Workplace injuries can cause a lot of pain. Sometimes the pain isn't so bad, and can be treated with some off the shelf painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol and eventually the pain goes away and we no longer need the help that these painkillers offer us. However, for a lot of people who are claiming workers compensation for injuries sustained in the workplace, injuries are more severe, the pain is much worse, and they may last a long time.
If you have suffered an injury in the workplace, the workers compensation doctor may of course want to prescribe you painkillers if you are in a lot of pain. These pain killers are likely to be prescription strength, which means they are much stronger than any you can buy over the counter. You may be given opioid medications such as oxycontin, percocet or lorcet. Which painkiller you are prescribed will be decided by your doctor.
Safety Concerns
Of course there are risks with taking any type of medication. Nothing is without the risk of potential side effects. However, there is evidence that taking opioids comes with an increased level of risk. So much so that the recommended guidelines for dosages have recently been changed by The Center for Disease Control. It has also been recommended that doctors be more careful when prescribing larger doses.
Why have they made these changes?
It has been observed that prescription opioids put patients at risk of addiction and of overdose. A link has been found between high dose prescription opioids and increased risk of overdose.
The problem is, often you will not really have much choice when it comes to deciding whether or not to take your opioid pain medication. If you are in severe pain, you need to get this under control. You cannot live in a great deal of pain, so you will have no choice but to take the pain medication you are prescribed, regardless of the risks. These medications are highly effective for pain relief and there are very few other options are that are as effective relieving pain.
So should you panic about potentially dangerous opioids?
The short answer is usually no. With the new guidelines in place, you are not likely to be given a large dose that is going to cause you to overdose or become addicted to it. If you need these stronger pain killers, your doctor will decide that they are the best for you, and you probably shouldn't resist taking them. They will lower your pain levels and this will help your body to recover from your injuries. These opioids are of course more expensive than standard painkillers that you'd buy from the pharmacy, but they will generally be covered by workers compensation benefits. If you have concerns because you were previously addicted to prescription medication, it is best to discuss this with your doctor. They can help you determine what your options are.
Need some advice on your workers compensation benefits? Get in touch with an experienced St. Louis workplace injury lawyer. Call (314) 361-4300 for a free case evaluation.
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