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Where do I belong? Tapering but have true Pain, not addict
Hi,
My question is this. I have been posting over on the addiction forum because it is the only place I can find good info for w/d's BUT I am a true Chronic Pain patient so getting off the meds is a different ball game for me.
Anyway, long story short I am tapering off all my narcotics. My choice fully. I asked my husband to only give me what is prescribed each day and he locks the rest away! My doctor is on board and very supportive as well. I have three small children so I feel as though I really want to get back to square one and see what my true pain levels are.
So I have gone from:
5 1/2 15mg Oxycodone
2 30mg Oxycontin
8 Soma
6 Tramadol
2 Diazapam
TO:
4 Oxycodone
1 Oxycontin
4 Soma
4 Tramadol
1/2 Diazapam
I did this in just 20 days with little w/d symptoms. I did have one trip to the ER this week because my intestines shut down due to tapering to fast ;-(
Here is my question
Anyone have any experience in this area.
I NEED support to taper and to get through the pain that is coming so quickly!
Thank you in advance!
My question is this. I have been posting over on the addiction forum because it is the only place I can find good info for w/d's BUT I am a true Chronic Pain patient so getting off the meds is a different ball game for me.
Anyway, long story short I am tapering off all my narcotics. My choice fully. I asked my husband to only give me what is prescribed each day and he locks the rest away! My doctor is on board and very supportive as well. I have three small children so I feel as though I really want to get back to square one and see what my true pain levels are.
So I have gone from:
5 1/2 15mg Oxycodone
2 30mg Oxycontin
8 Soma
6 Tramadol
2 Diazapam
TO:
4 Oxycodone
1 Oxycontin
4 Soma
4 Tramadol
1/2 Diazapam
I did this in just 20 days with little w/d symptoms. I did have one trip to the ER this week because my intestines shut down due to tapering to fast ;-(
Here is my question
Anyone have any experience in this area.
I NEED support to taper and to get through the pain that is coming so quickly!
Thank you in advance!
Hi Jen,
Thank you for your words:) I just added you as a friend, because you SO get it, and I really appreciate your support.
I wanted to let you know that I was prescribed Clonidine for the symptoms of withdrawal like anxiety, restless leg, hot flashes, etc. It is not a benzo, and is non-addictive. It is an old blood pressure med that works well for opiate withdrawal, as well. I thought I'd let you know so that you can look into it for the short-term if when you taper further things get worse (as they did for me).
Be gentle with yourself -- you are tapering down off of other meds, too. If I were you, and things get to be too much, just stick with the pain med taper. You can do the rest down the road, and it is honestly the worst of the bunch from my experience
Will try and keep you posted. I go at 11am, so don't think I'll be here much, but will definitely report back when I'm out. Eek! Here I go:)
Love and light.
Thank you for your words:) I just added you as a friend, because you SO get it, and I really appreciate your support.
I wanted to let you know that I was prescribed Clonidine for the symptoms of withdrawal like anxiety, restless leg, hot flashes, etc. It is not a benzo, and is non-addictive. It is an old blood pressure med that works well for opiate withdrawal, as well. I thought I'd let you know so that you can look into it for the short-term if when you taper further things get worse (as they did for me).
Be gentle with yourself -- you are tapering down off of other meds, too. If I were you, and things get to be too much, just stick with the pain med taper. You can do the rest down the road, and it is honestly the worst of the bunch from my experience
Will try and keep you posted. I go at 11am, so don't think I'll be here much, but will definitely report back when I'm out. Eek! Here I go:)
Love and light.
It is just so refreshing to find somebody in the same boat as me. But I am so sorry for your pain. You have come a long way. I will be down to the same as you are on now in about 3 weeks according to my taper. Of course I have all those other addictive meds to get off as well. So far they have not been able to talk me into adding an anti anxiety med though. I am trying to do this without adding things to get off of others because that got me here to begin with.
I will try to stay close to my computer tomorrow. Keep me updated on how you are!!! I'm here for you. I am so proud of you!
I will try to stay close to my computer tomorrow. Keep me updated on how you are!!! I'm here for you. I am so proud of you!
