Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 14/07/2008 09:37:40

Title: Can Pain meds mask bigger problems by taking away our pain sensation everywhere?
Post by: Karen W. on 14/07/2008 09:37:40
Well I know it can, but Is there some statistics on this..

For example.. I have been on pain meds for my shoulder and chest for about two years, first it was Ibuprofen large doses and the last few months its been Norco and Vicodin.

I used to have some sporadic hip joint problems and took Tylonol etc.. then it got worse so I took the Glucosimine and Chondroiten.. with the antiinflamitories.. Well  in the mean time hurt my shoulder arm left side... was already taking meds so it eased the pain... It was there but would ease up and disappear for a month or so at a time. Then boom back with a vengeance! Until it was horrid.. The doctor upped the dosage to help the pain and then all the pain eased off and when I cut the dosage back because of my tests I find I have a lot more places that are in trouble then I had before.. Have gone off the pain meds and am taking Zyflamend.. not helping yet.. but have terrible pain in my right hand when trying to lift my purse both my hip joints are really hurting in groin area and outer hip area.. and then my left shoulder which is already horrid...and now my right!


 I think Whilst under medication all the pain killer, was covering up the spread of the disease! How often does this happen with pain medication.. I feel like I am 80 instead of 47!

I am beginning to think that it has hampered me fixing the problems because some I did not know about until afterwards... I took a vicodon tonight as the pain was intolerable it had been several days and It was a must.. I would like to say I am tough enough to deal with all the pain without meds ..but I can't.. I am hoping after a couple weeks on the Zyflamend it will help..

In the mean time is this a problem that other people have had.. where it covers so many symptoms, that its hard to track the progression of the inflammation.. in the joints throughout the body!?


What do you think?
Title: Can Pain meds mask bigger problems by taking away our pain sensation everywhere?
Post by: alimaalbert on 25/09/2008 13:08:19
Need some more time to think and to analyze, don't think so easy to reach to a exact decision.
Title: Can Pain meds mask bigger problems by taking away our pain sensation everywhere?
Post by: Don_1 on 25/09/2008 13:27:38
Pain killers are fine for relief of temporary pain, but aches & pains are the bodies way of telling us something is wrong. Long term use of pain killers deaden the bodies warning signals, so they can be a definite dissadvantage.

If you have no sensation in your right arm, how will you know you have just accidentally put your hand on a hotplate which is switched on and burning your skin? It's the sensation of pain that causes you to react quickly in order to avoid or minimise damage.

It's the same thing with pain killers.
Title: Can Pain meds mask bigger problems by taking away our pain sensation everywhere?
Post by: Karen W. on 25/09/2008 13:46:30
thanks both of you.. that is how I felt.. but the pain is dibilitating and when it gets out of control its hard to back it back down..
the Zyflamend I have been takin has really helped with nflamation which has isolated the pain and helped some..I am out right now and need to fill it again..bu it is 60.00 dollars a bottle, so I must wait..it is an herbal med and my insurance does not cover it!
 I am down to 1 norco before bed so I can try to sleep.
  anyway this  has been helpful so hopefully it will give my kidneys and liver a break!