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.

[cindi]

I'm glad you asked that question,, my husband was just put on the patch and the pharmacist told me they are much safer than pills and not difficult to get off of...his doc also agreed...we shall see  good luck   love to all   cin

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

What patch?  Is it Duragesic by any chance or something else?

[jennyfla]

Don't mean to interrupt, but wanted to let you all know 'i'm back'!!!
I did pretty good up at my parents' house, but it's being back here that's beating me down.
I lowered my dose from 60 mg or so of oxy's (crushed), to 15 to 20 mg of loratab per day all week long.  I would take 5 mg at a time spread out through the day.  The only trouble i had was sleeping.  I had to take a tiny piece of xanax (about 1.3 mg -- just 1/8 of the 10 mg bar).  I would go to sleep eventually.  I was waking up soaked the first few mornings, but it went away.  I managed fine on the 3 to 4 doses each day and was pretty proud of myself.  Plus, i think i even gained a few pounds.  I really look pretty darn good!!!! :)
I came home this morning, and i've slipped quite a bit.  Just being back home and around 'it' again, i'm just not very strong! :(
I really haven't had too much w/d pain through all of this, but then again, my levels never went below 15 mg per day.  
I need to find some strength to beat this thing.  Being back home was tough because my parents questioned me quite a bit about what was happened, exactly, with my husband and his addiction.  They know things are not good, but have no idea about my problem.  I just can't tell them about my problem, EVER!!!!  It would kill them i just know it.  
I'm going to try to get my head together again, i was doing so well, it would be a shame to loose ground now.
Just eating better, and keeping the toxins lower in my body made me feel great, and i was looking like a million bucks!
I had a great time with my kids, and they enjoyed spending time with their grandparents so much.  Another very difficult thing, leaving them!!! :(  Talk about guilt!  I feel so guilty living so far away.  We are basically stuck, we have a house down here, and claimed bankruptcy almost 2-years ago, and couldn't get another home.  Plus, my husband works in the boating industry, and we would need to live near the ocean, and it's cold up north, and the season isn't all yeararound like here in FL.  I've been in FL for 18-years now, and it's never gotten any easier being far from my family, and they've never let up hoping that we would return.  With each additional child, it seems like it's gotten worse and worse.
Soemtimes i wish that i wasn't such a sensitive person, and that my family didn't care so much.  Everything seems to hurt so much all of the time.  They will never be happy unless we live much closer.  Why does life have to be so sad!  I just wish i could be really really happy for a change.  It's been a long long time.
Thanks for listening.
Lv Jenny

[Milo]

Boy, could I relate to your experience! First off, congratulations on doing so well during your trip. Please don't beat yourself up about slipping after returning home -- maybe you learned some things during your vacation that could help you now? Anyway, I live far away from my parents also, and even though I talk to my mother every week, it's just not the same.  They have their suspicions about my drug use, but they have never given me any grief about it -- just a little concern now & then. I love them for that! I'm not recommending that you tell your parents, but I'll bet they would be a lot more understanding than you think. I'm glad your family had such a good time together. Hold on to those precious memories for motivation as you attempt to reduce your usage. I wish you the very best -- Milo

[Milo]

Boy, could I relate to your experience! First off, congratulations on doing so well during your trip. Please don't beat yourself up about slipping after returning home -- maybe you learned some things during your vacation that could help you now? Anyway, I live far away from my parents also, and even though I talk to my mother every week, it's just not the same.  They have their suspicions about my drug use, but they have never given me any grief about it -- just a little concern now & then. I love them for that! I'm not recommending that you tell your parents, but I'll bet they would be a lot more understanding than you think. I'm glad your family had such a good time together. Hold on to those precious memories for motivation as you attempt to reduce your usage. I wish you the very best -- Milo

[cindi]

Hi  Jenny,    I'm glad you had such a good time,,,I am leaving wednesday morning    My sister is coming up from NC and me and the kids are following her back down     then next Sat...I will be in the sunshine state.....Jen,, I know how you feel.....My dad moved to florida 12 years ago..I stayed up here with my mom...All though she not was sick at the time how could I leave her....?  I lived with her. my dad had his wife and other 2 kids...my mom needed my sister and I up here...I knew someday she would need me...and I was right....as much as I wanted to be in florida I had to stay in Ohio....yuk but I had to...mom knew that when all was said and done I would leave..my mom and dad split up when I was 12,  and when he moved away when I was 29 I thought my heart would break all over again...I have always been close to both of my parents but my mom and I had something very special....we fought like cats and dogs one minute and then forgot about it the next..LOL  life is hard hon,  life is soooooo  sad sometimes also....I look at my 2 beautiful babies and thank God everyday for them, and my husband...they keep me going....( I really do not care for the age 7 though )  she thinks she is 17....arrgh  the time has come to be with my dad....I have one parent left and I am spending time with him now...my little sister (my dad's daughter) is very jealous of me...she is 23 going on 3....being his first born we have had a special relationship from the get go and she is livid that I am moving down there...thinking I am going to take her daddy away...she wrote a horrible letter to my other sister about me.. one wrong word out of that little *****'s mouth  my dad gets the letter.....period  I am tired of her **** already....anyway,,there is turmoil I suppose in every family...I am soo glad your back.....i guess I'll go finish watching the rugrats in Paris for the 20th time and spend time with doug on father's day....love you   cin.

