AllBodySurgery.com

Long term pain medication usage. Does this make a person unaware of what he or she is saying or doing?

A man I am seeing is on high dosage of pain medication percacet and morphine for failed back syndrome. He had 8 surgeries nearly died. The only way now the pain clinic feels they can give him any quality of life is the pain medication for life. The issue is he seems to say things that are rude and "not remember" he can be fine one moment and a jerk the next! Argumentative etc. Is this a sign that maybe they need change the medication? And how do you present this to the person that does not "see" this? Any advise is welcomed and much thanks to anyone taking the time to offer advise.

Public Comments

1. yes this is a BIG problem, but its not entirely due to the pain meds, more toward the long time pain he has been suffering, making his anger fuse shorter. i would try to talk to him when he is in a good mood, telling him that you are concerned that his anger levels are getting high, and that he is starting to scare you. tell him you want to go with him to his next doc's appt, so you can explain how you feel about how he has been. tell him he prob dosent see it cause he is so close, being the person that is doing it, if you understand. if you talk to him when he is in a good mood, and tell him in a nice way , you may get a better response, good luck.
2. He most likely very addicted to his pain medicine. Even when people are on vicadon they become addicted to it. They then have to go to drug rehab. If he is acting strange it is possible side effect of all his meds. It may be a sign for a change. You need to sit down and talk to him read as much books and gather as much info you can. He will deny it be prepared for a battle but if you research every thing you will have a defense. Good luck
3. hello, I have been on pain med long term before and strong stuff,My point being it didn't do that to me.I know that it can make you crabby if your on it a while and with morphine it can really do it.My husband was on that when in the hospital but it was when he didn't take it anymore he got irritable'(nasty)it is sooo addictive.But he got over it.I don't understand if he has to be on the pain med why they haven't given him the drip that they put inside you and refill?The memory thing ????I donno about that. I would call his dr. and ask this same questions.sounds kinda like a cop out.I just haven't heard of any memory things, good luck and lots of patience for you putz
4. My husband was in an accident same thing Dr. wanted him on pain meds.. Now there is a device out there that is called Pulse generator that is transplanted in your back. They put a lead up your spine and then implant the device in lower abdomen or lower back.You have a remote that turns it on or off. The company that makes it is Medtronic. If you are interested in this product I can give you alot of info. My husband is almost completely off meds.. Insurance companies will pay. You have to get his pain management Dr. to see if he is a candidate than a Nero-surgeon puts in it. It is a miracle device. About every 3-5 yrs they must go in and change the battery in your back. An over night op..