I can't see banning them but I don't think that the additive effect of tylenol contributes all that much. Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are effective pain relievers. I can't help but think that somehow someone thought that maybe if you paired the narcotic with acetaminophen that somehow you could give less or that it might be less stigmatizing in the same way that people feel virtuous when they drink a diet soda with their candy bar.
Tylenol toxicity is a real problem in patients with chronic pain (about 2/3 of the population I deal with on some level).
I don't think I agree with a ban but I do think that we need to treat pain with appropriate medication. If it needs a narcotic- give a narcotic. If it needs an anti-inflammatory, give an anti-inflammatory. If it needs a combination then stagger the dosings. If you are giving Narcotic every six hours then put the second drug between it- that way something new is coming on board every three hours or put on a patch that delivers round the clock medication.
I see so many people have so few choices in their pain relief and they pay the price for all the prescription drug addicts who keep the prejudicial beliefs in place with their shenanigans and gamesmanship. I try to operate from the notion that pain is what the patient says it is... right up to the point where I get suspicious.
I really think that we need to leave pain management to pain professionals.
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Date: 2009-07-01 02:11 am (UTC)Tylenol toxicity is a real problem in patients with chronic pain (about 2/3 of the population I deal with on some level).
I don't think I agree with a ban but I do think that we need to treat pain with appropriate medication. If it needs a narcotic- give a narcotic. If it needs an anti-inflammatory, give an anti-inflammatory. If it needs a combination then stagger the dosings. If you are giving Narcotic every six hours then put the second drug between it- that way something new is coming on board every three hours or put on a patch that delivers round the clock medication.
I see so many people have so few choices in their pain relief and they pay the price for all the prescription drug addicts who keep the prejudicial beliefs in place with their shenanigans and gamesmanship. I try to operate from the notion that pain is what the patient says it is... right up to the point where I get suspicious.
I really think that we need to leave pain management to pain professionals.
pardon my soapbox... :)