Hi Jen,
Thank you so much. I am pretty freaked-out, but know I can do this. Right now, I'm down to 15mg Oxycodone 4 x per day. At the height of things, I was on 120mg of Oxycontin, plus 1-2 10mg Oxycodone for breakthrough 3 x per day, so for me, the dose I'm on now is true progress that wasn't easy to achieve. I have Interstitial Cystitis, which is an eroded and ulcerated bladder. When urine enters the bladder, it is like acid on a wound, and seeps into your abdomen and causes further damage. Very hard to control pain-wise.
My bladder has healed-up, so the pain is way better, but I also have fibromyalgia and some other health issues.
I don't want to be a slave to these pills, either. It is so annoying and all consuming to have to schedule your life around them. When my Grandfather was sick with shingles, and my sister and I were visiting him, we went to his specialist with him. I was running out of my pain meds and far from home, so had to go in afterwards to see if they would re-fill my prescription. It's just so all humiliating, even though the doc was really nice about it.
Anyways, remember that everyone is different and all react differently to withdrawal. I think that the biggest piece for us is pain, and finding other ways to manage it.
Don't let the fear rule your choices. We both may be on and off of them depending on pain issues, but I think that the less we can get by on, the better, as they do wreak havoc on your body and mind, as well as your time and energy.
Stay strong, and thank you for your friendship:)
Thank you so much. I am pretty freaked-out, but know I can do this. Right now, I'm down to 15mg Oxycodone 4 x per day. At the height of things, I was on 120mg of Oxycontin, plus 1-2 10mg Oxycodone for breakthrough 3 x per day, so for me, the dose I'm on now is true progress that wasn't easy to achieve. I have Interstitial Cystitis, which is an eroded and ulcerated bladder. When urine enters the bladder, it is like acid on a wound, and seeps into your abdomen and causes further damage. Very hard to control pain-wise.
My bladder has healed-up, so the pain is way better, but I also have fibromyalgia and some other health issues.
I don't want to be a slave to these pills, either. It is so annoying and all consuming to have to schedule your life around them. When my Grandfather was sick with shingles, and my sister and I were visiting him, we went to his specialist with him. I was running out of my pain meds and far from home, so had to go in afterwards to see if they would re-fill my prescription. It's just so all humiliating, even though the doc was really nice about it.
Anyways, remember that everyone is different and all react differently to withdrawal. I think that the biggest piece for us is pain, and finding other ways to manage it.
Don't let the fear rule your choices. We both may be on and off of them depending on pain issues, but I think that the less we can get by on, the better, as they do wreak havoc on your body and mind, as well as your time and energy.
Stay strong, and thank you for your friendship:)
WOW well I will have you in my prayers on Friday and after! Do you mind if I ask how low of a dose you are c/t off of tomorrow. I am worried when I get down lower I just won't be able to do it. I really don't have many withdrawals just the pain that keeps me going back for more and I hate it more than anything. I just pray everyday I will get down at the point that I don't need them daily round the clock. If I can do that then my husband can give me a small dose to control the bad pain and I can live with that. I just don't want to be dependent on the pill anymore. It is so time consuming, draining and takes over your life. I'm sure you know what I mean. It's like you can't do a thing without thinking about the pain and medication first. I want to think of other things first. Vacations that I don't have to time my med refills around!!! Wow imagine that!
I just wanted to add that it's true that your pain will be better managed when you have surgery because you're tapering down. I broke my leg really badly when I was on very high doses of these meds, and after the ortho surgery, they couldn't control my pain. I wound-up on even higher dosages, and while I was in hospital for 9 days post-op, I was on insane amounts of IV and oral pain meds, and was a complete zombie and apparently pretty wasted. I barely even remember it, and that's a scary thing.
Another great reason why we are doing this NOW!
Another great reason why we are doing this NOW!
