Preventing & Treating Opioid-Induced Constipation

October 31, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Constipation is a common and annoying side effect of a lot of prescription opioids. But patients who experience opioid-induced constipation don’t have to just deal with this side effect. There are actions you can take to diminish this and other side effects. This pain management patient education article is all about opioids and constipation. We are going to talk about why certain opioids cause constipation, and how to deal with this common side-effect.

Why do Opioids Cause Constipation?

All drugs have side-effects – from nausea and vomiting, to dizziness and headaches. These side effects differ among patients, as each patient reacts differently to different drugs. So why do some opioids cause constipation in patients? Quite simply, many opioid drugs slow down the passage of food through the gastric system.

Preventing & Treating Opioid-Induced Constipation

If you are experiencing constipation from your prescription opioids, what are your options? Here are some ways to prevent and treat opioid-induced constipation:

Lifestyle changes. Sometimes treating opioid-induced constipation is as simple as adding more fiber to your diet, or exercising more often.
Changing your prescription. There are many different prescription opioids available, and side effects differ with each medication. If one opioid is causing constipation, another may offer similar pain relief without that unwanted side effect.
Laxatives & Other Medications can also be effective at reducing constipation, but you should always consult with your prescribing physician before you start taking other medications with your prescriptions.

Edina Pain Specialists

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, we treat patients with all types of acute and chronic pain conditions. No matter what your situation, if you’re in pain, there are options for treatment. Our experienced pain management physicians work with each patient to determine the best treatment strategy for their individual situation. Every patient is unique and their pain management needs to fit their circumstances. That’s where we come in. Give us a call today at our Edina pain management clinic to set up your appointment with one of our Twin Cities pain doctors.

Chronic Pain Medications & the Heart

October 12, 2016/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain, Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Painkillers are often the first resource for patients who suffer from chronic pain. While pain medications can work wonders in reducing pain, they can have adverse effects on other areas of the body when taken to excess. In this article, we are going to discuss a few of the common medications used to treat chronic pain and their potential impact on the heart.

NSAIDs

NSAIDs are over-the-counter medications that you can get at any local drugstore. Examples include advil, and ibuprofen, and the like. NSAIDs are very common, and at the recommended doses, typically don’t pose much of a risk of any side effects. However, when a patient takes too much, they can contribute to kidney damage, increase blood pressure, and cause congestive heart issues in patients who have with a history of heart conditions.

Opioids

Opioids are controlled substances – meaning you can’t get them without a prescription from a pain doctor. These pain drugs are highly effective at reducing patient pain, but they are also highly addictive. The biggest thing you need to worry about with opioids is avoiding dependency and addiction. When used as directed, there shouldn’t be any heart health issues.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) & Aspirin

Acetaminophen and Aspirin are common over-the-counter painkillers. These medications do not work as effectively as other prescription medications (chronic pain patients often have to take a good amount in order to feel relief). That being said, NSAIDs pose little risk to heart health when taken in appropriate doses.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has over two decades of experience treating Minnesotans for chronic pain conditions. Our pain management doctors will work hand-in-hand with you to determine the root cause of your pain and how it can be treated most effectively. Treating chronic pain requires a coordinated, team approach, and we will work with any other medical professionals when necessary to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Contact our Edina pain clinic today to set up your appointment and get back on the road to a pain free life!

Pain Management & Opioid FAQs

August 22, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

We’ve already discussed the basics of opioids in previous articles so we won’t go over those questions here. In this article, we are going to answer some of the more advanced opioid questions that many patients have.

Do Opioids Lower Blood Pressure & Heart Rate?

Yes. Some opioids do lower blood pressure. Opioids work to depress your central nervous system – which can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. It should be noted that pain often raises blood pressure, so opioids can often counteract this.

Do Opioids Cause Memory Loss?

Long-term opioid abuse can have a negative impact on your short-term memory. This is another reason why it’s important not to overuse opioid drugs and to seek other pain management options for long-term care.

