My big mess.

Hey guys, thought I needed to post about whats been going on with me. On Friday when I was at work I was in so much pain I couldn't stand it any longer. I now have a secondary workmans comp. injury thanks to the great job I've stayed at for 11 years. I went to the ER, he says that its almost for sure a pinched nerve, that I've had for a LONG time, due to the severity of pain I've been in. I couldn't stand it anymore, at work in tears. couldn't help customers anymore, so my boss let me leave to go to the ER. They gave me pain meds. 5mg vicodins. Obviously wasn't my DOC, but close enough as you all know. I had to take two pills on Friday and slept for the majority of that day. George is holding them, both he and my roomate/best friend are holding me VERY accountable for this. I'm in a difficult situation with this now. Tomorrow I have to go be seen by work health at Kaiser, since this is a new injury apparently. Going to discuss options with this doctor about what I can do for pain. Maybe Lyrica? I can't take the weaker of the narcotics, darvocet, being that I'm on Klonopin. I'm sick of crying almost every day because of pain, its ridiculous! then the ER doc precedes to tell me that I'm definitely a chronic pain patient, just from him reading my history of shoulder and now current neck injury. I'm at a loss.. I do NOT want to have to be on meds for the rest of my life. This whole mess of going back and seeing all these doctors again is making me feel like I'm right back where I started 6 years ago when this all began with the shoulder injury. I will not be changing my tracker unless it comes to the point where I am abusing meds again. There has got to be a happy medium place for me with all this~I can't live in the pain that I'm in. My quality of life is seriously affected by this. I can't do normal things, like take my dogs out to the bathroom, cook dinner, dishes, etc. I'm scared and looking for answers about what others have done when they're in situations like this?? Its not a good place to be mentally for me. Especially with all the **** I've gone through with the xanax tapering. Thats under control now, completely xanax free for 9 days now, thanks to the switch to klonopin. I obviously need to be on a maintenence drug for anxiety/panic, my condition is too severe at this point, and I will not be able to function without them at this point. Talk about a huge BUMP in recovery for me.. I'm almost at 90 days clean from my 10-15 norcos a day habit. I never want to live like that again either.. thanks for listening and I'll post tomorrow and let everyone know how it goes at Kaiser. I also have the cold from he33 to boot... I'm a mess... lol..I guess all I can do is laugh... hope everyone else is well! Much love, Manda

[TrayCee]

why cant you take darvocet with klonopin?

[worried878]

I thought the same thing as i didnt know darvacet had any interaction with klnopin...altho darvacet is a weak pain reliever it may be safer that the hydros for u if u simply have to take a pain med

Have u tried chiropractic?  sounds like that is what u need but if u r on workmans comp they may not approve it and u would have to use another insurance or ur own money to go///my girlfriend had a back injury at work..after they finished with her at the doctors she ended up addicted/she was a sober alcoholic for 5 years when the narcotics were handed to her...anyway..after 1 month at the chiropractor/a good one/she is back working with no pain...i didnt go to a chiropractor for 5 years or so after my injury as i didnt know better...was 22 years ago...had i addressed the problem sooner before nerve and muscle damage became chronic..i feel i would not be where i am at today..a chronic pain patient...my original diagnosis when i was 26 was a pinched nerve//they drowned me with medication..not narcotics back then and physical therapy which would help temporarily..i started getting real pain relief when my vertebrae were adjusted and aligned....if my spine is crooked it hurts!   i wished i had sought natural forms of pain relief at the beginning like massage, yoga, chiropractic..i did use heat but have found now they recommend ice over heat and it does work better...an anti-inflammatory like ibuprophen also helps and muscle relaxers when i am in alot of pain

BTW....does a prescribed dose of narcotics actually help ur pain?  I do know that tolerence really never goes away ..i had a procedure after being clean for 3 onths and took them for 4 days...but my tolerence was right back where it was before in a day or so...10 mgs did not touch the pain...so after 4 days i flushed them/what was left as it was a waste of time and too risky for the benefit i got from a prescribed dose

[Mandapanda17]

this is what the drug interactions site says:

Major Drug-Drug Interaction klonopin (clonazepam) and propoxyphene (Ingredient of Darvocet A500) (Major Drug-Drug)
MONITOR CLOSELY: Sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants may have additive CNS- and/or respiratory-depressant effects with propoxyphene. Misuse of propoxyphene, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants, has been a major cause of drug-related deaths, particularly in patients with a history of emotional disturbances, suicidal ideation, or alcohol and drug abuse. In a large Canadian study, propoxyphene use was also associated with a 60% increased risk of hip fracture in the elderly, and the risk was further increased by concomitant use of psychotropic agents (sedatives, antidepressants, neuroleptics), presumably due to additive psychomotor impairment. Therefore, these drugs may constitute a dangerous combination in certain susceptible populations. Pharmacokinetically, propoxyphene is an inhibitor of CYP450 2D6 and may increase the plasma concentrations of many psychotropic agents that are metabolized by the isoenzyme such as phenothiazines, haloperidol, risperidone, phenobarbital, and some tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

[TrayCee]

wow, I had no idea

[Mandapanda17]

the 10mgs did take my pain away on friday. now that may be a different story if I were taking them more often. Tolerance is a big issue, and I would probably end up back on the same wagon I was on before, needing 100mgs a days to keep the pain away. Chiropractor is a very good idea, something I will go over with Kaiser tomorrow for sure! I've gotten absolutely no relief from anti-inflammatories.. taken bottles and bottles of Naprosyn and Ibu 800's...nothing. :( So, I guess I have to see what happens. Until then not taking the meds. unless I'm at the point of tears and unable to move my arm. It feels ok today actually, helped cook breakfast this morning and so far so good..

