl killed him.A good man and my friend,may he rest in peace.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by wimsey1 on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 5:06pm
What set you off this time, dude? Last time you jumped all over everybody it was something like this. But, sometimes negative attention is better than no attention at all...? I said it before, I'll say it again: you're trying too hard.  ::)

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by seaworthy on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 7:21pm

Quote:
foolclip281


Appropriate

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Ginger S. on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 7:54pm
I fail to see why someone would choose an illegal addictive narcotic to treat CH rather than Non illegal, non addictive oxygen, imitrex or verapamil; if the Non Addictive, non illegal stuff works! 

Not to mention that narcotics eventually cause diminished mental capacity and more often than not tend to worsen the already horrendous affects of CH.

Nuff said...   ::)

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by thingfishp on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:01pm
I was prescribed a couple narcotics during one of my first cycles almost 20 years ago and they did absolutely nothing to cool that lightning.  My GP warned against using them as it appears they can contribute to rebound headaches (ioccassionally use some for disc problems).  O2 is the nectar.  I use Imitrex when necessary and occassionally Zomig, but O2 does the job cleanly and effectively.  It's a relief to have found the info here after 20 years.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Brew on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:20pm

JustNotRight wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 7:54pm:
I fail to see why someone would choose an illegal addictive narcotic to treat CH rather than Non illegal, non addictive oxygen, imitrex or verapamil; if the Non Addictive, non illegal stuff works! 

Not to mention that narcotics eventually cause diminished mental capacity and more often than not tend to worsen the already horrendous affects of CH.

Nuff said...   ::)

I don't think he was talking about heroin. Tramadol is perfectly legal with a prescription. It's just a supremely bad idea for CH.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Ginger S. on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:23pm

Brew wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:20pm:

JustNotRight wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 7:54pm:
I fail to see why someone would choose an illegal addictive narcotic to treat CH rather than Non illegal, non addictive oxygen, imitrex or verapamil; if the Non Addictive, non illegal stuff works! 

Not to mention that narcotics eventually cause diminished mental capacity and more often than not tend to worsen the already horrendous affects of CH.

Nuff said...   ::)

I don't think he was talking about heroin. Tramadol is perfectly legal with a prescription. It's just a supremely bad idea for CH.


Um... maybe I should have clarified I was speaking to the initial post here...and too Narcotics


foolclip281 wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:33pm:
I have CH and I find that narcotics are many times VERY effective in relieving the pain. Maybe not all the way, or as quick as imitrex, but they sure are cheaper... And I find they very much work. I don't see how many of you who clearly understand pain as we all know it, can seemingly get on this high horse like your some kind of MD and chastise people who are just asking questions. A pain pill may not work for you for a CH but if it works for someone else don't scream at them over the computer, tell them how ignorant they are and how smart you are, tell them how you know exactly what works and what doesn't. It's annoying and to new guys to this site like me makes you lose all credibility as someone to take advice from. I don't care if you've got 826,000 posts and have been on here for X amount of years, if you're mean to people and your way is the highway, you are not helping people. If a pain med works for someone don't tell them otherwise, remember how we all feel when we're told "Oh it's just a headache, get over it, I get those all the time." ;-)


Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:49pm
It's okay Ginger, if you read back through his posts it's hard to determine if he is genuinely pro or con narcotics.......or just enjoys the ruckus he causes here each time he phrases things in such an antagonistic and argumentative fashion.

Joe

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by jon019 on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:51pm
To answer the initial question...in MY experience (and LOTS of others on a site dedicated to the condition)...it turned this clusterhead in extreme pain, into a sleepy clusterhead...in extreme pain.

Stuck with it as long as I could manage...then sought something better. Enough problems here without ALL the negatives of long term opiate use....if it works for you...fine..just realize it aint a long term "fix"....

Personally, I would say...no O2...no Jon............

Best,

Jon

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Lettucehead on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 9:01pm

Racer1_NC wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:41pm:
Much better options available out there....that work better.....without the nastiness of addiction.

That being said there are a couple of people on here that have used them temporarily as part of an Doctor's overall strategy to get a handle on a  particularly hard case. TEMPORARY and TRANSITIONAL are the key words.

