Right after summer break started, I went on a road trip for a couple of weeks. I will share more on that at another time. It was a great trip, but I was ready to get home to start my relaxing. The day after we got back, I had to have a wisdom tooth out. It wasn't something I was too worried about, but I wanted to get it over with so it wasn't something I had to think about during break. The "surgery" was fine, done with just local anesthesia, and I was home resting on the couch just a couple of hours later. While things were tender the first couple of days, I felt pretty good. The doctor had prescribed me some pain meds, but aspirin was enough to keep me comfortable those first few days. It's been a week since I had the surgery, and I feel worse than I did those first couple of days. That's normal, I've been told, but the whole right side of my face just aches. I had the week check up appointment and was told all is healing nicely and that this pain is expected. Thank goodness for ibuprofen as I've been taking it by the fistful every four hours, and the prescribed Tylenol with Codeine has been a life saver at night the last few days as it's helped me sleep through the aches.
Speaking of Tylenol with Codeine, I've had that pain reliever prescribed a few times in my life. But this was the first time I've received this letter, warning me of the addictive nature of the Codeine, from the insurance company. It arrived about 3 days after having the prescription filled at the pharmacy.
Clearly, this is a reaction to the US being ranked #1 in the world for opioid usage. #somuchwinning While I want to applaud this small effort, I'm not so sure a 2 page letter is going to stop our opioid problem. If you haven't been living under a rock and keep informed on current events, the information in this letter isn't anything new or surprising. And I'm not so sure those who have become addicted would have been deterred by a letter like this. The problem is so much bigger than information. In reality, the letter is probably more about the insurance companies covering their butts in the event of a lawsuit. This seems more like a way to say, "We're doing something," than actually doing something that will work. All I know is that sending out this letter and the postage it takes to mail it is probably being tacked onto my insurance costs and not just being sent out of the goodness of the insurance company's "heart".
It's quite a problem and I'm just not sure what the solution is.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those who hates prescription pain meds for a variety of reasons. When I had my recent surgery to remove the skin cancer, I wouldn't even fill the Rx, despite the fact they told me it wasn't a narcotic. (I stuck with extra-strength tylenol the first 48 hours since they told me I had to wait before I could use aspirin or ibuprofen)
But yeah... I don't think a letter like you got is going to do much good. As you said, just a CYA attempt by the insurance company.
....and I hope your pain is lessening now and that you're feeling better! Extractions are no fun.
DeleteThank you. On the mend...I think. :)
DeleteMy thought is if the aspirin works, I just rather take that. I don't know if it's because Nancy Reagan put the fear of god in me in the 80's campaign for saying no to drugs, or what, :) but I'm pretty careful with prescriptions as well. However, if needed, I will take them.
These last few years I've had a crash course on pain meds and truly the amount of codeine included in low end meds is so tiny it's only a real issue with those that were addicts before and the codeine tips them over.
ReplyDeleteI will say this, I think you should go and get things really checked on. And if I were you I'd go to a new doctor and really ask if the jaw is infected. And I'd get a x-ray of that area of the jaw in case the broke off a bit of the jaw. It's just better to be safe with these sods than otherwise.
I will tell you, the prescription pain meds were kind of useless for the actual pain. They made me sleepy, but the ibuprofen was much for effective for the pain.
DeleteI thinK I'm on the mend. Today was MUCH better. :) I will continue to watch it and go back in if I start to go the other way. So far though, the "symptoms" I've experienced have all been in the literature they gave me as possible reactions. So I at least feel better about that.
I'm with Vince on getting it checked out by someone else. I had all four of my removed in one go and after the first couple hours, it wasn't any worse than a hot pizza burn for a couple days before any pain disappeared completely. I never took anything for it once I got home.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your thoughts on the letter being useless. The time for explaining these things is before the surgery even begins.
Wow! That's impressive. Maybe it's because I'm old I'm having more pain. :(
DeleteI agree. That discussion needs to take place with the doctor rather than the insurance company. From what I gather, that's actually part of the problem.
Several things come to mind. First, and I know I sound crass for saying this, but I love prescription drugs. I am not a fan of pain so when a doc prescribes them I take them in the maximum amount allowed. Fortunately for me, I’m not the addict type. I’m not unaware of the problem others have and I’m really sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteSecond, you are right. The letter was written by lawyers in an attempt to minimize liability and/or mitigate potential damages.
Finally, I have all four of my wisdom teeth, two of which are impacted (have not broken through the gums). My dentist has suggested removal. I told him it’s not happening and if he suggested it again I would be taking my business elsewhere.
(Hope you’re feeling better!)
Thank you, I am.
DeleteI have two wisdom teeth (well now only one) that have actually come through. The dentist has been telling me for a few years that I need to have them out, but I'm like you. they weren't hurting anything so why would I do/pay for that. My mom's have all come in and hasn't had any issues, so that was my plan too. However, a couple of months ago when I went in for a cleaning/check up, they noticed some decay on the tooth NEXT to the wisdom tooth because they were so close. I was told that if I I didn't have it taken out they'd have to do a root canal on the other tooth.
As for the pain meds, it's a fine line. I'm a big baby over pain too and if needed I will take them. My concern is that these letters or general information about possible addiction is that people who should be taking them for various surgeries/recoveries won't. My mom has had two knee surgeries and both times she was kind of stubborn about taking them, wanting to stick with aspirin. But then when she'd do her PT exercises, she'd want to quit because they hurt. I told her that was the point of the meds. They would help her do her exercises so she'd get better and then would be in less pain.