posted
As my pain has gotten worse, I've had to start taking oxycodone to be functional.
I was surprised that the oxycodone is also reducing this crushing, debilitating fatigue. This took my LLMD by surprise too.
The effect wears off quickly ( 1-4 hours), though.
My other doc says that oxycodone acts as a short-term antidepressant, and that my fatigue must be depression related. (I dont really feel depressed, though)
However, neither cymbalta nor wellbutrin have touched it.
Anyone else experience this ? or have insights into whats going on here ?
Thanks !
Posts: 67 | From Fredericksburg, VA USA | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
I can relate. I take painkillers because my joints, knees, wrists, bad back. I cannot even get out of bed sometimes without taking a pill. They do wake me up a little and make me feel almost human. I hate taking pills, but on the other hand I'm in way too much pain. Otherwise I would sleep all day long. They release a similar chemical to endorphins and they also block the pain receptors to your brain, So you feel better.
-------------------- "don't ever write anyone off, you'll never know who or what they will become" Posts: 115 | From la la land | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I also take oxycodone ER , and ultram....at first they both seemed to help with my relentless fatigue....but only slightly with the pain.
Never did understand why. I thought it was almost like the ritalin effect....where it makes kids less hyper, and adults more even keal...
Posts: 151 | From ohio | Registered: May 2007
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Vicodin almost always gives me energy. The pain specialist who first prescribed it said that many patients complain of insomnia when they start vicodin. It might be similar with oxycodone.
I think a big part of it is that pain is exhausting. The pain relief is such a relief, that you feel like you get an energy boost.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Pain killers like oxycodone, hydrocodone and fentanyl all make me kind of speedy. If I take a half of one I feel like vacuuming the world. (Ok, spectacularly bad idea for after they wear off.)
So, I can see where they might increase energy. I think in most normaler people they make them drowsy.
I don't take any pain meds because it wears me out afterwards. I also cannot take any at night because I would be awake all night.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I know exactly what you are talking about. I have noticed that too.
When I was watching a documentary on drug addiction on HBO, they covered the effects of opiates. One of the reasons it can create such a crippling drug addiction. That is, people abusing the drug get use to the 'motivation' it produces, so when they do not have the drug feel depressed.
Now, I am not saying this is a sign of addiction. I am saying it is a factor in why it can be a difficult addiction... as if there is such thing is an easy addiction... heh.
I do know, from that show, this IS an effect from any sort of opiate like substance.
posted
I'm tired of hearing so called drs. point out the importance of depression in this condition. Most all of us are DEPRESSED BECAUSE WE ARE SICK. WE ARE NOT SICK BECAUSE WE ARE DEPRESSED. Depression is secondary to the illness.
Depression is such a nice and easy diagnosis compared to the "hard, hard work" involved in a clinical diagnosis. The patient walks in, the so called dr. says you are depressed (with no supporting evidence, BTW), writes an Rx, you're gone in 2 minutes, and he collects about $200.
Where is the evidence that depression is the primary cause of the fatigue?
Posts: 175 | From Colorado | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I thought Oxycontin was a timed-release Oxycodone (Percoset). That was my understanding.
I think in people who have pain, Oxycodone gives us a bit of pain relief and we actually feel a little bit more normal and want to do things we don't normallly feel like doing.
That's been my experience with it. When I don't have pain, I forget to take them. But when I'm herxing, goodness, they are helpful.
I had a friend whose two daughters almost died from Lupus and both had transplants (bone marrow I think). Anyway, she said they were taking Oxycodone every 4 hours and were addicted of course over this long period of time.
After they began to get better, they slowly cut back on them and never had any problem getting off of them.
I have a good friend who is fairly well now and she did the same thing as her lyme got better.
Oxycodone does seem to only last about 3 hours for those who are in as much pain as lyme patients are.
Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
I wondered when the opoid receptors were going to be discussed!
Addictions.
The acetylcholine receptors are also called the nicotinic receptors. Nicotine binds to them and keeps acetylcholine levels higher, longer. This is the addictive factor.
If we block the opoid receptors, same thing. Keep opoid levels higher longer.
There might be a correlation. Wait a sec.
Advil is given to relieve pain...so are the stronger powerful pain killers.
Advil contains:
Enantiomers (called "racemic") that are not optically active are in a number of drugs.
