How do I overcome hydrocodone addiction and still manage the excruciating pain?

[outofoptions1980]

Over 2 1/2 years ago I hurt my back and neurosurgeon put me on several meds including hydrocodone.  I have since had 2 back surgerys, several steroid shots in back, physical therapy, etc. and the pain is continually getting worse.  My dr. kept telling me it was normal to have to keep upping my dosage as my body became more tolerant of the medicine.  He started giving me double prescriptions of hydrocodone where I was getting 210 10mg. tablets a month.  I start with 2 10 mg. tablets and if that doesn't work within an hour I take 1 more.  I'm taking as many as 100-120 mgs a day now and the dr. I was using has left his practice and I was referred to another dr.  This new dr. would not give me refills on any of my medicine (hydrocodone, muscle relaxers, and arthritis medicine) as he said I have been on them for too long.  I agree I take way too much and need to stop but I don't know how to manage the pain.  I took just 1 hydrocodone about an hour ago and I am literally crying right now I am in so much pain.  I don't want to even think about trying oxycodone or percocet as I have heard they are even more addictive.  I have a 9 year old son, a 2 month old son, and a wonderful wife that I keep telling myself it is worth the constant suffering to be here with them but I'm beginning to wonder how much longer I can live with this with no improvement in sight.  Please help as I am extremely desperate and don't know what to do.  I have an appt with my family dr next week to discuss with him and go through round 3 of MRI's and CT scans.  

[joshin]

word to the redbull!!!!

[newgirl286]

I don't know if this will help but when I've had bad pain I've taken tylenol & motrin every 2 hours with pain.  Some say it actually helps better than pain meds but everyone is different.  You might be getting too much tylenol but you won't be addicted in the long run.  During detox you'll have worse pains than usual, it's your body playing tricks on you to get more pills.  Also hot baths are amazing but the first 3-4 days is the worst.  Some people say they spend the first few days in the bath...  Something to try and vitamins, o.j., green tea, salads, red bull and amino acids all really do help.  Good luck and stay strong mentally that is the hardest part...

[joshin]

I have been on pain meds for years.  Thats kind of crazy that you got cut off cold turkey.  Anyways, I force myself to go through withdrawals 3 to 4 times a year.  Its hell but doable. watch a lot of tv and try to keep you self busy.  For me the worst is over by about day 3 or 4 and slowly get better. I emphasize "slowly"  For me, I take it as a challenge in life.  Can I deal with full time school, work, fiance, while going through severe back pain and withdrawals.  One of the hardest parts is knowing at all times where the bathroom is for all the fun stuff that comes with w/d.  By day three I usually have nothing left in me to come out and have to remember to keep myself hydrated and to eat healthy.It is easy to become dehydrated, don't fall into that trap as it can become dangerous. Play with your kids non-stop or do housework.  It will hurt like hell and you may feel like curling up into a ball and hiding, but stay busy.  Drive around town or go for a walk.  Time will pass by and it will get better.  Trust me. I've done it like 8 or nine times.  Mind over matter!

[worried878]

i see that ur new doctor is not even refilling ur anti-inflamatories not ur muscle relaxers..that is strange and perhaps a new doctor would be in order..percocets are only a tad stronger than hydro/and the half life is basically the same as they r also short acting...keep posting and be safe..i feel for u as chronic pain is absolutely no fun at all  ):

[worried878]

I know it is hard to believe but the narcotics can actually make u hurt even more than u would..often after people quit they have less pain then when on the pills....also hydros as a rule contain large amounts of tylenol..for example, lortabs contain 500 mgs of tylenol per pill..so 10-12 pills would be well exceeding the 4000 mg max daily dose of tylenol/which in turn causes liver damage...a longer acting narcotic may have worked better as hydro has a very short half life...making u have to take it every 4 hours or so...these days it is very hard to find a doctor who will oprescribe narcotics long term..they r very leery of it and are investigated at times..narcotics were not really designed for long term use due to the tolerence they cause
I have degenerative disc disease and was facing this same thing..my dose of hydro kept climbing and it became increasingly difficult to get the amount i needed from doctors..i was in the same amount or possibly less pain after i quit than while i used them..chirporactic, ice, heat, massage, yoga, and safer meds like nuerontin, muscle relaxers and ibuprofen all helped...many can not tolerate elavil but it helped me sleep in spite of being uncomfortable...or u can look for a doctor who will prescribe u a long acting narcotic...is wd a problem when u quit?  I would think at that dose it would be...also there is a pain forum here who may be able to help u more