STAYING OFF OPIATES

[Sandra]

I AM ADDICTED TO OPIATES AND HAVE BEEN FOR OVER THREE YRS.: OFF AND ON DUE TO CHRONIC NECK PAIN(C5-6 FUSION SURGERY IN 97). I RECENTLY HAD A SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR IMPLANTED FOR THE PAIN AND I AM STILL ON PAIN MEDS.DUE TO A FEW KINKS IN THE IMPLANT. I AM TERRIFIED OF GETTING OFF THEM AGAIN. I DID GO TO A HOSP. ONCE AND GOT OFF THEM UNDER MY SHRINKS CARE, AND ANOTHER TIME I GOT OFF THEM  MYSELF COLD TURKEY(BAD CHOICE). I HAVE BEEN SEEING A SHRINK AND GOING TO A THERAPIST-I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR I DISORDER AND MAJOR DEPRESSION.
     MY CURRENT MEDS.ARE LORTAB 10-650,VALIUM,PROMETHAZINE, DEPAKOTE,EFFEXOR,TRAZODONE AND SYNTHROID-HYPOTHYROIDISM. I WANT TO GET OFF ALL THE MEDS EXCEPT THE SYNTHROID, BUT MY SHRINK  WANTS ME TO KEEP TAKING THEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I NEED THE ANTIDEPRESSANTS ANYMORE AND I HAVE EXPRESSED MY FEELINGS TO HIM ABOUT IT.  1ST QUESTION, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I JUST QUIT TAKING THE ANTIDEPRESSANTS?? ALSO,AS FAR AS THE PAIN MEDS.,I KNOW I JUST CAN'T STOP TAKING THEM,IT'S THE ONLY RELIEF I AM GETTING FROM MY PAIN AND OF COURSE IT'S TAKING MORE AND MORE FOR RELIEF. I AM DISABLED AND ALMOST BACK IN BED MOST OF THE DAY. THE 2ND PART OF MY QUESTION IS, HOW BAD ARE THESE DRUGS HURTING MY BODY??   PLEASE HELP, ANY KIND OF HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[JOJOBANONO]

OOOPS I DID NOT SEE THE DATE,THAT WAS ALONG TIME AGO WITH YOUR PROBLEMS WITH MEDS,

[JOJOBANONO]

I HAVE BEEN ON PAIN KILLERS FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW DUE TO CHRONIC PELVIC PAIN AND TWISTED BOWELS.I WAS ON A VERY LARGE DOSE.THE DOCTORS COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHATS WRONG WITH ME FOR ALONG TIME,IN THE MEAN TIME I GOT HOOKED ON PAIN KILLERS.IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT THING TO GET OFF OF.WHEN I STOPPED USING THEM ONE TIME I PASSED OUT AND WENT INTO CONVULSIONS.I HAD TO BE RUSHED TO URGENT CARE.I DO TO TAKE ANTI DEPRESSANTS.DO NOT STOP TAKING THEM,IT WILL MESS YOU UP.I WAS ON EFFEXOR AWHILE BACK,AND IT MADE ME NUTS,I LEFT MY HUBBY FOR A YEAR,BECAUSE I WAS NOT MYSELF.I DID THINGS I WOULD NOT NORMALLY DO.ALL DOCTORS WANT TO DO IS GIVE YOU MEDS ,THAT IS THE ANSWER FOR EVERYTHING.I AM SO SICK OF BEING ON MEDICATIONS.BUT I HAVE TO HAVE MY PAIN PILLS OR I GO THRU SERIOUS WITHDRAWLS AND THE CRAVING IS UNBARABLE,THEY WANT ME TO GO ON METHADONE ,BUT I HAVE TO DRIVE TO THE CLINIC EVERYDAY TO GET MY DOSE AND DRIVE BACK WITH 3 KIDS.THE LAST TIME I TOOK METHADONE,I FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AT A STOP LIGHT.THANKGOD A FRIEND WAS WITH ME TO WAKE ME UP.I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.THEY ARE HURTING YOUR BODY ALOT,ESPECIALLY YOUR LIVER.MINE TOO.I SUGGEST  THAT YOU GO TO A NATURAL DOCTOR,THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING NOW.