Twll me please what is the difference??

[here4theinfo]

Hi, I am wondering if anyone can explain to me the difference between taking pain meds for the pain or the high?? I have been taking pain meds for allmost 3 years. I started off with vicodins and slowly up to norcos, waiting to ask for higher ones when the pain really wasn't covered by the previous. I don't really want to go any higher, and I have allready tried generic percocets, and they dont work. I cant afford the 600 dollars it will cost for brand, so I have just made my norcos work. Anyways, what I am wondering is, what is the difference between taking the medicine for the high, or taking it for the pain?? I am allready at a point where I dont do much cause Im allways in pain, and I have run out of my month in the past and i cant stand the withdrawels. (the running out is a whole nother story)So I just do what I can to get by. I have Degenerative Disk Disease, (with failed steriod injections)Intersatial Cysitis, Endo, Recurrent and painful periods (about 3 weeks out of the month), and currently going to have fibro testing (whatever that is)fun huh?? I have kids like many of us do, and I take my meds from morning to night, and I feel like I never abuse, but I am dependant on the meds to get day by. I am a smart person and I know the risks of being on the meds, and also am trying to do everything possible, (physical therapy,injections,excercise,surgery etc) to get my old healthy body back, and I know once I can wake up without feeling the complete body pain that I am in, I should talk to my doc or "wean" myself. I also kinda understand the feeling you get when you begin taking them. Is that the High? Anyways, It never lasts, but if I know someone that takes them to just get "high" what are some things I can do to help them? Ok, hope this makes sense and someone can help me out. Ive got to lil munchkins screaming and trying to mop in the background so Im trying to ge tthis done fast..lol.before they flood the floor. Anyways, any response would be appreciated..thank you

[Savas]

The problem is whether you started out doing it for the high or pain management the end result is the same physically (and to some degree mentally).
You get addicted to the pills. They stop working effectively. You're taking the pills more to medicate for the withdrawal.
I can't say what to do if you need them for pain management. That depends entirely on your philosophy on how much pain is to much to bear or live with.

But you'll have to make a choice. Do I keep myself from becoming a full time addict, on pain med's for life? Or do I do my best to manage my med's, use them occasionally and keep what control of my body/life I can?
I'm not saying one is right or wrong, it's just simply a choice.

Because if you're running out, it's not your pain increasing (probably, most likely) it's your tolerance building. And I've seen people in your position who end up on methadone maintenance, on 200 milligrams, and on "chemical handcuffs" for life.
And once you're there, it doesn't matter if it's for pain or not, you'll be treated like an addict, with your life choices taken away from you, and your medication used as a tool to control your behavior.

[Savas]

...that was supposed to be LET myself become a full time addict. You get the idea...I love mornings! :) (More coffee....MY drug of Choice right now!) :)

[here4theinfo]

Hi, wow, that was a quick response, thanks. Haha, this whole thing is a "problem" to me, I dont like being dependent on anything..Im stubborn, but now I have had to except that in order to "control" my day, I need the meds to help through the pain. Ok, my situation is this, I had a couple car accidents, had a quack of a doc that took his sweet time in doing anything, and 2 years later I find out about my back, in the meantime, I had muscle aches,sore joints, severe sharp pains that ran down my legs, back stresses where I would literally lie in bed watching the world move around me, then a couple of surgeries, one to fix my knee, one to remove a fibroid, then I was diagnoised with Ic, Endo, Cysts. and finally, when my doc got tired of me he sent me to pain management, and that dr got right on the ball and figured out that my backs all screwed up..Hence the pain..So all of this "problem" started off with the pain, (I had a ton of energy before the pain equalling my natural "high") Now I dont have anything really, and yeah, coffee is my best friend in the morning too..I was pregnant last Oct-May, and needed meds then, taking them sparingly to avoid withdrawels for my baby, (ob and pain doc prescribed),  I had them increased once and between the time, my ob said ok, my pain doc did too but he didnt realize he had not given me enough, hence a run out, the other run out times are the "someone" else I am refering too. Since the babies birth, and c section and not taking my meds for Ic, and returning to my cysts and endo state, I have literally gotten worse. I had Steriod injections, that didnt do squat, and my insurance cancelled me, so Im just waiting for it to kick back on so I can figure out what else to do (surgery PT Ic meds etc) I want my old body back, but now I guess Patience is my friend!! I have had the options of increasing to Percs, but I can only take the brand.Then Oxy, Morphine etc, but they sound scary so I dont want to take a chance with them. I cant take more meds cause I only get so much, (left my meds in cali one time, they got "misplaced" in mail)  and for a week, my body went nuts, I hated it. So now I try to be very careful, hiding my meds even. So, my body is "dependant" right?? Someday, when I make the "choice" I will be able to make my body "not dependant anymore right? Or is this a constant battle Im going to have all my life (this also providing that my doc was wrong in his statement that "this is going to be a life thing") Ok, besides me, if another person is using them for their high, How else am I supposed to stop it? Or can I even stop it from someone else? I am stuck between the my pain, and their "problem" now, and sometimes all I want to do is stop taking the meds so they wont be able to get to them, but then, I cant live with my pain...catch 22??

