On Tuesday, I attended a ‘webinar’ on safe prescribing of opioids. I heard about through my involvement with the American Pain Foundation. Although it was targeted for medical professionals and focused a lot on methadone, I found it interesting and helpful. If you don’t know, I take morphine for my on-going chronic pain from the broken back and always want to know more about the stuff and how it may or may not affect me.
The six practices for safe prescribing are:
- Educate patients and families about the risks. It’s amazing how many doctors don’t do this step. I also think it is vital for the patient to ask questions, research and learn for themselves about the risks. There is always a risk of death from opioids. The education should also include – no sharing of Rx, proper handling (lock them up), proper disposal and always take according to the prescription (don’t take more or more often).
- Start low, go slow. That’s for the doctor prescribing, but as a patient, I should question if a doctor is starting me at a high dose before anyone knows if it's going to work or have side effects on me.
- Consider sleep studies for patients on mid to high doses of long-lasting opioids. I’d say anyone taking opioids needs one. Opioids depress respiration and apnea increases with use of extended release opioids. Yes, it’s true! I know.
- Consider doing an EKG before prescribing methadone.
- Avoid prescribing benzodiazepines with opioids.
- Avoid prescribing long-acting opioids for acute pain.
A lot of common sense, but to my surprise (or maybe not to my surprise) these steps are NOT always practiced. Be your own best advocate. Check out www.painsafe.org for more information.
I know I am going to take #3 especially to heart. I am lazy about using my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea, but this doctor made it clear – use it!
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