Hi Jen,
What an inspiring update! Sounds like things are really starting to fall into place for you and your family, and that is great. During my tapers, it was always the first week that was really rough, and after that things did improve. I was on WAY higher dosages of the same pain meds as you (I have a very painful bladder disease that, at it's height, was very hard to control pain-wise), and every time I reduced, I would initially think that there was no way I could do it, but it looks like bit by bit, we can, I'm now gearing up go cold turkey on Friday in medical detox (I have really complex health issues), and I'm totally freaked-out.
I'm not afraid of being sick, but I am afraid of the pain and anxiety side of things. It's getting off of these lower dosages that seem to be much harder, as my doctor foretold, so I am ripping off of the band-aid to get this over with once and for all. I am going to pick-up the L-Tyrosine, etc., and hope and pray that they'll let me take it.
I really hope that your son starts to feel better soon, and that the rest of you stay healthy, too.
Love and light
PS -- We should start a prayer circle!!
What an inspiring update! Sounds like things are really starting to fall into place for you and your family, and that is great. During my tapers, it was always the first week that was really rough, and after that things did improve. I was on WAY higher dosages of the same pain meds as you (I have a very painful bladder disease that, at it's height, was very hard to control pain-wise), and every time I reduced, I would initially think that there was no way I could do it, but it looks like bit by bit, we can, I'm now gearing up go cold turkey on Friday in medical detox (I have really complex health issues), and I'm totally freaked-out.
I'm not afraid of being sick, but I am afraid of the pain and anxiety side of things. It's getting off of these lower dosages that seem to be much harder, as my doctor foretold, so I am ripping off of the band-aid to get this over with once and for all. I am going to pick-up the L-Tyrosine, etc., and hope and pray that they'll let me take it.
I really hope that your son starts to feel better soon, and that the rest of you stay healthy, too.
Love and light
PS -- We should start a prayer circle!!
From the bottom of my heart I have to tell you thank you so much. I was about ready to give up on this site b/c the addict board as great as they are just were not understanding my pain issues. The real issue when it comes down to it is not dealing with the taper or w/d it IS dealing with the PAIN!
So my 10 yr old son and I have had longs talks about all of it but he is using it as an excuse now for why he can't seem to stay on task at school. NOT good as he is in a special Gifted program and it has nothing to do with me. I know this because I am much more "there" now, not having anymore pain than always other than at night, and I did do alone time with him. The alone time helped more than anything. He just needs as much attention on him as everyone is putting on me right now I think. Art is a great idea. I am a painter and photographer so maybe the two of us will break out a couple canvas's this weekend or go on a photo shoot.My daughter is really supportive and understanding. At the young age of 9 she really "gets it". My youngest is 6 and doesn't really know what is going on. He does know I have pain and that I take medicine but he is very sympathetic when he can tell I don't feel well.
I started the Thomas Recipe the first week. I only take a lot of the vitamins when I taper for the first few weeks. Then I don't seem to need them.
I tapered down on my night time OxyContin dose on Saturday and I'm dong ok so far. I'm down to only 20mg in 24hrs. I was taking 60mg in 24hrs. I have not gone up in my Oxycodone so I have cut my Oxy's in half since I started Jan9th and I try to remind myself and be proud of myself.
Anxiety hasn't been too bad lately. It was at first but it better now that my taper slowed to every two weeks 10mg drop. I only take 1/2 a diazepam at night. That's it!!!
On the down side. My youngest son is very very sick. Started with a sinus and ear infections that quickly went to the lungs. He has Asthma. Then after a full week in bed with a ton of medication which I hate giving him he got a little better. Then last night he started throwng up! Stomach flu I hope and not something more serious. Of course I also have the sinus stuff and so does my oldest son. It's been really hard to push through my taper and all the illness and nursing I'm doing for the kids. I hope I don't get too run down and get the stomach flu. Last time I got that from my son was when I ended up in the ER ;-( So please pray I won't get any sicker. I have to get myself and kids healthy!!! I'm trying trust me!
