Wondering

[mommy52]

I am concerned. Back in May, the pain was so bad from my disc. Neurosurgeon ordered myleogram. When he saw results, he ordered Lortab 7.5mg an Zanaflex 4mg. I was hurting so bad. # days after the myleogram his PA called and said they had me scheduled for surgery 6/6/09. I said no ! She told me he wanted to do surgery ASAP. I know it wasn't for lack of patients for he does surgery on Sat. if necessary. She said she had bumped some cases and fit me in. I ended up having surgery 9/11/09 . After surgery I am having to take soma 350mg 2tabs q 4-6 hrs and Lortab 10mg 2 tabs with it to gey some relief. I am so scared I will become addicted. I haven't taken anything today and the pain is horrible. Numbness all down L. arm into fingers. My husband says take meds. I am so afraid to, but I truly hur badly. I have fought so hard for the past 26 years. I havedured 2 previous neck surgeries, They didn't have pain as I have now. I still have another disc that needs repair. Someone please tell me if they have become addicted to pain pills and if so what kind. I am so scared. I once heard that if you had to ask, it probably is true. I heard someone say this at a NA meeting.

[theeagle]

Take your meds as ordered for at least a week after coming home from surgery ...... then you may experiment with one soma or one Lortab and see if it controls the pain. It really does take awhile - and almost a great deal of determination -  to become addicted to pain pills. Not many compliant patients have a problem with the meds.............most of us that got here were not even close to compliant with a Docs instructions.  The quote that you heard at NA is taken out of context for your situation - - you are hyper anxious and in genuine pain. I could tell you about dozens of addictions; but whats the point?  You need to worry about yourself - and maybe learn some guided imagery and breathing exercises to deal with panic/anxiety - - - - or check out some DVD's from the library on tai chi and cho gong and stuff.........

[mommy52]

Thanks for your response and the fact that you cared enough to respond. My surgery was on 9/11 and my pain is still prettty bad. The spasms are almost unbearable. I still have another disc that neeeds repairing. MD said that when they do more that 1, I would run a chance of 1 not fusing. That's what happened in '98. Had to have the other done in '99 that didn't fuse. He decided to do 1 and see how I did and then do the other, if needed at a later date. Thanks again for your response.