Narcotics question

Per my neuro, I'm not allowed to take any narcs for my migraine. However, I'm having a little procedure done tomorrow morning and they may offer me pain killers. Does that still count? Do I need to ask my neuro?

All this worry may be for naught, I may just be told to take Aleve.

Rachel

Hi,

I presume the procedure is unrelated to the migraine issue. If you need to or are instructed by your dr to take the pain medince for post surgical pain, I think it is ok to do so. If you are worried, tou could always call your neuro and apprise hime of the situation.

Pain free days,
sailingm

i'd go by what the prescribing physician/surgeon recommend. your neuro doesn't want anything to do with narcotic administration due to his/her own liability--that why for most patients they say "no narcotics."

i'm having a minor surgical procedure on thursday that requires an incision and some moving of muscle tissue in my chest--no way would i let a neuro's override a surgical procedure.

Thanks for the advice!

Rachel

I'm with MGB on this one.

Charlotte

Hope whatever your procedure is, that it goes well.

You might find they actually help you. I'm given a limited amount of Norco for my "brain explosions" (which is not supposed to help migraines), but combined with an Imitrex injection it creates a Rocky Balboa migraine knockout punch.

But that's just me. Others might be different. Your mileage may vary...

I would think it would have something to do with "why" your neuro won't prescribe them. Is it for your health reasons or for addiction or dependency issues?

I agree with Porsche. I am 99% sure your doctor has told you no narcotics for migraine because he doesn't want you to ask for them. A lot of doctors also are of the belief that pain meds are not good for migraine treatment as they just treat symptoms and do not address the reason for the migraine in the first place.

The people here who are on narcotics for their migraines are usually the tough cases. The cases where they've tried everything to no avail. So their doctors are willing to prescribe pain meds in order to provide them some sense of a worthwhile life.

Back to your situation: I am sure you can take narcotics when prescribed for other situations. They won't affect your migraine disorder as you won't have them long enough to cause a problem (dependence).

lesherb wrote:I agree with Porsche. I am 99% sure your doctor has told you no narcotics for migraine because he doesn't want you to ask for them. A lot of doctors also are of the belief that pain meds are not good for migraine treatment as they just treat symptoms and do not address the reason for the migraine in the first place.

The people here who are on narcotics for their migraines are usually the tough cases. The cases where they've tried everything to no avail. So their doctors are willing to prescribe pain meds in order to provide them some sense of a worthwhile life.

Back to your situation: I am sure you can take narcotics when prescribed for other situations. They won't affect your migraine disorder as you won't have them long enough to cause a problem (dependence).

That tends to be true. I had a major surgical procedure this year and was totally honest with my doctor who treats me for migraines. I told my surgeon that I am given vicoden for migraines and I told my personal physician that I was given a 5 day supply of oxycodone for post surgery. After years of this game, I just go with the honest policy. I'm going in for a day surgery in two weeks and I was sure to list vicoden on the list of meds, even though my surgeon told me that he prescribes a few oxycodones for post surgery. I've gone in for dental work and told my dentist what I take and had them say,"Well just take your normal pain meds then." This is fine for me ,as it builds as level of confidence. But as stated earlier, the meds prescribed by a surgeon or other doctor for a procedure are for that particular situation in mind, not your migraine.

Thanks for all of the advice. My neuro doesn't believe in using narcotics. This is something he & I will have to work out because so far none of the pain meds he has given me have worked. Just today, his NP (nope, didn't even see the doc) gave me Ultram but told me I could only use it twice a week.

My procedure went well and my migraine meds will suffice.

More tomorrow. Today was a long day.

Rachel