mikesgirl
12-29-2006, 07:45 PM
I am kind of a newbie to this particular board.
I believe that I have some addictions issues starting. The problem is, I do have legitimate problems with pain as well.
I injured my SI joint about 18 months ago with moderate pain most days a week. Currently on meloxicam (an NSAID) and hydro and tramadol.
I take 10mg hydro a day OR 75-100mg tramadol ( I know, that must seem like nothing to some of you). It doesn't help my pain per se, but does help me to forget about it a bit.
The problem comes is when I take the drugs even on days I am not so painful. I take them to make my sad depressed brain feel better.
I really don't want to take any drugs at all, but I especially don't want to take them for the wrong reasons.
How do I balance this?
Thank you all, K
I believe that I have some addictions issues starting. The problem is, I do have legitimate problems with pain as well.
I injured my SI joint about 18 months ago with moderate pain most days a week. Currently on meloxicam (an NSAID) and hydro and tramadol.
I take 10mg hydro a day OR 75-100mg tramadol ( I know, that must seem like nothing to some of you). It doesn't help my pain per se, but does help me to forget about it a bit.
The problem comes is when I take the drugs even on days I am not so painful. I take them to make my sad depressed brain feel better.
I really don't want to take any drugs at all, but I especially don't want to take them for the wrong reasons.
How do I balance this?
Thank you all, K
Sponsor
djemcee
12-30-2006, 05:13 AM
I don't think I would be as worried about the fact that you may have taken a few pills on days you did not feel in as much pain as days you did, but more concerned with the fact that you said "Sad! and Depressed!".
I think that seems to be the underlying issue. If you are having depression issues you need to address them with something or someone other than pain pills. I know as almost everyone on this board knowes or used to know that some pain pills can sometimes give you a warm fuzzy feeling (not for me anymore), but it will go away in time, and then you are still left with the void of trying to make you sad brain happy. Then you will seek to either get more meds to try and chase that warm fuzzy, or turn to even illegal or other immoral avenues.
I would suggest trying to address the underlying reason you are feeling sad and depressed and tackle that ASAP. I know this may sound stupid, but you may want to talk to your Doc about your thoughts.
I hope you feel better soon.
Cheers,
California Chris
I think that seems to be the underlying issue. If you are having depression issues you need to address them with something or someone other than pain pills. I know as almost everyone on this board knowes or used to know that some pain pills can sometimes give you a warm fuzzy feeling (not for me anymore), but it will go away in time, and then you are still left with the void of trying to make you sad brain happy. Then you will seek to either get more meds to try and chase that warm fuzzy, or turn to even illegal or other immoral avenues.
I would suggest trying to address the underlying reason you are feeling sad and depressed and tackle that ASAP. I know this may sound stupid, but you may want to talk to your Doc about your thoughts.
I hope you feel better soon.
Cheers,
California Chris
ejreiss
12-31-2006, 01:17 AM
I definitely think that if you are sad and depressed you should address and resolve that problem with your doctor. I also feel that when someone has been taking pain medicine for a long time their body becomes use to having it on a regular basis. If you take it most of the time and then one good day out of seven you feel better it would probably be unadvisable to stop taking it on that good day. Your gonna feel like crap because your body is dependant on having that medicine. Your gonna have withdrawel symptoms, your gonna be SAD, your gonna hurt physically and emotionaly. Just my opinion, I've been their. My recomendation although I am not a doctor just someone with pain medicine experience would be to take less on that day that you feel good. If your going to stop taking it you need to be weaned off of it. You need to do some research on the differences between addiction and dependant. As long as you are in legitimate pain and not abusing your medicine then I would have to say you are more dependant than addicted.
blu_skies
12-31-2006, 01:47 AM
My doc also prescribes to his patients , as needed, anti depressants. Being depressed and make pain worse...Not saying that youre depressed, or anything...Just offering ideas and also scroll down as there is a thread about pain and depression
germanshepherd
12-31-2006, 08:52 AM
:angel: Welcome to the health boards and sorry you are in pain, but's it's nice to know you have friends here who can try to help you and give you advice. My hubby has fibromyalgia and he was recently put on Cymbalta as it's said to help with body pain as well as depression. I have noticed a change in mind and body, he didn't think he was depressed. you might want to talk to doc about it, hope this helps, HAPPY PAIN FREE NEW YEAR TO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THIS BOARD, Hugs, Tammy
whitfield
12-31-2006, 01:00 PM
Hi Mikes Girl and Happy New Years Eve! I am also fairly new to this board, but people here are great and many offer good suggestions--I had the same issue as you in that I would get very depressed and wanted off my meds--My Primary doc got upset when I told him that I felt like an addict--currently on the 100Mcg Patch and Percocet for breakthrough--He wrote a prescription for Xanax and told me to take them if I got depressed--well, they worked for me--just a thought but may be something to try. I read the post by California Chris (djemcee) in a different thread regarding his pain not being back related which interested me as mine is also not back related. If you read this Chris, I am curious about your bone condition--I also have bone issues--recently had a total right hip replacement and now need the left one--cause was "Avascular Necrosis"--ie. lack of blood flow around bone causing them to dry up--Mine supposedly caused by long term prednisone, but not sure--have stopped taking that years ago. I also tried Oxycontin before getting the patch, but found they were not as effective for me.