Do Opioids Cause Cancer?

There is no definitive proof that opioids cause cancer. However, recent research has shown mounting evidence that prolonged opioid use may lead to the development of cancer.

If I Take Opioids, will I Become Addicted?

Taking opioids in regulated amounts will not necessarily lead to addiction. That being said, opioid medications can be extremely addictive (that is why they are controlled substances and you can’t just buy them over the counter). Predicting opioid addiction is difficult because each patient is so different. But you should always take your opioid medications according to your doctor’s recommendations, and keep an eye out for any of the common addiction warning signs.

The pain management physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN are well versed in the benefits and side effects of opioids. If you have any questions about the opioids you are taking or you are looking for pain relief, contact us today to set up your appointment. Our pain doctors have been treating patients in the Twin Cities metro area for the past twenty years. Call our Edina pain clinic today to schedule an appointment and get back on the road to living a pain-free life.

Regular Narcotics vs. Extended Release Drugs

July 18, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

There are hundreds of differing types of pain management drugs on the market. Many of these pills are instant release medications – meaning they go to work right away after the patient swallows. Another classification of pain killers is known as “extended release” medication. These drugs are specifically crafted to release steadily over a period of time, rather than all at once. This article will focus on the differences between regular narcotic pain killers and extended release pain medications.

Extended Release Pain Medication

As opposed to most narcotic pain meds that work very quickly, extended release pain meds are designed to dole out pain relief a little bit at a time over a longer period. These drugs are designed with a mechanism inside the pills that dissolves the drug slowly over time. Oxycontin is perhaps the most recognizable extended release medication.

Benefits of Extended Release Meds

The benefit of extended release meds is that the patient is able to take fewer pills to achieve pain relief. These medications also offer fewer side effects in most cases. Better sleep is a big benefit of extended release drugs as well. Rather than waking up in pain when your meds wear off, extended release pills offer small bouts of pain relief throughout the night to keep you asleep.

The best type of pain relief treatment will depend on your underlying condition and unique set of circumstances. Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics offers a full range of pain management treatments for patients suffering with all types of pain. Whether you’re experiencing acute pain from an injury, or chronic pain from a pre-existing condition, our pain management physicians have the knowledge and experience needed to get you back to a pain-free life. We serve patients in Minneapolis / St. Paul, as well as greater Minnesota. Contact our Edina clinic today to set up your appointment.

What to Do When Pain Meds Cause Weight Gain

May 23, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Many prescription pain medications have undesirable side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and weight gain – to name a few. In this article, we are going to talk about what to do if your prescription medications are causing weight gain, or other negative side effects.

When Medications Cause Weight Gain

There are many types of medications that can cause a patient to gain weight. Antidepressants, antihistamines, corticosteroids, and diabetes medications can all result in weight gain. Here are a few prescription meds that commonly cause weight gain:

Paxil
Zoloft
Elavil
Rameron
Clozaril
Zyprexa
Allegra

These are just a few of many meds that can lead to weight gain. Ask your prescribing doctor about the potential side effects of any medication before you start taking it.

Steps to Take

So what can you do if your meds are causing unwanted weight gain? There are a few options. Some patients think that they just have to deal with the side effects of their prescription medications. However, this is not usually the case. There are many different ways to manage and treat pain. A particular prescription medication is just one of many methods for pain relief. There may be another prescription medication that can control your pain with fewer side effects, or there may be other methods like physical therapy, injections, or surgery. The most important resource you can have at your side is a pain physician who is willing to listen to your concerns and work with you to find a pain relief strategy that works for you.

If you are concerned that your prescription medications are causing weight gain, contact a qualified pain management specialist to discuss your options. Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN physicians have over twenty years of experience prescribing medications to patients in Minnesota. Our doctors can help you find a medication that treats your pain with the least amount of side effects. Contact our office today to set up your appointment with an Edina pain management specialist.