Optically active and NOT optically active is very, very important, it appears, in lyme.
High levels of proteins in the blood are induced by opoids.
Glycine is also NOT optically active. Have you been following my discussion about glycine?
I hope you realize I am walking a thin line discussing this!
Addictions.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Karatelady,
Yes, you are correct on oxycotin and oxycodone (both percoset) but one being time released. Not sure where this "morphine" comes into that equation.
Before my lyme diagnosis and during my five years of being told it was everything under the sun, they were pushing the percoset. Not a fun drug for me, but I too did realize that it helped with things totally unrelated to pain, even when it couldn't touch my pain...so I do understand what is being discussed here.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I would be VERY leary of taking anything as addictive as oxycontin. I do take hydrocodone [Vicodin] when my sciatic nerve pain flares. That doesn't happen very often anymore, thank goodness!!!
But I really worry about those on oxycontin. You can become addicted rather quickly. Then you have one more BIG problem.
I'm not judging anyone....just worried about those who have such pain and have to take them. I had tremendous pain during treatment as well. I managed to get by on Vicodin...that I tried to keep to a minimum.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
FM researcher Dr. C wrote about NMDA/GABA dysregulation from neurotoxins.
He said that GABA enhancers, like Neurontin and Klonopin, can actually help a person feel more energetic, because their adrenal energy isn't being diminished by the anxiety of excess NMDA.
I don't know if oxycodone also enhances GABA, but certainly in my experience pain, and attempting to focus to function despite pain, is tiring.
Posts: 233 | From United States | Registered: Oct 2006
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
The major workhorses of the brain are: glutamate and GABA.
Glutamate is thru the roof.
Think of them as on - off switches.
We know Bb has zinc fingers, as does HIV.
Cysteine and histidine bound by zinc. Normally Mg and Zn regulate the NMDA (glutamate) receptors.
With Mg and Zn levels low...those RECEPTORS must be impacted.
NMDA receptors are structurally complex, with separate binding sites for glutamate, glycine, magnesium ions (Mg+2), zinc ions (Zn+2).
With Mg, Zn and glycine low...up goes glutamate. Toxic levels. Think of MSG...monosodium glutamate...Chinese restaurant syndrome. Man, what a headache!
The amino acids n-acetyl cysteine, glycine, and glutamic acid are the primary building blocks of glutathione.
With cysteine and glycine low...glutamic acid has to be incredibly high.
Having no glutathione is not good. It is our MAJOR anti-oxidant and is needed to make all the other anti-oxidants work.
This is how oxycodone works:
Oxycodone acts as a weak agonist at OP1, OP2, and OP3 opiate receptors within the central nervous system (CNS).
Oxycodone primarily affects OP3 receptors, which are coupled with G-protein receptors and function as modulators, both positive and negative, of synaptic transmission via G-proteins that activate effector proteins.
Binding of the opiate stimulates the exchange of GTP for GDP on the G-protein complex. As the effector system is adenylate cyclase and cAMP located at the inner surface of the plasma membrane,
opioids decrease intracellular cAMP by inhibiting adenylate cyclase.
Subsequently, the release of nociceptive neurotransmitters such as substance P, GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine, and noradrenaline is
inhibited.
Opioids such as Oxycodone also inhibit the release of vasopressin, somatostatin, insulin, and glucagon.
Opioids close N-type voltage-operated calcium channels (OP2-receptor agonist) and
open calcium-dependent inwardly rectifying potassium channels (OP3 and OP1 receptor agonist).
This results in hyperpolarization and reduced neuronal excitability."
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
I have a friend who takes Oxycontin because it is the only drug that comes close to helping either pain from Trigeminal Neuralgia.
She still has break-through pain when she gets what she calls "jolts" from the TN, but the Oxycontin makes them tolerable.
If you need a med or pain and nothing else helps, I believe it's better to take the drug and worry about the side-effects, such as withdrawal, later if you are ever able to live without it.
Living with severe pain is not good for your body, either.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
So what is the answer for those who are in so much pain that they can't function without pain meds?
I've heard its better to take pain meds than to be in so much pain you can barely stand it. I don't believe that is good for your body either as Lymednva said.
I mentioned Oxycontin but never liked the way it made me feel. It's strange how the same medicine, time-released can have such a different reaction. But is it any different as far as addiction than Oxycodone?
