Addicted to pain meds/doc put me on the patch

[Troxy]

After a three major operations and taking pain meds almost continously for two years, I became addicted to them and took way more than I was suppose to. I have also had chronic back pain for the last year.  My doctor priscribed Lortab for the pain.  About a month ago I went to my husband and my doctor and told them I was not taking the meds like I was suppose to and that I wanted to get off of them.  Actually, I had already stopped taking them.  I had heavy withdrawals and felt awful.  Since I could no longer continue to take the pain meds, my doctor put me on the patch.  Of course, that stopped the withdrawals.  He told me that it was easy to wean off of the patch.  I want to know if it is really that easy to wean off the patch?  Could you please give me some information on this.  I have searched the web and cannot find the answer to this question.  I do not want to continue on the patch if it is going to be major problems to stop using it.  Thanks.

[Jacqui805]

Please read my comments
"TO:  Whoever wrote about being on the fentanyl/Duragesic patch."  Troxy read it for you, everyone else too.  But please read it for me if you can help me as well.

[Jacqui805]

I am currently coming off of the fentanyl or Duragesic patch after having been on 200mcg for 4 yrs.  I have been tapered down each month at 25mcg a time.  I started having withdrawl from 75mcg to 50mcg, and it became severe at 50mcg to 25mcg.  I have been on nothing for 9 days and am in living hell.  I'm not vomiting or having diarrhea anymore, but I have severe nausea, sneezing, really severe muscular pains in my back (that are different than the pains I took the meds. for), and severe insomnia and restlessness/anxiety.  Those two symptoms are the worst right now and I have been trying to find a source to tell me how much longer I'm gonna be feeling like this.  Most sources say a total of 14 days, and I am one strong-*** woman, so since I have hope, I think I'll make it.  I'm concerned and exhausted though because I haven't slept in one whole week, for real.  I have tried over the counter NSAIDs and aspirin for the pain, and have tried over the counter sleep aids, and nothing has worked so far.  I am pretty well dehydrated and am starving but can't eat.  I'm lucky however, in that I just became dependant, and am not addicted.  I have no desire to use the medication for any other purpose than what was intended.  Unfortunately I may even be placed back on something at some point in the future.  I do feel strongly however, because I literally suffer from pain everyday, which is different than just having pain, that being on something to get some quality of life back is worth anything, even the mess I'm in now, than to stay suffering and not living my life.  This withdrawl is tough, and I'm literally spending every exhausting moment of every day just trying to get through each minute, and staring at the clock and getting through the next minutes.  It's lonely being up at night and tired and hungry and not being able to sleep, and most days, not being able to even sit still for a moment.  Try that one on for size.  But, I know, that all things must pass, and so this will too....I think.

[Carebear215]

I had something similar happen once my doc was giving me lortab's and my dentist gave me the same thing. Well I happen to have an appt with my doctor the next day. I had the script filled from the dentist but took it with me to the doctor and told him about it, asked him if he wanted me to turn them over to him since I signed something when I became his patient that I would not get narcotics anywhere else.
Some doctors have no tolerance for this and some will give you one warning.
I had another time before this that my family doc gave me darvocet well I didn't realize darvocet was a narcotic and I had it filled , took it, went about my life. My doctors office called and said we did a check on your perceptions and saw you had darovcet and you cannot get any narotic from another doctor while under this ones' care you signed a contract.
I told them I had most of them left and could bring them in to him they said they would let it slid this time but not to do it again to check with them first.
Where are you located?
Its sad your doctor didn't even give you a chance to explain I mean most dentist don't give you many lortabs to begin with to deal with the pain , 30 at the  most, then some want to just give you the 5's.
Do you have another doctor to see?
What kind of pain are you in? Sorry for so many questions.
Let me know how you are doing

[LLLLLL]

SO THIS IS MY FIRST TIME HERE. I AM REALLY CONFUSED AND WOULD LOVE SOME INPUT. I HAVE BEEN SEEING A PAIN MANG DOC FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND HAVE BEEN TAKING LORTAB SINCE. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS ALSO PERSCRIBED LORTAB FROM MY DENTIST. WELL, MY DENTIST IS A FRIEND OF MY EMPLOYER AND HE CALLED MY EMPLOYER AND TOLD HIM WHAT MEDICATIONS I WAS TAKING. WHAT HAPPENED TO HIPPA? SO, I WENT TO MY DOC APPT. AND MY DOCTOR QUESTIONED THE LORTAB THAT WAS PRISCRIBED BY MY DENTIST. LONG STORY SHORT HE PUT ME ON SUBOXIN AND PUSHED ME OUT THE DOOR. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN HOW OR WHEN TO EVEN TAKE THE MEDICATION.

