opioids for chronic pain Archives - Minnesota Physical Medicine Blog

When it comes to managing chronic pain, we’re always looking for new and better ways to help patients control their discomfort. If you’re a regular follower of our blog, you probably know that we’ve written a number of blogs on opioids and medical marijuana, but a recent study decided to take a look at what happened when these two treatment plans were used simultaneously. You might be surprised at the findings.

According to research presented at the 2019 American Pain Society Scientific Meeting, individuals with chronic pain who used both prescription opioids and recreational marijuana showed higher levels of mental health and substance abuse problems than those who use opioids alone. Now, the study makes a big distinction noting that patients were using marijuana recreationally and not medicinally, but it still shines a light on how problems can occur when people try to supplement their opioids with other substances.

Study Results

Those weren’t the only findings that were of concern according to researchers. The team said that anxiety and depression scores were also significantly higher for patients who used both opioids and recreational marijuana, as were measurements of opioid dependence severity and alcohol and cocaine involvement. Researchers also noted that there was no difference in pain severity or pain disability between the group of individuals just using opioids and those using opioids and recreational marijuana.

“The things psychologists would be most worried about were worse, but the thing patients were using the cannabis to hopefully help with — namely pain — was no different,” said Andrew Rogers, University of Houston, who worked on the study. “Co-use of substances generally leads to worse outcomes. As you pour on more substances to regulate anxiety and depression, symptoms can go up.”

Abhiram Bhashyam, MD, MPP, of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who was not involved with the study, said the findings provide even more evidence that patients shouldn’t assume that recreational marijuana will help with the effects of their chronic pain if they are already on opioids.

“This study provides further evidence that cannabis may not be an effective substitute or alternative to opioids for pain management,” said Dr. Bhashyam. “Studies like these are important for clinicians as patients increasingly ask about opioid-cannabis co-use for managing their pain. We lack robust evidence to provide appropriate guidance due to a paucity of research on this topic at present.”

Both opioids and medical marijuana can be helpful if you’re dealing with chronic pain, but it’s important to realize that there’s a significant difference between regulated medical marijuana and recreational marijuana, so don’t assume that what you pick up on the street will be beneficial in combination with opioids for your pain. As this study suggests, it doesn’t appear to help and it can certainly make some problems worse. If you’re considering medical marijuana or another treatment plan for your pain, consult with a physical medicine specialist first to ensure you’re making the right choice for your individualized condition.

Doctors with the American Academy of Neurology say the dangers of opioid use for chronic pain management far outweigh the benefits.

“The evidence of harm is high, and the effectiveness is low,” said Dr. Gary Franklin, author of the AAN’s new policy statement.

Among other things, Dr. Franklin suggests that doctors shouldn’t be quick to prescribe certain opioids, especially in large amounts, and he recommends primary care doctors refer patients to specialists.

As a physician who specializes in chronic pain, I believe the second part of statement is the most important. Dr. Franklin suggests that the risks of poorly managed pain medications outweigh the risks for certain chronic conditions, but he believes they can be helpful for other conditions when partnered with an experienced pain management physician.

“It seems likely that, in the long run, the use of opioids chronically for most routine conditions, such as chronic low back pain, chronic headaches, or fibromyalgia, will not prove to be worth the risk,” Franklin said. “However, even for more severe conditions, such as destructive rheumatoid arthritis, sickle-cell disease, severe collagen disease, or severe neuropathic pain, prescribers need specific guidance on dosing, publicly available brief tools to effectively screen patients for risk, and guidance on how to monitor patients for early signs of severe adverse events, misuse, or opioid use disorder.”

I’ve been likening our bodies to cars in previous posts, and the second part of the quote reminds me of another automobile example. Let’s say you’ve got a major issue with your car, say, engine failure or a fried electrical system. Would you take your car to the auto shop down the street, or would you take it to a shop that specializes in fixing your exact car type? If you want the best results, you’d take your car to the garage that specializes in your brand, because odds are they’ve had more experience with the exact problem you’re dealing with, and are more qualified to fix the issue.

Your body should be no different. Visits to our primary care physicians are like oil changes and tire rotations – regular visits keep everything running smoothly and can help catch minor issues before they become major problems. When you have a big issue, like you need ACL reconstruction or treatment for acute destructive rheumatoid arthritis, you’re better off seeing the specialist.

In essence, Dr. Franklin isn’t saying we should abolish opioid use for pain management – we just need to make sure people know the risks and follow their doctor’s advice. And if you truly believe your chronic condition is worth seeking medical advice, don’t be afraid to consult with a chronic pain specialist.

Related source: MedPage Today