Not sure what to do.... - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

mamaslittlehelper · 08-13-2003, 12:06 AM

Hi all! Its been awhile since I last posted (!) and have missed it alot! I quit taking the vics I was on for 2 days, but then started back up again due to severe jaw pain (TMJ) that has resurfaced from a recent dental proceedure. At one point I was so distressed with the pain I called my dentist in tears and he called me in a script right away! I stopped taking them again Monday and have been experiencing some WDs and along with the TMJ pain I don't know how much longer I can hold out! I have an apt with a TMJ specialist in a couple weeks (earliest I could get in !) but don't know if I can deal with all this pain and guilt! I have Xanax to relax me, but only take it as needed as not to create another problem. I am hoping to get some ideas for other ways to deal with the pain, but most are quite costly! Also found this site has a TMJ board, so I will probably post there too. I am so sensitive to pain, but feel guilty taking the vics because I also enjoy the fuzzies, but mainly take away my pain so I can function! I have tried other pain meds, but nothing works and some give me bad reactions. Oh this is so confusing...just don't know where to go from here!

jamjam · 08-13-2003, 10:08 AM

I also have severe TMJ and am addicted to codeine. It's been since November and I'm up to 12 to 20 pills per day. At first it started with legitimate back pain, but then quickly turned into helping with my depression. I consider it pain pills for my emotional pain. Anyway, for the time being if you have real pain, continue to take the meds but be careful not to increase the dosage and see a dentist to get a mouth guard...it makes a HUGE differnce. It costs around $350 and hopefully you have insurance to help. If not, it is so worth it. I've found that Diclofenac (sp?) is absolutely the best non narcotic pain medicine for TMJ. It's an anti-inflammatory with no side effects and knocks out the TMJ pain (for me). The main thing is that early on you are realizing that codeine is addictive and are willing to suffer the pain to not be on them. Enjoy the fuzzies while you can because that kind of pain isn't necessary and as long as you are doing something to treat the TMJ don't feel guilty because as soon as the jaw pain is overwith you can quit. That's what pain pills are for...pain. I'm sure the manufacturers are aware of the pleasurable side effects and since you are realizing early on the addictive qualities, it sounds like another month or two of careful usage won't get you to the point I'm at. Good luck and I hope all turns out well...

AddictionMod · 08-13-2003, 10:27 AM

This thread is being moved to the TMJ board.