[Terry Allen Blackburn]

I have been in the field of addiction medicine for over 30 years. You may become physically dependent upon the short acting pain medications as tolerance builds rapidly with the use of these medications. Physical dependency is easy to take care of with a competent physician doing a gradual step-down from the narcotic pain medication. Opiates act on the mu-opioid receptor site and block pains messages to the brain. Allowing your body to not be wracked in pain speeds the healing process. You are not going to experience euphoria from the medications if you are using them for the intended purposes. You owe it to yourself to talk to the physician directly. If his responses are the same as the nurses it is important to find someone who is going to adequately address your pain issues.

Hang in there and let us know how things are progressing for you.

Terry Newton