Need Advice

[diamondgirl19]

Hi Everyone,

I am in need of advice and know there are some very smart and informed people on these boards that can hopefully help me.

I have been taking pain meds for almost 3 years now. I take approximately 8 (5mg) percocets a day. I started using ultracet and did that for 2 years but have been taking narcotics for the past year. I started using like most of you because I have legitimate back pain. But soon enough, I started taking more than prescribed and now I feel I have a real problem. I can't make it through a day without thinking about taking a couple of pills the minute I wake in the morning.

I need to quit but the thought gives me severe anxiety. I don't know where to start. I can't do it on my own. If I could, I would have already. I am a married mother of a grade schooler and going to rehab isn't an option. As a matter of fact, my husband doesn't know the extent of my problem. He thinks I use percocets recreationally and doesn't know just how many I have been taking.

Can anyone recommend a course of action? I have been seeing a pain management doctor. Do I tell him what I have been doing? Or should I see a psychiatrist or my family doctor? I need a starting point. I am very scared about actually saying the words to a doctor. It's much easier to type them here to a bunch of strangers who won't judge me.

If it makes a difference, we have money so I can pay for any type of treatment that I need but I just don't know how or where to start.

Thanks to any and all who can help me.

[Executor]

Since you have legitimate pain, you will more than likely need some type of pain relief down the road, so you need to think this through so you don't get incorrectly labeled an "addict." More than likely, you've been taking more pills than normal because you're in pain. Anxiety is a typical side effect of pain as the body is put through lots of stress. Read this board enough, and you'll see that many pain patients are also taking anxiety meds.

From what little info you've provided, it sounds like you're experiencing "tolerance", which is very normal. Do a search through the boards and you'll find posts that deal with long term vs short term meds. You more than likely need some type of long term pain med that eliminates the "ups and downs." Short term pain meds are in and out of your body quickly and put a lot of stress on your body after you've been on them for a while. Previously, they probably worked well and lasted much longer than the 4-6 hr they're advertised for. If you want, click on my handle and search posts that I've written and you'll find detailed writings on the subject. I'd post a link, but this website doesn't allow you to post links.

Long term meds work well, especially for chronic pain patients. Oxycontin, the patch, methadone, and MS contin are some of the most common. The level you out and eliminate the constant pill popping. If the pain is bad enough, then the Doc will Rx you something for "break through" pain to take as needed.

Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.

X

[Executor]

I forgot to add that you should head over to the "pain management" board and learn as much as you can.

X

[arlingtonaddict]

I think you are dead on. If you think there's a problem, there is. Addiction isn't determined by amount or frequency, etc. but on whether the drug is impacting your life in a negative way -- and it is. You should go to your pain management ndoc and tell him/her everything. If he/she doesn't listen, go to another doc.

[bajaboats]

Hey Diamond,

I had a talk with my Doctor and he helped me or supervised my rapid taper. He gave me some meds for anxiety in very limited quan and no refills. he didn't want me trading one pill for another (xanax is what he gave me and I was tapering off Oxy and Hydro, vicoden).

If you are in pain I agree with Executor.

There was another person here on the board and I can't remember their name now but they also thought they had a problem and went to their doctor and "sugar coated" the problem so they didn't get labeled an addict. They said they thought their tollerance had gone up and the current med wasn't working therefore they were taking more than orderedby the doc. This person wanted to quit and If I remember they got the help they needed from the doc.

My Dad has cronic pain from every part of his body and the Doc put him on a fentonal (sp?) patch. He said he has been fine and no problems with tollerance. He says the patch is good for two days and he sometimes wears it for four days. THIS IS ALSO A REALLY BAD DRUG from what I hear. I have never used it but my wife is in the medical field and she told me it is deadly dealy stuff. Real bad news. I just thought I'd share this with you.

If you want to get clean your doc may also help.

Funny thing. I have been cleand for day 35 today and all the pain problems I was having went away??

My left foot has nerve damage from an injury and it has not bothered me at all since I quit the pillz. Funny how it would hurt like crazy and I would run for the pillz in the morning to get relief (or High) and now I'm fine?

My taper was rapind and hurt pretty bad but I've heard that a slow taper is not as hard on you. I have no experiense with SUB but I also heard that it will help with the W/D's but is also addictive? Can win

Hope I helped, Just some food for thought.

As Always,
Peace.
Baja