Help -please - pain v addiction??? not sure

[ipamela]

Hi everyone.  I'm a newbie here.   Glad to have found a place that hopefully I can get some answers and some support.   2 years ago I slipped and fell and crushed my L-4 L-5.  It ended up swelling and pressed on the nerves.   I ended up with severe back pain and even leg pain.   I had my surgery July 2010 and have been taking Lortab 10 ever since.   I had taken stronger meds right after the surgery but ended up with the Lortab rx ever since Nov 2010.   I am still using the meds due to pain.   According to my surgeon I will probably always need something for the pain whether it be in pill form or even epidurals.  I do not have insurance to cover epidurals.   My surgeon has now informed me to go and seek a Pain Management Center.   This has become a huge problem because I don't have the money to go to these doctors.   My surgeon had been giving me my meds on a monthly basis.   I have tried to come off of the Lortab but end up in severe pain in my back.   I tried this to see if maybe I have an addiction.   I am sure that at this point that I probably do.   But it's like a two headed snake now - an addiction to the meds plus still having constant pain in my spine that doesn't go away with just over the counter meds.   I also take neurotin (spelling is not correct, sorry).   It doesn't really help - only makes me feel so tired.  Not sure what to do.  I really want to find out if I should try to go off the lortab and just deal with it but I'm not sure how.   I am so ashamed of this I can't talk with anyone about it.   Whenever I try to approach my husband about the issue (what if it's an addiction) he always says it's all legit because of the back injury.   I am really afraid because both my parents were alcoholics and even dabbled in some pain meds off and on.   Both have passed away so I can't talk with them about it.   My only sister died 2 years ago - she also had severe pain from gout and other things.  I'm pretty sure she had a problem as well but never talked about it.   Just wondering what should I do?   I am almost out of Lortab.   Gotta either call my surgeon and ask for more tomorrow, or find the funds to seek a pain mgt spealist - or maybe try to go off the meds????????????   I'm just not sure.   I found a method of detoxing with .L-Tyrosine, B-6, Imodium, Valium, hot baths????   So I'm not sure what my real question is.   See how confused I am.   I need advise as to if I should come off the Lortab, and what method to use?   Anyone have any experience with detoxing?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!   I feel abandoned by my surgeon.  He has told me he can't just provide pain mgt for me now that I have had my surgery.  I do understand this and why but still it's hard when you don't have the proper insurance to get the help you need and my surgeon knows this.  Any advice on the meds, the pain or addiction, please respond.   I've gotta figure out what to do and make the right decision.   I honestly don't want to have to take Lortab for another year or two but I honestly don't think I can deal with the pain from the surgery.   The surgery was a success but I have a steel cage in my back, plus I already had arthritiis and stenosis in my spine.  

[Devonlee]

Well truly you arent taking that much so you can just cold turkey. Try, at the side of this page, the "thomas recipe". It seems to help a lot of people.  At the very least if you get off of lortabs for ahwhile you can reasses your pain and if you do need to go back on meds it will be at a lower dose. But often lortabs will trick you into feeling more pain and once you have say a month off ur pain level diminishes and NSAIDS or Tylenol along with heat or ice can suffice. Its not fun to be in pain i know! Oh and a word of warning....when you get off the meds you will sick for a few days and your pain will INCREASE it is just rebound pain so you have to suffer thru to get on the other side!

[ipamela]

I take Lortab 10 (but it's Norco 10/325 - doc has me taking 2 every morning if needed (thati s my worse time of the day) and then 4 throughout the day  - up to 6 per day.   I have been on that forever it seems (since Nov).....I sometimes run out at the end of the month - a couple of days though.  Some days I will take an extra one if it's a really terrible day.   I know that addiction runs in  my family and that's what scares the heck out of me.   When it comes to getting more meds I do worry because I am afraid of not having it and what will happen to me.   I'm afraid of the pain from the injury/surgery and of having to go through withdrawls.  So I'm at a loss right now.    I haven't really been the same since all of this happened.   I function pretty well but some days it's just so hard to get started and moving.   My pain is so bad in the am.   I do understand that my surgeon can't just keep writing my rx's every month.   But now it seems like I did everything he told me to do - have the recommended surgery, and now I'm still having to use the pain meds.   When will it all end?   I watch the various tv shows - I love Celebrity Rehab and yes I can see myself in many of those people.   I have never used any other type of drug - only the pain med the doctor has given to me.   I don't drink very often at all.   Maybe 2 or 3 times per year (if that much)...........so basically my problem is these pain pills..............what can I do?   How can I get off of them?   I'm really desperate.   I really do appreciate everyone's help so much.   Finally someone how understands!

