Question: Hello--------
I have a very good friend who cannot seem to 'get over' a broken bone in her leg from last May. It was a severe break, and she needed surgery. She has seen several doctors, pain specialists, PTs,...... She is overly anxious about healing. She calls me (and others) 8-9 times a day to talk about her 'condition'. Her doctors and PT say that everything is fine and that the healing is on schedule. She takes medicine for depression, anxiety, as well as a sleep aid. She has diabetes and has always handled that responsibly, although recently her blood sugars have been very elevated. Over a month ago, she had a steriod injection in her knee. Because her blood sugars have been out of control, she is attributing that to the steroid-------even though they didn't happen in the same realm of time. ????? Now, she says that her knee has 'flared up' again. She talks about her injury CONSTANTLY--------and, has done so since it happened! Her family doctor prescribed Hydocodone early on (May) for pain. When he stopped prescriptions, she was able to get that narcotic from another doctor. So, she still takes that----along w/ Motrin and all the other meds. She feels that the pain continues. When the knee began 'getting somewhat better', she seemed to have trouble w/ her foot and went to a podiatrist who has ordered insoles for her shoes. It never stops! She's driving away friends and her poor husband (retired) needs to leave the house several times a day for a walk-----even in the coldest of weather. He looks completely stressed. Might this be a med problem? Can too many meds make anxiety worse and make her feel "pain" that doesn't exist to extent which she believes? I'd like to give her husband some suggestions.
Thank-you so very much, Dr. Rynne. Respectfully, YYYY@YYYY


There is addictive behavior in her family------mother (smoking) and brother (allcohol).

Thank-you, Dr. XXXXXXX for your timely reply.
My friend limits her use of caffeine (usually decaff coffee), is a non-smoker, and limits alcohol intake to a glass of wine each evening. I don't believe that she takes blood pressure meds. That leaves pain meds.
A couple of questions:
1) Can overuse of pain meds (Hydrocodone) mimic pain?
2) What is the length of time that a pain med (Hydrocodone) can safely be ingested?
3) If a pain med is taken for too long a period of time, might it cause dpendency and increased anxiety?
Again, thank-you very much for your professional advice, Dr. XXXXXXX You are greatly appreciated.
Respectfully-----XXXX