[jennyfla]

You're a sweetheart, and i really needed that right now! :)
I'm going through a tough time, to say the least, but when is it not 'tough'!
I'm looking forward to the day for the sun to come out, and for the darkness to fade!
My time is soon, it's just going to take some real strength to get there!
Take care and thank you sweetie!
Lv Jenny

[Angelica]

THIS TOO SHALL PASS
*If I can endure for this minute Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is Or how dark the moment may be-
*If I can remain calm and quiet With all the world crashing about me, Secure in the knowledge God loves me When everyone else seems to doubt me-
*If I can but keep on believing What I know in my heart to be true, That darkness will fade with the morning And that this will pass away, too- Then nothing in life can defeat me
*For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer WHATEVER is happening For I know God will break all of the chainsThat are binding me tight in the darkness And trying to fill me with fear-
*For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near  (:

This is something I read when I need to draw strength.  I am posting it for you.....  Hope it helps.

Angelica <><

[Angelica]

...I'll say a little prayer for you: asking God to send you supernatural strength during this time.... ya know ask and you shall recieve.  Meditate on this, and don't let go....psyche yourself out.  Take control of your life.  You can do it!  Do you remember the regimen W/ the L-tyronsine and B6???  Ya need to do that too. Keep us updated.  We're here for you....I know it's tough.  God Bless!
Angelica

[jennyfla]

Hi sweetie.
I get them from a dr, who is nuts for prescribing them to me in the first place.  she's just a money-hungry dr.
My husband is in rehab right now, so i've got to clean up too, there isn't a choice.  I drove him there, and made him go (but he wanted to go to), and i'm only be a hypocriete by continuing to use.
I respect your strength, being in such pain as you are, bless your heart.
I'm feeling ok, and i'm really ready to make this change!
:)
Lv Jenny

[Angelica]

...I'm trying to catch up.  I've been having hubby problems of my own....too.  I just have one question...(re: the above post)  Where are you getting them from???  I know you've probably said where....but I can't go back and read...No time.  Sometimes cutting off the supply...is the best way, and making sure you have enough to taper down.  I'm already trying to do this.  This stuff grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go....and Im not considered to be a typical addict, and I --even have a problem w/ this.  The withdrawals are sooo strong compared to other meds... Vics are sweet tarts compared to this.  I'll try to be here a little more these days, so talk to me anytime.
Love: Angelica

[ssfr]

hi- i got your email message- but i wondered if you were getting my messages to you- it occured to me that since you said the last message you got from me was blank in the text, that maybe someone was deleting my messages to you- i sent you several messages but havent heard back from you since the one you sent right after you got back home- anyway- just in case you havent seen my last messages- let me say again congratulations to you-  it seems you have finally beaten that ole demon- let me know how it is going- i know that you will be stay the true course- again congrats!!

ssfr- from the hills

[jennyfla]

Thank you sweetie.
Even on vacation, you are here rooting for us, gotta love ya!!!!
Tonight has been the 'night from hell' and your post made me smile.
Enjoy all that fresh air and sunshine!':)
Love ya, Jenny

[cindi]

hi chickie chicks....addiction does suck...it does does rob us of everything  and I say everyday.......someday we will all be ok,,,I love you all   cin

[jennyfla]

Well i will definately NOT tell my husband about that drug, although i'm sure he is familiar with it!  He seems to know a lot about drugs, one of his favorite hobbies.  Actually, his only hobby these days.  What happened to fishing, playing guitar, and all the other things he used to love to do!  It's sucks to be an addict, it just robs everything from your life! :(
Thank you for your insite, and you take care of yourself.
Lv Jenny

[jennyfla]

Hi sweetie, thanks for the insite.  He shoots the oxys, and can do enough to kill an elephant if you ask me, scarey!
He od once right in the beginnings of his usage with herion.  I had to call 911 to revive him, it was the scariest thing i ever experienced in my life.  Both our kids were onlookers too! :(
The thing about rock bottom is i'm always standing there with this big old security net so he won't fall too hard.  It's killing me in the process because i'm getting hurt by all this.  That is my biggest fear, he is gonna take us all down with him, it tears me up inside when i think about it.
Oxy's make me sick too, i crush them.  It's crazy to think i still do them, even with getting sick!  :(
Thank you for your post, take care!
Lv Jenny

[Angelica]