Bill


I couldn't agree more, Bill. 
Make that the mantra when dealing with narcotics and CH - Temporary and Transitional.
They should NEVER be the mainstay of treatment. 
Shall I say it again? 
They should NEVER be the mainstay of treatment.

That being said, if you are transitioning to a more appropriate prophylactic treatment and temporarily need some narcotics to help deal with the pain - well, then...  However, once on appropriate treatment you are cut off from narcotics!!!! 

The other issue with narcotics is that they are reactive to pain - not proactive against the pain occurring in the first place.  Your life will still be interrupted by pain and sleep awakening thereby the CH will still be having a severe negative effect on your quality of life even if the pain gets controlled with narcotics...


Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Ginger S. on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 9:56pm

Guiseppi wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 8:49pm:
It's okay Ginger, if you read back through his posts it's hard to determine if he is genuinely pro or con narcotics.......or just enjoys the ruckus he causes here each time he phrases things in such an antagonistic and argumentative fashion.

Joe

LOL
Hey, I'm fine  ;)  ...and thanks Joe.

I thought I was pretty clear in my opinion and I didn't mention Tram at all which speaks loud and clear since I did mention narcotics. 

I am a pretty frank person as most of you already know and generally pull no punches, I wouldn't have anyone else be any different with me than I am with them.  If you believe in something or don't be as clear as possible about it and keep true to yourself.

The Beast doesn't mince words why should we ?   :D

PF nights to you Joe and Brew and all the rest too !

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Mike NZ on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 11:11pm
I'm not someone who has been here years with thousands of posts, but I've had experience of the problems that opiates on perscription and used exactly as per the doctors instructions can cause. The first time, with a back problem, tramadol seemed to help at first, but it soon gave relatively little relief as I soon got to tolerate it and the withdrawal was a few days of hell. There is no way I want to touch tramadol again, ever.

Before my CHs were diagnosed I was given codeine for the pain. They seemed to help a bit, but with hindsight I realise that all they were doing was knocking me out and causing me a lot of other issues, that along with post concussion sydrome and the CHs were just resulting in me going backwards. Again I had to go through a withdrawal which luckily wasn't as bad as tramadol.

The last neurologist I saw had a good chat with me about opiates. She thought that for people with terminal conditions they aren't used enough as there the problems of things like addiction pale into insignificance with the terminal effects of the illness, but for non-terminal issues they are totally overused.

I now no longer want to touch any pain medication. CHs have given me a crash course in pain management and I am learning to deal with the pain (not always too easy with a kipp 10). Given how little ipmact any pain medication has on a CH, it's my choice (and a common one here) to not use pain medication.


Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Lettucehead on Jun 24th, 2010 at 1:31am
Some of the issue is that we (speaking of the US culture) have grown so intolerant to pain - no matter the severity.  Pain is considered to be not just a symptom of an underlying condition but a condition to be treated in and of itself. 
Interestingly enough, I read a statistic some time ago that has stuck with me - I don't remember the exact numbers but it's something on the order of that Americans as a whole take around 75% of the world's yearly narcotic intake....

As for end of life pain, oh yes yes yes - very very undertreated issue at just a time when pain needs fairly aggressive treatment...

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Chad on Jun 24th, 2010 at 8:15am
I'm guessing that Mr. Foolclip is sitting back watching all of these posts and possibly laughing at the uproar he caused.  He has yet to respond.  The word "troll" comes to mind.

The bottom line Mr. Foolclip...and for your own health sake, ditch the narcotics and suck on the tank.  It might save your life.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by JHK07 on Jun 24th, 2010 at 9:07am

foolclip281 wrote on Jun 23rd, 2010 at 12:33pm:
I have CH and I find that narcotics are many times VERY effective in relieving the pain. Maybe not all the way, or as quick as imitrex, but they sure are cheaper... And I find they very much work. I don't see how many of you who clearly understand pain as we all know it, can seemingly get on this high horse like your some kind of MD and chastise people who are just asking questions. A pain pill may not work for you for a CH but if it works for someone else don't scream at them over the computer, tell them how ignorant they are and how smart you are, tell them how you know exactly what works and what doesn't. It's annoying and to new guys to this site like me makes you lose all credibility as someone to take advice from. I don't care if you've got 826,000 posts and have been on here for X amount of years, if you're mean to people and your way is the highway, you are not helping people. If a pain med works for someone don't tell them otherwise, remember how we all feel when we're told "Oh it's just a headache, get over it, I get those all the time." ;-)



Your invitation to the 8th grade picnic has been revoked.  :P

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jun 24th, 2010 at 11:01am


All of our experience tells us that this thread will die of exhaustion and nothing will change. Such a waste of energy!

