Newbie Intro & questions about hydrocodone

[Coquina]

Hi everyone - I'm a 58 year old widow living in the Tidewater Va area - I work in a marina office.  I've had chronic back problems all my life and had surgery in Nov 2005. I thought I was progressing well, then things got worse and I had a lot of sciatica and my lower back pain got worse as well.  I was eventually referred to a pain mgt doctor who told me my problem was due to scar tissue that has trapped the sciatic nerve - apparantly another disc went south since the surgery as well.

I have been taking hydrocodone since April 2006. I average taking 3 per day, sometimes 2, rarely 4 if I've been overly physically active.

There's a lot more to it than that, but, the main thing I want to ask right now is about a problem I'm having with my employer.

He keeps telling me he wants me to get off my pain meds (we have drug tests at work so he knows I take them). He can't fire me since my work performance is excellent and I have never showed any trace of anything that hasn't been prescribed for me. He has a "zero tolerance" policy, and while he was fine with me having meds after surgery, he doesn't seem to understand that the pain from the trapped nerve is not something that can be cured by "tincture of time".

I certainly can't say that I'm addicted to hydracodone, because although there are times (ie on the weekends when I'm relaxing) that I may go an entire day with no pain meds, when I take the next one, it's for pain. I do know what having an addition feels like, because in my 20's I took amphetamines (legally prescribed) for weight control. I certainly know what it is like to "crash and burn" - however, I have not been without any hydrocodone in my system for several months, so I really don't know if I am "addicted" or if I should seriously try to get off this stuff and suffer.  Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[hopeless]

Hi Coquina,

I am sorry to hear about your back problem. I want to tell you something about my mother, who is also going through something like you. She is 56 years old, and has had major sciatic nerve problems in her lower back and in her hip. She has gotten several epordial shots to help control her pain, this has worked for her s (somewhat) but the Doctor also gave her percocets for the pain, she is not one who likes to take meds, but she has been taking them on and off for about 2 years or so now. Up until about a month or so ago, she quit taking them, she did not like being on them, and definately didn't want to get addicted. She also was only taking them just for the pain, and the pain alone. She would take only 1 sometimes 2 a day. Well she quit taking like i said about a month ago, and she has had NO reaction what-so-ever.

I think you will know if you are addicted, when addicted - your body will tell you that you need that pill like every 4 -6 hours (even when you are not in pain)!

I feel that if you decide to stop taking these Hydros you will be just fine. When you actually only take them just for the "REAL PAIN" your body knows this.

See i am addicted to percocets/Hydros. have been for 4 years, i would take up to 10 or so a day. I quit cold turkey on June 3rd. Still going through alot right now, but making it. My body would tell me "take that pill" although i did not have any pain. When we are addicted "our brains will create pain of some sort"  Just so we will pop that pill. When actually we don't have NO pain at all. We just tell ourselves we do.

This does not sound like you, I honestly think if you just stopped taking them, you willbe just fine. All i can tell you - is just to stop taking and if you begin to feel a little sick with the flu-like symptoms, then you will know that you have become addicted to them.

Let me know if i can be of any more help to you - I hope what i have told you that it will help you.

Best Wishes

Hopeless

[hopeless]

PS

By all means, i am not telling you to quit taking and suffer. If you need them for the pain, then you should take them. If you feel you don't want to be on them anymore, maybe ask you doctor to give you something NON-NARCOTIC. Be honest with him, tell him that you have pain and still need to take something to control it, but that you are scared because you do not want to become addicted. Maybe this way, he can let you know what sould be the best thing to do. I am going to tell you though - they are very addictive. If you ever become addicted to them and then at one point in your life you decide to quit, The withdrawals are terrible - i can honestly say to you that, i wish SO BAD i would have never taken any in my life.

Just something for you to think about...Hope this helps!

Hopeless

[marcatj]

Hi... and welcome.

It seems your question is 2-fold.  As far as the addiction/non-addiction - only you know or not if you are addicted.  It would seem to me if you can go without them at times, and not crave them, then you may not be.  But again - only YOU know, and if you are questioning it, perhaps there's a chance you are...

I also believe only you can decide what your pain threshold is (whether you "need" them, or not.)

As for your boss wanting you off of them - strictly from a legal standpoint - I don't believe he has ANY RIGHT WHATSOEVER to tell you what to take or not take, if it in no way effects your performance, and you are being legally prescribed this for pain.  It's pretty lousy, if you ask me...

I don't know if any of this answered your question(s) or not.. I hope so!!!

-mj

[FLaddict]

As far as your boss... I don't think he can legally ask you to quit taking them..  I would look up info on the AMerican's with Disabilities Act.. I am almost positive that it would protect your job.. people with issues such as your have the right to work.. injuries like this I would consider somewhat of a disabilty.. Employers can not discriminate against you for stuff like what kinds of meds you take UNLESS it affects job performance or you work in public safety.. I did a little bit of research on this awhile back when my job was putting together a hand book..
As far as being an addict... there is a difference is being addicted to pills or dependent on them... Dependent people still have WDs when they stop taking them... Addicts "crave" the pills and take them for other reasons than pain. usually taking over the prescribed amount and running out early b4 their refill is due.. some addicts even "doctor shop" and go to several docs to get meds so they don't run out.. this is illegal.  Dependent people take their meds as prescribed.. they see their docs and are honest with them about their pain and thier needs.. Dependent people generally don't take the pills if they are not in pain... in some cases though there is a fine line between a dependent person and a addict... they can go hand in hand for some people... alot of us here starting out on meds for a legitamate reason...