So my 10 yr old son and I have had longs talks about all of it but he is using it as an excuse now for why he can't seem to stay on task at school. NOT good as he is in a special Gifted program and it has nothing to do with me. I know this because I am much more "there" now, not having anymore pain than always other than at night, and I did do alone time with him. The alone time helped more than anything. He just needs as much attention on him as everyone is putting on me right now I think. Art is a great idea. I am a painter and photographer so maybe the two of us will break out a couple canvas's this weekend or go on a photo shoot.My daughter is really supportive and understanding. At the young age of 9 she really "gets it". My youngest is 6 and doesn't really know what is going on. He does know I have pain and that I take medicine but he is very sympathetic when he can tell I don't feel well.
I started the Thomas Recipe the first week. I only take a lot of the vitamins when I taper for the first few weeks. Then I don't seem to need them.
I tapered down on my night time OxyContin dose on Saturday and I'm dong ok so far. I'm down to only 20mg in 24hrs. I was taking 60mg in 24hrs. I have not gone up in my Oxycodone so I have cut my Oxy's in half since I started Jan9th and I try to remind myself and be proud of myself.
Anxiety hasn't been too bad lately. It was at first but it better now that my taper slowed to every two weeks 10mg drop. I only take 1/2 a diazepam at night. That's it!!!
On the down side. My youngest son is very very sick. Started with a sinus and ear infections that quickly went to the lungs. He has Asthma. Then after a full week in bed with a ton of medication which I hate giving him he got a little better. Then last night he started throwng up! Stomach flu I hope and not something more serious. Of course I also have the sinus stuff and so does my oldest son. It's been really hard to push through my taper and all the illness and nursing I'm doing for the kids. I hope I don't get too run down and get the stomach flu. Last time I got that from my son was when I ended up in the ER ;-( So please pray I won't get any sicker. I have to get myself and kids healthy!!! I'm trying trust me!
Hi again,
I am not sure if you know this, but there is a community on this site called "The Chronic Pain Couch", and it is amazing. I have found great support regarding being a chronic pain patient tapering off of pain meds, and I am definitely not the only one going through it. I think that you would really like it.
Also, I know that you mentioned that you've been on the addictions forums b/c you weren't sure where to post. I am in the same boat, and there is some excellent information, particularly regarding supplements and vitamins to ease withdrawal symptoms and help one's body and brain repair itself. There is something called the Thomas Recipe, and I think that you should think about starting some of these supplements now, if you aren't already.
This is something I am going to do, as well, and I'll let you know what works for me.
Love and light.
PS -- posting to other peoples' comments/posts also helps get your mind off of things, This has been one of the only things that helps me when things are really bad.
I am not sure if you know this, but there is a community on this site called "The Chronic Pain Couch", and it is amazing. I have found great support regarding being a chronic pain patient tapering off of pain meds, and I am definitely not the only one going through it. I think that you would really like it.
Also, I know that you mentioned that you've been on the addictions forums b/c you weren't sure where to post. I am in the same boat, and there is some excellent information, particularly regarding supplements and vitamins to ease withdrawal symptoms and help one's body and brain repair itself. There is something called the Thomas Recipe, and I think that you should think about starting some of these supplements now, if you aren't already.
This is something I am going to do, as well, and I'll let you know what works for me.
Love and light.
PS -- posting to other peoples' comments/posts also helps get your mind off of things, This has been one of the only things that helps me when things are really bad.
my heart goes out to you it really does I know what your going through I want Ioff my pain meds so bad but Im I willing to live my life in pain I dont think so I never ask to get hurt and I get so upset when I see people my age running riding bikes pain free I think why me why did god do this to me Im a mom too and my son plays travel baseball and his games are long and we travel I cant miss his games its just not a option you really are beating yourself up yes you are depended on your meds but from what Im hearing from you it doesnt seem to me that your a addict you are taking them for pain god forbid you dont want to be in pain
With all the pain, and all the meds, it does get hard to figure out where the pain ends and the addiction starts, if it does at all. Would you have ever taken pain meds if you weren't in pain? I wouldn't have, and that's the difference.
From what I've read, the withdrawals are just as bad for us, if not worse because our pain comes back 10 fold for a while, and then we need to learn to deal with it different ways. I am also on a gruesome taper, as you know, and have wished that I was just a person who had been abusing them versus a chronic pain patient so I wouldn't have to contend with all the extra pain and quality of life pieces.