[Mandapanda17]

I didn't know either, I checked a while back when I was searching for something, anything, besides the stronger narcotics for pain relief. Obviously I need to be on the klonopin right now, so... ugh!!

[cattalina]

From reading that drug interaction paragraph you posted - you should be all clear to take the darvocet & klonopin together...  The warning of depressed breathing and whatnot is what happens when you're taking any opiate, or anxiety med - even more so when taking both.  I don't see how the two shouldn't work together at theraputic doses. You should certainly discuss it with a doctor - no sense in being in that much pain if you don't have to be. Good luck!!

[lovemypillhead]

Lyrica is garbage.  I wouldnt waste your money on it.  I know you're off pills etc.  and in pain and that $ucks badly.  But honestly, Lyrica was about the biggest waste of money ever.  It does NOTHING at all for pain. It made me so tired ... and, that says something because no pills ever make me tired.....

[Mandapanda17]

I don't understand why all the other opiates are only 'moderate' drug interactions with klonopin then, darvocet says 'major'. I don't know, that just worried me. Ideally, I'd prefer not to take anything. Hopefully this **** will just heal with lots of rest. :)

[Mandapanda17]

thanks for your input on lyrica. Nothing ever really makes me tired either, and that would be awful. I know that lyrica is very expensive too. ugh.. thanks again!

[cattalina]

I don't blame you one bit for being concerned - it's your life!  I'm not sure why some say moderate/major, but at theraputic doses the two will not cause death. Naturally if you were to take large quantities of both together you run that risk.  But that goes with just about everything more or less!  I also hope that you will feel better without the pain meds as that's not a fun cycle, but don't torture yourself! Chronic pain and addiction is such a difficult combo to balance and I wish you the best of luck!!

[Mandapanda17]

Thank you. I'm going to have to be VERY responsible when it comes to deciding how to balance the pain and my addiction. I haven't had to take anything since friday, and I'm not planning on it. My last day of work was on friday, so hopefully without that I won't be in AS much pain. Everyday things are painful, probably shouldn't have cooked the early thanksgiving dinner tonight.. but what do you do? Have to live life too... I'll find a balance somehow :)

[laurel453]

so sorry for all you're going through now, manda....

i believe this advise from worried about visiting a chiropractic is a very good one. Do a research about a good one with the problem you're dealing...as doctors some  are better than others  ... :)  but i think a chiropractic could help you. a friend of mine went to one when the doctor told her she had to go through a carpal tunnel surgical procedure and he took her nerves pains away so she didn't need to be operated from the carpal tunnel in the hand. He was a really good one "liberating" nerves pinched and etc...

also for the cold i take  each year a homeopathic remedy made with equinacea ( a good source for bilding up our natural defenses too )

[10356]

Hi Miss Manda :)
I have Kiaser also.. I was also recommended to the pain management 2 times now turned them down.. Kiaser offers all kinds of alternative ways to relive pain.. I'm going for acupuncture. Physical Therapy Massage I'm going to give them all a go.. The Balance between pain and sobriety is a tough one but the alternative of feeling dead inside while strung out on meds just is not a option for me.. I applaud your use of them in moderation.. There is just no way I can do that I have pills gulp, gulp :) I'm really sorry you are in so much pain and a He!! of a time to happen when you have so much going on, seems like the testing just starts way to early :) Looks like we are going to have a nice day, taking the dogs to **** field on Mare Island.. Hope your day get's better.. lesa

[Mandapanda17]

hey lesa, I will look into all aspects of kaiser for sure :) thanks for the applaud about the pills :) It hasn't been that difficult with them around. Only taken 4 since Friday and I'm not having a hard time with that part of it. I know theres other options for this, I just need to get in to see the doctor, and with work comp its a waiting game :P Hope you had a great day at the field!! :)

[Mandapanda17]

thanks for the suggestions, I shall be trying some echinacea tomorrow, this cold is hanging on for way too long.. ugh! hope you're well :)

[laurel453]

yeah, thanks, manda.

this echinacea plant history is quite "fascinating" because it's good in the way it works and quite old its use. It was used first by the native north americans ( lesa... :) for infections, wounds ( snake bites, dental pains and nfections etc ) but i discovered it while living in germany. their socialhealth security is one of the best and every type of treatment is included. i mean chiropractics, acupuncture, homeopathic...and they use echinacea as a natural remedy for colds and flu , it's called a natural antibiotic but they works different. echinacea instead of "killing" builds up the natural autoinmune system so in the long term is much better, but it's a remedy for the colds when you have them not for avoiding them and to take for months, ok?. but once the cold is out, echinacea still works for the next time cause it leaves you stronger and not weaker like the traditional chemical remdies...sort of this.

they, germans, also take a lot of garlic pills in the winter ... :) . i'm taking them now too because i'm prone to colds and with this cleaning thing and seeing all the people here "catching" evrything , i learn that maybe my defenses need some help from me now...you know?  :)

try the tincture (sp.) , liquid . there are three types of echinacea but they are the same ( achinacea purpurea is the one in my thing )

[laurel453]

oh, yes, good luck with the echi stuff and eeeeeevrything else ( you deserve it , eh ) :)

[Mandapanda17]

thanks laurel! I will try the liquid, I need to go to rite aid today for my klonopin scrip, so it'll be a good time to pick that up too. the cold seems to be breaking up, coughing more now..but its still there for sure! I've been eating a lot of fresh garlic lately, my roomate is italian and cooks us awesome dinners at least 5 times a week, usually garlic filled! :) I also get to go see the doctor at Kaiser today, hopefully he can suggest some accupuncture or chiropractic care for me :) hope you're having a good day!