Have you suffered from chronic pain and have been prescribed long-term opioid medication as a result of this?
I’m conducting a research project at the University of Derby, which is exploring the experiences of individuals who have been on opioid medication for at least six months or longer due to chronic pain. Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Many people get prescribed opioid medication for chronic pain as the main treatment pathway for living with the pain. Some examples of opioid medication are codeine, tramadol, fentanyl, oxycodone, buprenorphine etc. The study will involve an interview being conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams/ Skype and a series of questions being asked by the researcher regarding your experiences with the opioid medication. The interview will take approximately 1 hour to complete. The interviews will be audio recorded for research purposes, and all identifiable information will be removed from the study. If you do not feel comfortable taking part in the interview then I can organise an alternative, such as communicating over message.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with me for further information.
Contact details:
100504907@unimail.derby.ac.uk
Written by
katherine1801
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Yes,I have experience with Fentanyl patches. I use a small dose patch every other day. Without it I wasn't able to get up in the mornings because of severe pain issues that are chronic and began in the 1980's.
I have been on tramadol, codeine phosphate and gabapentin for many years for chronic pain. I decided that I needed to come off them as I felt dreadful, it took almost one year to do this, I thought I may die. But thankfully have turned the corner. If I can help, would be happy to.
I’ve been on Fentanyl patches for a number of years now I take 2x patches which without them I would not be able to live after a couple of failed back surgery
I've been waiting for a total knee replacement for 4/5 years now on paracetamol. Oh! I've just remembered that they gave me 1 month supply of Tramadol which did nothing.
Now I can barely stand up.! 76 years old on the nhs rubbish heap.
What I would do for some real pain relief for 1 week. I'm sure our (wonderful) nhs is hoping I'll die before they need to do a tkr or even give me a month's supply of a real pain killer as I'm in agony.
What is the nhs? I'm sorry you hurt, I know how you feel. It's extremely sobering to see how many people hurt every day here in this forum. Without my pain meds, I wouldn't have any kind of life. It gives me quality of life.
Aren't you the lucky one! I'm sorry but 24/7 pain makes me irritable. I can't walk now barely stand up in fact.
My gp that I can't see face to face tells me on the phone (if I can get a phone appointment) to take paracetamol an they've even finally given me ci codicil lol what a joke.
I've been waiting 4 years for left hip and knee replacements.
I would not support my gp surgery or the nhs under any circumstances.
Why would I be the lucky one? And I know about pain, and the irritability that can come along with it. Hopefully you'll get the surgery you need sooner than later.
Knee pain is terrible I have had both my knees replaced and understand the pain have you asked your doctor about steroid injections they are only temporary for a few months maybe but really help. If you need stronger pain relief tell your doctor he should give you something else.
Hiya, it might be because it is my university email, if you would like to message me directly on here and send me your email and then I can contact you
Dear KatherineI saw your message and would be happy to discuss my opioid use with you.
I am 44 and have been on slow release Morphine (oxycodone) 20mg twice a day for the last 8 years accompanied by Severadol (20mg morphine) tablets for breakthrough pain up to 6 times a day.
Before that I took Tramadol for 10 years.
I also take other medication which may or may not make me unsuitable for your study.
Please email me if you would me to take part.
I take the pain killers for pain from being run over in my late twenties and a rare condition called pyoderma gangrenousum.
I have a wide range of experiences from taking opioids
I used to live in constant excruciating pain for several years. I started on Vicodin then ended with the fentanyl patch. The pain seemed to get worse and my quality of life got worse. When a Dr suggested I tapper of the meds I flipped out. I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain. It’s been 6 years now and I do have pain, but not nearly like I did on the medications. I look back and it makes me sad those years on high doses of pain meds made my quality of life much worse. If you are interested in talking to me about pain medications used in the past I would be interested.
Since 2002 I too have chronic back pain and it has made me disabled (registered), first I saw an out of hours G.P who gave me a Voltrol injection and some Oxycontain tabs which nearly made me pass out, came off those immediately when my doc was called, went to surgery which thank goodness was local and he gave me another injection of Voltrol. Then I have so many examinations, MRI scans, x-rays and treatments to try and help the pain like facet joint injections x 2, physio for weeks which included acupuncture then had hot and cold treatment, finally the pain doc put me on Baclofen, Gabapentin, M.S.T (slow release morphine), Clonazepam, Diazepam for muscle spasms, and finally OraMorph (liquid Morphine), they have now increased the slow release Morphine to 30mg of which I have 3 times daily before they were 20mg, so have been cut down on the liquid Morphine to the smaller bottles x 2, was on the bigger bottles before they decided to change me over. Also take the Omprazole to protect stomach, and am on Venlafaxine for depression, a small amount of Thyroxine and lastly Lactulose for obvious reasons. I take the highest amount of Gabapentin 2800, also the Baclofen x 8 tabs all spaced out daily. Looks like a chemists in our home, nearly forgot one and that is Cetraban for my dry skin.
Due to speak with pain doc on the 4th Feb, need to check this but he is the doc who gave me the facet injections twice but nothing has worked, the only thing is the tabs work and the OraMorph tops up in between.
I try so very hard to do housework but hurt like anything whilst trying but feel worthless if I just do nothing, would say that I am not a huge lady but cuddly at 59 years old, but have lymphodema/cellulitus so take Clarithmorycin once a day and 8 when I have cell. I have 2 crutches, 2 walking sticks and a rollator if I have to go out otherwise just hold onto furniture to get around our housing association bungalow, also have a wet room with all grab handles etc but still have to ask my dear husband of 41 years of marriage to help me sometimes, he is my full time carer too, bless him.
Sorry this is so long but have had a lot to contend with over the years and have fitted in pain clinics where you sit in a circle and tell all about yourself, they have a therapist also a mental health therapist writing your life history as you lie down (ouch), and then the course begins, it also happens afterwards too, still got all the notes, dates of appointments, letters etc.
Thank you for reading this and apologise for being so long. xxx
Hi. I have been taking the maximum dose of Codeine Phosphate for around 6 years. Prescribed for Fibromyalgia and Complex Regional pain syndrome. I may be able to help with your study.
I've been on and off opiates since around 2004. I simply do not know what I would do without the help of this medication. I'm taking the 5mg hydro. Up to 3x d. It helps in that while taking them, I can function at a higher level. I'm moving out of state soon and I'm scared to death that my next doctor may not feel it necessary to be on them. I wish you well in your study. Please let me know if I can help with anything.
Hi Katherine, I have just seen your post regarding research into opiates. Are you still needing candidates? If so I'll be happy to take part. I have Small fiber polyneuropathy and take opiates as well as gabapentin.Regards
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