Treating Symptoms of Pain Medication Withdrawal

May 9, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Recently we have been talking a lot about pain medication addiction and overdose. When a person becomes addicted to any drug, one of the most difficult things about quitting is withdrawal. In this article, we are going to go over some of the signs of pain medication withdrawal, and offer some tips for dealing with these symptoms and ultimately preventing addiction and overdose.

Withdrawal Symptoms

All drugs can lead to withdrawal once a person stops taking said drug. Even caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, irritability, and other symptoms. But unlike caffeine addiction, which has relatively mild symptoms, opioid withdrawals can be unbearable. Here are some possible symptoms of opioid pain medicine withdrawal:

Feelings of nausea and/or vomiting
Aching muscles
A craving for the drug
Chills and goosebumps
Diarrhea
Enlarged pupils

Unfortunately many patients are too close to their situation to see that they are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. That’s why it’s a good idea for everyone to be aware of these symptoms so they can keep an eye on any family or friends who are taking prescription drugs.

Tips for Dealing with Withdrawal

The number one thing you can do if you start to notice symptoms of withdrawal in yourself or a loved one is to seek medical help. There are numerous medications that can help patients reduce withdrawal symptoms and get off of prescription opioids. But first and foremost you need to ask for help.

If you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from one of your prescription meds, talk to your prescribing doctor right away. Catching these symptoms is key to curtailing addiction and overdose. Your pain medicine doctor can help wean you off of the drug while still keeping your pain at bay. The skilled physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been helping Minnesotans with pain conditions for decades. Our doctors are acutely aware of the risks associated with prescription pain medication and take special care with each and every patient to talk about the steps necessary to avoid addiction. Contact us today to set up an appointment with one of our Minnesota pain relief physicians.

Preventing & Treating Narcotic Overdose

May 2, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Narcotic pain killers can significantly reduce a patient’s pain. But these controlled substances are also very habit-forming. In this article, we will talk about the dangers of overdosing on narcotic pain medication, and offer some tips for the prevention and treatment of a narcotic overdose.

Dangers of a Narcotics Overdose

Prescription narcotics are highly effective at reducing pain. Unfortunately, they are also highly addictive. When a patient becomes addicted to narcotics, an overdose is often right around the corner. Here are some signs that may indicate a narcotic overdose:

Nodding off
Limp muscles
Loss of consciousness
Pale face
Breathing and pulse is slow, erratic, or nonexistent
Vommitting
Very small pupils

If you notice these signs in a friend or loved one, get them immediate medical attention. Narcotic overdoses often do not kill a person right away, so there is hope that a person can survive and recover if they receive immediate medical help.

Preventing & Treating Narcotic Overdoses

The best way to prevent a narcotic pain medication overdose is to communicate openly with your physician. If you notice any signs of addiction to your prescription, bring those concerns up to your doctor so you can talk about alternative treatment methods. Many patients are afraid that if they voice these concerns, they won’t be able to find the same pain relief. However, there are many options for relieving all types of pain. A good pain physician will be able to find you a solution that reduces your pain without risking a narcotic overdose.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, our pain management physicians are trained specifically in prescription pain medication management. If you are suffering through life in pain, visit a skilled Minnesota pain doctor to discuss your options for pain relief. Our providers will examine your condition, and recommend a treatment plan that fits your unique needs.

Tips for Avoiding a Pain Medicine Addiction

April 27, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Addiction to prescription pain medications is as serious as ever in the United States, and physicians are becoming more and more hesitant to overprescribe addictive pain killers. Even with the added scrutiny, many patients do become addicted to pain relief medication. In this article, we are going to talk about the dangers of addiction to prescription pain killers, and also offer some tips to prevent a pain med addiction.

Addiction to Prescription Meds

When most people think of addiction, they imagine street drugs like heroin or crack. But the reality is that a person can become addicted to any drug – though some are more habit-forming than others. Prescription opioids, for example, are considered highly addictive. This is why these drugs are controlled substances and you can’t buy them without a doctor’s prescription. The other side of the coin is that these medications are highly effective at reducing pain in patients.

