How should I handle this problem with Oxycontin?

[AS_Steve]

  I'm 40yrs old and live with a painful form of Arthritis that attacks the spine. I've used Oxycontin for the past 10yrs to help with pain but in the last couple of years I had to give up my job as a mechanic (on disability now), been through a divorce, lost my house and don't see my kids as often as I would like along with many other life problems which caused me to over-use and abuse the Oxy's to the point where I now take about 7-8 40mg pills a day, crushing every one of them which at one time eased my life but now I've realised that I should'nt have done it.
  I'm trying to cut down on them but it has been hard to hold myself to it especially since I have days where I'm in alot of pain. My question is should I be aiming to cut back to the point where I really need the pain relief or should I talk to my doc about getting on something else for pain? After 20yrs of opiates I really don't remember what life without them is like, all I know is that my whole life is controlled by pills and I hate it. Would my life really be better without them and if so how else can I control my pain? Should I just aim to take them responsibly as needed?

  I'm really confused and don't know what to do,

  Steve.

[AS_Steve]

By the way I'm new here so hello to all. I must say, after reading what alot of you have gone through (and still going through), it scared me and made me realise how big a problem addiction really is. I don't drink nor do any other drugs so it's not like me to live this way.

  Steve

[cathy5841]

welcome to the forum steve.  i think if you could get completely off the oxys for a period of time you would find the pain is not as bad as you think.  many here will tell you once they got off the pain was bearable.  our minds do strange things to make us use.  and use more and more.  i snorted oxy for a long time 160-240 mgs a day.  i quit c/t and things couldnt be better.  just think about it.  thats my 2cents.
cathy

[malenurse57]

Welcome and boy do I understand the arthritis problem. I am still at a loss for pain control, but I do know that without a doubt you have a problem.  I agree with the previous post see a pain mngmt spec. be honest about your problem and go from there.

[road2recovery]

Hello steve and welcome...i am very sorry for your pain.and all of your losses....not sure how much of that has to do with the pill use???

i agree that u need to stop crushing them, 10 yrs is a long time to be on pain meds, so i am sure this is not going to be easy..BUT very much possible..
I agree that pain pills make our brains think that there is more pain that really is there..At least this holds true for me...I can take advil, and my back, is doable.....
Maybe you would be a good candidate for sub?
others will have great advice, just hang in there, and welcome to our forum family!!
it has saved my life, and i think it will yours too!!
God bless
r2r

[broknbck]

After 10 years are you sure it is still working for the pain?

Anyway sorry that you are in so much pain. I use to be too. Several back injuries and of course then arthitis sets in too. There are no good drugs available for pain.

I lived in the MidWest where humidity is higher. and real cold winters. So i moved to Arizona and the humidity is like 10 percent. And my back no longer hurts everyday. It did hurt for a few days after getting off the pills, but i think my brain was just playing tricks on me. This was a last resort for me, moving. But thank God, it worked. My family and kids,*(they are grown) understood completely.

Sorry, i cannot offer you anything else. Hope you are feeling better

[AS_Steve]

Thanks to all for the welcome and the replies to my post. These Oxy's sure can creep up on you and make you an addict without you even realising it till you're there. I honestly don't think that I'm as focused as I should be because of the pills and because I want to enjoy watching my kids grow I feel that I need to make a change even if it's to know for sure if life is better without opiates. If I knew for sure that it was and that I'd enjoy being with my kids (and they enjoy their dad) by not having any Oxy in my system at all, I would quit ct right now.

  Thing is that people who know me (including my doc) know that I have alot of pain and say that I should'nt stop using pain meds. So do I aim to take them as needed for my pain? Is it even possible or will I always have a problem with abusing them when I'm feeling down? Is there even a justification for taking these meds if you're not (chronically ill) near death? Part of me thinks that I could be a totally different person (happy and in control of my life) if I was never on this drug.

  Steve

[Rose703]

Hi and welcome to the forum!! I'm an Oxy addict and I have 40 days clean from using about 8 Oxy's per day and I crushed and snorted them too. I have legitamite pain issues as well and it has been so very difficult to come to terms with my pain issues without using some type of pain med but I have managed to do it. The only way that I was able to get clean was to quit cold turkey, but perhaps you could wean yourself down if you know that you're strong enought to do it that way.
The physical w/d's last about 7 days and your pain levels will go way up during this period because your body has become dependent on the pills and doesn't make the proper pain endorphins. It takes alot more time for your body to adjust without the pills but it can be done. I'm much better than I was but I'm looking forward to even better times with my pain issues. I take some of the vitamins listed in the Thomas Recipe on the right side of the screen you can read about it. Keep posting and let us know how you're doing.

