Time-released pain relief can be option

DearDr. Roach: Ihopeyou will offer your opinion on my experience with opiate medication. My wife is now on a combination of morphine pills to address chronic shoulder pain resulting from a fall. The reason it became chronic is because of a misdiagnosis, followedbyerrantX-rays and three unnecessary surgeries. She has been in gripping pain all that time, and the pain remains acute and can increase with too much use of her arm. That’s why I refer to it as “chronic.”

While there is a growing fear of opiate treatment for pain, it probably has saved her life. This all began about 20 years ago, and she is now 60. Most mixes and matches of painkillers left her either with little pain and little function, or too much pain. The saving grace was the result of an off-chance conversation with doctor practicing at a learning hospital. He mentioned a new time-release morphine that is now available. That, along with an optional booster pill if needed, filled the need. Constipation has become something additional to dealwith, although manageable. I write to you to offer hope to someone who is experiencing chronic pain, and to ask lawmakers to leave room in their discussions on opiates. People’s lives can remain productive, or at least livable, with measured opiate medication.— Anonymous

While it is true that there is an epidemic of abuse of prescribed pain medication, it is important to remember that there are some people for whomopiate pain medications are safe and effective. The current backlash against prescription pain medications does raise the risk that some people’s lives will be made more difficult by the administrative obstacles put in place to combat prescription drug abuse.

However, I do agree with youthat opiatesneedto remain an option if used wisely.

Write to Dr. Roach at ToYourGoodHealth @med.cornell.edu