{"id":2770,"date":"2019-04-24T23:31:57","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T23:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/recovery.stigmaunmasked.com\/?p=2770"},"modified":"2019-04-24T23:31:57","modified_gmt":"2019-04-24T23:31:57","slug":"doctors-exercise-caution-in-pain-management-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitalresearch.bsu.edu\/stigmaunmasked.recovery\/fitness\/doctors-exercise-caution-in-pain-management-treatments\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors Exercise Caution in Pain Management Treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Summer Davis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\tPain management in the era of an opioid addiction epidemic \u2014 arguably one of the worst drug crisis in U.S. history \u2014  calls for physicians to first draw on a variety of other drugs and treatments, said one of the region\u2019s leading experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Dr. Rakesh Patel, a physician at Henry Community Health <\/a>in New Castle, Indiana, specializes in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation. His patients come to him to manage ailments like chronic lower back pain when other treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers and sometimes even acupuncture, haven\u2019t worked. When patients visit Patel, they typically already have been prescribed chronic opioid treatment, and it is up to him how to proceed with this treatment and adjust it to control the patient\u2019s pain as best as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\tIn 2017, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids<\/a> \u2014 including prescription opioids and illegal opioids like heroin \u2014 was six times higher than in 1999.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

           \u201cMore high risk patients, who maybe have a family history of addiction or have abused drugs before, we more closely monitor,\u201d said Patel. \u201cWe do this by urine drug screenings and prescribing them a lower quantity of opioids. Even if my patient is addicted, they still need pain management.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patel said typically treats his patients with short-acting Hydrocodone. He also prescribes short-acting Oxycodone and Percocet, as needed, but steers clear of long-acting opioids because of the higher risk for overdose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

       \t\u201cWe now have the option of doing genetic testing,\u201d Patel said. \u201cThis determines their genetic profile (and) which medication works best for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

           For patients addicted to opioids, Patel recommends help from an addiction specialist and a prescription of Suboxone or Methadone, which are drugs used to manage opioid dependence. Patel says education is key. Community drug addiction centers are another alternative, though the area offers few options for in-patient or residential rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

           \u201cIn my opinion, detox with an addiction specialist is not enough for a patient who is addicted to multiple substances,\u201d Patel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristi Dunigan, the political community liaison for Bridges of Hope Treatment Center<\/a> in Anderson, Indiana, says residential treatment is a key to long-term success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAddicts need stability more than anything, and I believe we not only treat the body, but also the mind and soul,\u201d Dunigan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Patel says it also is helpful for patients to share their experiences with others. \u201cFor other pain management solutions to really stick, like meditation, yoga, massage, it helps if they see these methods be effective for other people, so peer groups, counseling with people with similar conditions could be a good solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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