Marnie, you mention ~ addiction ~ yet you don't have lyme and aren't in pain. So what are you suggesting?
Most of us are doing multiple things to get rid of the lyme, co-infections, parasites, mold and fungus, viruses, heavy metals, etc., which causes herxing and more pain.
The days that I don't use my KMT, take herbs, (and I do tons of detoxing), I feel much better but on the days I'm herxing, if I'm going to get out of bed I've got to have some pain meds.
I don't think I could take karate without taking 1/2 of an Oxycodone. If I don't exercise, I'm much worse. So where is the balance as we try to get well?
"Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic medication synthesized from thebaine .
Ya da, ya da: Its name is derived from codeine - the chemical structures are very similar, differing only in that the hydrogen on the codeine is oxidised to a hydroxyl group, hence 'oxy' and the hydroxyl group from the codeine becomes a ketone group, hence 'oxycodone.'
The third difference to codeine is the 7,8-dihydro-feature (Codeine has a double-bond between those two carbons).
End of ya da's...
It is effective orally and is marketed in combination with aspirin (Percodan, Endodan, Roxiprin)
or paracetamol/acetaminophen (Percocet, Endocet, Roxicet, Tylox) for the relief of pain.
More recently, ibuprofen has been added to oxycodone (Combunox).
It is also sold in a sustained-release form by Purdue Pharma under the trade name OxyContin as well as generic equivalents, and instant-release forms Endone, OxyIR, OxyNorm, Percolone, OxyFAST, and Roxicodone.
Roxicodone is available in 5, 15, and 30 mg tablets.
OxyContin is currently available in 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 45, 60, 80 and 160 mg tablets[1] (although note that not all of these dosages are marketed in the USA) and, due to its sustained-release mechanism, is effective for eight to twelve hours.
The 160 mg tablets were removed from sale due to problems with overdose, but have been re-introduced for limited use under strict medical supervision.
Outside the U.S. OxyContin is also available in a 5 mg tablet.
On October 18, 2006, the FDA gave approval for three new dosage strengths, 15mg, 30mg, and 45mg[2].
OxyNorm is available in 5, 10, and 20 mg capsules and tablets; also as a 1 mg/1 ml liquid in 250 ml bottles and as a 10 mg/1 ml concentrated liquid in 100 ml bottles.
In the United States, oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance both as a single agent and in combination with products containing acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin."
[ 17. May 2007, 05:01 AM: Message edited by: Marnie ]
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Truthfinder
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8512
posted
There's a two-part article I read a couple of years ago about chronic pain that is just excellent. It is listed at PubMed, but easier to access on other sites.
The article is long, but it goes into detail about why it is SO important to treat pain and never let it get out of control. Untreated, chronic pain can lead to pain that is intractable and UNTREATABLE. This has been proven.
I wish the idiots at the DEA would read and understand this article before they go charging off trying to prosecute doctors and patients who are only trying to control the pain in those who desperately need narcotics. This kind of persecution is why doctors are so afraid to write scripts for narcotics anymore.
-------------------- Tracy .... Prayers for the Lyme Community - every day at 6 p.m. Pacific Time and 9 p.m. Eastern Time � just take a few moments to say a prayer wherever you are�. Posts: 2966 | From Colorado | Registered: Dec 2005
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Pain killers are temporary uppers (stimulants to the CNS) and make you feel good and better to deal with anything - that is exactly why people can become addicted.
I am all for what helps with this disease and painkillers save lives.
Pain management is why these pills were invented & never feel guilty because you feel good, this disease is way too much to handle, be thankful there are meds that can make you feel good even if it is for a short time.
It is not good for the body to continuously hurt anyway.
Addiction is my last worry, getting rid of this painful, sickening disease trumps it all.
posted
Marnie...I don't get it. Wouldn't that be GOOD for us then??
"An animal study published in the Journal of Neuroscience suggests that the pregnancy hormone prolactin spontaneously increases myelin, thus enhancing signaling within the nervous system, and help repair damage in the brain and spinal cord."
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
My husband has found that percoset is the ONLY thing that has helped with his pain. If he doesn't take it, he cannot function . . . he cannot get out of bed . . . he cannot work and support his family.
So he takes it ~ when he needs to.