[Savas]

It's funny. Most of us here have gone through something similar. Now I'm not saying you can do this, but the ones who seem to *get better* are the ones who successfully got out of the whole doctor grind. I worked at a hospital at one point and I noticed that the doctor's seemed to always be able to diagnose a problem according to their specialty.
   So beware what they're telling you, there's always the chance your pains could be caused by something you can fix without all the meds and surgery's. I used to be a long distance runner, and know all about what pain your body can be in if your feet legs, etc aren't doing what they should properly.

I know exactly how you feel, the deeper you get pulled in, the more you find they'll toss pain med's at you. You feel like you're losing control. And then they decide you're an addict and cut you off.

The "other person "who's taking (your?) meds...that's a tough one. I'd try lying to them. Say you got cut off, then hide your med's. Make sure they don't find them.
Otherwise, you've got a battle on your hands. You'd have to get away from them, put your foot down, etc...but you can't control what they do. You can only control what you do.

I'd start looking for alternate means to figure out your problems (pain). Don't look for the obvious answers the doc gave you. You'd be surprised how pain isn't always related to a problem a doctor finds. You may as well try this, because what's your other choice, accept you need pills the rest of your life?
There's two threads on this board that deal with nutrition and "after care" for getting off pills. I'll post them in a sec (got to look them up).
Otherwise, the quickest home remedy is a clonidine treatment. It won't make it painless, but it'll make it bearable.

....

[Savas]

"Amino Acids and Recovery" and "Nutrition for Withdrawal".

The other (clonidine) is called "The Thomas Recepie" around here. If you look through the pages, or do a search, that should pull them up. The first two are by Fladdict.

This treatment works. It will make the first three days more bearable, and after that, will help you get back to "normal".

Keep in mind your pain WILL increase while going through withdrawal. Withdrawal heightens everything. But, hey, after a week, you can see where you stand. And there's other methods of healing/ dealing with pain. Some work, some don't. I was never into anything holistic or alternative, but I've come to grudgingly accept some of it. Like I said, the alternative is becoming a guinea pig for doc's, going through surgery, and pill addiction. And usually, the doc's can't fix what's wrong, but they are to proud to admit it.

[Yoda99]

   Savas is very right in telling you that whether you started taking the pills for pain or to get high, it really doesn't matter because you still become addicted.  Some people like to say that the ones of us in pain become dependant but it's all the same; we become addicted.  
   And Savas is very correct in that you will have to decide on how much pain you can live with.  Most of us can take more pain than we realize, but we only realize that when we give up the drugs.
   I will tell you my story.  For the people that have been here a while, they've heard it.  But maybe it will help you and others that are fairly new.  
   I am now just over 7 months clean from the huge Oxycontin ER habit that I had.  I became addicted to the oxys when I was put on them for serious injuries received in a bad car accident (a head-on collision); it was 3 years ago on the 4th of July.  I broke both legs, one ankle, my back, my tailbone, some little things like wrists, fingers and toes, my ribs which punctured and collapsed a lung; I have so many rods and pins in me I can set off the metal detector at the courthouse.  I feel fortunate that I lived, but even after many surgeries and the broken bones healed, I still have nerve damage and another condition, spondylosis (spelling) in my back. That's an inherited condition and just means that my spine is slowly wearing away.  I also have arthritis which also runs in my family.  After I left the hospital, the doctor tried several different pain killers and none really gave me the relief I was seeking.  But when I tried the Oxycontin ER tabs, they really helped. And I took them as prescribed. Then my tolerance built up so the dosage was increased over time, finally up to six 80 mg tabs a day. I have a huge tolerance for just about anything and a very addictive personality.  But anyway it got to where the 6 a day really didn't do the job, and I would feel better if I took 9 a day, then 12 a day, and on a binge I would take 16 a day.  It got to where I was going thru 180 of those lovely 80 mg oxys in about 2 weeks or less and couldn't get the script filled for 2 more weeks.  I suffered from pain but I also suffered from wretched withdrawals month after month.  The last time it happened, I figured it was time to give them up.  I was tired of being controlled by the oxys.  My whole life revolved around them.  Well needless to say I had wicked withdrawals, and I did it cold turkey and without any drugs to help me.   If I had to do it over again, I would've planned it and been more prepared.  But I think giving up the oxys was the best thing I ever did in my life.  I got my life back and even though I have pain every single day and sometimes it's almost unbearable, I'd rather have the pain than be in a haze.  I also found out that I could live with the pain.  Always before I just knew I couldn't.  It's not pleasant, it's downright crippling at times and in addition to working at alternative ways to control the pain, I know I will have to work at my sobriety the rest of my life; once an addict always an addict.  But I know I can do it,  and I can never, ever again take pain meds, not even one or I'll ruin what I've worked so hard to achieve.  And anyone else out there struggling with the dilemma of quitting or being afraid of withdrawals, just know that it is so worth it.  I am free again, free to enjoy my life, my time with my children and friends.  Sure I can't do what I used to do.  I'm 36 years old and somtimes hobble around like an old woman, but I don't have to base where I can go or what I can do depending on if I have pills or not.  So this is my story and I hope it helps you with your dilemma.  It really is wonderful to be free.
Good luck to you,
Yoda

