Chronic pain can feel unbearable at times. Medications and alternative therapies work differently for each patient, and sometimes patients take matters into their own hands. Let’s face it; we’ve all been guilty of it before. The prescription bottle says to take one but we take two because we think it will help. Physicians prescribe medications according to dosage and what they believe will help the patient best, and patients should adhere to these instructions.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we work effortlessly to inform our patients about the risk of deviating from our direction and what will help with their pain management. We have provided a list of four common pain medication mistakes that will hopefully help chronic pain patients use their pain management therapies more seriously:
- More is not better. Based off a physical examination and a review of medical history, a doctor prescribes pain medications at the dosage that they believe will offer the greatest help without risking any bodily complications. Some individuals double their medications to speed up relief; however, it will only speed up the risk of harmful side effects.
- Read labels. Many people take medications without reading warning labels or the recommended dosages. Often times, people use over the counter drugs with their prescription without knowing what they are taking. In some cases, these individuals may be getting an overdose. Think about other medicines, or supplements you are taking and how they may interact with your pain medications.
- Drinking. Alcohol can greatly enhance the effects of pain medications. That is why so many of these prescriptions have a “no alcohol” sticker on the bottles. For a general rule of thumb, do not drink alcohol when using pain medications.
- Sharing is not caring. Your prescriptions are tailored to your body and your medical history. Sharing your pills with another person may be dangerous and not a very smart idea. Not to mention it is illegal.
We want our facilities to be safe environments for all of our patients. If an individual has complications with their medications, we advice them to speak with one of our specialists immediately. For more information on precautions and side effects from pain pills, consult with a Southwest Spine and Pain Center team member today!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With four locations and same day appointments, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2013
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