Questionable Pain

Just read your posts about these "pain patients". I work in a large hospital where we have a GI doc who specializes in Diabetic Gastroparesis. This is a disorder in which the gut is somewhat lazy or even paralyzed due to the long term effects of uncontrolled DM 1. My usual patient is a 30 something white female with uncontrolled diabetes, pain of 10, and vomiting. They all have g-tubes for feeds and get Dilaudid 2-4mg q3-4 hr with phenergan 25mg SIVP. They are also on Methadone, Cymbalta, and Reglan. Some are even on Marinol for nausea. They are admitted at least every 1-2 mos for 3-7 days at a time for uncontrolled pain/nausea. This a very interesting and sad disease. It is hard on the patient and the nurse. These patients lead very difficult lifes and are addicted to their pain meds. It is becoming increasingly common (gastroparesis) and there are even gastric pumps or pacemakers that can be implanted to stimulate digestion. Just some info I though would be interesting and useful.

Very interesting post. I have one question about it though. You make it sound like a very painful disorder. If you take pain meds only when you have pain is it still possible to become addicted? Recently, a nurse told me as long as I only take my pain medication when I'm in pain I won't become addicted. I have Crohn's and ulcerative colitis and I'm very, very, fearful of becoming dependent. I see those people where I work and I don't want to become one.