I know your question was directed to Thomas, but I have been meaning to ask you something.  Does your husband(..and Iknow you've probably mentioned this, but?)chew, crush,snort or shoot them up???  Cause I swollow the whole thing, and I have yet to feel a buz.  I do feel a little queezy at times, but I felt that more so when just starting to take the Vicodin es. a while back.  I know some people start taking them whole...when they are trying to wean themselves off, and then they cut down or back rather.  I was just curious about this.  It seems as though he just doesnt want to stop, and he may need to hit rock bottom first......but sometimes this can take  the whole family down.  I feel for you, I really do.  Take care!
Angelica

[Thomas]

snorted or chewed, the oxy's are an order of magnitude more euphoric than hydro in the lorcets. The only time I had as sweet a time on hydro was when I had access for a couple years access to a wonderful, wonderful elixer of life called Tussionex. Hydrocodone suspended in a true 12-hour steady release resin complex. You drink the whole bottle and lie back and it's almost like being on a morphine drip -- you get this wonderful, gentle hydrocodone jolt almost continuously. It's the best high I've ever had -- even counting the oxy(!). If you can ever convince a doc you've got this intractible dry cough that nothing else will help with, get some Tussionex. If I so much as recall it's golden color and curiously great taste, I get a sense-memory high. It was WONDERFUL... OH WELL. THOSE DAYS ARE GONE, I GUESS. Going to see my step-grandson (I'm not that old) tonight in a highschool musical (Grease). I'll be back later if you feel like continuing our talk.

Jennyfla's faithful friend,

Thomas

[Thomas]

Hello, my good friend, lea,
Yes, I know we've spoken many times about your ex, but the benzos I'm on have a side effect of temporary amnesia (no kidding). I would compare the effect to chronic pot smoking where everything is just on the tip of your tongue but you can't quite recall it ...  so I asked you about him again ... I didn't want you to think I forgot about you or that you weren't important to me.


Your bud,

Thomas

[jennyfla]

The way you describe the 'oxy high' is right on the button.
I have seen my husband in his oxy dream state, where nothing in life matters expect the high, and when he is down in dosage, look out!!!!!  He will do anything to get back that feeling and fight off the ugly w/d.
I use oxy's, but not nearly as much of a dose as he, but still not good at all.
I have used herion before, years ago, and you are right, oxy's are very close to the herion buzz feeling.  As close as you can get in fact!!!

I wonder whether the oxy's put you in a worse closed-out brain world than do vics or loracets?  Do you happen to know?
Are oxys the worst of the worst for absoluate brain closure?
Just wondering because i feel my husband is so far into his own little world that nothing else matters anymore.
I don't want to get to the that point, and fear it every day, because i don't what to miss out on all the things i see he is missing out on... for instance, our wonderful children!
Thanks!
Lv Jenny

[susanlea]

No, he has no such pain. You and I have talked before of my ex's addiction. 2 years of over 200mg's of oxy's aday, with at least 5 or 6 perc's 650's and anything else, dilauded, morphine....Went inhouse detox alittle over a year ago for 5 days, relapsed 2 weeks later. He loves to chew that pill. Stole all my pain meds, lied, got them off the street anything! He was so verbally abusive, mean, withdrawn, distant. It was killing my kids and me. He left over 3 months ago. Calls once in awhile, comes by. He swears he's down to 5mg's of methadone aday now. He says he can do this himself. No sponser, no program, no rehab. He's living with his mom and dad. He's 38, 4 kids, and I watched him want to die, so many times during withdrawals. Lost altogether 4 months of work last year. He's close to being fired. I was beginning to think that maybe he was really trying, but now that I know he's getting both the drugs. From the same Dr. who knows he's an addict! The nurses there tell me that the Dr. will give anyone anything. They call him the pill pusher. We nolonger have a relationship with him, he choose to leave us, he couldn't take it all anymore.  I know it's just a matter of time before he's cut off. There have been sooooo many drug busts here over narcotics, that all the pharmacists are freaking out and reporting anything suspicious. Thanks Thomas.....love Susan Lea

[Thomas]

Does your ex have a chronic pain condition? If so, they often give methadone to handle the addiction and give chronic pain patients a "short-acting" narcotic like Vicodin or, if something stronger is needed, OxyContin, which has oxycodone in it -- the same narcotic as percodan. OxyContin, taken properly functions as a time-release painkiller and is really quite effective for serious pain. The problem with Oxy is that it can be chewed or even snorted and really makes you feel marvelous, a real "high high." Consequently, it can be psychologically very addictive. Some people go on Oxy and go into their own internal worlds, shutting out the outside world and living for that wonderful "Oxy high." That could be what's going on with your ex. Seeing you and the kids remind him of all those mundane/stressful everyday responsibilities as a man, father and husband, when all he wants is to "float" on his Oxy cloud and escape reality.

