Chronic pain management?

[moonmom801]

I struggle with a severe form of spinal arthritis. My doctors encourage me to medicate. I don't like to. I tend to slip in and out of dependency according to pain levels and depression about it. I stay far away from oxy and morphine because they are very difficult for people to quit. Vicodin makes me sluggish and sad. I lose connections and sulk in my bed. I just stopped all about a week ago. Feeling a bit better. Still depressed with another medical procedure looming. I'm worried. Anyone else in this boat? Any personal advice from experience is welcome. You have to be here to know.
thanks

[clean_in_ks]

Welcome back...I see you have been a member of MH for quite awhile...and it seems you know how to utilize all the forums.  That's a GOOD thing...you should get some good feedback that way.

As a chronic pain person myself, I can only tell you that getting off opiates and staying off them was the only way I could truly learn what my true pain levels were.  Then, thru a lot of research and being open to suggestions, I am finding other ways to deal with my pain.  By the time I got off all opiate pain meds, I had opiate induced hyperalgesia.  Sounds like you are taking a break from pain meds...and if you can continue that for awhile....the depression and tired, sluggishness should lessen.  Nothing is more depressing than being in pain all the time and feeling there are no other options out there beside meds.
I am now trying a specialized type of physical therapy that I didn't know existed and after years of pain...I see a little glimmer of light shining.....and perhaps some progress.
I hope you can push through and give your pain/opiate receptors some time to heal.....then perhaps other options will open up in dealing with your ongoing pain.  I feel for ya....a week off opiates is a GREAT start~

[moonmom801]

Thank you for your support. I feel the same way. I am getting RF so as to stay off the meds. I have hit bottom with my mood and am digging myself out of a hole. Gotta lose that 20 lbs, gotta stay off meds, gotta nurture my friendships, gotta care for my kids, gotta work out, gotta, gotta, gotta...it is exhausting. At one point I thought a little doggie might help, but now I gotta care for her too. It's just too much. Need to simplify, relax. It is very hard without a partner or parents to take good care of myself. I often feel very alone. Also I would like to find a man to share my life with but what do I have to offer? It is very difficult when everyone has a 'job' they get their socializing from and I have my kids, the internet, a few friends I see seldom. How do others function in a work a day world with hidden disabilities like mine? I used to have a good support group, but it dissolved. Ugh....