Not sure the best options? vicodin/percocet addiction???

letthatsinkin · 09-19-2006, 07:46 PM

Hello everyone....

I am not sure if I am technically addicted to this stuff yet, but I guess the mere fact I am here shows I probably am....

I have 2 herniated discs in the cervical spine - constant CONSTANT pain in my neck and upper back. So the md's and chiro and PM doctors are constantly throwing me percocet and vicodin es... (some vicoprofen)....

sure, I do get high when I take them, but, I do not feel any of the (sometimes) severe pain in my neck......

I have yet to find an actual treatment for the herniated/bulging disc.......

For the past few days I have not taken any pills... and just endured the pain to see how I would react to not having any pain meds.... the worst symptom I have is a muscle spasm in my right bicep but Im not even sure if that is related..... also I feel a little jumpy or shaky but like i said just a little bit.....

so any ideas on what I should do?? so far, and granted its only been like 24-48 hours without the pain pills and im doing okay, aside from the pain the pills were supposed to be treating......

im just not sure what to do, i dont want to get hooked on these things BAD... but at the same time I dont want to deal with this pain on a CONSTANT basis.. (ive been using ambien to help me sleep in stead of the percocet seems to work okay....)

please be honest and straight up with me, i need to hear it i think... ps im 24 years old... way too young to be having these problems...

blinggirl · 09-19-2006, 07:56 PM

Hey, I feel for you. Is surgery an option for you? My girlfriend just had some extensive back surgery but prior to that she treated her pain with epidural injections. Maybe that would be an option for you instead of the pills.

Be careful. they are all addictive.
Take care

PS maybe thehealthboard regarding "back problems" can help you find a treatment..

letthatsinkin · 09-19-2006, 07:59 PM

thank you.... im just scared of getting hooked on these pills... at the same time i dont want to live with the pain.... i guess i should stop the pills while i still can, arghhh...

painfree4me · 09-24-2006, 03:16 PM

Hi,

I have similar dilemma - herniated disc, pain that comes and goes in neck and upper mid back area. I take Mobic which helps reduce the inflammation in my back as I also have arthritis.

About two years ago, my PM doctor recommended me epidural injections which really did work temporarily. It lasted up until now. I am now back to taking vicodin until I seek other treatment. I am not sure if my PM doctor will offer the epidural injections again (it's a very time consuming procedure). Maybe I need to go to a spine specialist where they do this type of thing on a daily basis but where I go, the PM doctor has to coordinate with a hospital that is quite far away and you have to go for three consecutive week visits. You also need someone to take you home. It only takes about 20 minutes for the entire procedure once in the operating room. They sedated me a little before injecting the epidural and a flouroscope is used so the doctor gets the exact nerve.

It is worth a try if your doctor feels it is appropriate for you. Then you may not need narcotics and sleeping pills.

Let us know what you decide to do. Hope this info helps.

shell1 · 09-24-2006, 07:07 PM

Take it from someone who didn't quit the pills if you can do it now, do it. I never encountered anything like the withdrawal of those pills. It was the worst thing I have been through as far as being sick and I have been pretty sick before. It sneaks up on you and before you know it you are addicted. Hope all goes well.