chronic pain and suboxone

[thoughtiwasober]

I have been under pain management for the last three years. At the most recent point i was taking 20-25mg of hydrocodone and wearing a 100mcg fentanyl patch. i was fired by my pain management docor for the hydrocodone usage, that has been prevalent throughout our relationship since i had several surgeries and other jaw problems.  i had a c-spine fusion with 2 plates and lost all of my top teeth during our time together, and i did tell him i was taking the medications, but i broke our contract by doing that. i have been off of all illegal, non prescribed drugs and alcohol- i attend meetings regularly and i thought it was all good. obviously it was not all good, and a couple of times i scared myself with my usage.
i am now detoxing from the fentanyl and it is scary. i do have 5/500 hydro's but not many. i am past the point that i think i am dying so that's something anyway.
my family doctor suggested that i try suboxone. i have tried methadone clinics in the past, and i get much higher doses than any doctor would give me, but i cannot afford the private 13 dollar a day clinic, and the "free' clinic just feels too much like scoring to me.
I was supposed to have knee surgery today, but my anesthesiologist canceled it because i could barely speak on the phone yesterday.
i remodel old buildings and i am trying to help my 74 year old father with his rental properties and my opinion was that if i have enough medication to keep the pain at a tolerable level, it was all ok.
Do you know how well suboxone will help with these issues? i have a neck fusion with 2 plates and i was run over by a fully loaded flatbed roofing truck-multiple fractures and a compound femur with a rod; and i have osteoporosis to the point that my upper teeth began to simply fall out or break at the jaw-i have holes in my upper jawbone that go directly to my sinuses, and i break way too easily.
are there medications that i can be on for pain management while i am taking suboxone that will work?
i also have a tumor in my thoracic spine, and 2 or three herniated disks in my lumbar spine. my first spinal fusion simply fell out due to bone loss.
thanks a bunch
thoughtiwasober

[TrayCee]

you cant take "pain pills" while on the suboxone and suboxone doesnt control pain.  

Does the hydrocodone not help the pain?

You might want to check out the Pain Management Forum

Good Luck!

also.....why did you tell your Dr. you were taking the hydro's if you knew you'd be discharged?

[theeagle]

I tried sub for chronic pain and it was absolutely worthless in that manner for me.  Only about 20% of patients indicate decent help with pain. In Europe sub is RX'd as Orthonorphine or something for osteoarthritic pain........it also RX'd as Temgesic for pain. Neither touched my pain a bit.  

Methadone sounds like the best shot for you....methadone is actually a decent long term pain control medication....its considerably easier on internal organs than most other pain choices,. and once established the basic dose doesnt have to change much for a long time.  Lot of variables to consider here and they will affect your life tremendously - so do your homework....Post with questions or for advice....or just to vent.  And dont consider any more fusions - -these are turning into nightmares for people.....they invariably place more strain on the vert above and below the fused vert than they can handle and soon you need two more fusions to help damage induced by first fusion. Its not a good way to go.   Keep asking and keep using your computer.... and best of luck to you!  This can be done....and you can do this......stay strong and stay the course.

[thoughtiwasober]

i had a spinal fusion surgery and i had all of my top teeth pulled- i thought i was being honest, and he seemed ok with it at the time.
thank you
i guess i will have to do the methadone again.

[thoughtiwasober]

yes- this was my second fusion- the bone loss was such that the screws just fell out.
bless you and please keep in touch, ok?

[TrayCee]

its a shame youre being "punished" for being completely honest.  So sorry for your situation.

Good Luck!

[thoughtiwasober]

i celebrated my 6 year aniversary on october 25th. i just feel like i have no clue what i am supposed to do or how to live or anything.
i guess i will show up at the methadone clinic in the morning.
it is also the best place to buy drugs here.
i just want to give up.
i am in so much pain- i have a tumor in my spine, and several other herniated disks, plus the large bone piece in my knee.
i am sure that all of my doctors now think i am a drug addict, and it has been really difficult to stay off all of the other stuff.
but i am seen as a drug addict.
whats the point?