I wish you luck and hope if you need anything you will post here again..

[Coquina]

Thanks for your replies. Regarding your mom's problems, they sound very similar to where I was a while back. I had several epidurals prior to my surgery and two afterward.  At first they helped a lot, and I got relief for 6 to 8 weeks.  Gradually, they became less and less effective.

This was my second back surgery.  My first was in 1989 and it was a breeze. I had herniated a disc and I woke up in the recovery room and my pain was gone.  I think I expected to get similar relief this time and it was an entirely different situation.  My back has a lot of degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis (holes too narrow  for the nerves to pass through).  My surgeon tried to fix the most obvious areas but apparently something else was going on.

The 2nd opinion I got, the doc suggested a dynamic myelogram - a test that shows how the spine and nerves are interacting as one is moving about.  I know that I have certain spots that "catch" when I bend or twist a particular way. I'll have that done in the fall, after the busy season is over. If anyone suggests surgery, he said the more that is done to pin-point the problem, the more likely the operation is to be a success, but there may be a very long recovery.

Anyway - FWIW, pass along my best wishes to your mom.  I sincerely hope she can find a non-invasive remedy, because my scar-tissue issue is almost worse than what I started out with.  Re, the sciatica - my pain med doc has helped me a lot with a couple of other meds that treat nerve pain and are non-narcotic, she might inquire about those options. I think I would be taking a lot more vicodin if it weren't for the other meds.

Thanks so much for writing.  I don't think I'm addicted, as a day, I'm trying hard to keep the meds to a mimimum.

[Dad of 8]

Being an embarrassed expert on being addicted to hydros (20-30  325-10's per day), I can say that even if you were classified as "addicted", it isn't out of hand.  It sounds very much like you have a legitimate reason for taking the medication.  If you are only taking 2 or 3 per day, I would say you are more dependent than addicted.  A non narcotic called Tramadol might help you.  Don't let the "non narcotic" give you a false sense of security though as they can also be addictive.  I can tell you that first hand.  But, it is a bit less than hydro and might react well for you.  I don't think your boss has a leg to stand on if you are being prescribed the medication and you are taking them as prescribed.  If your work isn't failing I think he is barking up the wrong tree.  If he continues you to hastle you, I would look for legal advice.  I know this is probably something you don't want to do,  but it may be necessary.  God luck and God Bless You!  Dad

[hopeless]

Sounds like you have it a little - alot worse than my mom does. Just like you the epidoral shots help for awhile but then it starts back up again. I know she gets in alot of pain, i can just imagin how you are feeling.

I hope if you decide to have the surgery - it is successful!
You sound like a very smart lady, and i wish you all the best... Please keep posting here, with any questions you might have - or if you just want to talk about your problems. There are alot of very wise people on this forum, who have helped me so very much to get me where i am today.

When you decide to have the surgery, or whatever you decide please let me know. I will be interested to know how it turns out for you...Maybe i can learn a few things as well to let my mother know. I know how bad the pain can be - I listen to her and i know it can be very awful at times!

Like i said, i wish you all the best. Please keep me informed.

All my best to you
Hopeless

[hopeless]

I agree with "Dad of 8" He said about the "Tramadol", My mom was taking this for quite some time, and it helped her. Just a thought for you.

Also: Your boss can't really do anything about this, they are prescribed to you, it is a "Legal" drug. If he continues to ask you to stop taking or whatever, then - YES i would look into some legal advice. My mom has taken her meds while working and i know there is nothing no one can say or do about it, as for she needs them for her everyday pain. Alot of people need to take certain types of medicine and as long as it is prescribed to them it is all legal and safe.

Again - All my best to ya
Hopeless

[marcatj]

ah honey - i DO sympathize!!

i have two herniated disks and spinal stenosis... it is the WORST.  and there is no "magic bullet" either, as you know, for fixing it.

good for you for being able to keep your meds at a minimum.  you sound like you are doing ok, in my book... :-)

warmly,
mj

[Coquina]

I don't think I've ever taken tramadol.  One of my problems is that I have both back pain and nerve pain.  I take gabapentin for the nerve pain, which helped some, and have just been prescribed topamax. Dunno if anyone has ever taken the latter but the dose is increased gradually - I have to take it very early in the evening as there are many side effects including extreme fatigue.  

I am more concerned about the synergistic effects and unknown interaction possibilities when one takes so many different kind of medications than I am about "addiction" per se.  I take medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low thyroid, in addition to the pain meds. My pcp and pain mgt doc do keep each other informed about changes in meds, and any other problems I have, but sometimes I feel like I have more medication than food in my system.

With regard to additional surgery - the problem is that the kind of surgery I need would require an extensive recovery - . In addition to being a widow, neither do I have any immediate family to help out with caretaking, so its just out of the question right now.

I don't work at the marina today, but I'm still self employed (trying to close that down gradually, and this is shopping and cleaning day).  Gotta get going.
L8R

[TimH2]

Your boss could be in for a major lawsuit if he fired you. He should not be discussing any medications with you. Has he heard of HIPPA???  I wish you the best and would talk with a attorney just for your own protection. He sounds like a real jerk.

Tim