pill addiction

[tammer76]

I've been taking pain pills for 6 yrs. I started out at regular vicidon 5/500,then vicidion 750, then loratab 10/500, now on norco's 10/325, and some percocets.So many pills so long. I'm getting tired of my bodoy telling me when it time to take a pill.I can't even go a half aday without some kinda hydrocone. Don't know what to do. Have very bad back problems that I don't know how to deal with. Am recieving spinal shots every 2 weeks. Pain doctor says have't to say on pain medicience, and 4 other medicences he gives me. So tired. Scared of withdrawling, it hurt's really bad tried. Back starts hurting have't to take a pill.   Help....

[tammer76]

Well I think I'm scared of withdrawling from the medicine. But I do suffer horriably. I have nueropathy in my legs right arm and fingers and back, I have arthritis in the spine, and have a couple of sliped disc's that is graudally making it's way up my spine. So I'm at a toss up here. Help.

[CarolinaLee]

By the way, I did see another Post with a schedule that sounds like a pretty good idea. Cut 5-10% of your dose per week and work it down slowly. Listen to your body and when you start feeling the symptom, take some medicine, but keep with the schedule. Eventually you'll be down to nothing.

[CarolinaLee]

tammer,
I can related to your sitation and understand. I have had 2 spinal fusions and am having to decide between suffering through pain or taking addicting medicine. I use to get all the medicine you talked about, but they changed me over to Ultram about 11 years ago, because at the time, they said it wasn't addictive and I could take it long term. When I first started taking the Ultram, it didn't seem to do anything for me, but that was because I was use to much stronger medicine. The only problem is that now I am highly addicted to the Ultram and if I do not take it, have very bad withdrawals. I can honestly say that now I don't know if I am taking the Ultram for pain, or to avoid withdrawing. I do want you to be honest with your self, not anybody else. Is your pain as bad as you think and say, or are you more scared of not having your medicine? I have pretty severe pain that makes my leg hurt very badly, but is taking medicine any better? I have found that not a day goes by when I am either preparing to get my prescription filled or calculating when I can and how much I can take per day to keep from running out. I have a lifetime claim through workers comp that allows me to never have to pay for my doctors visits or pay for medicine ever again, but recently have realized how badly I was addicted and how it is affecting my life. The first thing when I wake up, I take my medicine- sometime in the early afternoon I take my medicine - Then again in the evening. I know that I can take 10 a day, because the pharmacy will let me refill the prescription 4 days in advance. If they would let me do it earlier, I would probably take more, but they won't. WHAT KIND OF FRIGGIN LIFE IS THAT? I tell you, it's the life of an addict that needs to stop and I strongly suggest you looking in the mirror and decide whether it's the pain cause you to keep taking all you are taking or is it addiction running your life. I realized the latter and have begun taking steps to clean my life up and rid myself of this terrible addiction. I really feel for you and want to lend my support to you in hopes of helping you through this. God knows I need some. May God Bless You and all others that are suffering.

[Clamity2]

I have a doctor too that is willing to continue to give unlimited pain pills as long as I took the faucet shots 450$ per level plus. But I have been taking alot of pills 10/325 6+ times a day with oxy to supplement until my refill can come. But the decision has come. Do I want to be the person the pain pills have made me. Everyone who knew me before these pills thought I was funny and a nice person to shop , hike etc with. Now I perfer to shop , hike alone. I am not the same, I changed as a result of the painkillers. They took ME. I am only on my 4th day so I am feeling like **** but each day I feel alittle less crapy.  I Hope you can give yourself a chance at life.

[Lotsatrout]

First of all you need to decide if you really want to quit.  Can you manage without them as far as your back is concerned?  Until you decide if you really want to quit or not you will remain in the same pattern.  Your post sounds desperate and it really sounds as though you want to move on in your life.  If you do then you are going to face some difficult trials but it is our trials and tribulations that make us stronger.  Not popping pills.  

Everyone on this forum (for the most part) either have been, or are where you are right now.  I'm assuming that your supply is pretty constant so what do you think about tapering down from your regular dosage just a little bit everyday?  If you can do this (it's tough) then you can "minimize" the withdrawl symptoms when you finally quit.

You have been on these for 6 years so as far as your body is concerned it's all it knows right now.  Going cold turkey will be very tough so I'd suggest tappering SLOWLY.   It's not a race when you taper.  Take a month or longer or whatever you need and taper off.  Tha'ts my suggestion.  Others on the forum can provide you with a taper schedule as I am not qualified to do so.  I've never tapered.  Keep posting!  You will find help and support here.  Good luck!

Trout