22 y/o, chronic pain, but now I'm addicted...help!

[FriarJen83]

Hey guys,
I am really in a bad spot right now. This is day 2 of withdrawals coming off of oxycontin/oxycodone. I don't know what to do anymore because I need the pain medicine for the excruciating chronic back and neck pain I have constantly, but now I know that I am truly addicted, as hard as it is for me to admit that. I have been in pain since I was 18, been diagnosed with 3 fractured vertebrae, 2 herniated discs, 4 collapsed discs and 2 bulging and nerve damage down legs. I have been on a variety of pain killers...darvocet, codeine, Lorcet, vicodin, Fentanyl patch and finally Oxycontin. I've been on oxy for about a year and a half now. I don't know why, but about 4 or 5 months ago I just started craving the drugs constantly and taking way more than I am supposed to. I have been through a lot of crap with the doctors who say I am too young to be on pain meds, my dr. recently fired me because she didn't like prescrbiing them, my dosage was dropped by more than half....
I know my pain is way undermedicated now so maybe that's why I started taking more, who knows....but this is the 4th time I have suffered through withdrawals because I ran out early. I have tried all of the other pain management things like physical therapy, pain rehab programs, chiro, epidurals, etc. but the oxycontin is the only thing that gives me some sort of a life and allows me to function while in so much pain.
I guess my question is....what do you do when you seriously need pain meds but you just cannot control how much you are taking??? I have tried having my roommate give them to me but it didn't work I would go and find the bottle to get more. I can't tell the doctors about it because then they will take me off the meds altogether and they already don't think I should be on them. If anyone has any advice, please let me know, I have 3 more days of withdrawal before my next script can be filled.....thanks!!!!
~Jen

[mpvt]

I very rarely say this but you would do well on methadone.It is an exellent pain killer and you won't go into withdrawls with it.Can you talk to your doctor about getting it?I was on opiate pain killers for almost 22 years before I went on methadone.I would build a tolerance to whatever I was taking very quickly and then I would end up abusing them.By the time I went on methadone I was taking 3 000mgs of ms contin a day and it still wasn't enough.Methadone has a long half life so you only need to dose once maybe twice aday.I have been taking it for 3 years now and for the first 2 1\2 I was on 400mgs a day.I have since lowered my daily dose to 330mgs a day and it works well.Methadone isn't for everyone but if you have chronic pain (like you do) and your also addicted (like you are) then it really is the way to go.My life before methadone was lying on the couch pissed off at the world because I was in pain and I couldn't get a buzz off my meds.Since methadone my depression is totally gone and I'm more active now then ever.I have a social life again and I'm a better dad and husband (I hope).....Dave

[Avalon]

Dave, I'm curious about your recommendation of methadone. I was on that in the 70's and as I recall, I would start going through withdrawal if I didn't get it at the same time every day. And when I eventually detoxed, the withdrawal was long and horrible. I also had to go to a clinic to get it.

How does it all work these days? I am in the same position as both of you but I would dread the thought of going on methadone again. But I can't see being on narcotics the rest of my life. Anyway, glad you found relief!

[cskalski]

I agree with mpvt. Methadone may be your path out. You will have to go everyday to get your dose for about a month, then they will start giving you take home doses on weekends. Methadone worked wonders for my Rheumatism and my addiction. The center was just to hard for me to get to so I just asked for a taper-off plan and they dropped me from 90 mg at 3 mg a day until I reach 17mg. I have been taking vicodin and ultram to relieve the rest of the symptoms as I could not complete the detox...a very bad move on my part.
Methadone withdrawl is horrible, and it is a serious drug, but no more serious than oxycontin. At least you can stabilize w/o pain on meth.

I feel for you, having a medical background of abuse as well. Oh, try 800 mg of motrin to help ease some of the symptoms. Also, robitussin DM has dextromethorphan, a glucose based couch suppressant that hits some of the same receptors. If you have flexeril or soma that will help greatly with the leg and arm cramps that have you "kicking" the habit.

Good luck!
Chris

[madhatter]

You can, and will go through wd's on meth. if you were to stop it cold turkey.