After percocet withdrawl, how do I manage pain?

[ursamama]

Hi there. I've been on and off this rollercoaster for years. My chronic pain issues started with severe migraines in .mt teens which led to codeine dependence. I then started having grand mal seizures, not from the drugs, but from a previously undiagnoed neurological condition. I was eventually detoxed at migraine clinic and got my meds down to one anticovulsent. To make a long story short, after two bouts of major depression/anxiety for which I take 40 mg Celexa daily, I was able to have a lovely, healthy baby boy!

About a year ago, however, still struggling with depression and anxiety, I developed chronic back pain, the result of years old injuries from seizure falls. The diagnosis, osteoartrits, osteophytes (bone spurs) and mild scoliosis (curvature of the spine) back I was on the narcotics, escalating use of Tylenol 3 for a year, then, a couple of months ago, onto oxycocet (generic percocets) The percocets worked great, everyone commenting how much more mobile and energetic I was, but within a couple of months, just as with the T3s, they stopped being effective, I started taking more than prescribed, ran out early and landed myself in the ER in the worst kind of personal hell imaginable. I told my doc, no matter how great they work when they work, I wanted off. So it was onto 25 mcg Fentanyl and a supposedly slow taper. Fentanyl, however, is not covered by my drug plan and I couldn't afford to get it for week so I used up all my percocets early again.

I ran out Thursday, walk-in clinic doc gave me Tramadol ER 200 to help mitigate withdrawals. I still ended up in the ER again on Friday night, but the wouldn't give me any percocets because I was back on the fentanyl patch too. With the help of some Ativan, I have survived to today. I've stopped the Tramadol because I know it can conflict with my celexa , and though I'm due to change my fentanyl patch too, I'm leaving it as long as I can lest I become addicted to yet another opiod from which I'll have to withdraw. I've made it through today having taken just 4 Tylenol 3s (2 for hours apart) and so far no Ativan. I'm basically trying to wind the clock back.

I'm in real connundrum. I need good pain management, but I can't go through that kind of withdrawal again, too many people are relying on me! Thanks for reading my story and any and all feedback.

[alsoinpain]

I know what you mean about remembering why you needed them in the first place. I had that problem last week. I was due to get my pills Saturday morning, usually I'm able to squirrel away one or two for the day I'm due to pick up depending if its a weekend or weekday. well this month i wasn't able to and i felt like my body was on fire, i hurt so bad that it took two doses to get the pain back under control. Good Luck to you.

[ursamama]

So the pain is really bad again today. I take T3s instead of percocets now for breakthrough and they aren't nearly as effective, even with fentanyl. I'm really bummed. Having scared myself into thinking I was an addict because I was running out early, now I remember why I had to start taking the damn things! Don't want to go up on the fentanyl, too worried about potentially really dangerous side effects...very frustrating! Thank you kind strangers and fellow pain sufferers for reading and offering feedback. There is comfort in knowing that I am not alone!

[alsoinpain]

I just wanted to offer other suggestions for helping with your pain that when used WITH your pain meds, it may actually help them last longer. One is get a heating pad, that is very important because the relief is wonderful, it wont take your pain away completely but it will feel good. Also use ice packs, and get yourself some icy-hot. You also may want to ask for a muscle relaxer because the muscle spasms may make your pain worse and make you feel the need for more opiates when you may not necessarily need them. I hope this helps and as someone else suggested, you need a pain management doctor, a GP can only do so much for you for only so long a time. There will come a time when your GP won't be able to help due to regulations with opiates. Best of luck to you!

[ursamama]

Thanks all. The fentanyl is quite effective, but makes me feel like a zombie, and depressed, don't like it. My goal is to get off as many meds as possible. I was very excited to learn that there's a holistic pain clinic not too far away and the services should be covered by my medical plan. I think I need to be more proactive instead of just going along with whatever is given to me and feeling guilty when it doesn't work, like I'm bothering the doctors.

[shinty]

Find a REAL pain clinic that offers alternative therapies as well as the traditional options that we are used to. maybe it's acupuncture and biofeedback that will help. Who knows??? It can't hurt to try anything and everything. When in pain it's usually "anything and everything we will do to get out of it right??!!! The clinics that I'm talking about are few and far between, but they are out there. Good luck.

[el_em_en_oh]

Just something to keep in mind... there's a big difference between being "med dependent" and being an "addict".

Running through your scripts early repeatedly, drug-seeking, doctor-shopping, going to the ER constantly (after your regular scripts have run out)... those would be tell'tail signs of addiction.

Don't confuse being med dependent on being an addict. Just because, at the end of the month, when your regular script runs out and for some reason you don't get to your doctor for a refill or it's late in the mail, etc, and you start to go through withdrawls, that you're an addict.

Withdrawls do not equal addict, as almost every PM patient will tell you. Your body gets used to getting the meds, and will experience withdrawls whether you're an addict or med dependent.

Only YOU can know which one you are or aren't.

My 2 cents.  

[ursamama]

Thank you. I think the varying attitudes from the medical community have made me feel like I'm addict. I think I'm an addict in that I'm terrified of not having enough meds/running out, feeling pain and withdrawals and having to describe it all to doctors and pharmacists. I'm going to see if I can be referred to a pain specialist.

[marycarmel]

Just from someone who's been there with dependency, Fentanyl is really hard to come off, much harder than the percocets.  It's unclear to me that you're addicted.  Maybe you're just dependent and having pseudo addiction because you're pain isn't well controlled?

A GP really shouldn't be the one overseeing your chronic pain.  See a pain specialist as they offer things beyond medications.

[ursamama]

Thanks. I see my doc on Tuesday. I felt the ER doctor, different from the last one, wasn't very sympathetic. I wasn't there looking for a "fix" I just didn't want my son to see me so messed up. I live in a small town and I've already argued with a couple of pharmacists for lecturing me on needing my meds a few days early. Now I fear I'm going to be pegged as an addict and no doctor in town will help me. I really like my GP, so much that I worry my early prescription depletion is going to make him look bad...anyway, it's nice to know somebody's read my story, feels good just getting it out there.

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

I am sorry to hear all that is going with you. Listen, you really need to work with your prescribing physician about this. If you are going to stop the pain medication you need to have an alternative plan in place. Please tell your doctor what your concerns are because they are real.

I wish you the best and hope it all works out for you.