Happy Holidays to all and thank you for being here--
Roger in Florida
Happy Holidays to all and thank you for being here--
Roger in Florida
djemcee
12-31-2006, 05:31 PM
Whitfield,
I started a new thread for you called "this thread is for Whitfield - Prednisone"
You must read it!
California Chris
Happy New Year
I started a new thread for you called "this thread is for Whitfield - Prednisone"
You must read it!
California Chris
Happy New Year
Blasterboy
01-01-2007, 06:17 AM
Please for your own good and long term sobriety cut the Narcotic meds as you've already shown an ability to misuse them and Ultram/Tramadol is extremely addictive to the Depressive sort of pain patients; really really addictive!!!!!!!
This is because it work on the serotonin uptake reseptors. Talk to your doctor condidly before it's too late, please.....
Love and Best Wishes for the New Year
Mike
This is because it work on the serotonin uptake reseptors. Talk to your doctor condidly before it's too late, please.....
Love and Best Wishes for the New Year
Mike
kttn251977
01-01-2007, 12:16 PM
At the beginning of my back troubles I found I was sleeping less (about 3 hrs a day) and the dr's at the present time were very unhelpful in my diagnosis. I began lashing out at my boyfriend and close friends and my crying was uncontrolable. Sometimes I would even yell at my dogs, and if you know anything about me it is that I love those dogs. Finally when I broke down at the dr's they put me on Effexor. It takes a while to work, was told at least 3 months. And I think I used it for about 4 or 5. (6 mo later off Effexor) And I feel like me again. I am a very positive person and always happy. But I think sometimes you know when something in your head and heart isn't correct. I hope you have since posting this thread talked openly to your dr about what you are feeling, and don't give up the medication- it takes a little while to work correctly. I know you mentioned your issues and you are wanting help. Don't give up on yourself and know that there is going to be a sunny day at the end of it all, and when you get through this know you are a stronger person from it all. If you ever need to just talk- feel free to get ahold of me.
yvette777
01-02-2007, 02:03 PM
Well I think I have became depressed as well and have actually made an appointment for tomorrow and will ask about cymbalta as so many people have so much good to say about it.
I think alot of times we become dependent on a drug not addicted. I mean, I am not gonna break into someones house, or lie or steal to get drugs. My body is dependent on them for pain relief and use to having them. I am afraid if I don't take them, then I will end up worse off and have to take more to get my pain under control.
I think alot of times we become dependent on a drug not addicted. I mean, I am not gonna break into someones house, or lie or steal to get drugs. My body is dependent on them for pain relief and use to having them. I am afraid if I don't take them, then I will end up worse off and have to take more to get my pain under control.
yvette777
01-02-2007, 02:09 PM
Well I think I have became depressed as well and have actually made an appointment for tomorrow and will ask about cymbalta as so many people have so much good to say about it.
I think alot of times we become dependent on a drug not addicted. I mean, I am not gonna break into someones house, or lie or steal to get drugs. My body is dependent on them for pain relief and use to having them. I am afraid if I don't take them, then I will end up worse off and have to take more to get my pain under control.
Unfortunatley I am pretty much always in pain, even with the pain meds.
I think alot of times we become dependent on a drug not addicted. I mean, I am not gonna break into someones house, or lie or steal to get drugs. My body is dependent on them for pain relief and use to having them. I am afraid if I don't take them, then I will end up worse off and have to take more to get my pain under control.
Unfortunatley I am pretty much always in pain, even with the pain meds.
Blasterboy
01-02-2007, 02:35 PM
We always say "Yet" in AA because addiction is a progressive illness and it can take us to the most awful places we never imaged. Really I would never say never whilst you are in active addiction; the only solution is sobriety "one day at a time." :)