is it vicodin addiction, pain or both?

[jen870]

I am inquiring to how you are. I saw your post from June and I myself have very close to the exact experience. I have been on vicodin for 5 years now and I have pain but it is harder to distinguish what is really the pain and what is the pill in my system. I also feel that I detox after 4 or so hours and start to not feel so good. I also have a child as well so I have to maintain my consistent attitude of calm and collected. If you want to email me I would really like to talk to someone else in my position. I don't really feel I am a drug addict, although I have been on it so long my body is dependent now, as it of course would be. I have always taken it for pain but my body is very used to it at this point.
I feel it is a slippery slope and I don't see it getting better. Sometimes I cut down and start to feel better, then I have a flare up. I am concerned to talk to my pain doctor as I don't want to break the relationship. Since there has been so much illegal activity concerning this drug a lot of pain management places have very strict policies now that  I feel in a way hinder you from talking openly to health care professionals. It is sad this has happened as there are people like me who really need it.
What are your thoughts?
    

[Kendraerika]

I am in the same spot, except only a year, but accidently got prego and have to stop. Not according to dr, but maternal instincts. I am physically dependant, and being pregnant magnifies the withdrawals, as there are similar symptoms, and all food and sleep I do get its going straight to baby. Have a 2 yr old, and husband works all the time. I was in so much pain last night I drive to er, only to come back home to not have my daughter miss out on halloween because if me.

[Ann2497]

Do you plan to get off the drugs?

[noodlz]

THIS is to "Jen870", please email me, ***@****

Your situation sounds EXACTLY like mine (except I have no husband, ha).
I'd love to chat w/ you and see what we both can do. I feel EXACTLY the same as you wrote. Some of us have legit migraines or pain...and now find ourselves in this stigma type deal...and are afraid to ask MD's about what to do. We are good people..and just need a solution to our pain, yet we are screwed up now, taking this crap that makes us worse. So... I'd like to chat with you. I'm in trouble as well...and been taking this Vicodin the same 5 years as you...and feel the same way..and am realizing...I need/want to DO SOMETHING to get "me" back...yet don't know where to turn. Yet, I also have real migraines..which is why they put me on drugs in the first place...after giving up on Advil for many years etc. So...some of us are screwed it seems. Hm...

I hope you email me...I'd like to chat...since after scanning blogs...yours finally hit the mark and seemed to be the same as I feel...and the same situation as I am in..basically.

K, thanks

Noodlz