Pain
Ask the doctor: How safe are opioid pain relievers?
My doctor suggested I take a long-acting opioid like oxycodone to manage my pain, but I have heard so much frightening news about opioids recently that I am anxious about trying it. Are opioids a safe option for chronic pain?My patients are very often anxious about taking any kind of opioid pain pill. It's important to remember that opioids are excellent pain medications, and they can work quite well. But not everyone benefits from them, and some people get intolerable side effects, such as constipation, dry mouth, and nausea. People who take opioids regularly for long periods of time do become physically, and sometimes psychologically, dependent on them, but that's different from being addicted. You should have a conversation with your doctor about the potential for addiction if you are worried.
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