Is your doctor helping you with this taper? You ARE going to experience really horrible anxiety and sleeplessness which will get worse the lower you go on the pain meds. You may need to bump up your dosage of anti-anxiety meds until your body adjusts. You may never be totally off of RX drugs, either. (I am still taking my anxiety meds, and have no plan to stop any time soon b/c I have a severe anxiety disorder), or maybe you will taper in time.
I think that choosing one medication at a time to go off is a really good idea b/c going off of everything at once is near impossible -- especially when you take them for a very real reason.
I am not a Mum, but did work with kids before I became ill. Can you make an appt with your son's teacher so that you can explain what is happening at home? I think that the school should make some allowances, and not punish your son for something that is a true issue.
Maybe you and your husband could sit down with your son and explain this all to him. Tell him that you are going to be cranky, tired, etc., for a while but this is because you are sick (which is true) and trying to get better. Kids, as you know, need people to be honest with them in an age appropriate way, as well as a ton of reassurance. They are also very resilient.
Maybe you could start having special time with him at times in the day when you're in less withdrawal and pain. Choose an activity that you can physically do, like arts and crafts or painting. Art also helps kids (and adults!) process their feelings, and express themselves. An astonishing number of boys really like arts and crafts once they get into it, and if you choose something like making robots or spaceships, they are even more keen. Art may also get your mind off the pain, and distraction is really important for us.
Remember that you ARE a good Mum, despite and because of your health issues. Your kids will be more empathetic and understanding adults b/c they will know how hard it is for people with disabilities. You didn't choose any of this, so please don't beat yourself up. Don't judge yourself by anyone else's standards, and give yourself a pat on the back for all you DO do.
From what I've read, the withdrawals are just as bad for us, if not worse because our pain comes back 10 fold for a while, and then we need to learn to deal with it different ways. I am also on a gruesome taper, as you know, and have wished that I was just a person who had been abusing them versus a chronic pain patient so I wouldn't have to contend with all the extra pain and quality of life pieces.
Is your doctor helping you with this taper? You ARE going to experience really horrible anxiety and sleeplessness which will get worse the lower you go on the pain meds. You may need to bump up your dosage of anti-anxiety meds until your body adjusts. You may never be totally off of RX drugs, either. (I am still taking my anxiety meds, and have no plan to stop any time soon b/c I have a severe anxiety disorder), or maybe you will taper in time.
I think that choosing one medication at a time to go off is a really good idea b/c going off of everything at once is near impossible -- especially when you take them for a very real reason.
I am not a Mum, but did work with kids before I became ill. Can you make an appt with your son's teacher so that you can explain what is happening at home? I think that the school should make some allowances, and not punish your son for something that is a true issue.
Maybe you and your husband could sit down with your son and explain this all to him. Tell him that you are going to be cranky, tired, etc., for a while but this is because you are sick (which is true) and trying to get better. Kids, as you know, need people to be honest with them in an age appropriate way, as well as a ton of reassurance. They are also very resilient.
Maybe you could start having special time with him at times in the day when you're in less withdrawal and pain. Choose an activity that you can physically do, like arts and crafts or painting. Art also helps kids (and adults!) process their feelings, and express themselves. An astonishing number of boys really like arts and crafts once they get into it, and if you choose something like making robots or spaceships, they are even more keen. Art may also get your mind off the pain, and distraction is really important for us.
Remember that you ARE a good Mum, despite and because of your health issues. Your kids will be more empathetic and understanding adults b/c they will know how hard it is for people with disabilities. You didn't choose any of this, so please don't beat yourself up. Don't judge yourself by anyone else's standards, and give yourself a pat on the back for all you DO do.
Maybe I am an addict???? I was in sooooo much pain when I woke up this morning and when I got the notice on my phone that my Soma was being delivered today (mail RX) I took two! It was for pain and it helped. No high! But I have not done that yet. I'm so good about just taking 1/2 Soma every 2-3 hours. I feel horrible inside but my pain is better.
