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Pain
Physical pain is a part of life. We all experience it, whether a scrape on the knee or a broken bone, receptors in our bodies sent pain signals all the way from our extremities to our brains. Here you might ask and answer questions about unexplained pain, what it could mean, and what to do about it.
2,142 Questions
What essential oils can help tooth pain?
Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum ) may be rubbed on sensitive gums to numb them or added to a small cotton pellet that is then placed into or over a hole in the tooth. The herb corydalis (Corydalis yanhusuo ) may also help relieve toothache pain
There are many potential causes, from psychological to very serious medical. Please see a doctor to determine what is going on.
The same things that can hurt any human being whether they be virgin or not. Some believe that for a virgin female it is a definite fact that it will hurt the first time she has sex, but it is not. Everyone is different and experiences different things, so what is painful to one may be pleasurable to another.
There are 2 reasons people usually ask this question - they've been given an anti-depressant drug, or they're in a formal pain program and have been referred to a shrink or LCSW.
If you've been prescribed an anti-depressant, it's not because your doctor suddenly thinks you're nuts or the pain is in your head. Anti-depressants (certain ones) are used in conjunction with some opiates/ opiate analgesics because research has shown that they augment the pain controlling features of the painkiller being taken. While the mechanism isn't fully understood yet, actual results vary with each patient. For me, it never worked much, but I'm an extreme case on several levels.
If you're in a formal (or even informal) pain program, seeing a shrink or LCSW is just part of the overall treatment plan. The reason is that anyone with long term chronic pain will face depression at some point - it's just inevitable. Family problems, cultural pressures, job pressures, not being able to do things we used to, etc., all lead us down the path to depression. Knowing that, pain specialists and other doctors make sure that it's part of any treatment plan. If dealt with early on, the patient is able to understand what's happening and can cope with it better.
So while it's likely not the next step, it's probably just part of your overall treatment plan. Don't take it personal. I underwent counseling for 3 years in the first few years of my own pain management. I also learned I can't take anti-depressants.
TSD -RAVEN- Category Supervisor
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For me, when a cortisone shot does not work, it is often the case that the surrounding muscles and tendons are "angry." So, to relieve that, I need to stretch my muscles and that seems to relieve the issue for the moment of exercise and then, overtime, as everything calms down. If you can go to a water class (Arthritis Foundation can recommend some with warm water and good teachers), a physical therapist can show you some good moves for the area, and/or look for an experienced trainer teaching a novice stretching class. A psychiatrist can prescribe an anti-depressant which often helps with pain management...it does not mean that the pain is in your mind, but that you need additional seritonin to help. (see link) Also, you might consider acupuncture.
Is getting novocaine for a cavity the equivalent pain of getting your ears pierced?
It depends on what part of the ear you are getting pierced. Having your love pierced often is completely painless, whereas having cartilage pierced hurts a lot more than a novocaine shot for most people.
Why are the ropes used by rhythmic gymnastics often made to look like snakes?
If you mean the ribbon, they are designed as all sorts of things, not just snakes. It's mostly for show.
Is there anything to stop the body aches during detox from pain killers?
It's extremely important before doing all of this to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Have enough time set aside if you can (vacation or sick time, long weeks, etc.), and have enough warm clothes, fluids (water and Gatorade/Powerade), and mental distractions to keep your mind off the pain (movies, music, games, etc.). I don't recommend sodas; NSAID's are hard enough on your stomach, and sodas aren't exactly the stomach's friend. The last thing you want to do is add to your misery.
If you have a family member or friend that can stay with you when it gets rough, it really helps.
HOW TO REDUCE OPIATE DOSAGE WITH MINIMAL WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
When starting this, it's always best if you can begin on a long weekend or during a holiday. If you can take time off, it's even better. There will be times where it's desirable to sedate yourself. If you have no prescription drugs that will do that, Valerian Root may help. Tylenol PM or even Benadryl will also work in a pinch.
If you have a good relationship with your doctor and are trying to do this with his/her assistance, ask for an anti-anxiety and anti-nausea med. Both will help a LOT in the later stages when withdrawal symptoms are the worst.
Flexeril can also help; not only will it sedate and relax you, it will take the edge off.
