Arthritis pain

[sharonver]

As I am trying to taper from methadone, I recently discovered that my lyme arthritis pain is coming back full form!  The meth has been masking it all of these years. My dilema now is should I continue the taper & detox and finish it and try to maintain on another med for the pain.

Sharon

[J. E. W.]

Go down to bottom threads there are 2 desperate people posting. They need advice from someone who has been there.                thanks.  J.E.W.

[J. E. W.]

Theres one under hippee,open forum 11/05/02,and one is last thread at bottom.                   J.E.W.

[Nod]

I understand arthritis pain.  I'm 38 and have arthitic disease called anklosing spondylitis - even sounds scary.  Basically my spine, hips, shoulder are trying to fuse together into one solid boney mass.  When its rearing it ugly head I'm basically a cripple.  When its in remission I'm great and can do whatever I want.   Anyway, are you taking any NSAID's? (Non steroidal anti inflam) Finding the right one for you can do wonders to help control the arthitis pain and keep you active which is key with arthritis.  There are several other new dugs (non opiate) that can give you relief.  If you haven't seen a rhuemetologist, try and see one if you can.

I have found that fight my disease is 90% mental attitude. I simply refuse to give in and let it win.  Your not alone with the pain, I certainly understand.  Take care.  Nod

[liquidgal]

Today is my last day on BUP - 1mg.

It has been 3 weeks & 4 days since my last methadone dose.

I wanted to let you know

I am thinking of you.

I think of all of you - hey? how did Anthony go? can't see a post from him recently.

Please wish me luck & any prayer senders feel free to send a prayer my way.

My warmth & care to you all. Liquid.

[suzieneedshelp]

Bungee/ Anthony is doing great!  He has gone off all meds.. and is on about his day 8 i think!  He is doin awesome!  Had some real craving struggles though as we all do!
Peace to ya liquid gal,
Suzie

[Thomas03]

I had a pez dispenser made to fit my special candy-coated Lortab 10's. Mmmmmmm, Boysenberry!


Thomas

[Thomas03]

I'd return to NA if I knew that girl with the serpent tatoo would be there. Mmmmmm, Boysenberry ...

"I'm ready for the 13th Step, Master Yoda!"

Thomas

[suzieneedshelp]

May the force be with you dear man!
Suzie

[Rex1]

Dare I say that there is still hope for you, Thomas?

you seem to be resigned to some sort of fate with the opiates, or maybe I am just reading that wrong.

Thanks for being here for us, and if the above is true we would love to return the favor...

BTW, have you heard or spoken with BodyMechanic?

Rex

[hellbent]

Personally, I don't give a **** what they say. I did OC's for 4 years, steadily, and took 10 OC 80's a day for the last year and a half, and also took 2-15 mgs klonopin, for the last 8 or so months. I had been hooked on Vikes and Percs before that for years.

If I'd read that little, incomplete passage you posted when I was in the throes of withdrawal, I might have given up, as you apparently have.

The truth for me was that my brain didn't work for awhile, several months. It might still not be all the way back, but it's getting better all the time. Every day I am getting better, stronger, sharper, growing, finding out who I am. I did nothing special. Recovery is WORK. Gaining new habits, changing the way you think and react, giving up selfishness and old ideas. It takes faith. I had to believe that if I just didn't use one day at a time, and threw myself, 100%, into changing for the better, things would get better. They have, and they continue to. I'm actually getting to the point where I am happy I did what I did: the pain I put myself through was apparently what my sould needed in order to truly change.

I can always choose to convince myself that I have damaged myself physically beyond repair that I might as well use, as I am a hopeless drunk and addict and have been since an early age. I can also choose to believe that I can overcome my addiction and actually add something to the world. The second choice has to be made daily, and it's much, much harder than the first choice, and the rewards are exponentially better as well.

[Nod]

That is some good, powerful stuff you just wrote.  Something most,if not all of us, would benefit to read everyday when we get up. Thanks
Nod

[hyjack]

I don't know your full story, but the depression that you are relating here is normal.

Depression is one of the major "post" withdrawal symptoms and can last a long time.

I would certainly give Thomas' recipe a try (especially the L-tyrosine).  Your brain cannot produce natural endorphines yet because they have been blocked by opiates.  The body must be trained to start producing them again by heavy exercising, etc.  The endorphines are the chemical that gives us a sense of well being.  There are some people, of course, that do have chemical imbalances in their every day life.  But for addicts, it's very possible that this is what you are experiencing.  It's definitely not a fun time, and you feel like your world is crashing in on you.

It's important to seek some type of support.  No matter what it is, you definitely need it right now.  As long as you know what is causing it, hopefully you will be able to put things into perspective.

We will all be here for you, and many have been through this same thing.

[J. E. W.]

