Help i'm at a loss (hooked on Hydrocodone from lower back surgery)

[paulgil2793]

I had lower L5-S1 surgery in 2011.  The surgery was botched and negligence lead to extensive permanent nerve damage in my back-leg-foot, I have muscle paralysis in my calf and my foot is numb 24/7 and the pain is so great I can't function, stand, sit, laydown,  The surgeon who fowled up the surgery never put me in rehab and did not care.  I was stuck.  My primary care dr put me on hydrocodone to get the pain level under control.  Then I find out that the surgeon didnt even do the surgery he was supposed to do and instead played with me on the table with his students.  I went on disability since i can no longer work and i finally went to a top rated neurosurgeon the newest MRI findings show tremendous amount of damage, 4 herniated discs, nerve compression, and lots of scar tissue.  The new drs have said there is nothing they can do to help with the pain besides the meds.  The problem I have is I take the meds so that i can function however I take more then I need to avoid withdraw effects.  My prescription is low at 10/325 and I take 40-60mgs a day 4-6 tablets.  But like I said I know I dont need that much to ease the pain, I take that much to avoid withdraws.  What can I do to lower the dosage?? I can;t sleep, my brain feels lazy, etc I hope I can find some help here and suggestions.

Thank you

[philnoir]

Of course you can come here, anytime.

There are many support groups on the internet for people in pain. Since you are a younger person, let me also recommend /reddit.com/r/chronicpain where many 20 - 30 year olds congregate.

I've been living with chronic pain since my 20s -- I am now in my 60s.

It is possible to live a life with pain when you have the proper medical support. I've been living on opiates daily for over 20 years. Without them, I couldn't have functioned, had a family, children, run a business, written books, etc.

I'm not through yet, and continue to have problems getting my pain managed at times.

It requires self-education to your medical condition and possible treatments, learning to work with health providers, and being your own advocate for pain treatment.

Best wishes.

[paulgil2793]

I have been to 3 pain management specialists and everytime injections are brought up they all said it most likely would not be beneficial for the types of pain I am having and they all 3 have said there just really isn't anything that can be done and I'll always have to take the hydrocodone to manage the pain so I can function.  They also suggested a pain device they implant to block out the nerve pain however in the end the decided against that because they don't know what they'll be cutting knot since there is so much damage and the MRI don't show 100% everything.  So I agree I'm not emotionally or mentally addicted to it but I have to be dependent on it again so I can function.  Thank you both for your feedback. It made me feel much better hearing that I'm not addicted to it and that I do need something.  I'll talk to my dr about a longer lasting medication, hydro only lasts 6-8hrs which as you said I need at least 12hr medication.  Thanks again!

PS can I come here when I feel deeply depressed and express myself? No one understands me and they ignore me because they don't know what to say. I really need someone to really talk with.  

[Toni_Paugh]

Hi. It is a good idea to go to Pain management. (I agree with everything Philnoir has said) A long acting, 12hr or 24 hr medication would be best. Also, they can try injections for your back. Some people get good relief for a while, but will have to continue them as for they don't last forever. You can ask about getting a Morphine pump, it released into your back (not something you take orally). I am a pain patient & understand how scary it feels that you will go into withdraws. Your body does build a dependence, a long acting opioid will keep this from happening, plus gives you around the clock pain relief. In order for you to cut back now without withdraws you need to cut back small amounts at a time. First, you can extend the time an extra hour in between doses, getting them farther & farther apart as possible with still managing the pain. You also can break the pills (yours aren't time released so this can be done). break off a 1/4, take 3/4 a few times. Then break off a 1/3 (for a few times), then 1/2 and so on. You will figure out how much you need for pain & how often as you do this. Of course don't do less then needed, it's harder to chase pain then manage it. If you just want off of them, continue with that method until your off. Pain management can help you with these concerns. If you need to discuss more (due to I also take pain meds) you can message me. I hope this helps.

[philnoir]

You should be on a long-acting opioid medication for chronic pain, with short acting medication for breakthrough pain.

You are "hooked" but in a way that's called opioid dependence. This is a very different animal than opioid addiction, which is a behavioral disorder. Opioid dependence is a reaction of the nervous system to long-term opioid therapy.

Ask your doctor about the use of long acting pain medications to control your pain, and how to manage breakthrough pain that occurs at times even when receiving adequate pain control with long acting medications.

If this discussion is beyond his/her understanding, ask for a referral to pain management.

Best wishes.