My 10 yr old son told me last night that ever since I started my taper I am really cranky. =-( He doesn't like that I am doing it and doesn't want me in pain. He is in trouble at school for being off task the last couple weeks and I feel like it's all my fault. It reminds me of the reason I started treating my pain with meds. It made me a better mom to my kids. That makes me sooooo sad. Will I ever really get through this? I want to so very bad. More than I have ever wanted anything. But what if the pain never goes away?
My 10 yr old son told me last night that ever since I started my taper I am really cranky. =-( He doesn't like that I am doing it and doesn't want me in pain. He is in trouble at school for being off task the last couple weeks and I feel like it's all my fault. It reminds me of the reason I started treating my pain with meds. It made me a better mom to my kids. That makes me sooooo sad. Will I ever really get through this? I want to so very bad. More than I have ever wanted anything. But what if the pain never goes away?
I can't tell you how much it means to me to have some of you who understand the pain side of this. Don't get me wrong there is great support to get off the meds on the addiction forum but most don't have the pain to deal with.
My surgery will hopefully happen in the spring, I have to see the vein specialist and then I will know more. And yes the taper will definitely help for post surgical pain.
My surgery will hopefully happen in the spring, I have to see the vein specialist and then I will know more. And yes the taper will definitely help for post surgical pain.
You mentioned surgery? Are you scheduled for surgery soon? If so, tapering will actually benefit you because your doctor will be able to treat your post-surgical pain much better.
Best of luck on your next taper! Keep us updated, we'll be rooting for you!
Best of luck on your next taper! Keep us updated, we'll be rooting for you!
Thank you all. I just saw that some of you had written on my old post. SO glad to get a dice on this board.
I have stepped down to only my night time dose of OxyContin BUT it put me into the ER. I was in sooooo much pain. I did stay tapered off of it though and i'm proud of that. I am still taking my night time dose of 30mg Oxycontin and 5 Oxycodone now. So my next step or taper will be next Saturday and it will be just a step down in Oxycontin. So I will go from 30mg to 20mg for two weeks and then to 10mg and then off of that night dose. Then I will see the surgeon about my surgery and hopefully be able to deal with the pain. Then it will be on to tapering off the Oxycondone. Then the rest of the meds. My goal realistically is to get off of pain meds on a daily basis. If I can get to a point where my husband can give them only when I really need them and my body is not so use to them then they will be doing their job again. I just don't want to need them daily, hourly, etc.
Wish me luck on my next taper !!!
I have stepped down to only my night time dose of OxyContin BUT it put me into the ER. I was in sooooo much pain. I did stay tapered off of it though and i'm proud of that. I am still taking my night time dose of 30mg Oxycontin and 5 Oxycodone now. So my next step or taper will be next Saturday and it will be just a step down in Oxycontin. So I will go from 30mg to 20mg for two weeks and then to 10mg and then off of that night dose. Then I will see the surgeon about my surgery and hopefully be able to deal with the pain. Then it will be on to tapering off the Oxycondone. Then the rest of the meds. My goal realistically is to get off of pain meds on a daily basis. If I can get to a point where my husband can give them only when I really need them and my body is not so use to them then they will be doing their job again. I just don't want to need them daily, hourly, etc.
Wish me luck on my next taper !!!
corey,
i agree with what trixy said about not telling anyone about your pain meds. when i first became sick with IC and FM I shared the fact that i was taking Oxycontin for chronic and debilitating pain, and she became angry and said some really ignorant things. if people haven't been in our situation, they just don't get it, and treat us the way you've described. i even had a surprise visit from a friend bringing me the application for medical marijuana, along with a talking to around it. the irony is that he suffers from chronic pain and was taking it at the time! people can be really insensitive and ridiculous sometimes.
you do need to be super careful that you're not taking extra when you're anxious or upset, and definitely abstaining from alcohol. however, this is an issue between you and your doctor who is obviously prescribing it b/c you legitimately need it. if you do need to share it with your boss, it should be strictly confidential.
i agree with what you said regarding the conundrum regarding quality of life. it sounds like you're functioning really well given your situation and you should be really proud of the things you ARE doing.
