How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.

01-04-2013, 08:33 PM

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?

Thank you in advance for any help.

01-04-2013, 08:40 PM

Bump, need answers. Visit is Monday.

01-04-2013, 10:21 PM

Good luck!

01-04-2013, 10:40 PM

Thanks ill do that

01-05-2013, 07:47 AM

I have found more compassion and pain relief from a pain management Dr then my Neurosurgeon. Neurosurgeons fix the problem then send you away.
I recommend finding a good PM Dr, mine is an anesthesiologist. He know best how to help.
Good luck, and thank YOU for your service to our country!!!

01-05-2013, 08:35 AM

I think how you have set out the problem is worth a try with your physician. If she has been treating you for awhile, and prescribes other medications for you, I would think she would be more understanding than someone who is not familiar with your case.

Do you already get opioids from a doctor? If so, I don't see what the problem would be asking for one without acetaminophen.

Regarding the kidney issue, I think you need to get that checked out further. You don't want to try to self-treat a kidney problem.

01-05-2013, 02:56 PM

Hi -- I am allergic to acetaminophen, and have been prescribed oxycodone and vicoprofen post-surgery for pain control. On a longer term basis, I have taken tramadol for pain.

I think establishing trust with your doctor is incredibly important. You could ask about receiving small amounts (ten pills), so that the doctor knows you aren't blasting through pain medications. I would also ask about having your liver and kidney functions tested. The primary concern with acetaminophen is damage to the liver, while long-term use of ibuprofen can damage your stomach lining and your kidneys (plus other things). Daily use of ibuprofen may be affecting your kidneys, which are already coping with a lot of protein.

Good luck with your doctor's visit!

01-05-2013, 03:23 PM

[QUOTE=Iliketurtles1;5112471]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 competito
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.
Would something like that work?
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?
Thank you in advance for any help.[/QUOTE]

Dear iliketurtles, I do think you have a valid point about the acetominophen as i have read that it damages kidneys as much as livers. In my opinion asking the question you have posted about everyone likes narcotic pain medicine is Not what seems prudent to me. I would definitely leave that part out of the question. Thanks

01-06-2013, 10:04 PM

I have been on opiates for 2 1/2 years ranging from morphine, oxycontin, and oxycodone...after last surgery am 3 months post op and want to get off the opiates...dropped opiates and switched to tramadol and flexeril...so far dealing well as well can be...only opiate without acetiminophen is oxycodone, which is Percocet without the Tylenol. Best of luck and wishes...if nerve pain the one that worked best for me is lyrica but does have side affects just need to read up on it...

How to ask Dr. for narcotic pain meds without acetaminophen.

Sign Up Today!

Join Our Newsletter

Whoops,

Thank You