Preventing and Treating Addiction

The best way to combat prescription medication addiction is prevention. This often requires both doctor and patient to remain vigilant. Your physician will likely keep an eye out for any of the signs of medication addiction, but you as the patient should also watch out for any signs that may indicate addiction. If you start having to take your meds more often than prescribed, for example, communicate this to your doctor so you can both take steps to stop addiction in its tracks. This can be accomplished by prescribing other, less habit-forming drugs, combined with other methods.

At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN, we are acutely aware of the dangers of prescription addiction, and make it a point to discuss the risks of addiction with each and every patient. The good news is that painkillers are not the only option for patients dealing with pain. Injections, physical therapy, and various surgical procedures may allow you to reduce your pain and avoid addictive meds altogether. To talk with a skilled pain management physician about your pain and treatment options, contact our office today to set up your very own appointment. Our physicians have been treating Minnesotans for various pain conditions and injuries for the past twenty years.

My Doctor Won’t Continue to Prescribe My Meds

March 16, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Prescription medications can be an effective treatment method for patients suffering through pain. In this article, we are going to discuss why a physician may stop prescribing you specific medications and what to do if that happens to you.

Prescribing Meds

Certain prescription pain medications (especially opioids) are extremely addictive. They are very effective at reducing patient pain but they are among the easiest drugs to become addicted to. This is always a concern for prescribing physicians. When prescription opioids are needed – after surgery for example – the general strategy is to start the patient off with a small amount of opioids as needed, and then slowly reduce the amount of opioids by replacing them with other, less addictive pain medications. This is likely the most common reason that your doctor has stopped prescribing you a certain medication.

Addiction

Unfortunately, sometimes patients do become addicted to pain medications. When a physician notices an addiction forming, they will most likely discontinue prescribing the addictive meds. This is for the patient’s own good to avoid a serious addiction and all the baggage that brings with it. If your doctor believes you are starting to become addicted, they will likely have a conversation with you and discuss how to effectively move forward – keeping your pain at bay, while shifting away from the addictive medications. Likewise, if you feel like you are becoming addicted to a medication you are taking, contact your prescribing physician right away to discuss your options.

The pain physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients in the Twin Cities for the past two decades. They have the knowledge and expertise to accurately diagnose the cause of your pain and offer recommendations for treatment. If you are suffering through life in pain, contact our office to set up your appointment today!

Is it Normal for a Doctor Not to Know the Effects of a Medication?

February 24, 2016/0 Comments/in Medication /by Matthew Thorson

Doctors are incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to medical conditions, injuries, treatments, and medications. But should you expect your physician to know the ins and outs of every medication on the market? In other words, is it normal for a doctor to NOT know the effects of a particular medication? That’s our topic for today’s article.

The State of Pain Medications

There are thousands of FDA approved drugs on the market that a doctor may prescribe a patient. With that many medications, it’s difficult for a doctor to be an expert on every single one. While there are many individual drugs approved by the FDA, many are used to treat similar conditions and have similar side effects.

So while your physician may not know everything about every FDA-approved drug on the market, they likely have a good grasp on the drug’s category and similar medications. If you are curious about a specific drug or a new drug, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. Even if they aren’t familiar with it, they will be able to do some research and provide you some feedback and advice.

The Type of Doctor Matters

On another note, some doctors know more about prescription medications than others. A pain management physician is generally going to have a more in-depth knowledge of specific meds than a surgeon would. That’s not to say that surgeons are clueless when it comes to medication – but their primary focus is on surgical techniques. A pain management doctor, on the other hand, focuses solely on the identification and treatment of pain conditions.

If you have questions regarding any medication you’re taking, or that you’re considering taking, contact a qualified pain management doctor today. At Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN our pain relief specialists are well versed in the effects of all FDA-approved medications. Contact our office to set up your appointment with one of our pain physicians.