i don't know how disability works in the US (I'm Canadian, and in BC it's very minimal), but I wish you the very best with your hearing.
i agree with what trixy said about not telling anyone about your pain meds. when i first became sick with IC and FM I shared the fact that i was taking Oxycontin for chronic and debilitating pain, and she became angry and said some really ignorant things. if people haven't been in our situation, they just don't get it, and treat us the way you've described. i even had a surprise visit from a friend bringing me the application for medical marijuana, along with a talking to around it. the irony is that he suffers from chronic pain and was taking it at the time! people can be really insensitive and ridiculous sometimes.
you do need to be super careful that you're not taking extra when you're anxious or upset, and definitely abstaining from alcohol. however, this is an issue between you and your doctor who is obviously prescribing it b/c you legitimately need it. if you do need to share it with your boss, it should be strictly confidential.
i agree with what you said regarding the conundrum regarding quality of life. it sounds like you're functioning really well given your situation and you should be really proud of the things you ARE doing.
i don't know how disability works in the US (I'm Canadian, and in BC it's very minimal), but I wish you the very best with your hearing.
Yup I have a attorney thanks for the prayers I could use all,the prayers I can get its so frustrating I have payed in to social security worked at the same company 20yrs now I need it and I have to fight like hell to get it
I hear ya! Do you have an attorney for your disability hearing? If not, I would highly recommend one, they can make all the difference in the world! Good luck Will pray for you!
Thank you for that,I'm just really struggling on what to do I told my doctor I wanted to taper off my meds she gave me clondine to help with withdrawal but my doctor even said she didn't think I would be able to stay off my pain meds when I finally started my meds I could barely walk I was not working I actually off work 9 months due to,the pain I would love for people who judge people with chronic pain to live in my body for a week I guarantee they would take something for pain somedays my pain wraps in my chest it feels like I'm having a heart attack I applied for social security I have my hearing next month but I'm working so I probably won't get it thanks for lending a ear you know pain always causes depression I have alot to think about I wish there was a magic pill to fix ya lol
May i offer you some advice? Don't tell anyone about your medications, its no one's business but your own, when people ask if you are still on them, just say no you found something else, or you don't need them or whatever, eventually they will stop asking you about them. If you take them as prescribed and you need to work, then so be it, its nothing to feel guilty over. Its not like you asked to be in pain. I know I sure as heck would rather be normal that in pain 24/7. I have to work and i need my meds to work also. I simply just don't bring the subject up anymore. If someone see's me in pain (because in all honestly, when your having a particularly bad day - it shows) I just say I have cramps or my ulcer is acting up or something along those lines.
Also another thing that can help with tolerance is to change your medications around every year or two rather than going up in dosage. It doesn't work for everyone, but it has helped some people before. For example, if you've been on Oxycontin for two years now, maybe its time to switch to ms-contin for a while. Then a year or so later, back to the Oxycontin or something else. Also something to think about is its better to have your break-thru meds different than your long acting meds, it also helps keep the tolerance down. And the break-thru meds shouldn't be used on a regular schedule because then it just becomes part of your baseline and you wont have anything for the really bad pain spikes that we all get.
I hope this helps a bit, and good luck to you. I'm here for you if you want to PM me and talk.
Also another thing that can help with tolerance is to change your medications around every year or two rather than going up in dosage. It doesn't work for everyone, but it has helped some people before. For example, if you've been on Oxycontin for two years now, maybe its time to switch to ms-contin for a while. Then a year or so later, back to the Oxycontin or something else. Also something to think about is its better to have your break-thru meds different than your long acting meds, it also helps keep the tolerance down. And the break-thru meds shouldn't be used on a regular schedule because then it just becomes part of your baseline and you wont have anything for the really bad pain spikes that we all get.
I hope this helps a bit, and good luck to you. I'm here for you if you want to PM me and talk.
