Sophia Thomalla goes to her limits for documentary

Unleashing the Limits: Sophia Thomalla's Pain Journey

Chronic pain is an unwelcome companion for an estimated 12 million Germans, often leading to dependence on painkillers. In the documentary "Schmerz lass nach!", presenter Sophia Thomalla takes things to a new level, experimenting with her own body to explore the impact of painkillers on health and wellbeing.

Embracing Discomfort

Aged 30, Sophia Thomalla swallows ibuprofen like candy, aiming to bypass pain at all costs. Unfamiliar with medication instructions, she decides to learn more through her self-experiment. In this documentary, she becomes a patient herself, enduring chronic pain simulated by pain devices, treatment with prescribed medication, and alternative therapies. While on this journey of self-awareness, she meets other pain sufferers and consults medical experts.

Doctors and Addiction

According to the Epidemiological Survey on Addiction, Germany has around 1.6 million painkiller addicts, roughly equivalent to alcohol addicts in the country. Easy painkiller prescriptions by doctors, especially for less severe illnesses, contribute to this critical issue. In the documentary, Thomalla interviews two opioid addicts who became dependent on painkillers through medical procedures.

Ibuprofen's Dark Side

Ibuprofen, a familiar name in medicine cabinets, can have harmful long-term effects, including:

1. Stomach Ulcers and Internal Bleeding: Regular use of ibuprofen can lead to stomach ulcers, causing internal bleeding in up to 70% of long-term users.
2. Heart Attacks and Strokes: Prolonged use of ibuprofen may raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes by affecting the heart's circulation.
3. Impact on Liver and Kidney Health: There exists a 50/50 chance of long-term ibuprofen use affecting liver and kidney values.

Opioids' Ominous Effects

Opioids, like oxycodone and tramadol, pose even greater risks due to their powerful impact on the body and brain. These painkillers are similar to the body's endorphins, but have up to 100 times their strength. Side effects include drowsiness, confusion, and forgetfulness, with the potential for addiction after just one week of use.

Find out more about Sophia Thomalla's eye-opening documentary, "Schmerz lass nach!", airing November 15 on RTL+, to learn more about the consequences of chronic pain and painkiller use.

This text first appeared on stern.de

Enrichment Data:

Ibuprofen and Gastrointestinal Issues

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can lead to several severe long-term gastrointestinal issues:

1. Stomach Ulcers: Long-term use of NSAIDs may lead to stomach ulcers and internal bleeding.
2. Gastrointestinal Abnormalities: Up to 70% of long-term NSAID users may exhibit gastrointestinal abnormalities despite showing no symptoms.

Heart Problems Related to Ibuprofen and NSAIDs

Long-term use of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can raise the risk of heart problems, including:

1. Increased Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes: NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by affecting blood pressure and circulation.
2. Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Patients on NSAIDs after a heart attack have a twofold increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Hormone Imbalance from Opioid Use

Opioids like oxycodone and tramadol may disrupt hormone levels by reducing testosterone and estrogen production, causing mood, metabolism, and energy level changes.

Addiction of Opioids like Oxycodone and Tramadol

Opioids like oxycodone and tramadol can lead to addiction with only a week of use. This happens due to their mechanism of action and the brain's response to these drugs:

1. Binding to Mu Opioid Receptors: Opioids bind to mu opioid receptors in the brain, reducing or blocking pain signals and inducing euphoria[2].
2. Activation of the Brain's Reward System: Opioid use activates the brain's reward system, boosting dopamine levels while reinforcing continued use.
3. Dependence and Addiction: Repeated opioid use changes the brain's chemistry, leading to dependence and compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms from opioids can begin as early as 6 to 12 hours after use for short-acting opioids and within 24 to 48 hours for long-acting opioids, lasting up to 10 days. Common withdrawal symptoms include:

1. Muscle pain and cramps
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Anxiety and irritability
4. Sweating and chills
5. Insomnia

Treatment for Addiction

Painkiller addiction, including opioid addiction caused by oxycodone and tramadol, can be treated with medical detox, behavioral therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Medications such as methadone and buprenorphine are commonly used to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping individuals recover from opioid addiction.