Pain vs pills

[Jtb12]

I think the first step in getting myself clean is to find a way to manage my pain.  I think my fear in getting clean is that I will be in so much pain and can't function.  I literally can't sit up in the morning until I take a pill.  I had back surgery for this very reason, so I didn't have to live off pills and be in pain. My surgery did just that.  It's not that I don't want it bad enough because I do, I just don't wanna be miserable in pain all the time.  I have kids so I wanna be able to ride bikes with them ect. Which without a pill noway I could do that.  What has others did to manage their pain?  I feel like its easier for me to continue to take pills since I get a rx every month then having to go out looking and money wise. But if I was to be taken off my pills, I can garuntee I would be out looking.  Thanks

[atthebeach]

Physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, tens unit, hydro therapy,
Chiropractor, epidural injections.
Please read about hyperalgesia, opiate induced pain.
Your pain level increases from long term opiate use.

[Jtb12]

My dr doesn't even  know my name and find another one? Why so I can be taken off completely and then be out on the street looking for them? That's responsible.  I can taper down myself but had surgey less then a month ago soy decision to wait was a responsible one     Which was the point of my question in the first place. Other way to manage the pain besides meds.

[Whollymolythathurt]

Hi JTB - I can only speak for myself but have read a lot of other posts that seem to ring the same.  Like you I've had many surgeries on back, knees, shoulder elbow...etc. I used the meds after my 2nd back 3 yrs ago but kept taking the pills as the rx called for.  Eventually my body adjusted and the pain seemed to get worse.  So dr upped the dosage.

I stopped 32 days ago and the pain is actually less...hard to believe probably but your brain adjusts to all those endorphins that are flooded through.  Don't get me wrong...if I sit in one spot 10 minutes and try to get up it can be a struggle but still better than planning around the meds and the foggy feeling you have.

If possible maybe try a few weeks without the meds and see what happens.  If you go ct (cold turkey) like I did that first 5 days are not fun but it's worth it.  I'm not saying you won't have pain off the meds but it may not be and different than on the meds...with no foggy feelings.

Again this is what I have been going through but wish you luck and we'll all be hear for you.

[kyle505]

Sorry to upset you. But you admitted to abusing your meds - taking more than you really need. Yes you have legit pain but are still playing with addiction. You still need to talk to your doc. If he/she doesn't understand or won't help then find another. Yes - it is easy. Be honest, take responsibility and do what you know is right. And I don't judge, although I've been accused many times. I offer my opinion based on years of failure. Take it or leave it.
K

[Jtb12]

I read your last few comments on others post, it seems to me that you are pretty quick to judge.  Coming off as you are so much better then everyone else and the answer is soo simple and easy as you said.  First off you don't know my situation so who are you to say its an easy fix?  You don't know how my pain is.  I joined this site not to be judged but to get insight from others and see what others have been thru.  My dr is the one who keeps upping my dose, due to the multiple surgeries I keep having.    Then to say take responsibilities for my action??  What do you think I'm doing??  

[kyle505]

It is a moot point regarding the pain and the pills. You have legit pain BUT you are abusing your meds. So, you are standing on the edge of full blown addiction. You can control your pain with less meds. You have chosen to continue to abuse the pills. Everything else is just fluff.
The fix is easy - go to your doc. Explain your situation and set up a taper plan. Taper down to what you really need to control the pain while looking in to OTC alternatives or additions.
But you know this. And you also know what needs to be done. Time to take responsibility for your actions.
K

[marycarmel]

If you can keep your dose as low as possible, you'll be doing yourself a huge favor.  Even on meds I have days I cry it's so bad.  But I refuse to up the dose.  What happens if you need a big surgery and they can't cover your pain?  I use lidoderm patches, Voltaren gel, ibuprofen and other non narcotic things.  Chronic pain is terrible.  It wears you down physically and emotionally and mentally.  Narcotics are a double edged sword. One thing my new doctor did was put me on a low dose extended release three times a day rather than twice a day at a much higher dose.  I wound up with better pain control on a much lower dose.

[Jtb12]

I tried other types of meds before my surgeries before I started taking oxycodone

[ImDONENoMore]

Nothing else is going to help now if you're still taking the narcotics.  You need to stop them for a few weeks and then try the OTC options for your pain to see how effective those will be for you.

I think you need to give this some real time before you can determine whether or not you can't live with the pain without the narcotics.  :) good luck to you.

[Jtb12]

I'm prescribed 15mg oxycodone 5x a day. I'm the opposite my bp is always low even without taken any pills.  I can't remember a day when I didn't have pain. I had anterior posterior spinal surgery which left me learning how to walk again as well as elbow and knee surgery.  As far as misusing my pills, I would say probably because I'm sure I could go without taking 5 a day  and which I would love to get myself down to just 1 in the morning   I've tried several other meds for my back besides pain medication and nothing helped.  I also get injections in my arm knee and back twice a month

[marycarmel]

Are you misusing your pills?  I've had 9 surgeries on my hand and have rsd, neeve pain, fibromyalgia and a herniated disk in my back and neck.  I also have arthritis everywhere.  I should have one hip and both knees replaced but am afraid to after the fiasco with my hand.  Even taking pills I have days the pain is unmanageable.  I came off and had to go back on because my bp was too high and we couldn't get it down because of the pain.  Went back on, bp started getting back to normal and started tapering offnwhennI was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.  I was told to stop ;the taper until they deal with the aneurysm.  I figure I will be on and off pain meds for the rest of my life.  But I like to come off whenever I can because I can get a sense of where my pain is really at.  I use other things to help take the edge off.