He may resent you for reminding him of the "real" world he's shutting out with the Oxy. Of course, if he doesn't have chronic pain, but only an addiction problem to deal with, then I don't know why he'd be getting both Methadone and Oxy, unless one doctor doesn't know what the other is doing. You'd know more about that than I would. But the Oxy is powerfully addictive from both a physical and especially psychological perspective. I've used Oxy, chewing them for instant effect, even smashing them up and snorting them in lines like they were coke. When you're on Oxy like that, it really is something like being on heroin. Really quite euphoric as drugs go. Taken at the right dosage, the methadone should not be causing euphoria. But that's probably where the Oxy comes into the picture.

Now, many chronic pain patients take OxyContin responsibly and get life-saving relief from it. But it's being increasingly abused and many pain patients are worried it will be outlawed. Even if that happens, methadone in pill form at the right dosage, or the fentenyl patch (quite expensive), are both at least as good at killing serious pain as Oxy. You'll have to tell me more about your ex's pain profile before I can hazard a guess about what's happening with him.

Peace and healing to you, lea,

Your friend anytime you need someone,

Thomas

[susanlea]

Hey Guy's! I haven't been around the last week, had a bad case of some summer virus. I see there's a few new names here, been reading some of the posts, trying to catch up. Quick question, a friends wife called me a few days ago, said my ex had called her husband asking for oxy's. He said no. Anyways I also heard he's now taking both methadone and oxy's. I don't understand? Two weeks ago my ex came by and told me he was down to 5mg aday of methadone, that he would be off everything in amonth. What I don't understand is, I though methadone took away the narcotic cravings? So why would he want to take oxy's also? I really thought he was getting clean, he lied to me once again. I haven't heard from him since, my kids and I drove by him last week, he acted like he didn't see us. He was no where near his neighborhood. Also he never called my kids on father's day to thank them for his card. Guess he really wants nothing from us anymore.  Thanks.....Susan

[jennyfla]

Hi MarkS,
My husband went into detox/rehab for 28-days back 2.5 years ago, he was addicted to oxys and heroin at the time, and they put him on methadone for about 8 days or so, not really sure of exact amount of days, but something like that.
He was completely off all meds except antidepressants and antianxiety meds, and he didn't crave opiates at all, while there.
But man oh man, once he left, he was in bad shape almost immediately.  He didn't even know how to walk or talk anymore, but was doing wonderfully there.
That is fantastic that you are going to meetings, and really want to stop using everything as quick as possible!!!!  Sounds like you are really ready for this!!!
I don't know if it might just be an easier adjustment if you take it a little slower, is probably what they are thinking!  Just not sure!
Good luck to you, but i wanted you to know that it can be done, my husband did it without feeling the w/d after that time period, but he did relaspe, so i'm not sure if slower would have been better.  Good luck to you!
Jenny

[Thomas]

forget hearing from Dr Steve. He only answers the questions posted at the top of the thread. But why are you in such a hurry? What makes you think a slow taper is going to be bad for you? Even if you could "handle" a faster taper, what does that buy you? My guess is it buys you a relapse, friend. I don't know methadone, but I've been a narcotics addict for 30 years. Relax. Slow down. Stop putting pressure on your docs and yourself to do this faster. Go to your meetngs. Think of what a huge waste it will all be if, in your haste, you do relapse? R-E-L-A-X.

Thomas

[MarkS]

Hi.  I'm new to this forum.  I am a heroin addict (moved up, or down, the scale from prescription opiates) and have a question.  I am currently trying to detox through a methadone clinic.

But the clinic staff are putting an unbelievable amount of pressure on me to be on methadone maintenance.  They are relentless in their efforts to convince me that I can not succeed.

The most recent issue is that they want me to slow down my detox.  I have asked them to reduce me by 2mg per day (I started at the clinic about two weeks ago and went up to a dose of 45 mg. per day).

I feel that the quicker I get the methadone out of my system, the better off I'll be in the long run.  I don't want a drawn out taper of a milligram a week or so, which is what they are suggesting.  I want to get off of all drugs.

My history is that I have been an abuser on & off for many years.  I have had up to 4 years clean; most recently I've been using for about 6 months after a period of about 6 months clean.  I think I am at a point in my life where I can succeed this time.  I'm attending NA meetings and am also enrolled in an outpatient program which I attend 3 evenings per week.  I am also using acupuncture treatment to help with any withdrawal symptoms I have- so far there have been none.

Basically, I would just like some support for what I'm trying to do since I get beat up every morning when I go for my medication by the doctor, the counselors, even the nurse who dispenses the methadone.  I don't feel that a 2 mg reduction every day is too fast for me.

Dr. Steve, am I way off base here?  I've seen your posts and value your opinion.

Thanks.

-MarkS