It's too quiet this morning!!

[buzzkiller]

Hey Janet when I seen that by your name I freaked I was like what the hell, anyways. I know about the secretary, she is just trying to cheer me (doing a good job I might add) no boundries will be crossed I am pretty strong (ugh)

I am having that conflict about my reg doc appt tomarrow. I have already called another back place for a second opnion. I will get a referal for the addictionologist also. But I do have alot of back pain, what do I tell my reg doc, I guess if I ask for a referral to a addictonologist she will put two and two together. I know you are worried about the Tramadol but it did work. I drop to 20mgs on Sat one at 8 am and 8 pm I am worried about that for sure. I seem to be counting the min between doses now so holy crap 12 hours between ugh. I didn't sleep as well on the melatonin last night, I just started that stupid thinking things and was well after 2 by the time I seen the clock last, makes a tuff 5am alarm. I am kinda all over the place this morn cannot seem to focus.

[BeginAgain]

Next time your brain is bouncing around like that try the relaxation technique I posted - it really works if you focus.

I just posted some thoughts on another thread to you about medication and pain relief issues. I don't want you to suffer and you shouldn't have to. My opinion on your regular doc is be straight about what has brought you to this point. Don't hide or lie or sugar coat it.

Tell her you want to see an addictionologist because you are currently tapering off the Perc and have stopped taking the OC all together. Tell her where you started and how far you've come and how you've done it. Also explain that you have the legit pain and that is a worry for you. You certainly need something for pain but don't want to go back to something that was so easy to abuse. Ask her opinion about the Tramadol and if it helps you go with that for now...just stick to the dose schedule and if you start to feel any problem with it address it then and there. Explain to her you want to go to the addictionologist to help safely manage the pain because you've recognized the part of you that can become addicted. Because you want to understand more about addiction and what you can do to continue to get better and so that you'll have a relationship with someone in this area you can go to if and when there are future problems.

Also remember - the addictionologist may have some really good ideas about pain docs or back specialists who are "recovery minded" and who will work with you and not against you. After all that's what an addictionologist does - they help you make the best decisions medically keeping in mind you history. In my experience they also tend to be more openminded and understanding about these kinds of issues - you may find the new addiction doc easy to talk to and work with.

In a nutshell - my opinion is be honest so you can hear all your options and develop a honest relationship with your doc. Afterall - this should be a partnership for your health and well-being - if it's not feeling that way....find a new one. (Just my opinion)

[slipperyslope]

Hey Buzzkill Hopefully your PM won't call your Primary Dr and tell her about the Oxy issue I worry about that. Since your going to see a new Dr for your back, do you think they will want records from your PM Dr or find out about the Oxy? Hopefully this won't be a problem for you getting any type of pain meds in the futre. I never admitted my problems to any Dr I was to scared to in case I really needed them some day.

I also have had a spinal surgery and I need another one. Just had an MRI and it was bad news. and I suffer from horrible back pain every day. Unfortantley I like the percs a little to much as well as Vicadin and any other narcotic I can get my grubby little paws on. I have to resort to Hot tubs, massage, rest, and Tramadol flexeril and Motrin. A former druggie like me can't take any narcotics ever again unless I am unable to walk, it will never work 4 me. Hopefully between your Dr's and you, you guys can figure something else out. the only problem with Tramadol is that its not very strong and if your really hurting, its not great for pain relief its mild, PLUS you shouldn't abuse it because you can have nasty seizures from it, its nothing to mess with and abuse. It doesn't give you the europhoric feeling that percs give you so I don't abuse it but I know others do... and some people get the buzz I never did. sometimes us pill poppers have to deal with back pain in a differnt manner. My hubby can make a bottle of 30 vicadins last him 3 months. he will take 1/2 a pill when he has pain. I also wanted to mention that when your going through W/D or tapering down, your pain always come back to haunt you which makes you give in again to the pills. the pain will lesson after awhile but you have to just grin and bear it for awile if you really want to be free.

I hope it all works out for you..

[buzzkiller]

Thanks Slippery, (I can honestly say that is the first time I have ever said that) I was honest with them (PM clinic) to a certain extent. I did not tell them that I was snorting the oxy, I just said I went through 60 of them in a week. Probebly doesn't matter abuse is abuse so........ I want a partner in life, one that I can hand my pills to and say hey give me one every 4 hours as directed. Not 4 every one hour, I guess I was dislexic (not that there is anything wrong with that). There is so much experience in this room or board or whatever I draw my strenght from daily. Everyone gives such good advice, but ultimately no matter what anyone tells me, I am the one that has to do it, if given meds I am the one that makes the decison to take more then I need or directed. I can have all the NA/CA sponsers in the world, I can have numbers, friends, relatives, strangers, that I can call when I need help, but again it falls on me, I am the one that has to take the damn pill or not. My wife is or I guess I should say for the time being was, alot like your husband. She would take half a tylenol, if I read something that said alcohol would enhance the effects thats the first thing I did was wash it down with a beer. If it said do not crush or break thats the first thing I did. As a young troop we would give blood and then run to the beer hall and drink, rumor had it that after giving blood it took less beer to get buzzed. Hell if it said it would enhance the effects if I shoved it up my butt and ran a mile, look out cause I am streaking by. Just wired that way, don't know why, wish I did. Thank you for your post.

[buzzkiller]

Wonder why I catch myself surfing online pharmacys? surely it cannot be that easy to do online ?