When Do You Take Your Breakthrough Meds? - Pain Management Message Board

Arthr Itis · 05-21-2008, 06:18 PM

Today I helped with a project at church and of course over did it. Then when I got home my lawn needed mowing and I figured the pain is already going up so I might as well do that while I can. After mowing the front half I took a little break and that was the end of mowing for today. As I sat in the recliner I could feel the spasms and all the different things starting to hurt more and more so I took my vicodin. I was just wondering when do others take their bt meds? Do you wait until the pain has really jumped or not? If I know the pain is going up doesn't it make more sense to take the med to get a jump on it before it gets really bad? Or should I wait it out in case it doesn't get up that high? Just some ramblings from the wonderful world of vicodin. By the way, I hate this drowsy, messed up feeling. I just can't understand why anyone would take these things for this feeling.
Fred

Executor · 05-21-2008, 06:35 PM

Everything I've always been told re: PM is to "get ahead" of the pain, if possible. If you wait too long to address the pain, it's highly possible the meds will be of marginal value. Conversely, if you hit it early, the meds are more likely to help. With that being said, you may actually take more BT meds this way, but suffer a lot less. While "waiting" is admirable in principle....And sounds prudent.....It usually comes @ a price. Just my .02.

I would talk with your Doc re: his/her theory on the subject...I would come right out and ask....And tell him/her that you heard it's best to stay ahead of the pain and see what he/she says.

Good luck.

Ex

Ex

aussiejono · 05-21-2008, 06:48 PM

Sooner the better - the longer you wait, the less liely it will be effective. Thisk of it as like using a fire extinguisher on a kiichen fat fire, its better to use it right away, rather than wait and see if the house burns down, and then try and use it.

It is now common to give analgesics prior to surgery, because that gives a lot better pain releif than giving them after the operation.

eyesworld · 05-21-2008, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiejono

Sooner the better - the longer you wait, the less liely it will be effective. Thisk of it as like using a fire extinguisher on a kiichen fat fire, its better to use it right away, rather than wait and see if the house burns down, and then try and use it.
.

that's exactly the analogy my new PM used when he brought my dosage up from 4 pills to 5 for BT

cmpgirl · 05-21-2008, 11:26 PM

Fred, Same as the others. I was told right in the beginning by my PM, that you should never be chasing your pain. He explained that if you wait too long, till the pain is at a higher level, the BT meds stand less of a chance at helping bring it back down to manageable levels.

I always take my BT before I am going to do something that I know will more than likely increase my pain. It really does make a difference. Depending on the activity, say, if my hubby and I go out to do errands for the day and then out to get a quick dinner, I will take one just before and right after the activity. (approx. 4 or 5 hrs)

Hope you can rest up and feel better. God Bless, CMP/MM