I had a doctor’s appointment earlier this month to discuss my medications and the fact that they didn’t seem to be working as well. I was in pain and needed stronger medication.
We decided to raise the dosage of the back pain meds I was on and see if that took care of the excess pain. A referral for physical therapy was placed, and I am waiting to be scheduled.
On the way out of the office, I asked her about opioids. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others.
When I had sciatica, I took hydrocodone for a brief time. It was nice to be able to sit down for an hour or two without throbbing pain. No automatic refills were allowed, and when I picked up my prescription, I had to show my ID.
One day I was picking up my prescription and the lady behind me claimed she needed her opioids but forgot her I.D. Nope, you have to go back and get it.
If I started opioid medication again, I would need to sign a pain agreement. You and your doctor sign this before your opioid prescription is approved. Pain agreements can be given orally or in written form, whichever the patient prefers.
Five Steps to Sign a Pain Agreement:
Keep Your Emotions in Check
It’s not uncommon for patients to shed tears before signing a pain contract. Why is that? Basically, you’re being told you’re a liar and a cheat, and can’t be trusted to take your medication responsibly.
Try not to take it personally. It just provides you with a greater sense of security and structure. After a while, you’ll get into a daily routine.
The risks and benefits of opioid medications have been explained by your doctor, and you understand your treatment plan.
Watch for Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health, common side effects of opioid administration include sedation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, physical dependence, tolerance, and respiratory depression.
Take Medication from One Provider
Stick to one provider so that you don’t take too much medication. Buying street drugs or “doctor shopping” will get you booted off your drug regimen in a quick minute.
You Can’t Make Up for Lost Medication
If your medication is lost or misplaced for any reason, you may need to wait until the next scheduled dose. It is your responsibility to keep your medication in a secure location. If it is only a few days until your next prescription, other medications may relieve pain while you are waiting for your refill.
Agree to Random Blood and Urine Tests
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Opioid analgesic misuse has risen significantly over the past two decades, and these drugs now represent the most commonly abused class of prescription medications.”
Testing blood and urine are two of the most common ways to test for the misuse of opioids. Now, testing can be done on sweat, saliva, or hair.
Final Thoughts
One positive aspect of a pain agreement is that you are getting the stronger medication that you need. It’s easy to become addicted to opioids, so stick to your prescribed dosage and tell your doctor if you need a medication adjustment.
