Addiction or not?

[Lizzy57]

Question for a doc, or anyone who wants to throw out some ideas.
I had major back surgery a year ago. Only had half of what was really required, due to the length of recovery and the dr's decision at the time.. My major back issues were resolved, so the "acute pain" is gone, but I have had to take Ibuprofen everyday, and also Norco (7.5 mg/325) twice a day to help me move (in the mornings) and be able to sleep relatively well. I am a part time babysitter to 9 grandkids, 3 of whom are non-walking babies. Picking them up all day--whoa. Also I care for my aging mother who is in a wheelchair on bad days, uses a walker on good, but requires a lot of care. I do all the cleaning, yardwork and maintenance of our home as hubby travels 25 days a month.
This month, my GP just cut me off of the Norco. Said he wanted to see how I'd do on nothing but Ibuprofen & that I was addicted. I have had no withdrawal symptoms other than insomnia, but I am in serious pain by bedtime.
I know why my GP did this: He gives me 60 Norco and they have to last 30 days. During the last month, I had a root canal done. The endodontist gave me 15- 5 mgs/325 Norco. Somehow my GP found out and said I was "drug seeking". In fairness to him, he is a dr in his 2nd year of practice and is probably scared silly about narcotics prescriptions. I'm 58, no spring chicken and but for this sore, stiff back, I can still do what needs to be done.
Is my "addiction" really as bad as this guy is making it out to be? I have NEVER been so humiliated in my life. He treated me like I was scum of the earth who will never have his trust again. I read on these boards about people who are taking 10-20 pills a day and I am astounded! How can a max of 2 a day be considered addicted? I guess I am addicted: to being able to MOVE.
Yeah, I am little miffed. Should I find another, more compassionate dr? Or am I the hopeless addict he's treating me as? So confused.

[Lizzy57]

Thank you for your time and comments.
I agree with you--in that I am probably physically dependent on the Norco for the pain relief. I did NOT have PT after surgery, I was told to walk a lot and not pick up heavy objects (grandbabies :)  My hubby had a major motorcycle wreck 5 weeks after my back surgery so I was lifting and doing far more than I was really allowed to do at that time. I know that didn't help matters any. I did do PT PRIOR to the back surgery and did those same exercises on my own once I felt that I was healed enough to do so. As I said, only half of the needed surgery was done at the time, so I am sure part of this pain is the places that are still "hot" so to speak. I want to put off another surgery as long as possible.  

I have decided I will look for a more age-appropriate GP for myself. This guy is nice, but is terrified to make a decision that is "outside the box". Telling me I was an addict was very humiliating to me, and not helpful. I'm sure once this guy hits a certain age he will better appreciate that chronic pain is depressing and difficult to live with.

Thanks, I will continue working on building muscles strength and learning to live w/o the Norco. Though, honestly, sometimes pain meds do have a place in our lives. esp as we age and everything starts to hurt!  

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You are definitely NOT a hopeless addict. I was smiling as I was reading this. Your doctor did overreact a bit out of inexperience and fear. However, you did become physically dependent on the Norcos. The proof to that is the insomnia and the hyperalgesia that you have developed. Hyperalgesia is the reaction your body has to taking opiate over a period of time and developing a dependency. It actually feels more pain than it should and by what you are telling me you should be in better shape than you are. Did you get the appropriate physical therapy after your back surgery? Were you taught the correct body mechanics? You should not be in this much pain a year after the surgery. If this doctor was truly inconsiderate and rude, do find another one, maybe a woman in her fifties :). But getting off of the opiates is ultimately a good idea. Good luck and feel good.