The time it takes to accomplish, and the overall difficulty of opiate Incremental Dose Reduction (IDR - my term) for each person depends on a number of different factors - the person's tolerance to the opiate, the strength of the opiate taken, how long it's been used, how big the patient is, length of dependency, dealing with withdrawals, etc. All are factors in lowering your dosage intake of any opiate or opiate analgesic.
All opiates are Controlled Substances, classed under 1 of 5 DEA Schedules, with Schedule 1 being illegal drugs (Heroin, Cocaine, etc.) Schedule 2 being Morphine, Oxycodone, and others of similar strength; Schedule 3 contains Vicodin (Hydrocodone), Schedule 4 has drugs like Darvon/Darvocet, and Schedule 5 contains analgesic syrups and suspensions with small amounts of Codeine and the like. The most common prescription drugs are from Schedules 2 & 3 for moderate to severe pain - patients using these drugs normally have pain that is chronic (long lasting), and is the reason dependency is common this group. Some, like myself, will be required to use them for the rest of their lives. Schedule 4 drugs are for mild pain, and the potential for dependency, while possible, is unlikely given the small amounts of opiates present.
If you are using Duragesic (Fentanyl Patches) - Duragesic dosages can be reduced fairly easily, and I will cover that separately.
OTC MEDS AND THEIR USES
The OTC meds I've noted as being optional can be used to help in the reduction process and the easing of withdrawal symptoms. Their specific use and advantage:
Bayer Back and Body Aspirin - For easing withdrawal pain. Good when using an analgesic containing a high amount of Tylenol and not wanting to add more Tylenol to the the dose. Examples - Percocet, Darvocet.
Tylenol Rapid Release Gel-Tabs - For easing withdrawal pain. Good when Tylenol component is low or drug isn't combined with it. If you're lowering a Percocet dose (or any opiate analgesic combo drug with Tylenol in it), remember to add up your total daily intake between the regular Tylenol and the amount in the Percocet so it doesn't exceed the daily amount (3g total as of last year).
Aleve - Aleve is Naproxen in non-prescription strength; prescription is 500mg, Aleve comes in 220mg doses. If you can get prescription Naproxen, do it, otherwise using 2 1/2 Aleve's is essentially the same thing. That along with the Tylenol will really help the aches.
Delsym 12 hour Cough Syrup - The active ingredient in Delsym is sometimes used by doctors to augment opiate effectiveness. Used as directed for cough, it can ease withdrawals by augmenting the lower dose. I used it for about 2 years with OxyContin prior to switching to Duragesic.
Valerian Root - Natural sedative sometimes used as an herbal replacement for Valium and other sedatives. Can be used to help sedate yourself when prescription sedatives or muscle relaxers aren't available. Use sparingly and exactly as directed. Note any drug interactions.
It is important that you read and understand all OTC usage instructions carefully. You are potentially using them to help lower your opiate dosage, not create another problem or make you sick. Additionally, if you've got high blood pressure, it's important to note that the combination of NSAIDS (Naproxen, Tylenol) can increase it if you're not careful. Your heart rate will already be up due to the increased strain on your system, so be aware of all the effects.
INCREMENTAL DOSAGE REDUCTION (IDR) - OPIATES IN PILL FORM
It is helpful to maintain a Diary while you go through this process. Note the date, time of dose, total amount taken, any OTC meds used, and withdrawal symptoms and strength. Also note how strong the pain you're taking the drug for is. You don't want to lower the dosage to the point where you're no longer getting any pain relief.
Note your average required dose, and whether it requires 1 or 2 pills to achieve. What you will be doing is cutting one of your pills (if using more than one to achieve normal dose) in half or in quarters, depending on your initial attempt. You will be reducing your dose initially by what it tolerable to you as far as withdrawals are concerned. There is no way to completely avoid withdrawals, but they can be minimized.
1. If you are only using 1 pill, cut it in half with the pill splitter or razor blade. Some pills come with scoring marks on them to make them easier to break. You can also score/break if you find cutting is crumbling the pill. Cut one of the halves in half, leaving one half and 2 quarters of the original pill.
2. When your next dosage time approaches, instead of taking a full dose, take only 3/4 of your dose - the half of the pill you split up plus one of the quarters. If you're using 2 pills, take one whole pill and one half and one quarter of the other. This lowers your dose by 1/4 overall.