The argument about narcotics deflects us from the core issue: Given the nature of CH, what are the best routes to relief and control?

Dealing with a disorder (CH) which might affect us for decades, any treatment should be useful, practical, and relatively safe.

Any treatments should be as effective as possible, given the range of treatments available.

We have general, long standing agreement, that narcotics are not very effective to abort CH pain, especially given our other options. We have broad, general agreement on safe meds which are effective, practical, and acceptable for the many years which we may have to use them.

We acknowledge that individual variation in response to various treatments is a burden for many people who must search, run multiple trials, before they find relief. But we don't challenge them for their attempts to find relief.

Once we have offered our best evidence about effective treatments, the judicious use of the delete key is not a bad step.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by boski on Jul 14th, 2010 at 6:57pm
Narco's did gr8 for the head but didn't touch the beast!

And they make you stooooopid!    :o

Peace!  Love you guys!

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by foolclip281 on Jul 21st, 2010 at 10:50am
Troll??? Far from it man, try just a normal guy who happens to have a different opinion... And won't back down for what he believes.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by vietvet2tours on Jul 21st, 2010 at 4:26pm
Can I have your stuff?

       Potter

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Grandma_Sweet_Boy on Jul 21st, 2010 at 5:04pm

Potter wrote on Jul 21st, 2010 at 4:26pm:
Can I have your stuff?

       Potter


;D

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Guiseppi on Jul 21st, 2010 at 6:13pm
die thread...oh please dear God make this thread die die die..... [smiley=deadhorse4.gif]

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Ginger S. on Jul 21st, 2010 at 6:22pm
Dear Thread...

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Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by wimsey1 on Jul 22nd, 2010 at 7:27am

JustNotRight wrote on Jul 21st, 2010 at 6:22pm:
Dear Thread...

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;D  ;D  ;D
Even bad threads can have good side effects! Great photo, Ginger! lance

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Ginger S. on Jul 22nd, 2010 at 5:06pm

wimsey1 wrote on Jul 22nd, 2010 at 7:27am:

JustNotRight wrote on Jul 21st, 2010 at 6:22pm:
Dear Thread...

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to Login or RegisterEND PRINTPAGE


;D  ;D  ;D
Even bad threads can have good side effects! Great photo, Ginger! lance


;D  Thanks, I call it "Cat-Bird"   ;D

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by -johnny- on Jul 23rd, 2010 at 11:07am
i knew a guy once that told me to try methadone. he claimed that he had great success. i never tried it.

it seems that narcotics would alleviate the pain and not have any lasting effects.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Brew on Jul 23rd, 2010 at 12:38pm

-johnny- wrote on Jul 23rd, 2010 at 11:07am:
it seems that narcotics would alleviate the pain and not have any lasting effects.

They don't even do that very well. Not THIS type of pain, anyway.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by AdoreInVegas on Jul 23rd, 2010 at 1:21pm
The neurologist here who has successfully treated my husband's CH, totally in accordance with everyone's suggestions here, BOUNCES patient's who come into his office with CH demanding narcotics. He gives a simple reply after the request: "that will do nothing but make it worse".

He doesn't prescribe them. Period.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by reptile on Oct 3rd, 2010 at 3:54pm
I have had CH for 22 yrs.  O2 is my mainstay treatment.  Triptans work well for me, too.  I am generally wary of narcotics because there is a part of my family that addicts easily.  I am not subject to easy addiction, however.  I have had many operation in my life, and afterwards always just notice that "oh, I haven't needed any pain meds in a week and they are just siting in the drawer."

I agree that narcotics should not be the mainstay treatment for CH, and prescription of them for CH HAS to be carefully monitored by an MD because a significant % of folks are prone to addiction.  When I worked for touring bands many years ago, I saw folks become addicted to stuff in a matter of a few days.

