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Is it wrong to use pain meds to curb withdrwal between bouts of pain?

by Joe, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Since my chronic pain levels are not constant, I use the pain meds as needed.  However I noticed that when I have a "good" day (i.e. using less pain meds) I have withdrawal symptoms.  I typically take 1/2 a pill to curb the symptoms until the pain has me take a full dose.  My question is: should I just put up with the symptoms or is taking a small dose to curb it going to lead to an endless cycle of addiction.  I hate taking the meds when I don't need it for pain but since it looks like I'll be on them for life, I can't help but think why should I go through withdrawal several times a week, but feel "guilty" getting the withdrawal relief.
Member Comments (47)

by To sick and scared from Neena, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Joe, skip the dosage or at least cut it in half!!!!!  I have been recovered from Vicoden for approx. 1 week.  Under a doctors care I was weened by my dear husband and we are heading towards cleanliness.  I am no longer taking any pain meds, other than over the counter and am in great pain, but am suffering because I feel that I need to feel the pain to remind me of how horrible the addiction can be.  My pains are real and documented by docs also.  But, as you said, some days were better than others, yet I found myself taking the codiene anyways, sometimes more than my usual dosage.  DON'T DO IT.  I, WE IN THIS FORUM, CAN HELP YOU, BEFORE YOU END UP LIKE US.  Some of us are clean for years, some are clean for only days, while some are looking for more pills as we speak.  All we can do is try to help those who wish to stop and help them through the horrible physical withdrawals that WILL occur if the meds are abused.  Your actions are exactly as how I got started.  But, you may not be the addictive personality type, I am, so I have to just bear the pain and move on and live life.  Good Luck, Neena

by to doc dan from joe, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Thanks for your reply,



I do cut the pills in half, but the roxicodone pills are so small that cutting them any smaller causes them to literally crush into  a small pile of dust

by The Dude, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Well, if it breaks up, just put a little in milk, not even 2 ounces will be just fine.  I hope and wish you well.  I know what you are going through.  I'm in the same boat sometimes.  It's called a "Catch 22" Just keep sticking around, we'll help you.  You are not alone, TRUST ME !!

by Lynn to Neena, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Hey Joe, listen to Neena and Chad, they helped me through my weekend from hell. I am addicted BY CHOICE not because of any pain. Good luck,

by to doc dan from joe, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
I hope you are right, here we go I can feel it comming on up from my lower back into my shoulder like someone is kicking me.  I'm ashamed to admit that I am hoping my pain starts soon so I can have an excuse to take a pain pill.  My co worker thinks I acting weird today, I have soooo muchhh nervous energy I cant stop looking form something to do to keep my mind off of the WD.



Joe

by To sick and scared from Neena, Nov 01, 2000 12:00AM
Take a hot shower or bath.  Let the water just run on you.  Sit in there as long as you can.  I have been trying to do it before bed.  It helps with the shakes.  I guess if you took more meds then you are not withdrawing, but remember: hot bath/showers all the time, xanax or ativan for the shakes and or anxiety and if you have to be sick...be sick.  Let it out.  You will feel like your dying but you will not die from codiene withdrawals.  That is what my Doctor told me last week.  Call in sick.  Stomack flu?  Phenergan suppositories for vomiting.  Make sure it's the Phenrgan without CODIENE, of course.  Good luck Joe.  We are hear for you.  LYNN; are you doing ok?  Neena

by to doc dan from joe, Nov 02, 2000 12:00AM
It wasn't too bad last night untill I got to sleep, woke up at 12:30 and felt like I swallowed a 400 HP engine, just bursting with energy and a weird sense of pain and cramping all over. At 1:00 am took 2 xanax (I had read about this before on the forum) it didn't help I was up till 3:00am with that same feeling.  I had to get up for work at 6:00 so I broke down an took a single pill, was able to go right to sleep within 20 minutes.  I figure using 1 pill at night untill my body adjusts isn't so bad, I can cut it out completly within a few days (just got to get that sleep).  I can't figure out why my pain suddenly stopped yesterday, I hope that it doesn't come back and have gone through all of this for nothing. I never really needed more than 4-8 pills a day to control the pain, I don't want to  imagine what it must be like to detox from the high doses that I've read people taking on a daily basis, must be the closest thing to hell on earth.  Thanks to everone for your advice!!!!

by Lynn to Neena, Nov 02, 2000 12:00AM
Hi guys. Joe, I could eat up to 30 percs a day, so when I had to detox from that I crashed and burned, Ugh, it was awful.

