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Over The Counter
Feb. 16th, 2025 08:00 pmBasically, I take too many OTC pain meds, particularly acetaminophen. =/
All day and most of the night I'm taking various OTC pain meds, and often doubling up with different meds as well, hence the acetaminophen problem: I take straight acetaminophen, but I also take muscle relaxants that have it as an ingredient, and also I have a running prescription for T2s that ALSO have it as an ingredient. So, if I take acetaminophen and then have to take muscle relaxants, I'm doubling up on my acetaminophen, see?
I have a lot of painful conditions that require pain meds on the regular. I have fibromyalgia; I have scoliosis in my spine, which causes my back to contract in painful spasms practically when I blink; I have arthritis in my knees and my hands; I have TENDONITIS in my hands as well; the tendonitis runs into my wrists, which drift out of their sockets when I try to carry things due to a past injury; I have bad hips; I have a bad shoulder; I have migraines; I have some kind of undiagnosed digestive system thing that can get EXCRUCIATING.
My whole body is a battleground and the only thing I can do to cope is to medicate myself. So, I take way too many pain pills every day, even though they're shit for my liver, because there's nothing else I can DO. I've tried CBD oil and not only does it not help, it's super expensive and I can't afford it anyway. I'm told maybe CBD joints might work better, but I can't smoke with my lungs, and again, the cost.
And I just. I don't know what to do. I guess I just realized today how much OTC meds I actually TAKE and it's like... idek. Massages and chiropractic might help, but they're not covered my OHIP and I DEFINITELY can't afford to pay for them on my own.
I asked Dr. K about pain management at my last appointment and she said she didn't want to do anything until she'd gotten some more bloodwork, so she ordered some for me but even if I get in to have it done this upcoming week, which is questionable because of the weather, I still have to wait until April for my next appointment to talk to her about it again.
She asked about my T2's and it was like... well I have them prescribed to help me sleep and I take one at night for that purpose. I'm allotted two T2's a day, so I have one to work with during the day, but lately I've had to use it in the middle of the night because sleeping has become a NIGHTMARE because of my back. And I'm very resolutely not using more than my allotted two T2's a day because I need them to last and also because they are an OPIOID and I don't want to get addicted.
But where does that leave me? In constant pain and trying to manage it the best I can with what I have, I guess. I can understand why some people with chronic pain become addicts; it would be SO EASY TO DO if you found something that took care of the agony.
I don't know what Dr. K is going to do or not do at my next appointment, but I'm hoping she can come up with SOMETHING...
All day and most of the night I'm taking various OTC pain meds, and often doubling up with different meds as well, hence the acetaminophen problem: I take straight acetaminophen, but I also take muscle relaxants that have it as an ingredient, and also I have a running prescription for T2s that ALSO have it as an ingredient. So, if I take acetaminophen and then have to take muscle relaxants, I'm doubling up on my acetaminophen, see?
I have a lot of painful conditions that require pain meds on the regular. I have fibromyalgia; I have scoliosis in my spine, which causes my back to contract in painful spasms practically when I blink; I have arthritis in my knees and my hands; I have TENDONITIS in my hands as well; the tendonitis runs into my wrists, which drift out of their sockets when I try to carry things due to a past injury; I have bad hips; I have a bad shoulder; I have migraines; I have some kind of undiagnosed digestive system thing that can get EXCRUCIATING.
My whole body is a battleground and the only thing I can do to cope is to medicate myself. So, I take way too many pain pills every day, even though they're shit for my liver, because there's nothing else I can DO. I've tried CBD oil and not only does it not help, it's super expensive and I can't afford it anyway. I'm told maybe CBD joints might work better, but I can't smoke with my lungs, and again, the cost.
And I just. I don't know what to do. I guess I just realized today how much OTC meds I actually TAKE and it's like... idek. Massages and chiropractic might help, but they're not covered my OHIP and I DEFINITELY can't afford to pay for them on my own.
I asked Dr. K about pain management at my last appointment and she said she didn't want to do anything until she'd gotten some more bloodwork, so she ordered some for me but even if I get in to have it done this upcoming week, which is questionable because of the weather, I still have to wait until April for my next appointment to talk to her about it again.
She asked about my T2's and it was like... well I have them prescribed to help me sleep and I take one at night for that purpose. I'm allotted two T2's a day, so I have one to work with during the day, but lately I've had to use it in the middle of the night because sleeping has become a NIGHTMARE because of my back. And I'm very resolutely not using more than my allotted two T2's a day because I need them to last and also because they are an OPIOID and I don't want to get addicted.
But where does that leave me? In constant pain and trying to manage it the best I can with what I have, I guess. I can understand why some people with chronic pain become addicts; it would be SO EASY TO DO if you found something that took care of the agony.
I don't know what Dr. K is going to do or not do at my next appointment, but I'm hoping she can come up with SOMETHING...
