Norco 5/325

[Nikotime]

I like all the  support this place can give. I've been taking various pain killers for nearly three years. Started with back pain then finally gave into a lumbar fusion. I'm three months post op and so ready to get rid of pills.. I haven't taken any for 3 days but I'm losing the psychological battle. I know if I take one my back will feel so much better while at work and I'll finally be comfortable in bed.. A year ago, before my surgery, I quit after taking 4-5 norco a day.. They were 10s.. Wds were awful.. I'm not withdrawing like I was I'm just in pain but not wanting to take narcotics anymore. Iam 27 and refuse to live on pills.. What else do I do though?  

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

There are a couple of things you can ask your doctor for which I have found in the past to be life savers:  Lidoderm Patches (they are generic now) and Voltaren Gel.  The Lidoderm works by letting small amounts of the same numbing agent they give you when they work on your teeth.  You can wear 12 hours on/12 hours off.   The 12 hour off the Voltaren Gel would work also.

Hope that helps!

[Nikotime]

Well I don't know that Iam an addict. I know the Iam chemically dependent upon a substance I never abused. The mind has extreme power over the body. And yes three months post op and I have a very physically demanding lifestyle that keeps me sore and often in quite agonizing pain. As far as giving my meds to Someone else I never felt a need as I never exceeded the prescribed dose. Also, I don't have any pills, haven't had pills, no desire to refill. My question was, does anyone know of a good non narcotic pain reliever to help me get through painful days.

[jifmoc]

Hi there. You wrote that pre-surgery you quit norcos. So, you know what to expect. For physical relief, go to the Thomas recipe on the forum.

Since you knew you were an addict, may I ask, what made you not give your pills to someone else to hold? Also, 3 months after surgery seems like a long time to still be taking pills. Lots of folks on here say their pain actually decreased when they STOPPED taking opiates. So, since you said you want to quit, you have to get the pills away from you. There is no other way. Most importantly, we all need aftercare if we wanna live a pill-free life. Have you thought about that?

Keep posting and others will be chiming in:)