I posted on the addiction board and someone responded that I should come to this board instead. So here's my question:
I have been on pain meds for almost 3 years. The first 2 years I was taking Ultracet (8x a day) and the past year have been taking Ultram & Vicodin or Percocet for breakthrough. I started taking them because I have recurring back pain. I was sent to a pain management doc. who does epidurals and soon realized all I had to do was say I was in pain and he would write a prescription. I never knew it was that easy to get this type of medication.
I can honestly say that I don't need the meds on a daily basis but I enjoy taking them. I like to lead an active lifestyle and the medication gives me the ability to do whatever I like to do. If I stop taking the medication, I can lead a sedentary life but I'm not able to play golf, tennis, etc. Is this a proper reason to take pain meds? Lastly, I should add that I enjoy taking the pills and don't feel that I can stop on my own.
I definitely take more than what's prescribed but before I speak to my doctor and tell him this, I want to be sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot. If he labels me as an addict, what will happen? If I tell him that I have been taking more than I should, what would his likely response be? If I tell him that I need the medication in order to play sports, is that a legitimate reason to write prescriptions for me? I have tried anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers in the past but they make me feel extremely tired. I am the mother of a elementary school student so I need to be able to function on a daily basis. There is no time off for me.
Has anyone been through this? Does anyone have any suggestions?
I'm not positive, but I think you will probably get a lot of responses here. So, that being said, the last thing I want to do is seem judgemental, but it seems you want some honest feedback, so here goes; (my opinion, anyway)
If someone takes narcotic pain medication, simply because they like the way it feels, and is happily seeing a Pain Management Specialist, who just writes whatever they are asking for, this is not (again, just my opinion) a good thing.
Just so you have an idea of who posts here on a regular basis, we are all dealing with serious, chronic and debilitating pain...every day of our lives. We don't take pain meds to be able to just do "social" or "athletic" activities. We are prescribed these medications so that we can just function on a day to day basis. ie. getting out of bed in the morning, getting dressed without assistance, taking care of our homes and families they way most people would be able to do. Anything beyond that is pure blessing.
I would think, if you are questioning your situation, there is a reason. And I think you already know what a Dr. would say if you told him the truth.
I hope this gives you a better idea of what, as you referred to it, "addiction vs. pain management" means.
If you look closely at your post and then look deep within yourself, I think you will find the answers you seek. If you are asking for these meds because they are "so easy to get", and then taking them simply because you really like taking them, take more than prescribed and are affraid to tell your doctor about this only for fear he will stop prescribing, then there is a good chance a problem has already, or at the very least is developing.
I read in one of your other posts in another area that your hubby doesn't know the extent of the problem and that you need a starting point. Please, let this be it.
There is a difference between addiction and dependance. Dependance is a physical occurrance that happens when your body becomes occustomed to having certain medications on a regular/ongoing/long term basis. Addiction is more about the addictive actions a person does, i.e. taking meds for the shear pleasure, because you like the way they make you feel. Anyone whose body is dependant on medications would feel and go through withdrawl if they stopped those meds abruptly just as someone who is addicted would. But, again, the difference is in a person's actions and psychological state. Dependence is purely a physical thing that naturaly occurs.
We all want to live an active lifestyle. I, for one would love nothing more than to be able to go skiing or play softball again, or ride a bike with my husband and kids again. I'd give almost anything to be able to play basket ball with my son again, or even be able to keep up with all the things I love and need to do as a mother and wife again without it causing me to spend two days in bed recovering in excrucaiting pain. But, this isn't a reality for me. It never will be. Chronic, daily pain will be a part of my life for the rest of my life unless a miracle happens.
You asked for suggestions. I strongly urge you to speak honestly with your doctor about this before you find yourself in a really bad place. If you are having true chronic pain issues and your doctor is knowledgable, he should be able to find other methods to help treat your pain.
I'm not saying that you don't have a need for medications, but there is a line that we, as pain management patients have to be very careful not to cross. There is a huge responsibility for us to bear if we want to have the priviledge of being able to have our pain treated properly and appropriately.
Are there other ways you try to lower your pain? Things like ice or heat compresses, TENS unit, anti-inflamatories, hot baths, gentle stretching excercises? Healthy and effective pain management doesn't always involve simply taking medications.
I wish you the best and hope you will talk with your doctor openly about what is happening. Being a PM doctor, he has dealt with this before and is more than likely equipped to help you through this and find a way to help your pain issues as well. He will appreciate your honesty and will take it from there.
I originally posted on the addiction boards and the advice I received there was to come to this board because I started taking pain meds because of a medical condition. I sprained my back at the age of 13 and have had back issues for most of my life (I am now in my 40's). Besides just being prescribed pain meds, I have tried many other alternatives.
The response I received from the other boards was that I should be certain of what to say to my doc. because I don't want to label myself as an addict when I do have a legitimate need for medication. That person suggested that because I started on this path because of a medical need, I should have a long term plan and if I tell my doctor that I am an addict, I will be cutting myself off from any help I may need.
Don't get me wrong, I am limited in many ways on many days. It's just not as severe some days as it is on others. My question was asked because I enjoy playing golf and tennis. I cannot play either without needing some form of relief afterwards. If I do no physical activity and just have my daily chores to attend to, then I probably don't need as much as prescribed for me. But if I want to go hiking with friends or play any sort of sports, I am limited without medication. I do alot of stretching and try to keep myself in good shape but its just not enough.
I do feel I have a problem but I also have a legitimate need for pain meds. Does this sound ridiculous? I am sorry if I upset someone who responded but I am just trying to figure out how I should proceed. In the past, when I have stopped taking any meds, I will start to not feel well after a period of time. I find that when I have the medication in my system, I don't have those ups and downs of chronic pain.
I don't want to upset anyone. And please tell me if I am being stupid. But spring is approaching and if I can't do the things I enjoy, then I will just be miserable.
If I explain this to my doctor, what do you think he will say? I need to proceed carefully and was wondering if anyone had any advice and/or experience such as mine.
I guess the best way to explain the answers you are getting is that when you posted here, what you described was someone with occasional aches and pains, who liked to be active and figured that as long as you had a "Pain Doctor" who would prescribe whatever you needed, it was perfectly OK to take what you felt like.
What we are trying to tell you is that we are not just a bunch of people who get aches and pains when we play sports etc. We are chronic pain patients, with severe medical issues. We take pain medication just so we can function like normal people.
I don't think you realize the difference.
People who abuse pain medication make it very difficult for those of us who struggle everyday, sometimes just to get out of bed. And you pretty much said in your origional post that you take these meds, just because you like the way they make you feel.
I'm trying not to be rude, but it's very hard to read that someone who can obviously play tennis or golf is even seeing a "Pain Doctor". The people on these boards don't have the luxury of being able to "do the things they enjoy".
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