Addicts and Pain/Solution Needed

[crankykelly]

What are people in recovery supposed to do when in severe pain?  And cannot take nsaids because of surgery in less than two weeks?  Been sober since 02 and dont want to jeapordize recovery however i cannot continue being a martyr for pain??  Any suggestions??

[crankykelly]

Thanks for your advice.  I was banking on taking alleve after surgery because I know from past that it works great for me.  Then the surgeon tells me due to excessive blood loss during surgery I cannot take nsaids for two more weeks(couldnt take for two before either)!!  So that really left me out there with only tylenol to use to help pain.  And that did not work.  I am through the worst of it now, and am grateful for that.  I had to find things to be grateful for during the worst of it because it was bad, real bad.  But its not now, so focus on that.  it just made me mad because I took so many steps prior to surgery to make sure this didnt happen and bam! it did.  Thanks to all for feedback and support.  It helps!  I will not have another operation if this is what I have to deal with.  I had all the safeguards in place, not even having my husband hold the meds if I would have gotten them, it was going to be someone else who would bring them to me when i was supposed to take them.  I know that we are not supposed to hide our past, our addiction, and I usually never feel like I have to.  My attitude is "I did it, I am not proud of it, but I dont do it anymore so if YOU cant deal with that then YOU dont have to deal with me.  I rest my head just fine at night and I am the one with the history."  I thought Doctors ofall people would have known how to deal with this better.  Oh well , lesson learned, I have discovered I am stronger than I gave myself credit for as far as my pain threshold is concerned, and i have great people who love me and will help me any way they can, even if its just letting me *****!!

Going to continue search for new pain mngt doctorafter holidays, I found one on a thread similar to this but they want a  referral fee through paypal before you get appt.  Anyone ever hear of anything like this?  I dont mind paying, but dont want to get ripped off?  Feedback please???  

[Jaybay]

You WERE treated inhumanely.  Stories like yours make me so angry I could just spit!  No good deed goes unpunished, does it?  :-/

Can you at least take some nsaids now that the surgery is done?  In my personal experience, Aleve (naproxen) did a better job with bone pain than narcotics.  You also might ask your doctor about Celebrex or another Cox-II inhibitor.

You've got a good plan in searching for another pain management doctor.  Certainly when surgery is concerned, narcotics should not be withheld automatically for someone with an addiction history.  As vicki and LMNO mentioned, the idea is to have someone else be responsible for dosing it out correctly.  As long as you don't have the ability to self-medicate and have some kind of mental support at the ready in case those relapse thoughts cross your mind, you should be fine.  Stand up for yourself and have your pain management strategy sorted out BEFORE your next surgery so you don't get the rug jerked out from under you again.

[Punkinhead75]

Hmmmm,  that's a new one for me too.  Working that "middle of the road "area can be tough at times.  Although you have to deal with the pain at least you don't have to deal with the meds and their side effects.  Who knows, maybe the doctor did the right thing?!  I am looking at a possible spinal fusion next year and I'm not really sure what I'm going to do.  I will be honest about my addiction because that is what I have been taught to do.  As far as the outcome of doing that and my attitude toward it I have no idea.  LOL!  Anyway, I'm glad ya got throught the surgery ok.  Try to find something to be grateful for and focus on that.  That seems to help me get through painful times.  Take care and God Bless!!

[crankykelly]

I had the surgery thursday, so 5days post op at this point with no narcotic pain med.  I will not do this again.  The surgeon said "since i disclosed my history to her" she could not by law prescribe me pain meds?  Hello lady, its not like I was calling a week later asking for more.  She didnt end up doing everything, septum still not fixed but had such a large overgrowth of bone totally blocking left and partially blocking right sides that she said i will find relief just having that gone. 4 1/2 hour operation. Tubes were removed yesterday and today my head like a band across my nose eyeballs forehead and around throbs.  Now I feel like since i have told the truth, and when i have to have another surgery I will not be treated fairly.  I am looking for another pain mngt doctor, one who will not treat my like a current drug user.  It taught me a lesson though to teach my teenage daughter, choices we make no matter how long ago, the consequences can and will follow us.  I made it through, but really feel like i was treated INHUMANELY  Unfairly  ALL BECAUSE I TOLD THE TRUTH???????????????  uugghh

[Punkinhead75]

Hi cranky,

By now you've probably had the surgery and I hope things are going well.  IT certainly sounds like you have a lot going on. I can identify with the back pain.  I have a vertabrea out of whack and may need a fusion.  I won't know until I get done with the conservative therapy first.  There are plenty of days, seems like more than less lately, where I have numbness and burning in my legs and feet.  I do a lot of stretching, exercise ice and ibuprofen or tylenol.  I try not to take anything more than that however my neighbor does keep muscle relaxers in case I need them.  Sometimes I don't even bother because she's a pain in the butt about it   Being pissed and grateful at the same time is a funny feeling.  LOL!!!   I try to keep it turned over.  I regularly talk to my sponsor and other folks as needed.  I also try to keep a balance between staying active and getting rest.  Maintaining a good attitude and helping others seems to lessen the pain.  Especially the pain caused between my ears.  Good luck and God Bless!!!

[el_em_en_oh]

Addict with chronic-pain & chronic kidney-stones speaking, so I know exactly where you're coming from Brother. As those above have said, I'll say the same... make sure YOU are not accountable for your own medication. Get someone else to distribute them to you 'as needed'.

None of us was meant to suffer, not even us addicts! I feel your pain Bro.

[crankykelly]

I have chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis, which i am getting operated on almost a whole facial reconstruction since its in my jaws and sinus bones on Dec 9th.  It was a missed diagnosis so it got worse than it should have.  I also have numerous back issues, muscular issues, carpel tunnel, arthritis, you name it, body breaking down.  But I try to remain grateful ,it could be worse!!  I actually feel not so bad today, and forced myself to accomplish some things yesterday so that helps.  I might even go swimming tonight to help with the aches and pains, we will see, no promises.  i took a muscle relaxer yesterday and used heating pads on my backs legs everywhere it hurt had one wrapped around my face  my kids were cracking up!  Thank you for your response.  I feel like doctors get mad if you dont tell them, so I do tell them the whole truth then they dont want to deal with the complex issue of addiction in someones history.  I will get through this, 11 days till surgery, I wish it was done and over with.  Anyone struggling through this disease, addiction, do not let it beat you again, do what you know to do, talk about it, then talk about, then ask questions, and then talk some more!!!!!

[onthefence]

I have used this reason for a very long time to self medicate (physical & emotional pain) I have metal from surgury, as do many many others that have had unfortunate experiences, I am not sure what I am going to do, I was thinking of trying accupuncture, .
I just know I cannot keeep usin the opiates as they have turned on me!
and i am to old and to much of a wimp to become a full on junkie.
I WILL work thru the pain. but thats just me and i understand everyones pain is different some much worse than mine,   i really feel for them!  
I dont really want to count days so much as it makes me think about it but am proud to be on day 5 .
good luck with your struggle I hope you can feel less pain and have peace.

[dominosarah]

Vicki gave you good advice.  Hope everything turns out good~~~~sara

Congrats on all the clean time!!

[vicki595]

Hey!!  You don't have to suffer,ever!!  You've been clean for 8 years so it's apparent you're very serious about your recovery.   Here's what you do:  Put all safeguards in place.  Have someone else hold your Rx and give them to you as needed and as prescribed. Don't try to take less than required. You need to have the post op pain managed.  Have someone else pick up your prescription and handle all refills.  You have to cover your pain though. There's no need to suffer!

Good luck!

[Punkinhead75]

Hi cranky.  What is causing the pain?