Neena, I'm O.K., if you want to call it that. Ran into some pills  Monday, that's why you haven't heard from me. I'm beyond help. I have access all the time and no willpower, so I am still active. But I'm real proud of you. Real proud. I know I can go through what you did if I really wanted to. Trouble is.. I don't want to.

by To sick and scared from Neena, Nov 02, 2000 12:00AM
I wish that I could inspire you somehow, but I do know your problem first hand.  I still have access to my vics, but have not made the call.  I did tell them to not give or sell to me for a while...but I am sure they would if it came right down to it.  So far, i haven't picked up the phone.  I am actually friends with my hook up, and actually miss spending time with her, but for now my sobriety and cleanliness is more important and she respects that.  Lynn, please hang in there.  When you run out of percs next, let me know...maybe I can stop you from buying more and help ou through the shitty next couple of days.  Good Luck!  Neena

by Frankinscense, Nov 04, 2000 12:00AM
There is a better way. This life absolutely SUCKS. Give it up for god's sake before it is too late. Been there done that. It will eventually get you in prison or dead. Hook ups evertually get busted. Your time will come.

The better way is opiate agonist therapies or treatment. Admit your addiction and get help. You are all to far gone with your addictions to go to a pain clinic. Pain clinics offer drugs to responsible narcotic users which are rare as a three dollar bill.

A long acting opiate such as methadone will cure you I promise,at least allow you to carry on your life without all these cravings and withdrawals. I had the same type of problem. Now there is order in my life and I finished my  education. Shady drug deals with pushers and drug seeking ALWAYS end in disaster. Methadone(or LAAM) clinics provide you with your drug for pain,withdrawals,and cravings. It gives you back control of your life. All clinics are not about heroin junkies. 60% of the clients at the clinic I go to are pill addicts. They provide counseling,medical attention, and provide authority with dosing. If we all could take our medicine like we are supposed to and not run out early we would not need these controls. The reason we are addicts is because of a chemical imbalance that would gets by taking short acting opiates.(eg.percodan,vicoden,lortab,morphine, oxycontin-it is still a short acting opiate only in a time released form) These drugs deplete endorphins that when depleted cause cravings and withdrawals. Your brain sees vicoden as an endorphin and does not manufacture stores of endorphins. Endorphin molecule is almost exactly the same as short acting opiate molecules. The brain sees percodan for instance and thinks it is the natural occuring endorphin and does not replenish endorphin stores that have been depleted. So when you run out of your percodan there is NO endorphins at the receptor and withdrawal and cravings begin. (sick and no energy or the first signs of being "endorphin challenged".) If you keep this pill popping and addiction active eventually you may never produce natural endorphins again - hence the term Endorphin Challenged.

The only way to get your addiction in control is through the use of a long acting opiate such as methadone or Laam. T

There is nothing to be frightened of in atteding a clinic. If you are serious about a better life for your self seek help through this very effective mode of treatment.

Again, Sincerely, Doc Dan (CDCI)

***@****

by To sick and scared from Neena, Nov 04, 2000 12:00AM
Hi. I've been clean of Vicoden for 6 days now.  The shakes rarely occur and my appetite is returning.  The initial withdrawal was HORRIBLE.  I felt like dying and asked my hubby to take me to hospital.  Instead, we contacted a doctor friend and told us how to taper me off the nasty stuff.  I also have not touched booze (for me, beer) in more than two weeks.  My question to you.  When will I have my strength back?  When will my endorphins be produced naturally?.  I am still having problems sleeping at night.  My doc has me on Xanax every 4 hours or as needed.  I would like to stop taking all pills, but my lack of sleep is zapping what is left of my energy.  Any ideas on energy filled foods?  Mulitvitamins?  I hope the rest of the people can get as far as I have.  If they go through the withdrawals at home, some may not use again, as I have not.  The humiliation of my hubby finding me on the bathroom floor was enough for me to stop and fight this monster.  Neena

by Frankinscense, Nov 05, 2000 12:00AM
Hang in there Neena you are doing good. As to be expected. As time passes you endorpnins WILL peplinish themselves. Only in rare cases will endorhin production be effected. Exercise (very important for endorphin production)good high protien diet with meats high in vitamin b 12. Try a good multivitamin with minerals. The more days drug