How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
Good evening all, I am a first time poster so please be gentle.
I have a question about medications. But, first I would like to tell you a little about myself. I am a 27-year-old paratrooper that just got out of the Army. I did 10 years of parachuting duty and my back has been injured because of it. I am also a Personal trainer, and an semiprofessional fitness competitor.
My question is how do I get my doctor to prescribe me an opiate pain reliever without the acetaminophen? As a fitness competitor I take lots of weightlifting supplements, Not to mention all the current medications that I am on.
I am not a drug seeker. However, sometimes I need a strong pain medication to do my job. At least once or twice a week I have to take a Percocet To get through my day. As I said I am also a personal trainer which is a very physical job.
With all the supplements I take, and medications, I sometimes actually feel pain in my kidneys and my urine is rust color. I drink over a gallon of water a day so I know that is not the issue.
So basically I am wondering that if I tell my doctor about my needs and desires honestly will my doctor prescribe me something without all the acetaminophen. For example, "Dr. Who doesn't like the narcotic pain killers? but I do not abuse them. I would just like something that I can take without all the extra APAP. As you know I am on lots of supplements like creatine monohydrate as well as 800mg Motrin, gabapentin, flexeril, and methocarbamol. I am concerned about my kidneys so concerned that I have even stopped having the occasional glass of wine. I do take the narcotic medications once or twice a week."
Would something like that work? My doctor (or anyone for that matter) can take one look at me and see that I am not a drug abuser. I am 5' 10", weighing 195 pounds, with 7% body fat. I certainly do not have the appearance of a junkie.
I do all the necessary exercises and stretches I learned in physical therapy (have done PT twice).
I have done spinal injections with a pain management specialist. (Worked great first time, now they only last about a month) I never lift really heavy weights, I only lift lightweights with a lot of repetitions.
I will have to be immobile before I consider spinal surgery.
So there it is. If I am honest with my Dr., and explain my concerns in your opinion is she just going to think I want drugs or is this a question I shouldn't even bother with?
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
I'd just explain to your doctor that you're concerned about all the APAP, and he/she will likely prescribe something that's not a compound. For example, I use morphine for breakthrough pain. I was on Oxy, but didn't want the APAP out of concern for live damage. I've found that - once you have a trust built up with your provider, you can be very open and frank about your meds. Good luck and keep us updated.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave490
I'd just explain to your doctor that you're concerned about all the APAP, and he/she will likely prescribe something that's not a compound. For example, I use morphine for breakthrough pain. I was on Oxy, but didn't want the APAP out of concern for live damage. I've found that - once you have a trust built up with your provider, you can be very open and frank about your meds. Good luck and keep us updated.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
T-
You say you take the 'narcotic medication' twice a week? That intake level will not likely be harmful to your kidney function. Your training supplements are probably more damaging. So, the APAP harm argument is thin, and your pain sounds like it is infrequent.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
Hi! I would just be very upfront with your Doctor about your concerns and ask him what options are available where narcotic pain medications concerned that don't contain acetaminophen. Your concerns are very reasonable.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Isotope
T-
You say you take the 'narcotic medication' twice a week? That intake level will not likely be harmful to your kidney function. Your training supplements are probably more damaging. So, the APAP harm argument is thin, and your pain sounds like it is infrequent.
Correct. I believe u need to take apap several times a day for many years to be an issue. I am nOt a doctor, however.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
hi iliketurtles-
for one the rust color of your urine is an issue and you need to report it asap. i have taken oxycodone 10mg and i get better relief with the oxycodone/325. you mention you take lots of supplements-there are 90 essential vits and minerals your body needs dail, some of the vitamins you can get from your diet-but the 60 minerals you need must supplemented-you cannot get them all from any foods, plus i am sure you know about the omega 3 oils you need-to know specifically because you are wt lifter ck out dr joel wallach-good luck
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
It's usually the liver that is affected by overuse of Acetaminophen...so I would go and get some testing done to get a baseline for your kidneys as you are taking so many other supplements and it sounds like your kidneys are having trouble filtering.
In regards to the Percocet....it's pretty easy to have them switch you over to OxyIR 5mg which is what I am on. I was on the Percocet for a few years (daily ) and wanted to switch and be without the Acetaminophen. This comes in a generic as well so should be a simple change.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
I'm also sensitive to acetaminophen. It makes me nauseous so I have had to ask for pain meds without it. I take Vicoprofen instead of Percocet or Vicodin. Vicoprofen is basically Oxycodone combined with Ibuprofen. Are you also sensitive to Ibuprofen? I also take methadone but you don't want to get on that stuff unless you have no other choice. Methadone is one of the hardest meds to ever get off of.
Re: How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.
I don't think you are taking enough acetaminophen to worry about. If you are concerned go in every few months and have blood work done to monitor your liver.
I take BT meds everyday that have acetaminophen in it and so far I haven't had any problems. Of course everyone is different but having blood work every so often will reassure you that the medication is not causing any problems.
How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen. 
