To all that are suffering from full body pain. WOW !!! I feel like such a wimp. My nerve pain is confined to legs. I can't even begin to imagine having more of my body involved. I have had times when I just wanted to amputate my leg myself so my heart aches for all of you. I guess I am a real wimp. I will be saying some real thanks in my prayers tonight. I will also be praying for my friends on Neurotalk that are in far worse positions than me. Once again, whenever I throw myself a "pity party", I am reminded how much worse things could be and how much better off I am than many others. Reading your posts will surely prevent me from any "pity party" for myself for a very long time.

Deciding to begin serious pain relief with opiates I believe requires some thought.

It has been learned very recently that the glial cells that support the brain neurons, will detect that the pain receptors in the brain are "filled" with opiate, so they direct those cells to make MORE receptors. This then registers more pain... and that is when doses, must be raised. It is one form of tolerance. So that if a person decides to wean off opiates for some reason, they don't go back to what they WERE, but to a new level, with MORE pain receptors.

This is the body's way of keeping some pain tracts open, because perception of pain, is an evolutionary advantage, to protect the body from further harm.

Here is but one article to explain this process:
http://nervepainhelp.com/neuropathy-opiate-drugs/