Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: stana on 09/12/2007 23:29:25

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: stana on 09/12/2007 23:29:25

Hey. I was wondering, When i take an overdose of a pain killer, like paracetamol, it will either kill me, or knock me out for a while. But what is it in the tablet that makes me fall asleep? Because..If its a pain relief, then doesn't that mean that Pain keeps me awake?

Thanks

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: another_someone on 09/12/2007 23:48:17

Paracetamol is nasty stuff.  You o/d on it, and will think it has not caused you any serious harm, recover from it, but by then it has started destroying your liver, and a day or so later, you fall seriously ill, and shortly after you are dead from liver failure (and it is not a pain free death).

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: stana on 09/12/2007 23:59:24

Thanks for that. Im never going to touch a paracetamol again in my life  [:-\]

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/12/2007 23:59:35

I concur with George! It is not wise to take more then necessary.My old childhood friend had taken more then her body weight could handle she was very small, this was a prescription I might add and she woke up the next day sicker then a dog and was dead within hours. Very dangerous!Liver was overwhelmed by it!

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: paul.fr on 10/12/2007 00:05:06

This is not related to some mad experiment, is it?
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=8409.msg97498#msg97498

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: stana on 10/12/2007 00:08:56

Quote from: paul.fr on 10/12/2007 00:05:06

This is not related to some mad experiment, is it?
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=8409.msg97498#msg97498

hehehe no, i have too much to live for to be dicing with death!

I just wonder, i have these many and complex questions i have, and my mom has no idea what i ask her, (mainly because my sillabus *cant spell it* in school is very..inerlectal *cant spell that either*) So i ask on here.

I would like to thank you all on your answers and advice given, youve been a god send!

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/12/2007 01:38:51

I wanted to add something and meant too in thew last post ansd forgot.
It has been my experience that being in a lot of pain is disasterous for sleep. I have  and am in that position and it is near impossible to sleep when in such pain. If the pain is under control via safe doses of pain medication I find it easier to sleep and get a good restful sleep. If I do not take my pain medication and I let the pain get out of control then it is very hard to get it back in check and to rest.. so I would say yes pain medication helps to control the pain but some also add drowsiness to their side effects so relieving the pain and different properties of the meds do help to enable sleep at least in my opinion, But as far as overdosing that is not good one should always be very careful of dosage and regularity of pain meds and only use them when you are in pain.

Title: How does Pain Relief make me sleep?
Post by: kdlynn on 10/12/2007 04:02:06

yes. there are recommended doses on the packaging for a reason