[cindi]

I want to wish all the dad's in dad land a happy wonderful father's day......love all of you    cin

[Milo]

You have my sympathy re your sister. My sister and I have fought like cats & dogs all our lives. There were a couple of brief periods when we got along well -- but they never lasted long. Just wanted to say I know where you're coming from & wish you well in dealing w/her--Milo

[cindi]

I just had a brainstorm  LOL     I am female...I am traveling with 2 small kids....frequent rest stops...(all though alec thinks he can pee anywhere  and he can  LOL )   what If the rest areas started installing computers in each rest area..?  of couse with internet access...then I can stop in and say hi anytime we stop....man I can feel the computer withdrawals setting in   12 hours in a car  no forum? :(  ewwwwwwwwww  maybe if I started this fad I could get rich?    LOL

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I had Ameritech out here for four hours today restoring our phone service. They showed up this morning and just started stringing an new phone line "under ground", on Father's Day! I hate to say it, but maybe this was my gift from the phone company. Anyway, I had to laugh at their timing...poor guys!

I like your idea about computer terminals at rest areas, and it's probably coming soon. Hell, we can't possibly live without computers and cell phones, can we? Life is changing that fast even here in the boonies.

As far as the original question about hypertension; I wish that was my only concern at this point. If you were to read about all the side effects of any AD, you would wonder indeed if any of them were intended to be used by anybody other than someone who intentionally wanted to suffer from depression.  Think about it!  J.B.

[Troxy]

Yes, the patch I am talking about is Duragesic.  I am on 25mcg.

[cindi]

hmm  about the Ad....makes us wonder......and cell phones, computers,,,,I can remember what life was like with no microwaves,,,what the heck was a VCR.....we had 3 channels on the TV  that was it so when the president was on  we were screwed....

[Milo]

I remember when cable TV first came to town...boy, do I feel old!

[cindi]

I think you are younger than me so imagine how old I feel..LOL

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I can remember watching Bonanza and Gunsmoke before color T.V.!

We also had a "party line" telephone system in those days. Six other people could and did listen in to everyone's conversations because we were all on the same line. Talk about gossip! Yep, I'm dating myself here, LOL.  J.B.

[cindi]

WOW,,,,I don't remember black and white tv.  maybe I was still little  I was born in 1960....LOL  my neice and nephew had no idea President Reagan was shot...LOL

[cindi]

well, in about 40 hours I will be leaving....it has been 7 years since I have been on a vacation...I am already having anxiety over driving me and the kids through the mountains of w. virginia...take me home country roads was not on my top 10 list LOL  the Blue Ridge mountains are awesome and majestic to look at but not fall off of....last time i drove the mountains I had to pull over and doug had to drive....i freaked....he laughed at me...i was petrified...now it's just me and the kids following my sister to NC and my sister is not going to be much help if i freak...  that's why my dad is coming to NC to get us and take us to Florida  he is kinda still protective ...i need suggestions on how to get through the mountains...kerrie?  lea?  jenny?  angelica?  anyone who lives out this way?    california won't help..LOL  or maybe it will....you guys have mountains out there don't ya?   anyway  I have something to forwar to you guys   JB, and MILO  please send me your emails if you would and I can sedn you something that will really make you feel old...my addy is ***@****    lea, i don't have yours either....I have the rest...ok get ready for the count down   if i get a chance i will get on later and give you the exact hours and seconds  LOL  i'll bet you can't wait....I can feel your excitement...LOL    Love you all   cin

[jennyfla]

Thank you both for your support and for listening to me!
I'm back at work today, with my little one to watch (15-months old and full of fire)!!!
Cindi have a wonderful time down here in Florida.  Lots of T-storms lately, pretty much the norm!  Have fun with your dad and don't let your little sis get you down!
Milo, I'm glad someone understands how i feel about being so far from family, it hurts right down to bone sometimes.  I miss my younger sister so so so very much i can't stand it sometimes.  She's having a house built out in PA (Poconos) and would love for us to move up there too.  What do you do for work is the problem.
Take care both, and i'll try to get back on more soon, i have so much catching up to do in every part of my life.
Lv Jenny

[Milo]

Cindi -- OK, I'll come clean -- I was born in 1963. I don't have any mountain driving tips--sorry--but I'm sure someone will come up with some ideas. You'll have a great vacation, I know.
J.B. -- I remember "Gunsmoke" & "Bonanza" too. I was a real TV kid. When they cancelled "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Green Acres," etc., I remember thinking, oh no, what will I do now? :)
Jennyfla -- You've always got a cyber-ear here, my friend. I 'll probably need your ear soon!