3. At the same time, take 1 or 2 of the Bayer Back & Body Aspirin or the Tylenol. If you're like me and using Percocet, use the Aspirin will probably help better. Try each to see which works best.
4. Note how you feel as your withdrawals begin to take hold. If it's tolerable and you can continue with your daily routine unaffected, then continue. If not, try cutting one of quarters in half and drop your dose by 1/8 instead of a quarter, or using the Delsym to augment the lower dosage - it may help you tolerate the withdrawals easier.
5. Continue with the initial reduction for 1 week, then attempt another reduction in dose by another quarter or eighth. Again, see how well you tolerate the withdrawals. If it's too much, then go back to the previous reduction in dose and continue for another week. Repeat the process on a weekly basis until you can tolerate another dose reduction. Increase the amount by 1/8 or 1/4 when you can tolerate the lower dosages and withdrawal symptoms. Keep repeating the process of IDR over time, noting results in your diary.
If withdrawals become too uncomfortable, you can sedate yourself if you have the time and that option to ease your symptoms. I've found that the ability to sedate yourself helps tremendously when withdrawals are too uncomfortable, or you're trying to lower your dosage by halves rather than quarters. If you've got the support of your doctor, you can ask him/her for a prescription for an anti-anxiety and anti-nausea med. The anti-anxiety meds work great to help with that "crawling up the ceiling" feeling, and you'll need the anti-nausea meds toward the end.
I won't kid you though - if you're a long-time opiate patient with high doses, it's not easy. It took nearly 18 months total for me to get off of everything, and that included a month of severe withdrawals I'd rather forget.
LOWERING DURAGESIC DOSAGES
Duragesic (Fentanyl Transdermal Patches) IDR can be obtained by using combinations that include 25mcg patches and an acute drug like Percocet to help compensate for larger dose reduction over time that lowering a patch dose by 25mcg entails. Since this can only be done with your doctor's assistance, explain fully what you are trying to do and why and you shouldn't have any difficulty. If you can successfully switch from Duragesic to acute meds, then try and lower your dosage to the acute drugs.
You can do it with larger patch doses by increasing the time between patch replacement; just use Percocet and OTC meds (or whatever your breakthrough med is) to compensate.
SUMMARY
Remember throughout any of this process that you're only trying to lower your dose to a level that's comfortable and also continues to alleviate pain. While you can of course in some cases continue the process until you quit using them completely, it's not intended as a substitute for opiate therapy that is beneficial. Using combinations of the different OTC meds can help you lower your dependence on the opiates, but pain is pain - if opiates are necessary, then accept that as part of your normal life and routine. Unfortunately, one of the many problems of being dependent on opiates is the fact that the majority of people (including some doctors) cannot distinguish between opiate dependency and opiate addiction. While Pain Management advocacy groups and new laws are helping to change that, such culture change may take many years indeed.. It is one of the subjects that really irritates me, as I long ago determined that I'll likely need opiates for the remainder of my lifetime in order to have some semblance of a normal life.
My point is don't let the fact that just because someone else can't make the distinction between the two keep you from getting the relief and therapy you need. It's their hangup and ignorance, not yours. Don't suffer because of it.
Of course you always have the option of Suboxone, which is a withdrawal drug that allows you to lower your dependence with fewer effects, but it's just something else you'll need to deal with.
How long after a bump should the pain continue?
depending on how you hurt your self, probably 1-3 days for a bee sting and usually 1-2 days in general.
What are braces like truthfully don't exaggerate and what is the most painful part?
Braces are uncomfortable at first and quiet painful when they tighten them and but the wire on. but once you are used to them you will forget you have them
How many servings of rib tips per person?
The normal serving of rib tips per person is normally 4 because they do not contain much meet. If the rib tips are on the small side, then 6 may be a better serving.
My husband has pain on left side of body and pain in his chest what could this mean?
It could mean a number of things. To ensure it's not something very serious, please get him to your doctor or the hospital immediately!
At what level does sound become painful to most people?
Longtime listening to sound levels more than 85 dBSPL hurts. 120 dBSPL is considered painful by most people.