I always look at treatments for any disease--including CH--in terms of efficacy for the individual: do they work for people, even at one end or the other of the Bell Curve?  Hence, I disapprove when people adamantly state: "narcotics never work for CH sufferers."  For instance, when I am in a modest cycle (no killers, infrequent attacks, the type of thing that 3-5 minutes at 7.5 lpm of O2 will always take care of) and a feel the shadow come on when I am a my daughter's school watching a play, I can pop a Vicodin and feel about 80% confident that I won't have to go to the car and grab my mobile oxygen in 15 minutes.  Note that this usage is for specific circumstances and based on years and years of  experience and is about me only.  Just as I have prescriptions of Relpax, Frova and Zomig, Verapamil, Topomax, Indomethacin and Prednison (which I use about once a year), I NEVER leave home without little box of Vicodin, Demoral and Oxycontin.  How often do I use them?  Not very.  I am susceptible to rebound with all of them, for one.  They all keep me awake if I take them after 9 pm, for another.  And I only use them in two circumstances really, situations similar to the one I described above and when a killer is so far out of control + the Red Bull treatment is either not available to me or has not worked + I am not in a narcotic rebound situation + it is not after 9 pm.  Thus a prescription for #30 10 mg Demoral, even in a terrible cycle tends to last me 2-3-4 months; #30 10 mg Oxycontin tends to last even longer as I take it less frequently due to its bad effects on my digestive system.  In terms of actual use, I might do 2, 3 or 4 days without using either Demerol or Oxycontin, then take 3 or 4 of one or the other to battle a 10+ CH.  Vicodin I use a bit more of.  I get bottles of 60, that tend to last about 2-3 months during a cycle, most of the use being in the early part.

BTW, when I take "big gun" narcotics when I have a 10+ CH, as many would imagine, sometimes it does not really knock out the pain (sometimes it does in 20-25 minutes), but rather just make me not care very much, or as much.

BTW, I see my neuro of 22 years every few weeks and she knows everything about my narcotic use, including that my brother is an addict.  (He was sober for 27 years, then started using again after a neck operation 7 years ago.)

Finally, my cycles can last 6 or even 8 months as I am a chronic, acute CH person.  I recently had 9 months pain free which was great (and good for my stomach, too).

I hope this presentation provides some insight to one CH sufferers' long time non-addictive use of narcotics for occasional use in CH treatment.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by vietvet2tours on Oct 3rd, 2010 at 4:20pm

reptile wrote on Oct 3rd, 2010 at 3:54pm:
I have had CH for 22 yrs.  O2 is my mainstay treatment.  Triptans work well for me, too.  I am generally wary of narcotics because there is a part of my family that addicts easily.  I am not subject to easy addiction, however.  I have had many operation in my life, and afterwards always just notice that "oh, I haven't needed any pain meds in a week and they are just siting in the drawer."

I agree that narcotics should not be the mainstay treatment for CH, and prescription of them for CH HAS to be carefully monitored by an MD because a significant % of folks are prone to addiction.  When I worked for touring bands many years ago, I saw folks become addicted to stuff in a matter of a few days.

I always look at treatments for any disease--including CH--in terms of efficacy for the individual: do they work for people, even at one end or the other of the Bell Curve?  Hence, I disapprove when people adamantly state: "narcotics never work for CH sufferers."  For instance, when I am in a modest cycle (no killers, infrequent attacks, the type of thing that 3-5 minutes at 7.5 lpm of O2 will always take care of) and a feel the shadow come on when I am a my daughter's school watching a play, I can pop a Vicodin and feel about 80% confident that I won't have to go to the car and grab my mobile oxygen in 15 minutes.  Note that this usage is for specific circumstances and based on years and years of  experience and is about me only.  Just as I have prescriptions of Relpax, Frova and Zomig, Verapamil, Topomax, Indomethacin and Prednison (which I use about once a year), I NEVER leave home without little box of Vicodin, Demoral and Oxycontin.  How often do I use them?  Not very.  I am susceptible to rebound with all of them, for one.  They all keep me awake if I take them after 9 pm, for another.  And I only use them in two circumstances really, situations similar to the one I described above and when a killer is so far out of control + the Red Bull treatment is either not available to me or has not worked + I am not in a narcotic rebound situation + it is not after 9 pm.  Thus a prescription for #30 10 mg Demoral, even in a terrible cycle tends to last me 2-3-4 months; #30 10 mg Oxycontin tends to last even longer as I take it less frequently due to its bad effects on my digestive system.  In terms of actual use, I might do 2, 3 or 4 days without using either Demerol or Oxycontin, then take 3 or 4 of one or the other to battle a 10+ CH.  Vicodin I use a bit more of.  I get bottles of 60, that tend to last about 2-3 months during a cycle, most of the use being in the early part.