[lonelyinCA]

Welcome.  I've mentioned this (to others) several times today because I'm not sure if everyone has a look at the Vitamin list.  There's a product called DLPA.  You can read about it here: http://www.r****.com/dlpa.html

From that artical:

DLPA has been found to be most useful for chronic pain and depression. It has also helped with symptoms of PMS, and even cut down on inflammation. Chronic pain might include back pain, arthritis, pain due to diseases such as cancer, and, of course, headache.

Another great article about the power of Vitamin C and DLPA for managing pain: http://www.****.com/pain.html

In that article it states that DLPA is pricey - but you can find it online for $20 (300 count).

Stick around. You're in the right place for help/support.

[broknbck]

I think just about everyone on here will agree that once you are dependant it's pretty much a joke to think that you will and can only take them when you are in pain.

Problem is once you become addicted, no matter what is going on with your body, your brain is going to tell you that you are in pain. Just so you will give it some of the drugs it has become dependant on. That is why alot of people say that after they got off the drugs that their pain wasn't as bad as before.

As far as what docs and people are telling you, ha, you are a big boy and can make your own decisions, right? They probably don't realize how much of a slave or prisoner you feel like when youre addicted.

[AS_Steve]

  You're right in that the people around me (except one) don't know how bad I am with these pills and that's what shocks me. I see it as a BIG problem that is very noticeable but they don't (or do and just don't really care enough about me to say anything) and sometimes I wish someone would tell me that I have a problem. I know I'm being mean to those around me but the truth is that I feel like since my divorce two years ago they just think that it's my way to cope with things (and they might be right) but it makes it even harder to deal with a problem that only I see.

  After saying all of this I'm begining to think that the Oxy's are'nt my biggest problem.

  Steve.

[broknbck]

Hey,
I missed the part about your kids.

What a good opportunity to teach them about the risks of taking these perscriptions that doctors are handing out so freely. (of course not in your case)

You have nothing to be ashamed of. How old are your kids?

When i realized i was addicted, i told all my kids (all in their 20's) and my family about it. I had been getting them from doctors, and also other places. Explained to them how bad the withdrawl was and to be sooo, so careful if they were to ever have to take them. They helped me while i was tappering or sometimes going without and I'm sure they all have the low down on how dangerous they can be now.

Driving in the car with my sons and them having to find a bathroom immeadiately for me. Watching me try to relax and get warm laying on the couch for hours. Sick to my stomache, can't eat anything, ecttt. When it was all over and done they had a new respect for me and were very proud.

If nothing else, from all this mess at least they got educated on it and hopefully will never fall into either.

[road2recovery]

I agree with u...Maybe a counsouler can help you deal with some of the things you have been through...Most of us try to numb the emotional pain by taking pills...So we just don't feel the pain, or heartach....But i think at some point we need to, and that is the only way to move on...i do not think that you are any different then any of us on the forum...We all have a story...it may not be the same one, but it seems the end result is always the same...We loss everything and everyone we love to these poison pills....

Many here start with pain, and then the pills just take over in every way....Although only we know how bad our real physical pain is, it is hard to say if you get off of everything where you pain will be on a scale of 1 to 10...But u may be surprised to find out there are other meds that are non narcotic that can help alot...

My Doc was lortabs so i have no idea about oxy....But maybe if you can taper that would be best...If u had someone to hold them and give them to u as directed that would help???
again i am sorry for you pain...
r2r

[AS_Steve]

  Another thing is that my 13yr old daughter and 11yr old son are both learning about drugs in school and I feel as if they will be more aware of my problem with pain pills if they have'nt already.

  Steve.

[worried878]

DLPA or phenylalanine is an amino acid that is a natural pain reliever...there are lots more vitamins, meds and supps out there that can help that do not control your life in the process...i am also a chronic pain patient and narcotics are not a good alternative for me due to the tolerence...they were originally intended for acute pain and not long use...it is a trap that is easy to get in to...if ur doctor knew u were crushing them...i am not sure he would agree with u continuing to use narcotics for pain relief...if u can do one thing today...quit crushing them...it is a start....not everyone becomes an addict but crushing, chewing, snorting, and taking more than ur prescribed dose or using recreationally are signs of addictive behavior and needs to be addressed....keep posting and there is alot of support here

[broknbck]

Is this a bad thing if they are aware of it?

They are probably learning about well known drugs to stay away from like crack, meth, pot, heroin.   hmmm heroin- do they know that the same ingredient in heroin is in the perscriptions your doctors give you?

I honestly had no idea myself. If a doctor would of asked me if I wanted a script for heroin i would of laughed. of course not. but took the vicodins not knowing that an opiate is an opiate. ha

Sounds like you are getting down to the nitty-gritty. There are always other reasons we all use the drugs besides pain. That will totally have to be dealt with if you want to stay off of them.