Hey davidc........ - Pain Management Message Board

Dawn1973 · 07-13-2002, 01:16 PM

Hey david,
Question. As you know from my other post I am trying to cut back on my Vicodin ES. Was wondering if you could help me with something. Here's my situation. I have fifteen pills left, they have to last me until Tuesday or Wednesday (whatever day my neuros office staff wenches have him call me in a refill). So how would you make them last? I worked night shift last night. I work in a pediatric ICU so I was running my butt off all night. The pain was bad

. By the time I got home this morning, my neck hurt so bad and my shoulders were one giant muscle spasm. I am wondering, is muscle spasm a sign of withdrawl? My shoulders ached so bad I couldn't sleep, so I got up and took half a Soma and half of a Vicodin. Anyway, what is the best way to taper these? And does anything help to make it less painful to wean down? I don't wanna say I am hooked on these. I truly feel it is more dependance than addiction. I have never taken them excessively, although I have taken more than one every six hours on occasion. Help. I am really stuck. What to do?

Thanks
Dawn

davidc66 · 07-13-2002, 01:39 PM

Hey Dawn, I'm sure you understand the difference between becoming acomadated to the meds and being addcited. Adicyiion involves ba set of behavior that you don't even begin to near.

With days being backwards it does make it harder, Do you sleep 6-8 hours during the day. I usually found that I could get by on 4 doses sa day during my waking hours. I would use a med like elevil or trazadone to sleep. With short acting meds you should easily be able to go 8 hours while you sleep without feeling withdrawal. I imagine the increase in pain has more to do with your workload. IF you can manage 4 pills a day until wedsnday and hopefully they will get something called in for you.

The long acting meds are much less forgiving when it coms to missing doses. Some are worse than others. If dropping to 4 a day isn't a signaicant drop I really think you will be fine. Try to work smart and not hard during these times of limited meds.

I remeber having to make my weekly call following sugery to beg for a mere 30 vicodin just so I wouldn't pull my hair out. It really seems these docs , especially surgeons know so little about pain management.

As far as tapering off. Benzo's help and as long as you go slowly you should be fine. Slowly increase the time between dose as you decrease the amount of med.

Like fiusrt work till your at 4 opills a dzay 6 hours apart. The nexst week cut a half a pill out every 2 days so your at 3 pills , 1 TID, from there work toward one/half a pill every 4 hours and then every 6 then every 8 and every 12. Allow your body 3-4 days at each new dose to adjust in the decrease in opiates.

Cutting down from 4 a day may be very easy for you. Some folks are less sensitive to med changes as some are more sensitive. Your in a good position that it really is your choice to take the meds.You could certainly taper faster if your comfy. Good luck and take care, David

Dawn1973 · 07-13-2002, 01:44 PM

Hey David,
Thanks for the speedy reply

I actually do have many sleeping meds available to me. I have Klonipin and I have Ativan. They are old perscriptions that I never used. What a hangover affect the next day!

One time I took half of a Klonipin and scared the crap out of my hubby. He said in six hours, I never moved once. Anyway, the Soma seems to help with sleep normally. This morning it just agitated me because I was hurting. I hate going through this. All I can think about is if the pain is this bad now, how will I feel right after surgery? And what if I have to deal with a nasty office staff? Just the thought of being put out and waking up in a neck collar scares the daylights out of me. I am really afraid for this surgery but I feel I can no longer manage this pain. Anyway, thanks for the advice!!
Dawn

Dawn1973 · 07-15-2002, 01:23 PM

Hey David,
Just wanted to let you know how it went

This morning I still had nine pills left so I called my neuro and he called me in a refill, no questions asked. All that fretting for nothing. Sheesh! Anyway, thanks for your help.
Dawn

davidc66 · 07-15-2002, 02:23 PM

Glad it worked out Dawn, I really think we need spell checker on this site, My last post must have been late.LOL, Nope, just poor spelling.LOL
Hopefully you will wake up from surgery with all your neuro problems relieved and you will just have some post op discomfort. I really don't think you need to worry about your tolerance. You should do fine, Good luck, David