What To Do If Your Doctor Prescribes Opioid Painkillers

The Miami Herald has published a helpful article on what you can do if your doctor hears about your pain and chooses to prescribe you opioid painkillers that can become addictive. There may be more treatment options than you think! For starters:

Talk to your doctor. "Learn about the drugs first, and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions."

Try other options first. "Consider other ways to manage pain. Physical therapy [exercise therapy], psychological therapy, and exercise can help."

Start low, go slow. "If you need powerful painkillers like OxyContin or Vicodin, start with the lowest effective dose for a limited period."