In time our bodies will repair there selves.Normal is not the same to any one person... God created us each with our own so called normal.. We can all get through this time in our lives..Some faster than others some slower than others.. But we can all get through it.And be better of than we were before.. We will always have the mind of an addict and can never forget that but we are much better off learning from our experiances.The road ahead is not an easy one but we CAN DO IT.. Thanks to everyone for all the knowledge, wisdom,andlaughs.. You have helped me a great deal more than youll ever realize..   God Bless...           J.E.W.

[hippy]

it is good to see people getting better.
it is also good to see people keeping
things light and joking a litle now and then.
the principle of acceptance is a important tool
in recovery, part of practicing that principle is accepting
life on lifes terms, accepting the truth about our selves.
and acceppting other's were they are and respecting them.
anger, resentment, jealousy, are acids that desroy
the jar that holds them.
for those of in the 12 step programs, surrender and acceptance
are two of the main principles in the first step.
the 12 step program is a program of attraction
and we attract people by our example.

peace !!!!!!!!!hippy---------ps.  try to be nice

[FINISHED!!]

Sharon,
As we spoke before, I told you that I think you will probably need a med or 2 to maintain a pain-free life. I still believe this & agree with your statement in regards to getting off of the meth all together & finding another med that works for you. Keep up the good work Girl!!! You're doing GREAT!!

FINISHED!!

[sharonver]

Thanks J.D....

I'm working on it...  How are you feeling? I hope you are able to get some relief with your pain, I can't even begin to imagine how much pain you must be in!!  I can't even think of a rod inserted in my foot or leg!  I say a prayer each nite for you and all of the others that I have met here to be pain free. Hang in there, we are with you always...

Sharon

[sharonver]

Hey guys,

Have you noticed that the forum is letting us post a lot more new questions lately??  It used to be very difficult to post one. Lately it seems a lot easier. Not so frustrating. Hate to post a new one in the middle of another thread, but sometimes we have no choice.

Sharon

[FINISHED!!]

Thanks...but as bad as 1 rod sounds...I have 2!!! Along with a new plate, pin & a handful of screws...& a broken wrist!!! The pain IS bad but not to the point where I'll be popping pills like Pez. (I love Pez) Thanks for the prayers. They're my favorite narcotic. You, Rex, Suz, MrsRat, Tee & so much more are my pushers. Thanks for the ULTIMATE HIGH!!!

FINISHED!!

[Erika_Ann]

Hi---- Its Erika. I have rheumatoid arthritis now for 20 years. Im a 31 y/o female who has had the hardest time dealing with what you are dealing with. Its not easy. Everytime I get pain med I just want to take it to make the arthritis go away. I can relate to you and have been hoping to meet someone with the same disease to talk to. If you ever ever ever need me Im here. Your a strong lady from what I have read from your posts and would love to talk to you. Im thinking of you. Hope your okay......
Erika

[Blackbelt]

God love you people, especially, the clean ones ,like the number guy, a1234 or whatever who take the time and effort to help us fight the W/DS and give us hope.
   It's like an NA meeting without all the smoke. Sorry smokers.
      B'Belt

[Erika_Ann]

you couldnt have said it better. You made me smile!  :) Have a good day. You always have wise things to say.  I enjoy reading your posts!  :)   Erika

[theGolden1]

This board needs major help! I don't like breaking into someone elses thread .... no matter what time day or night I try .... they will not accept my questions. It really stinks ... please email me with "instructions" ... ***@****

[FINISHED!!]

THANK YOU GOLDIE...I thought it was just me & my lack of computer savy. I'd try to post a question & get a message saying that the limits been filled for the day. Then 20 minutes later, somebody else has posted a new question.

FINISHED!!

[Blackbelt]

Thanks Erika--I'm not M.D but like most here could probably pass the pharmacy(sorry RX) It seems to me you may have to be on meds a long time. God made these things for our use not for our enjoyment. If you truly take it for pain and feel a little joy with it . Then God bless . Just don't abuse as most of us have and above all things DO NOT FEEL GUILT over taking what you need under the care of a caring physician. I'd rather be addicted to pills than addicted to pain. Now don't one of you pillheads use that to rationalize your abuse. I've used it up.God bless and thanks for enjoying the wisdom I've gained thru suffering.This has been therapy for me so People that don't like my posts-be kind.
  Love,
  B'Belt

[hippy]

i suffer from arthritis , it can be painfull at times.
i am 42 and this 10 and 20 degree weather hear in the east
is killing me.my knees are the worst. in the mean time
i do normal things like stretch, take motrin. use ice.
some times it just the act of doing something rather  than
sitting around doing nothing, i hope this artic weather let up.

peace   hippy

[bigmistake]

I am wigging out.  tHis isn't working for me.  How can ANYONE function while trying to get this stuff out of their lives.  Besides the fact that my back/hip problem is still causing physical pain...I am completely useless without pk.  I can't do anything.  I am tired, I can't think straight, i'm soooo depressed.  I can't leave the house.

