Need advice about Hydrocodon and addiction

[Auctioneer]

I have fibromyalgia and arthritis and I take Soma and Meloxicam on a regular basis to control the muscle aches.  Last December I was sitting in my car at a red light when someone hit me from behind going about 45mph.  Since then the muscle that runs right across the middle of my back burns with a sharp, while hot pain when standing for more than a few hours.  My job is physical and it's been hard working thru the pain.  I finally called my doctor this week and requested something for the pain.  I never have before, but this is really interfering with my work.  My doctor has prescribed hydrocodon and I am afraid to take it, because of all the stories of addiction associated with this drug.  Any advice on how to avoid that?

[missygina]

I didn't mean to frighten you.  Sorry.  I just have major concerns because I lost someone to it.  Managing the pain as it starts is important, or else it will get "out of control" and your meds will not work.  It sounds like you are cautious, and this is always a good thing.  It sounds like you have a good working relationship with your doctor which is very good also.  

Pain is difficult, and I give you Kuddo's for reaching out - good for you.  Standing on hard surfaces is very difficult when in pain.  I cannot do it.  I struggle everyday with pain.  Know that you are not alone.  

Wishing you the best and always stay in good communication with you physician.  I am trying to find a good one now.  They are at times hard to come by, and seem to think that everyone that takes this medicine is an addict - when the medicine creates habit itself.  It is a horrible situation.  Sort of a no win situation.  

Best of life to you...
Gina

[Auctioneer]

Thank you for your answer.  I took it today after the pain had been bad for about an hour and a half, but only took half a pill.  It took away the pain for a while and I was able to do my work without feeling like I needed to lay down or scream.  However on the way home, I was aware of a it of a high or fuzziness.  Now I know to take it earlier as soon as that burning starts. That way it should wear off before I have to drive home.  

Soma has been part of my drug therapy for a long time and I have never taken it as much as I am prescribed.  The doctor who prescribed the hydrocodon has been my doctor for 25 or so years, so he is aware of what other drugs I am taking.  I also ran the combination past my pharmacist and he says it will be ok.

I guess I was frightened by all the stories I have heard about hydrocodon, but after reading the replies I have gotten here, I think it will be fine as long as I only take a half 2 days a week.

Thank you all for taking the time to answer my concerns.

[missygina]

Hi,
It doesn't sound like you are having problems with "over taking" your medication.  If you take more medication that you need, if you are taking the medication for altering your mood, the good feelings it can produce... this is when you have to start to be concerned.  If you take your pain medicines "as prescribed", or less than - you don't have as much to be concerned with.  These medicines are for those of us that need them to control and manage pain.  NOT everyone that takes them take them to get high.  The thing is and I truly mean the real deal, is to be absolutely honest with yourself.  It isn't always the most easy thing to do, because we are stressed, pain causes stress and depression - and these medications alter our minds - and our feelings.  The fact that you are writing about it is a plus.  Ultimately you are the one in control, and can only answer these questions that you have, and earnestly within yourself.  
I take my meds, I've had problems but I know now that I have to take them "as prescribed" or I won't have enough to get me through the pain.  Soma can be very dangerous if not taken properly.  I had a friend die on Soma.  She became very addicted to it, and was taking it in massive amounts and it killed her.  So, be careful with it especially in combination you described.  It can, and has been lethal.  
If you are, and it sounds like you are, frightened by your medications and concerned about addiction, be frank with your doctor.  He will understand and hopefully if he is a good physician, assure you of how to handle this.  Hope this helps in some way.

[Auctioneer]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.  I don't even take the soma as much as I am allowed to. It's prescribed that I can take it every 6 hours.  I take it every night before bed.  On the 2 days a week that I am on a concrete floor all day, I take it about halfway thru the day.  I have never had the "fuzzies" from it, as a matter of fact I often wonder if it is doing much at all for me.  I learned a long time ago I just have to live with the pain, even went to a shrink to learn how to box the pain in my head and then make the box smaller and smaller until you know it's there but it is manageable.

Fibro has not ruined my life at all. I get all my work done even if I hurt. On the days I am off, I take it easy and let my body rest.   Everyone has something and I'm grateful my something is not worse or life threatening.

But this muscle pain from the accident is bad and really wearing me down/  If I just take one 2 days a week to calm the pain, when I am on that floor, will it become a habit?

[IwillDoThis]

Hi there - I would just suggest being REALLY honest with yourself - do you like the feelings the soma give you? the fuzzies or the energy?

Most of us here got started out of pain - I myself have fibro, suffer chronic migraines as well as a host of other stuff.  I was fine taking the pills for years but at some point over the last 3 years it went from helping my pain to just being required to feel normal.  I liked the fuzzy feeling, I liked how I could talk to anyone and then I realized I NEEDED the meds just to function despite the fact that they were no longer controling my pain.

Long term use of opiates WILL cause dependence and when you have to go off of them you will suffer severe withdrawals whether it is only physical dependence or if it progressed into addiction - your body doesn't care.

Opiates are life saving for many and have their place.  I would work closely with your doctor and just be honest, if you see yourself needing more and more to control the pain (which is really inevitable and the nature of the beast) then you will know to be careful.  Keep in mind I was only taking what was prescribed by my doctor which was 4-6 10/325 mg hydros per day and here I am.

I have a pain mgmt journal that tells everything I do to naturally manage my pain, check out my profile and read it - it may give you some ideas of alternate therapies you could try.

As someone with Fibro I want to tell you that you do not have to lay down to this, you do not have to let it ruin your life.  Doctors many times give us no hope so I resolved myself to a a life of pain and defeat for a few years - keep searching, keep an open mind.   The mind can do crazy things to cause us pain and many times we have the power to heal ourselves.

I can't tell you what is right or wrong from you - I can only convey my experience with fibro, hydros and this addiction I acquired through it.  I do have a history of sporadic  drug use throughout my life recreationally  so I suppose I was destined for this eventually.  Only you know your own inclinations but be assured you WILL develop physical dependence if nothing else.

Hope this helped, please check out my journal by clicking on my user name and views my journal page.

Best of luck