[ssfr]

troxy- i cant explain it, but everytime someone has attempted to ask a legitimate question here about the duragisic patch- someone jumps in, disrupts the thread, and the whole conversation gets off track without anyone ever really addressing the situation- i have seen several questions posted here about the patch- but for what ever reason it never gets past the question phase-  i find that all very, very odd, when supposedly so many folks who post here have such difficulty in either going cold turkey, or weaning off of abusive drug use- the duragesic patch offers the opportunity to stop the mad merry go round with a heck of a lot less discomfort- not only does it help keep the physical symptoms in abeyance, but really goes a long way in helping break the physcological reasons that traps so many folks- it is my hope that this response wont be perceived as being rude to the many well- meaning posters here- but look, after all, troxy asked a legitimate question, and was almost totally ignored (except for cindy)-
troxy- my limited experience is that the patch will be of great help to you- and for anyone else looking for a way out of addiction- it certainly is worth a try- i hope some read this post and take it to heart, and if anyone else has any experience with the patch- can contribute their own results.

[susanlea]

I'm also on the patch, 25mg. I started the patch about 3 months ago for pain, and the fact that I got tired of my former boyfriend stealing my meds. He's an addict. The  only side effect I had was I was alittle neaueous the first few days. About day 6 the patch started working. My pain level is now  usually about a 1 or 2, verses 9 or 10. I find I  have constant relief with the patch. Oxy's and other meds were too slow for me. I can't  help you with the part about it helping with  the withdrawals. I'm sure someone else will respond. Good Luck.....Susan

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I used to get upset, too, when threads got hijacked. But it's never going to stop happening here or anywhere. I think that you hit the nail on the head about not having enough experience with the subject of the original post. Maybe none of us do, so it's hard to make comments or offer help. Just like the real world,eh?  If you like what we have to offer here...stick around awhile and see what happens next!  J.B.

[cindi]

I, like JB used to get upset when this would happen...but I don't think anyone here at least the people that I have had the pleasure of interacting with have or ever would have intentionally ignored someone in need of help...like JB said it probably is the inexperience or lack of knowledge re: a specific subject...sometimes we may even think a question is being directed to Dr. Steve only...I also know that sometimes when I am reading the posts I unintentionally overlook a comment or a person seeking advice etc..just the other day someone posted to me telling me that they left me a post under a different thread and asked that I go and read it...I just overlooked it....please don't be too upset about this subject...there are so many of us....we really do need to stick together  we need to be educated and educate the public about this disease we share, and we need to let other suffering addicts know that they are not alone....all of us,,,if we can share our experience, strength and hope and just help one person that through fate or divine intervention, woven into our lives, even  if it is for just one brief moment or even if it is via the internet then we can rest at night knowing we have touched one life..helped one person and perhaps saved a life.that of a mother's, daughter, father or son....and what a joy that feeling is... I say this only out of caring and concern for all on this board, all of the people that over the past 6 months I have come to know and love and I feel so honored to call my friends....Love to all    CindiFLA  LOL    (HI JENNYFLA)     I think I am at 34 hours to go   LOL

[Gina]

I'm glad your trip was wonderful! I am very close to my parents both emotionally and in proximity. They recently moved within 5 mins. of both my brother and myself. (They used to live 30 mins away) We are both thrilled to have them so close to us. The other side of the coin is they are aware of my addiction to painkillers. My brother began to notice my weightloss and told them that he thought I wasn't looking so good and acting strange so they approached me. I wasn't aware that I was acting strange and thought the weight loss looked good. You know the saying "It's the secret that everybody else knows but you" Here I thought it was my secret. I told them I wanted to try and quit on my own. They bought it and I knew it was a line but planned on getting better at hiding it. Then I got caught at work dipping into the med cabinet and got fired. They realized that I didn't quit and I went to intensive outpatient therapy. I refused to go inpatient. I was clean for about 3 mos and proceeded to go through the exact same thing again. Got caught at the new job etc. I feel bad that I have hurt them so badly. They have been so supportive and caring but they just don't understand and I can't expect them too. I don't have the reasons that others do--I have had a great childhood etc... I am now on methadone since Jan 2001 and I* go to a great clinic in an upscale neighborhood. It is about a 45 min drive but after my dose I am actually free since I don't think about using and feel great. This may be something you might consider. Give your parents a chance by letting them in on your secret, it may not actually be one. Once you tell them you will kind of be forcing yourself to take action to stop abusing. As long as it's a secret you can go along as you wish. You cannot do it alone--I'm sorry but that is a fact. Please take the steps you need to get clean. I tried to cut back to but it is a progressive disease, it only gets worse!!