chronic pain/codeine withdrawal

[livingsober]

My name is Joe, and I am a recovering cocaine/crack addict and alcoholic (16 months) My question is being asked on behalf of a friend of mine who is also in recovery from alcoholism, but who now finds herself desperately struggling with a rather serious Tylenol/codeine addiction. Living in Canada, T1's and T2's are readily available for the consuming, and T3's are fairly easy to get, especially when one factors in that she is dealing with a legitimate chronic pain issue. My friend has no cartilage left in one ankle due to an accident a few years ago, and has had steel pins inserted. This means that her bodies natural cushion/shock absorber is non-existent, and therefore each and every movement of her ankle joint creates bone-on-bone friction/grinding, resulting in enormous pain. She thus medicates with codeine as a means of being able to handle the pain during her day to day living. However, she recognizes that her codeine consumption is out of control, and desperately wants to get off of them. The problem is compounded by the fact that all of the other pain med's that have been prescribed leave her feeling too 'out of it' to function normally in day to day living. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[mr.lucky66]

She would probalby need to take something stronger for her problem. Codeine and especialy tylenol/ codeine are not that good for pain and have many side effects. The other poster had some good suggestions about the morphine pump etc. Tylenol is also liver poisen in high doses.

[jcverive]

I think your friend would benefit greatly from an intrathecal pump. Also known as a "morphine pump", it's reservoir can be filled with fentanyl, ketamine, or  whatever "cocktail" is determined to work best for her. Your friend likely will be detox'd after the device is implanted and working.

Good luck to you both.