[Rex1]

I couldnt function when I was gtting off the Vicodin, so I didn't. I took time off work and did it combined with a lot of leisure and hot tubs.

I realize that this may not be possible for everyone, or for you. My point is, imo, put every other activity on hold until you have at least 5 days of CT under your belt, if possible.

Are you using the thomas recipe?

Rex

[suzieneedshelp]

Did u tell us yur story?  Ho w much, wut did u use?  I'm sorry if i missed it.  R u clean now?  If so.. congrats!  R u using Thomas recipe?
Thx..sorry for all my questions!
Suzie

[bigmistake]

I'm not clean, I just can't find any today and I'm SO SICK of depending on these things.  I take care of myself completely.  I put myself thru college, I live on my own, and now everything is going to **** and i can't get myself into work, I'm running out of savings.  i'm a goddamn mess now and it is ALL BECAUSE OF PK.  I can't go thru the two weeks of not having any because I CAN'T function and I am suicidal and I can't put my life on hold for that long.  

I am crying so hard right now.  I want to talk to my boyfriend (he knows what's going on) but I feel like a little baby and he can't possibly understand what I'm dealing with.  I don't know what to do but I'm having a break down.

[Rex1]

You need to call a doctor or family memeber you trust like right now, and level with them. Can you do that?

The thoughts you are having are driven by the medicine and if you think about that, you will find that Im right.

It sounds like, before the pills, life was OK. Even so, the pills likey wacked out your emotions and now they are on the edge!

One of the turning points for me, was admitting to friends and family, and my dr that I was dependent. They then help me put a plan to together. Once you have a plan, then there's hope.

WIll pray for you...

Rex

[hippy]

the pills mess with your emotions when you run out of
pills, you cry at the drop of a hat.
take it easy you are in the right place , keep posting and try to read all the post you can. try to get a begining,some sort of plan.
life will be all right , try not to pay attention to your self , keep a journal on what is happening and what you want to do and where you want to be in the future.

we all here at the fourm have been where you are and it is scary.
getting more information on what is happening will be a big help and a good beggining
peace!!!!!!!!! hippy

[hellbent]

I don't know how you feel about 12 step meetings, and I certainly not trying to push them on you, but consider going to an AA or an NA meeting today, raising your hand and asking for help. You might be amazed at what you end up getting out of it, hard as it seems.

[Thomas03]

FYI for those interested:

Pasted from the PBS web site ... helps explain addiction and the effects of drugs on the brain.

"Crossing the Line to Addiction: How and When Does It Happen?
  
  "No one becomes addicted the first time they try a drug," says George Koob, M.D., a professor in the neuropharmacology department at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Although there are some cases where a person's reaction to first use is so positive that they immediately begin to abuse a drug, Koob says most addiction has a subtler start. It usually doesn't take place until the person has been using chronically. The person has become an addict when his or her brain has literally been changed by this chronic use of the drug.

Many substances and activities, from food to sex, exert control over human behavior by motivating us to indulge in them. But addictive drugs, such as alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and heroin, can affect the structure and function of the brain -- and hence our motivations -- in long-lasting ways. They can actually alter and "usurp," in one scientist's term, the "circuits" in the brain that are involved in the control of emotions and motivation, impairing an addicted person's will. "What addiction really is, is a result of brain changes that over time get translated into behavior changes," says National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) director Alan Leshner, Ph.D.

If a person uses drugs, at a high enough dose, frequently enough and for a long period of time, these drugs change the way the brain works. "You change the way nerve cells communicate in such a way that you develop this compulsive, out-of-control use despite knowing that all kinds of terrible things can happen to you, and despite even experiencing many of those things," says National Institute of Mental Health director Steven Hyman, M.D.

Studies using new technologies show the precise effects of drugs on the brain. "In many cases, we can actually see changes in the structure of synapses and in the shapes of [brain] cells," says Hyman. A NIDA study released in 1996 provided the first direct evidence that chronic use of opiates (such as morphine and heroin) is linked with structural changes in the size and shape of specific neurons. Researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine found that rats chronically given morphine experienced marked structural changes in critical brain "circuits." Other NIDA studies have shown that altered brain circuits could be responsible for the major differences in brain functioning between an occasional cocaine user and a cocaine addict."


Thomas

[Thomas03]

I take it by your reply that I am NOT invited to your birthday party?

Thomas

[Thomas03]

Hi Rex, always a pleasure to hear from you. To answer your question, of course there is hope for me -- just depends on what you're hoping for.

And, no, I haven't heard from Bodymechanic. Last I knew, he was doing well on the buprenorphin. I'll let you know if I hear from him.