Some doctors were ever so worried about addiction. But his current docs feel that as long as he is taking it FOR pain, he won't become addicted.
But how much is too much? He is on 10/325's and I worry on the days he says he's taken six of them!
Posts: 160 | From Abington, PA, USA | Registered: May 2005
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
Lymetoo...
Research prolactin..further! See what happens at the "climax" of the event? Hit a lot of websites about this hormone...skim them fast.
Hint: make love, not war.
Oddly there is a similarity of results when we run marathons...low levels of neurotransmitters, etc. These dive. It appears instead of making neurotransmitters, the amino acids are shuffled off to make glucose...at least the "sugary" (glucogenic)amino acids.
When glucose levels dive as we exercise (strenuously) and lactic acid builds up...gluconeogenesis kicks in. We then make glucose from non-carbon sources.
Glucagon and insulin go UP...this carries the non-carbon made sugar into the cells to supply them with energy.
If glucagon and insulin are NOT released, if inhibited, the cells DIE...sugar deprived.
While theoretically, we knock off Bb, we also destroy those partially functioning cells.
That's not a good thing! Too much die-off too fast is potentially fatal.
Sorta a drug overdose situation.
I think we need to find a sugar Bb can't use as well as an acid (amino) it can't use, but we CAN.
I'm wondering if d-ribose WITH glycine will work?
Keep in mind, when learning/studying the various neurotransmitters and their RECEPTORS, even within the various receptors, they have various areas which allow activation.
The glutamate (NMDA) receptors are the most complex.
No addiction...perhaps due to how fast the system is processing the drug(s)?
[ 18. May 2007, 05:42 PM: Message edited by: Marnie ]
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Someone posted here once that there is a difference in being dependent and in being addicted .
Not sure if the line between the two in close, but I know my brother and daughter are dependent on narcotic pain killers, but not addicted. They need them in order to function in their daily life. Without them their quality of life is nil.
I think they both get a surge of energy when on narcotic pain killers. Both from the pain relief and the joy at being able to participate in life. It's hard not to overdo it and try to make up for the time when your pain is unmedicated and you are debilitated.
Yes, it is possible to be overmedicated, but that's where a great patient dr relationship comes in, and having a caring dr.
I have spent the night in the ER with someone "faking" a migraine to get narcotics. I had no idea! I heard later that this same woman faked a gall bladder attack that resulted in surgery to get more narcotics. She was first prescribed pain meds after another surgery.
Guess it is too easy to lie about the level of pain and hard to verify the pain for the doctors. Unfortunately the dr's have to deal with the dishonest and this just hurts us honest folks!
Same goes for insurance fraud and idenity theft and so on... and we're the ones that pay in the end.
My daughter's llmd won't prescribe narcotics at all. Her Internal Medicine dr didn't want to long term, and didn't want to sent her to a pain management clinic because his experience was that they tended to overmedicate. He sent us to a headache specialist (main concern). Very satisfied with this dr, but now he is sending us to the pain management dr anyway for more complicated procedures!
We have had good results from nerve blocks, and get a little break from the pain and pain killers. We are going for a cervical nerve root block next. My brother (not lyme but severe chronic pain) has an internal morphine pump and takes oral also.
Just keep on trying to explain your pain to the dr, and find another dr if you don't think they believe you! You are your own best advocate!
Just my thoughts! Take Care!
MommaK
Posts: 242 | From Mississippi | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
If it helps the patient able to cope with this nasty disease, I think the last thing on ones mind would be addiction. If you are in unbareable pain like this disease causes take your vicodin or percocet. Worry about weaning off once you feel better from treatment. With me I have both anxiety and major pain, I dont like taking medicine for anxiety, but it is the only thing that makes me feel half-way human, xanax is a life savor for me. Once I feel well, I will work on weaning off the ''narcotics.''
Posts: 217 | From Everywhere | Registered: Nov 2006
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
I have two points I'd like to make.
1. My DH has to take Oxycodone/APAP 5/325 to be able to work. However, acupuncture once every two weeks has enabled him to cut his dosage by 2/3.
2. I used to take Darvocet 100 mg. for pain, and was told not to worry because I was dependent, not addicted, since I had taken only 1-2 tabs daily for 12 yrs. and never increased it. After 12 years, I got to where I thought I could stop using it, and I was told by my duck that my dose was so low that I could just stop. He said he had patients taking much more who were able to just stop.
