Is my pain management OK or am I becoming addicted?

[Liz50]

I have had chronic hip pain since an injury in HS (cheerleading--) and then carrying 5 huge babies took its toll on my right hip. It seems to be a family issue and both my sisters have it, too, and I know my Grandmother suffered also. It's arthritic, not very much so, I think more ligament  damage. I am 55 and menopausal, and for some reason all pain seems to have worsened with the onset of menopause.
I try to get by with Ibuprofen, but my old GP let me have Lortab 7.5 for use up to 3 times a day. Made such a huge difference in my life! I knew I could do whatever I wanted, physically, and if I exacerbated the hip problem, it was OK to take a pain pill and do some stretches and in a day or so, the worst was over. Sadly, also with menopuase came the resurgence of migraines, which I had not had for 25 years. Imitrex for those, but a Lortab alongside and I was functional.
My dr left the state after 20 yrs of practice, her "replacement" dr told me I was an addict (going through about 90 Lortab in 6-8 weeks)..and cut me off. Made me feel so terrible. I never took the stuff more than prescribed, I never took it to get "high" whatever that means...now I have a much lower quality of life...in much pain just from walking and I was going to the gym 4 days a week and babysitting and doing everything..now I just want to lay on an ice pack and cry. It's not withdrawal, it's pain! I did find out this particular doc is on probation and CANNOT even prescribe anything w/o another dr's OK, and I did not know this going in.
I haven't upped my dosage in 5 years, I really do get by with 90 in 6 weeks, so that's, what, 2 a day?
I am seeing another dr tomorrow, one whom I hope will have some empathy.
I guess my question is...am I addicted to the Lortab or to the feeling of having no pain, or pain that can be managed with the judicious use of narcotics? My old GP never let me run out and was very good about seeing me every year to discuss this. I will not be returning to the 2nd doc. He was totally un-sympathetic, even to the point of telling me to "suck it up" and menopause never killed anybody. Seriously. Any thoughts on this?

[Liz50]

Thanks for your reply...to all of you! I guess this must have really been bugging me, since after seeing that first doc and he was such a jerk...I really had my wheels knocked out from under me! He acted like nobody (well he actually SAID that nobody) should be on narcotics every day.I guess I started to think 'shoot, maybe he's right" but the truth is, a lot of people have pain everyday to the point it does keep them from having a quality life.
I do feel better after seeing this new doc and I am hopeful.
Thanks all!

[namnam46]

Hi Liz50,

As Tuck and atonicat said, you absolutely are NOT addicted on only 2 Lortab's a day!!  It's wonderful that they help you so much and I'm very happy that you finally found a good Doctor that can and will prescribe you something that works for your pain so that you can get around again and continue your life as you are used to it.

Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.  It sounds like you have a great fit for your PM Doctor as well as a PCP and Gyno.  How lucky you are!!!

I'll be looking for all of your updates...........Sherry  :)

[Liz50]

How kind of you to ask! The "new" Gp doc is a 180 from the guy I saw last week. She gave me 45 minutes iof uninterrupted facetime, did a physical, talked to me and was completely understanding and kind. She did not think that 1-2 Lortab a day was excessive at all, and had no porblem with rxing that for me.
All in all, I was very happy and have scheduled my yearly physical with her for Sept., and I will see how it goes with her as my primary care doc and gynecologist both.
I am going to make a formal complaint about that other doc--I really think (after musing on it) that he was pretty darn unprofessional and I can't help but think he's like that to everyone. My husband always says "What do you call the person who graduated last from med school?" Well, the answer to that is DR! And they often don't know a lot.
Thanks agin for your post, it's ncie t know we have friends in cyber space..ands yes, I'd
like that supporting literature, if you'd like to share it!
Liz

[Tuckamore]

Hi Liz,

How did the appointment go with the new PCP? I certainly hope he/she was more empathic then the last one. You were wise to change.

As said above you are not an addict.... far from it. If you require any supporting literate I can direct you to some articles. I'll be interested to hear about the appointment.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[atonicat]

I would have said you need to find another doctor but since you already did I will just say that the other doctor was out of line. Many doctors (mostly pain doctors) would love a patient who is only on 2 lortabs a day for five years without a dosage increase. I can't really think of a reason menopause would increase your pain except for maybe hormones but I don't really know a lot about menopause. Maybe a female doctor would have a better bed side manner with you.

You are for sure not addicted. If you were addicted you would not be able to only take two pills a day. You may be dependent but that's not the same as addiction.