Percocet and the Chronic Pain Patient

A Convenient Habit Forming Drug Leading to Long Term Health Implications

Each day, millions of Americans suffer through chronic pain. For some chronic pain sufferers, a comprehensive healthcare approach is established to address chronic pain management issues. As part of this comprehensive pain management program, the healthcare professional may develop a team of pain management specialists to incorporate primary, secondary and tertiary levels of pain management care. One such treatment option involves the use of a narcotic pain management prescription known as Percocet. As a chronic pain sufferer, understanding the implications of Percocet on the treatment of chronic pain, in addition to the side effects and contraindications, will provide for a more educated approach in determining which pain management methods to consider.

In the treatment of chronic pain, Percocet has led the way for many sufferers to obtain the much needed pain relief, most often associated with untreatable back pain. As a combination of oxycodone and acetametaphin, Percocet provides a blocking agent against the central nervous system while combining the affect of the benefits commonly found in aspirin. Through this combination, chronic pain sufferers receive an immediate relief of low back pain but, commonly, at a health impact leading to a habit forming condition.

In patients who suffer from chronic pain, such as untreatable low back pain, Percocet provides much needed relief. However, after prolonged use, the level at which Percocet is prescribed will require a gradual increase over time, leading to an even greater addiction issue. For this reason, chronic pain sufferers would serve prudent to seek out alternative health options in relieving chronic pain including physical therapy, acupuncture, epidural steroid injections and even surgery, when indicated.