The psychological side effects of pain medication

Pain.  It is one of the hardest things to "live" with.  Not only does it affect us physically but it affects us psychologically.  




Pain medication...sometimes it is a necessary evil.  We need it to control the pain and survive on a daily basis.  What happens when we take it too long and what is too long?

Let's look at what is too long first:  This depends on you.  As each person is different there is no chart that says you can take this medication this often for this long.  Often it is not discovered you are dependent on the pain medication until it's too late.  

The physical side effects of pain medication will vary from person to person but the most common side effects are: constipation; which can lead to bloating, water retention, and in severe cases intestinal obstruction.  Weight gain, urinary retention and erectile dysfunction are also side effects of taking pain medication.  So those of us who are in pain look at this list and although the list is serious we often will trade these physical side effects for a pain free day.

Okay so physical side effects won't stop you from taking pain medication so let's look at the psychological side effects which are often more severe.

Endorphins:  these are, in my opinion, one of the best things our body does for us.  Your body produces endorphins which are a natural pain reliever.  This is just one of the positive things that endorphins do for us.  They relieve stress, they increase sexual drive, they give us an euphoria feeling and much much more.

What happens when you take pain medication?  It inhabits the body to produce endorphins.  So we are taking pain medication (which could become addicting and cause us physical and psychological side effects) to stop pain...and our body produces endorphins to stop pain.

I'm not saying that pain medication should never be used.  I've had too many surgeries and a severe enough car accident that pain medication got me through some very rough days.  I'm saying that each person in pain needs to evaluate ALL options for pain relief before becoming dependent on pain medication.

Talk to your Doctor!  Ask your Doctor to refer you to a pain specialist; an surgeon is a great example of who you could be referred to.  Look at all your options...try everything because what may not work for another just may be the answer to your pain management.

Knowledge is Power.  It's time to take control of your pain.  Ask and try different pain management options before resigning yourself to a lifetime of taking addicting pain medication.

This information should not be construed as medical advise.  Please talk to your Doctor.





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Dr. Jere Sutton of the Colorado Car Wreck is a Board Certified orthopedic surgeon