I hope you are well, my friend.

Thomas

[suzieneedshelp]

Plz e-mail me right now... i need to talk to you!
Thx,
Suzie

[theGolden1]

Don't forget "humility" .... "Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings"(step 7). I do think we are selling ourselves short if we don't realize the true potential we have for healing. I don't think Thomas really meant to suggest that an addict is "hopeless". The brain connections have been altered .... they will change back. Period. The twelve step program is awesome. It's the spiritual connection. It's hard to place principles above personalities and just let it work on you, but I have seen some miracles over the years. There were people that I never thought would get straight ....and they did it through the program. I can only say good things about it .... Ive been in AA OA NA Alanon, Naranon and I'm on my way to GA next. (The stock market has been kicking my butt) ha ha .... Goldie

[hellbent]

Thomas, you can come to any party I throw. This isn't personal.

Hippy, there is a time to be nice, and there is a time to go with your instincts and say what you think. Sharing experience, strength and hope takes on a different form for everyone. When a practising addict says something that might discourage another from getting clean, I feel compelled to give the other side.

Golden, thanks for mentioning humility. It's essential. I know the odds aren't good for me staying clean, especially if I think I have done it myself and am running the show. I didn't and I am not. It is a state of grace, and I can lose it real quick. I try not to mention god or get too deep into recovery priciples on this board, but your points are well taken.

[theGolden1]

I wasn't talking about you .... it's hard for me to understand how a person can sit through an a  meeting and NOT feel the spirit. Another word for humble is "teachable" ... (believe me I work on this every day) Today I am down to 2 and 3/4 (or 175mil)
of ultram. My hands hurt and I have a headache, but with God's help, I will keep on going ... Goldie

[suzieneedshelp]

Where r uuuuuuuuuuuu??  Miss your strong tender support!
Suzie

[J. E. W.]

What happened to everyone..I miss all the words of encouragement to each other. Day 15 for me. And its getting better everyday. Im actualy thinking in days now instead of mins. or hours!!!!!!! Isnt life grand??? Take care all!!  Youre all in my prayers..  God Bless All...     J.E.W.

[Rex1]

This virus that went around the internet slowed some people down last night I think.

15 days is awesome!!!

Rex

[hippy]

well its super bowl sunday,
i keep hearing there are a 1000 more deaths on the
road after a super bowl,then any other day of the year.
i know the qb from oakland rich gannon his father is my parents
lawyer for 35 years , it more like my moms lawyer and my dads
freind. rich went  to st joes prep here in philly, i went there for a year, jesuit school.

i think the bucs can win but oakland probly will

[ben dare]

I know exactly how you feel.  I have been drug free since Nov 1, 2002.  I was severly depressed after detoxing.  I would say to you , don't expect to feel some what normal for 6 weeks or so.don't try to do anything but nurse yourself to good health.  It is Ok to stay cooped up for the time being while you are going through this hell.  It will pass.  I was extremely hopeless for about 4 weeks, but now I am hopeful and am so grateful I do not have this albatross on my back.  If you can find an addictionoligist, it would help you.  If you are from Massachusetts I could tell you the name of one.  Hang in there...it will pass.

[ben dare]

Good for you.  Your message was inspiring.  I am clean since Nov 1, 2002.  I went through hell but am coming out the other way, like you.  It can be done, slowly but surely.

[sharonver]

Erika,hippee, Nod-

Thanks for the advise and support on arthritis. Some days are worse than others. It isn't rheumatoid arthritis, it is Lyme arthritis caused from when I had lyme disease.  A lot of doctors don't know that much yet on lyme. So they keep telling me!  We had one specialist on Lyme in the area, he moved away before I had a chance to see him. I don't want to go on a steroid med.  When I go to my app't with the bup doctor when ever he calls me!, I will talk to him regarding this and I will then go to my family doctor.  So hopefully between the two doctors something good will come of it.

Liquid-
Can you email me?  I would like to know how you are doing with the bup!  ***@****

Sharon

[sharonver]

I have found that you have to keep trying to post...  It will say they are not accepting anymore questions for that day, but I keep trying anyways and eventually my question is accepted.  So don't stop trying if it says that.  Some days are easier than others.  But I have had good luck with it, I'm persistent.

Hope this helps...

Sharon

[Rex1]

Truly hope you are feeling better soon, Sharon.

Rex

[sharonver]

Good morning Rex,

Thanks for that message, it started out my morning on a good note!  I am hanging in there.  The detox is at hold and I am not feeling too bad with that, my arthritis on the other hand does get bad on some days. I am sure that this bitter cold front (in Northeast CT) is helping this. I am off to sunny Florida next week so the warm weather will make me feel better I am sure. I hope you are doing great, I think of you often and always wish you the best of health.

Sharon