BTW, when I take "big gun" narcotics when I have a 10+ CH, as many would imagine, sometimes it does not really knock out the pain (sometimes it does in 20-25 minutes), but rather just make me not care very much, or as much.

BTW, I see my neuro of 22 years every few weeks and she knows everything about my narcotic use, including that my brother is an addict.  (He was sober for 27 years, then started using again after a neck operation 7 years ago.)

Finally, my cycles can last 6 or even 8 months as I am a chronic, acute CH person.  I recently had 9 months pain free which was great (and good for my stomach, too).

I hope this presentation provides some insight to one CH sufferers' long time non-addictive use of narcotics for occasional use in CH treatment.

Never leave home without my Vicodin sounds like a leetle problem.

                Potter

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Katherinecm on Oct 6th, 2010 at 12:32am
Hi,

Narcotics aren't always terrible, they just tend to be the worst of many possible options.  I sometimes use them too, and I answered why they should be the last choice here (edited to delete broken link).  I also  bumped the thread so you can find it easier.

Katy

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by Guiseppi on Oct 6th, 2010 at 9:31am
Having a calm discussion about narcotics is like having a calm discussion about gun control. If you or someone close to you has suffered from handgun violence, you'll have an immediate knee jerk reaction that all guns are intrensically evil and should be banned for all time. As a former police officer I view them the same as a carpenter views his hammer. It's just a tool. An extremely dangerous tool, whose use must be constantly monitored and evaluated, but just a tool.

Narcotics have the same effect on people. If they, a relative or close friend has suffered from addiction, they will immediately say all narcotics are evil and are the scourge of society. Because of the horrors they have endured, or the horrors they have witnessed being inflicted on a relative or loved one, it's almost impossible for them to be open minded and objective.

In the past when this topic has been raised, it's resulted in people becoming so angry they've either been chased away from the board or just left out of frutration. I'd hope future conversations will remain at a more adult, calm level.

Joes 2 cents.

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by wimsey1 on Oct 7th, 2010 at 7:31am
Good post, Joe.


Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by reptile on Oct 7th, 2010 at 4:22pm
To Potter:

I never leave home w/ Vicodin just like I always have O2 in the car and in my office: so that my tools are always available.  I set forth how often I use Vicodin in my post: that you chose to ignore that information (which works out to maybe once for every 5 or 8 times I have it with me, something like that), and told me I have a "problem," choosing to judge me rather than looking at the data I presented.  Who has a problem?  In this case, about judging.

My Neuro has been closely monitoring my Narcotics usage (she has written every script I have ever had) for 22 years.  She knows my brother is an addict as does every one around me, including my wife.  As I said before, my Neuo believes that I am among the small percentage of CH sufferers who can use narcotics as a tool with CH. My mother and sister, both neuros (who both have been, obviously, intimately involved in the horrors of my brother's addiction for many years), follow all of this closely. And yet you judge me.  How do you know more than everyone who is involved in my care and care's so much about me?  How is it that I can go 8 months (like I did until my cycle started 7 weeks or so ago) without taking any narcotics) if I have such a "problem?"  Who the hell are you to talk to me the way you do?

Ten days or so ago, I expressed some misgivings about how I was being responded to on this site.  Some folks have been warm and welcoming.  Others . . . well.

I guess it takes all kinds.

peace on the planet,
thee reptile

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by reptile on Oct 7th, 2010 at 6:18pm
I note with appreciation the posts by Katy & Joe, both of which showed understanding and tolerance.

thee reptile

Title: Re: Why such a backlash against narcotic treatment?
Post by coach_bill on Oct 7th, 2010 at 9:34pm
Wow,

If i thought it would work i would do them too.
no one here, and i mean no one is in that dungen with you fighting these things. The one thing that is yours and yours alone is the pain. We go thourgh it like you,
but when the beast comes, he is coming for you and you alone.

In the words of the great Al Davis " just win baby, just win"

My advise is this. Do what you got to do!

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