Pain Meds other than Opiods

I had the same concerns and did everything I could to get off the pain meds as fast as I could.  Between the Fentanyl patch, oxy and who knows what else, I figured I was setting myself up to be an addict for sure.  There were times waiting a full six hours between doses was killing me.  Magic Mouthwash and pain meds got me through. 

I still had tongue and mouth sores when I went in to see my Primary Care Physician and expressed my addiction concerns.  She laughed and told me that I'd just been to the gates of Hell and would need all the help I could get to make my way back.  She said I shouldn't worry about addiction.  That taking the pain meds would help me heal faster, as well as reduce the pain.  And that if I did become addicted, she'd get me un-addicted.  It was more important to take the pain meds while my body healed itself.  She took all my addiction worries away.  I'm happy to say my body healed and I never became addicted.  That was almost four years ago.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I had the same concerns and things turned out fine.

Best of luck.

Bugsy

I tend to agree with Bugsy about not getting addicted.  There really isn't much better pain management than opiates but it all depends on the persons brain.  With me, being a recovering alcoholic for over 30 years I was very concerned about getting addicted to another substance after battling for years against my drinking.  It took years for me to get addicted to them so I wouldn't worry about yourself.  (a nasty back and neck injury) The vast majority of patients who don't have the addict minded brain disorder seem to have no problem getting off them.  If you happen to get physically dependent on them your doctor will taper you down nice and slow to avoid too much discomfort.  Only you know how your brain will react.  

IMO, don't suffer for something that has a 90% chance of not happening.  The majority here had to taper but got off them alright in the end.  A little discomfort compared to stopping very bad pain is worth the risk.  I am the odd man out here saying I had a problem.  In my 7 years of logging in I haven't read of another like me.

Take them and find relief.  You need and deserve it. 

Is a non-narcotic.  Not exactly sure it's method of action but is some sort of nerve desensitizer.  It has to be slowly titrated up and then you have to slowly wean off of it.  I was on it for the duration of my radiation and a couple weeks post.  I really didn't notice it doing much...but then again, maybe if I hadn't had it I would have been much more uncomfortable.

I tended to find that ibuprofen and tylenol worked the best.

Others on here will recommend mary jane and derivatives...  If you happen to live where they are available.

If it's shoulder and headache that are bothering him then my guess is that more PT and exercise of his neck, back and shoulder would probably be the best bet...

Good luck!

i was concerned about the addiction - truth is when the treatment was over in my heart I was done with the pain meds. I remember attempting to go back to work and saw that would be impossibl. Took me about a month to taper down.