side effects

[Airedog]

Hi all,

I'm a newbie, I busted up an ankle in June '99, had surgery in Dec. '99 and am scheduled for more in Jan. 01. I have been on opiates since Nov. '99. I have just seen a pain specialist who upped my codeine contin to 300 mg. 2/day, with Statex morphine for breakthrough pain. I have started getting panic attacks that scare the hell out of me, I believe it is codeine related as I have had bad reactions in the past to codeine and percocet, when used in elevated dosages. I have cut the contin to 150 mg. 2/day and used the Statex as prescribed. I am experiencing some withdrawal, headache and yawning, don't need as much Aci-Lac. Anyone else had this happen?

Prior to this accident I was drug and alcohol free for 12 years and I am really trying to avoid an active addiction again; a physical dependence is a different problem with a different solution <IMO>. There have been times when an NA meeting would be nice, but I do not feel that open meetings are an appropriate forum for my situation. Fortunately, I have friends in program who have been in similar situations and they have mentioned this site as a resource.

Thanks,

Dave

[barbara to pain and lortab]

The 12 step programs seem to be good ones especially where narcotics are concerned. Unfortunately over here the A.A. group is sadly lacking many people with many years of sobriety or experience and the same people just repeat the same ole stuff every day about gratefull to be sober and the like. It's more like a rah-rah meeting.

I go to a drug and alcohol prgram as well as A.A. and have found it more effective with group counseling that give feedback and also good counseling from trained staff.

All the A.A.er'seem to do is sit around every night obsessing over alcohol. I never see them study the 12 steps, I guess they figure that's for the sponsor to do individually. I don't even crave alcohol anymore so I'd rather do something more fun like work on my house or other hobbies.

I have to come to some decision about this seizure disorder though because now I am developing symptoms of narcolepsy too and it is becoming dangerous to drive and difficult to work. I know I take alot of Klonopin for the seizures but so far that is ruled out as I tried both taking and not taking it before these morning spells and it seems to make no difference. The lighting is a factor. I get checked by a Neurologist this coming week and a sleep specialist in January. So I hope to find some answers. All of those partial status seizures may have caused some brain damage. That's all I can think would bring it on all of the sudden.

[Airedog]

Any of the 12 step programs are great, you get out of them what you put in. Personally I owe my life to NA. After detox NA kept me clean and gave me the tools to stay clean and grow. One of the first things I learned is that 12 step programs may be perfect in their theory. However, the people that make them up are not (nor would I want them to be). I have the right to share what I choose to the depth I choose with people of my choice. Some things I will discuss fully in an open meeting, some things I will discuss only with friends that I trust. Program has taught me that it is okay to trust and that I only suffer when I keep things to myself.

Having said all that, I reiterate that I do not believe an open meeting is the place to discuss the supervised use of prescribed medication. Newcomers do not need to hear that there is such a thing as supervised use, nor wrestle with the concept. Please note I am not saying controlled use; I place my life in the hands of my doctors, and, trust that by being open with them that together we can keep me from spiralling into an active addiction.

I have friends in program that I have discuss it with, I have people at the treatment centre I went to that I discuss it with, and, I am totally open with my doctors. I wish that there were a way to determine how much pain is organic and how much is my disease talking to me, there is not. All I can do is raise the issue periodically and know that when it no longer troubles me that I am truly in danger.

Study and application of the steps has allowed me to change my life. I believe that if I turn my will and my life over to my higher power he will give me what I need. In this case I believe that it is a medical team that is truly 1st rate, I have one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in the region, likewise my pain doctor is one of the best physiatrists in Canada, my family physician co-ordinates it all and can fit me into his schedule with in a couple of days, faster if it is an emergency. These people were put in my path for a reason, I choose to be honest with them because I believe it is the only way to get the help I need. My friends are there for me and make suggestions and give me insights that I do not always want to agree with, but again, thanks to program I can trust these people enough to both open up to them and give credence to what they say. If what I have written previously has given an impression contrary to this I apologise and hope that this sets the record straight (no pun intended).

Dave

[tom to airdog]

compared to most of us who participate in this forum, you seem to have the benefit of thorough, competent medical care to get you through all of this. You've been frank with your MD's about the addiction history and concerns, they seem willing to try different combos of drugs to treat you --- man, I wish I had half the help you've got. Perhaps you just need a mild dose of an anti-anxiety drug like Xanax on a short term basis to get you through, with a end game plan that includes a slow, comfortable detox when you don't need the pai relief. Anxiety can come from a lot of sources, perhaps the memory of something in your addiction experience is haunting you. Maybe you just need some people to talk to who have has similar experiences -- like AA (if you don't like NA). What could it hurt?

[Airedog]

At the risk of sounding elitist, I do not believe that a newcomer to NA will be able to understand 'supervised medical use'. I also wish to avoid feeling as if I must justify or explain my position to a zealot who quite frankly has not been where I am. Pain itself is mood altering. If the pain is turning me into someone I do not want to be and prescribed medication from a doctor trained to deal with people in my situation can allow me to stay true to myself, I will take medication. Any doctor that I have seen is aware of my addictive history. All my painkillers come from 1 doctor and past a certain point that doctor is a specialist. All my meds are known to my primary care physician, additionally, everything goes through 1 pharmacy where they also know my history. Program is a journey of self improvement not martyrdom.

I am currently seeing a pain specialist who has treated recovering addicts. We have discussed psychologically generated pain, organically based pain, and the combination of the two. My pain doctor believes that due to the fragments floating in my ankle, that I have predominantly organic pain. At the present time it is being treated as such.

When the pain doctor raised my codeine prescription we discussed paradoxical reactions, as I haave had bad reactions to oxycodone. This seems to be part of my problem right now. I have stopped the codeine contin on this doctor's advice and will just take Statex for a week, I will then review the results with the doctor and we will proceed accordingly. The withdrawal symptoms I seem to be experiencing are from cutting out the codeine.

Hopefully surgery in January will alleviate the problem. This is my second surgery however, and if the pain persists the doctor will do a full pain work-up to determine whether or not the pain is still organic in nature or chronic.

Dave

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I'm not sure what your question is but it sounds like you know about addiction.  You have been taking some pretty potent opioids for a while and it sounds like you are indeed having withdrawal symptoms.  Yawning always started first with me, then utter panic followed shortly.  Even if you just think you may have a problem, then you have a problem.  We tend to downplay our addiction, even to doctors!  But they are well aware of our ways.  

Why do you think that NA meetings are inappropriate forums to discuss your problems?  It's good that you have friends in the program, though.  My friends have always been more than willing to help me with my addictions and life in general.  It's a key part of the whole program, helping others.  Good luck and I hope to hear back from you.  J.B.

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Try Ultram,(Tramodol) it's a synthetic narcotic like drug but not on the narcotic control list and it does not produce those irritating side effects that codiene and percocet does. For me it actually kills the pain better too. Your general practioner will be much happier if you ask for that then for the supposed stronger stuff!

Oh. it does have some mood elevating effects too so it is somewhat addicting.