I went through HELL, with blood coming out both ends, shakes, chills, spasms so bad my stomach almost came up in my throat, etc.. I later read in my Merck manual that cold turkey barbituate withdrawl has a 30% mortality rate. Thanks so much, duck!
The duck tried to tell me I had food poisoning,that was just coincidental with my stopping Darvocet, (yeah, right!) but I could see he was terrified of a lawsuit. My DH and I had eaten the same thing, so there was no way it was food.
I talked to my pharmacist after I recovered (it took 9 days!) and she told me the deciding factor in whether a person goes through withdrawl or not is not primarily due to the dosage or dependence vs. addiction, but the GENETIC tendency towards addicton.
She said the chance of being sick like I was is about 50/50 with a low dosage over a long time period. So, look at your first degree relatives before deciding you can just quit. Both of my parents were alcoholics, so I should never have gone cold turkey, regardless of how low my dose was. "Dependence" and "addiction" are just words....I learned this the hard way.
I am NOT saying do not take pain meds. Untreated pain can kill you, and will actually depress your immune system if it is allowed to go on and on. (No, I don't remember where I read this, sorry, but I think it was an article by a doctor, posted at immunesupport.com) I am not in favor of martyrdom to pain.
What I am saying is do not ask a duck important questions about drugs. They only know what drug salespeople tell them. Ask a pharmacist. Please learn from my mistake.
Klutzo
P.S. I have gone off Xanax 4 times. It is much harder to get off of than Darvocet and takes months to get completely off and over a year to stop having withdrawl symptoms. It must be done VERY slowly, or you can have seizures or a heart attack. I no longer try to go off, since it is so hard on me, and I always end up having to go back on it to control my muscle spasms enough so I can walk unassisted.
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
ALL addictions are the result of neurotransmitter and hormone IMBALANCES.
ALL.
Addictions are a (bad) attempt to cope with stress...either stress triggered by a pathogen or stress triggered by a "boss". "Real" or "imagined/perceived" stress on our bodies.
Men recover faster than women do from stress...their cortisol levels go up but then drop faster than do a woman's following a stressful situation. This has been measured.
Too much ongoing stress! Adrenals are being overworked.
Leads to disruption of the HPA axis. Hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis...as well as other axes (plural). Our glands which make our hormones "communicate" with one another...to help out in "emergencies".
Sugar "addictions", caffeine "addictions", cigarette (nicotine) addictions, sex "addictions", Coke/Pepsi "addictions"...the list goes on and on.
Bad choices, but an attempt to feel better, to rebalance the neurotransmitters that are out of balance.
The nicotine in cigarettes impacts the nicotinic (acetlycholine) receptors. Nicotine partially blocks this receptor. Thus more acetylcholine is available for longer.
Levels of acetylcholine are directly related to intelligence. However, it is the RECEPTORS that are actually critical. We MAKE more receptors as we...LEARN...exercise our brains.
Too little serotonin and depressed...block serotonin receptors (via Prozac) OR supply the nutrients needed to MAKE more serotonin, 5HTP from tryptophan (better choice, IMO).
Block certain opoid receptors and MANY neurotransmitter levels DIVE...as they do during INTENSE EXERCISE too (!)
But there is a DIFFERENCE....as glucagon and insulin are INHIBITED via opoids, but are UPREGULATED during exercise...which allows glucose to go INTO the cells.
Bb has a gene for C-acetyltransferase, among a ton of other genes. This enzyme is needed to make acetylcholine.
This impacts our acetylcholine level....which impacts OTHER neurotransmitters as well.
How fast or how slowly our liver "detoxes" the drugs does look to be genetically linked.
BUT...in certain DISEASES...genes that protect us are INactivated.
There is a tumor suppressor gene. If INactivated this triggers cancer promoting angiogenesis...the development of small blood vessels that "feed" a tumor.
It depends on one's perspective. Is this "feeding" of the tumor the body's attempt to deliver necessary nutrients to HEAL the cells...oxygen.
Tumor cells secrete serotonin. Serotonin converts to melatonin - one of the most powerful anti-oxidants we make. Are tumor cells trying to promote the conversion of serotonin -> melatonin, to deal with the DNA damaged oxidative stressful situation? Send MORE oxygen in...these cells are using ONLY glucose for energy, NOT glucose + oxygen.