[here4theinfo]

That is an amzing story. Im am very proud of you for doing what you did. It is very tough to deal with the pain, but Im so glad to see that you are living a better life. I believe I have become tolerate to my meds, but do not want anything stronger for fear of it over taking me completly. I just want to "lessen" the pain, not completly turn myself into something Im not, and I do know that anything prescribed or not perscribed  can overtake a person, without them noticing the changes. I used to think that my pain was so severe, but my son passed away, that was and is extreme pain,and I feel bad for feeling or complaining about my pains. Never the less, all I want to do is get fixed, Im just waiting for time to pass for my insurance to kick in. However, I noticed that Savas sent a couple links I will check out, thank you very much. I will look into a few options, see how much pain I can handle, and start getting on a healthier track. Stay strong and thank you for the story..

[here4theinfo]

Hi, again thank you for the information. I will check the links out. I have started to look into possible accunpuncture, massages, and a chiro. Just have to catch up on some bills, before I can start something like that. Meanwhile, it is interesting to me that it seems like there is no difference in taking medicine, and that eventually, a person can be completly caught up in it. Of course, I would like to say Im not going to be one of those people, but I cant, because I am not going to say something before it happens. I know I can say that I am still living with alot of pain, but alittle pain helps me keep my reality in focus. Cover it all up and I might as well not feel anything.
The person that takes my meds  for the high, and I feel bad writing this, but I dont want it to become a problem. We were two different people when we met, strong, intergetic, and healthy. Since I began taking the medicine, I have tried hard to still be "myself". But Im afraid that it might be hurting us, because the person sometimes "takes it" and then tells me they did not. I am responsible with my meds, always have been. But like everything out there, it can be availible. We are going through a tough transition, our son passed away and we are both confused and hurt. We both have counseling appts coming up, but I dont know if I should mention this to them. I do not want to hurt this person, I know we are strong enough to get through anything, but I feel like I need to help them, and I cant right now because I am having a hard time myself. So, Im scared and sad. I dont want to lose this person, and I still feel like I need to take care of myself. Is there any kind of talk I can have? I allready hide my meds in various spots through the month, I keep count all the time, I wont get anything stronger for fear of the both of us just completly losing control. Do I just call it out in the open? Im afraid of the reaction. I dont want the person to leave while not thinking straight. Or do I just let it alone and not say anything and hope it passes? The problem is when Im short because of the person, I get very stressed and frustrated too..Argh, to much ****. Sorry!! Anyhow thank you for everything, I do appreciate it.

[Ga Guy]

This may sound simplistic..but to me the difference is this..I used to take the pills to get rid of the pain. The pain would go away and I'd get a high. When I started getting in trouble was when the high was the direct effect I was after and pain relief was secondary. When pain relief becomes a side effect, then it's a whole new ball game.

[Yoda99]

May sound simplistic, but you hit the nail on the head.  :)
Yoda

[here4theinfo]

Vey simply put. Thank you!!

[Savas]

I'd say tell him you know he's doing it if your sure. Don't push for an admission, just let him know your aware of it. He'll deny it, and just say "You aren't fooling anyone but yourself."

I'd then get a lock box. Lock your meds in it." He'll complain about "lack of trust". Don't buy into it. Just shrug and say "If you'll love me you'll understand I need to do this for my own peace of mind." Or something like that. Don't argue it after that. If he persists in arguing over it, ask why it matters so much if he isn't stealing them.

If he leaves you over this little thing, well...I'd say have faith it won't happen.

But some things need to be brought out into the light. This kind of silent mistrust will kill your relationship slowly, and eat away at your sanity.

[here4theinfo]

That is a great idea..I had done that once, but when I was in the hospital, I had him bring me them cause I needed them while on the way home..He remembered my code..but I dont mind buyin another box and keepin it shushed. Thank u so much, I feel so untrusting and I cant stand to feel that way towards him with all the other problems were having. I dont think hell leave, maybe just go through the "motions" though. Again thank you very much!!