Do opiates affect you differently after developing nerve pain?
 

So I've had a few surgeries before and taken drugs like oxycodone (in percocet) and oxycontin afterwards. I always heard people talk about how the meds got them buzzed and feeling good, but besides the pain relief it didn't affect me at all otherwise.

However, now that I've developed nerve pain after a needle injection I started taking the pain pills again. I notice this time getting some of those effects, like a full body calming, feeling a bit of a nice floating feeling, etc. I guess I understand a bit of what other people experience and why some might get hooked on the feeling.

I'm wondering why the same drug and dose feels different now, though. I was thinking either some of the neurological changes that have happened (like central sensitization, etc) may have made me more sensitive to nerve drugs, or perhaps the psychological side of me both being on edge from the pain and a bit depressed about the situation has made me more sensitive, too.

Just curious if any of you notice the same thing. I mentioned in another post I'm getting a compounded cream later this week so I'm hoping to be able to avoid opiates in general, but it's a curious feeling nonetheless.

I have been on opiates for several years for neuropathic pain. Never experienced feelings of euphoria, being high, calm, etc. just a lessening of the pain which allows me to be more active than I would be otherwise. My understanding is that if you are totally pain free the dose may be too high? I am, despite MS Contin and Percocet, still conscious of pain in my arms and legs, just not immobilized by it.

Of course response to all medications is very personal and idiosyncratic so would vary among individuals, but there is nothing about nerve damage that I know of that would make you more sensitive to opiates. In fact the opposite may be true, as nerve pain is notoriously difficult to treat even with strong pain meds.

My question to OP is, what is the effect on your pain? There are different pain receptors that different opioids have affinities for, methadone being the only opioid I know of that binds to all of them.

Why Would I Use Methadone?

That said, I agree with Suzanne that to my knowledge, euphoric effects are usually experienced when the dose is either too large, or administered to/taken by an opioid-naïve patient.

Could be a warning sign I wouldn't ignore.

Doc

Hi Mx
 

I don't feel any "high" from opiates, never did. I only experience less pain. I am very very careful with how many I take. I often go without, until it stops me from sleeping or doing some activity. If this feeling bothers you, tell your doctor. Maybe he can adjust the dose, or spread it out differently during the day. I wish you all the best. ginnie:grouphug:

Interesting article. My doctor has indicated that the next move from where we are would be to methadone. It is definitely an underused drug with significance for those of us with severe, untreatable neuropathies.

Like all the others, methadone has its associated risks. (I know you're savvy, but for others...)

Unlike most others, it (unfortunately) still has a stigma attached.

Doc