Free radicals, lone oxygen molecules...superoxide is very damaging. This is "oxidative stress" to many free radicals.
Oxygen forms can be a powerful germ killers. Especially O3...ozone. NO...nitric oxide is also. Nitrogen + oxygen.
Posts: 9481 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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lymebytes
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11830
posted
Pain can also throw off nuerotransmitters, that is why doctors are so eager to prescribe, prozac, cymbalta etc., but in the end they don't help pain.
You would have to understand pain beyond what the mind can imagine to be "pro-pain killer". I am pro-pain killer, because I have lived through the pain of 1000 people and survived...so far.
It has saved my life and I do not feel guilty because it made me feel slightly better and I was able to make it through one more day.
Imagine a life with no pain killers, that would mean surgery without anesthesia, no aspirin or even ibuprofen. How many would tolerate life or be functional?
Having this disease is bad. Having constant pain is bad. Taking antibiotics is bad. But it is a reality.
Taking medications that ease suffering saves lives...period. How many people are alive today because they found something that relieved their pain...ME for one.
One should NOT feel ashamed for taking pain pills to survive this, if you have never experienced pain that walked you to "that edge" be thankful, you don't need pain medications, but unless you have walked a mile in my shoes...
Do you feel ashamed for taking antibiotics? Why not? It changes chemicals in the body as well.
It is all relative to what you have experienced.
Personally, I don't feel anymore guilty taking pain medicine than I do antibiotics...it is necessary to survive this.
If I am ever blessed enough to live a pain-free life again, then I will take care of my "dependence" and I am positive it won't be as hard to free myself from painkillers as it is to free myself from this disease called Lyme.
posted
boy, do I have a lot to say on this issue. I think it is so sad that people like us, who are in such horrible pain, to have to live in pain.
I am lucky enough to be taking pain meds...but on a good day....my pain levels are a 6....that's a good day...not many of those.
I just read an article in my friend's medical journal stating that docs totally underuse opiate drugs....that for the few out there who abuse them, way to many of us are left to suffer needlessly. I sure hope every doc got this letter.
I remember when my kids were born, I was in so much pain I couldn't hold them when they were crying....my heart broke in half....of course it adds to depression.
Been put on several antidepression meds....all crap ifyou ask me. never felt worse as to when I weened off cymbalta (the latest miracle drug).
And of course we're going to be depressed, look at what our lives have been limited to.
Posts: 151 | From ohio | Registered: May 2007
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sparkle7
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10397
posted
I find that taking oxycodone really helps. I think it's the temporary relaxation of pain that creates an energetic feeling. I find the vicodin makes me feel alittle sleepy - so I take a 1/2 of one before I go to bed. Otherwise, I wake up at 5AM in a huge amount of pain.
There is a good article about the misconceptions about opiates here - http://www.painlaw.org/opioids.html ----- Dispelling the Myths about Opioids
Pain patients very rarely become addicted.
An addict is a person who compulsively takes drugs for nonmedicinal purposes. Addicts will continue to seek out the drugs despite bad effects on their ability to function in the community, to hold a job, to care for their families and to maintain social relationships. In contrast, pain patients often take very large amounts of opioids and other medications to improve their function, but do not seek out the drug for its own sake or "crave" the medication. Their ability to work, care for families and live productive lives is improved by their medications.
A recent study demonstrates that fewer than one percent of pain patients receiving opioids become narcotics abusers. No patient in pain should hear that relief is barred because "you will become an addict." No patient in pain should reject opioids out of fear of becoming addicted. Even former and current substance abusers can be treated for severe pain by doctors with experience in the field. -----
We all are different - someone I know said that they felt like they had a "bad trip" & had bad repurcussions for days if they take 1 codine pill for some dental work. Oxycontin has helped me tremendously & I have no craving for it other then when I'm in bad pain. Many of the misconceptions about pain medicine is a remnant from the "War on Drugs". If pain medicine makes some uncomfortable - don't take it. Don't spread misinformation about addiction just because "you" may not feel comfortable taking pain medicine. The reality is that many of us are "under medicated" due to useless outdated laws & misinformation.
Posts: 7772 | From Northeast, again... | Registered: Oct 2006
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