[Iwantanewlifenow]

Do you know how many people became addicts because of some sort of injury? One only needs to watch the show Intervention to see how insidious addiction is.
I too deal with Chronic pain from a Car accident.  I know I'm addicted for a couple of reasons..I get very anxious as the time for my next dose nears...Also...the brain stops making the "Feel Good" hormones and chemicals itself because the pain killers take over that job..It happens to everyone...Just happens quicker for others..but sooner or later your brain will become "Hi-Jacked" and you'll need these pills not just for the pain..but to feel normal.
I never abused my prescriptions...but it got me all the same..plus friends and family have told me I'm not the same person as I was before I started taking these...I just don't feel like myself and have no motivation.

That being said..I want off..There are other ways to handle the pain..and I know i"ll never rid myself of pain completely..but rather endure that than being a slave to a pill.

I go to pain mgmt and all they have done is up my dose and I was too naive to think I could become addicted.

Also..regular Dr's or Surgeons cannot repeatedly hand out Pain Scripts...They could lose their license..That's why eventually they will stop and refer you to a pain center..They are very well aware people abuse their scripts and my Pain Mgmt center will do Drug tests to see if you're taking other drugs or too much of your prescribed drug...and they'll send you for regular MRI's and such to make sure what you're condition is..They are well aware people misuse scripts and pain killers..In my state I can legally only go to the Pain Center for scripts...only use the same pharmacy to get them filled, and sometimes have to bring in my bottles of meds so they can count and make sure I'm not abusing.

But I guess my real point is that yes, even if you take your meds as prescribed you will  most likely become dependant/addicted.

[Dane74]

hello and welcome!  Well, for starters this mess your in is from an injury just like myself and probably a chronic pain suffer.  I decided to get off the meds and learn how to deal with my pain not using pills anymore.  My advice get off the Loratab, and pain management will just keep you on meds even longer, they love to wheel you in and keep giving you more.  I can totally relate to your situation and i am sorry bcasue you do have legit pain, but YES you are addicted.  Your family had problems as well so i suggest you try the natural approach to this and either CT or taper. Neurtion, i was on that too, that helps with nerve pain, so i would stay on that and get off the Loratab.  How much were you taking and are you taking it only as prescribed?  I wish you all the luck, you can do this!  

[Devonlee]

I am curious why you think you have a problem? How much do you take? Do you run out early? Go thru wds?

[atthebeach]

hi and welcome to MH. many start on meds for legit pain and they become dependent.
they can stop the meds and have withdrawal. are sick from detox but then do not have a problem again (relapse) and take more.
if you are an addict you take more than prescribed ,always run out, stop for awhile and then want more meds (relapse).
addiction is many fold, genetic? cause you lived with it? to mask emotional pain and wounds? self medicating because of some mental disorder?
so in your case, could very well be addiction.
the pain is always worse coming off the meds. because of rebound pain.
many many use alternatives to pain meds to manage the pain. exercise,heat or ice, otc
physical therapy, chiropractor,acupuncture.
yes the supplies for helping to make the detox more comfortable are the ones you mentioned. also potassium and magnesium for rls, lots of fluids gatorade,vitamin waters
you cant really know the amount of pain there is until you are off the meds for a good month or so.
if you are sick and tired of the meds and want to try it without them. i would definitely give you a big thumbs up. it is going to hurt, you will feel it, the physical withdrawal usually lasts about 7 days.
we are here to encourage you and to give you hope. it can be done. many have gone the cold turkey road and are living on the road to recovery.
we recommend counseling ,support groups. to maintain sobriety.
you have to believe, hope, trust
debbie