Chronic pain

[Stoney74]

Hi My name is Alison and have been addicted to Tramadol for 5 years. My addiction lead me to make a huge mistake and steal morphine from the Veterinary hospital I worked for. I am in relapse prevention classes now. The problem is I still suffer with intolerable pain. I don't know how to relive my pain so I can lead a normal life. I don't trust my self not to abuse pain killers, but I have tried ecery thing else. I have had two back surgeries, last one was an anterior fusion at L-5 S-1. But I seem to have pain every where. NNOT due to withdrawls as I have been off pain killers for 6 months. ( except the rare occasion I am lucky enought to find some thing in somones medicine cabinet)I have changed Doc's many time ( not on a drug hunt) because of changes in insurance companies. It seem like every time I change we start over with the same ttreatments, that don't work ie: steriod epidurals, physical therapy etc, and just when the start to get some where I have some life change that makes me have to change docs. I definatly have degenerative disc/ jiont disease, in my lower spine. Why does my thoraxic spine and neck hurt, my elbows, knees and ankle hurt. PLease does any one have any sugestions??

[worried878]

I am finding that aftercare is extremely important...have you tried an NA or chronic pain group in your area..a counseler...

[wait2long]

if you are still using,,, even occasionally, it may be enough to put you into mild withdrawals again, which would cause your pain...and RLS...its very possible...sometimes pain meds can make your pain worse...beleive it or not, its true...why dont you just stop for good, then re-evaluate your pain level after you have some lengthy clean time under your belt...
and if your still
"stealing" pain meds from other peoples medicine cabinets, then maybe nothing has really changed? if you have been off pain meds for 6 months...but taking them on rare occasion...maybe its time for some self reflection to what and why you are doing what your doing?
as addicts, we have all done it hun...but you have to want to stop it altogether...the pain of addiction can be far worse than physical pain...think about it and be honest with yourself too, your the only one that has the answers to these questions.
good luck to you!

[GoingToMakeIt]

As we get more dependent on opiates. Our bodies produce more pain to get more dope. When you get off them the pain levels go down. I am not saying they go away, but you can be assessed better. Have you seen a pain management specialist?