Hi I had responded on the addiction form to you in in the same boat you are I have chronic pain and surgery is very risky and I have only found one doctor that said I was a canadate for the surgery I have a disc extrusion that is flatting my spinal cord its very painful and I'm working still as a waitress thank god I have been with my company 20 yrs so they are accommodating me If I don't take my pain meds I doubt I will be able to to work but I want off my pain meds I'm sick of the looks when people find out what I take I'm not a drug addict and yes in time I have had Togo up in my dosage because of tolerance I don't like that if you want to stop taking them you will get very sick but on the other hand if I don't take them what kind of quality of life will I have I'm still young and have alot of life left in me that I don't want to spend in pain
You may want to ask your doctor about suboxone, its a med that is given to addict, BUT in lower doses it is also used for pain management. This is something that might help. Or even the butrans patch, it works similarly, but it will also help you with your pain. Can't hurt to ask your doctor about it. For symptoms, make sure you keep PLENTY of Imodium around. The directions on the package say one thing, but at times I've taken more than what the bottle says to take (i also have severe IBS and really have no choice) Also keep well hydrated. Water, Gatorade, plenty of potassium, you would be surprised how quickly you can deplete that and that can mean life or death. (i recently spent 5 days in the ICU for this reason).
Another thing is to try to stay as calm as you can, I imagine your anxiety is probably real bad right now and the person who mentioned clonodine, was a very good idea, definitly ask your doctor about it, even propranolol would be better than nothing (and that is not a scheduled drug at all - its a BP med).
I wish you the best of luck and I will say a prayer for you. If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me anytime.
Another thing is to try to stay as calm as you can, I imagine your anxiety is probably real bad right now and the person who mentioned clonodine, was a very good idea, definitly ask your doctor about it, even propranolol would be better than nothing (and that is not a scheduled drug at all - its a BP med).
I wish you the best of luck and I will say a prayer for you. If you ever want to talk, feel free to PM me anytime.
Hi,
I was so happy to come across your post, as I am also a true chronic pain patient tapering off of Oxycodone and Oxycontin. I started a year ago from 80mg 3x per day, plus breakthrough Oxycodone as needed (which was every day). At the height of my illness, I was taking more, but had been able to reduce over the last few years. It has been a very long process, as I am still in a lot of pain frequently.
I am now down to 15mg Oxycodone 4 x per day, and my doc has prescribed Clonidine for the withdrawal symptoms, This may be helpful for you as it really reduces the grinding and relentless anxiety, hot flashes, restless leg syndrome (mine is restless spine) and insomnia.
I completely get how different it is for us, as we're not just contending with WD, but with very real and true pain. A friend of mine in a similar situation who underwent therapy during his pain med discontinuation did point out that one's pain receptors go into over-drive when you're in withdrawal, and that this effect will diminish with time. I had to remember this last night when I awoke with severe pain.
For us, it's about trying different ways to manage our pain symptoms. Meditation, yoga, diet, exercise, and distraction are huge. You may want to get a prescription for medical marijuana, as well. I do know people who this has helped. There are different strains, as well as different ways to ingest it so you don't experience the high and mental fogginess.
I also think that you may want to talk to your GP about non-opiate pain control medications. Depending in what causes your chronic pain, you may have some options.
Remember that you are taking these meds for a legitimate reason, and to go slow if you need to. There's no rush, and it is your schedule that's determining this. Stay in touch, if you'd like, I could use some support and advice, as well, from a fellow chronic pain buddy:)
I was so happy to come across your post, as I am also a true chronic pain patient tapering off of Oxycodone and Oxycontin. I started a year ago from 80mg 3x per day, plus breakthrough Oxycodone as needed (which was every day). At the height of my illness, I was taking more, but had been able to reduce over the last few years. It has been a very long process, as I am still in a lot of pain frequently.
I am now down to 15mg Oxycodone 4 x per day, and my doc has prescribed Clonidine for the withdrawal symptoms, This may be helpful for you as it really reduces the grinding and relentless anxiety, hot flashes, restless leg syndrome (mine is restless spine) and insomnia.
I completely get how different it is for us, as we're not just contending with WD, but with very real and true pain. A friend of mine in a similar situation who underwent therapy during his pain med discontinuation did point out that one's pain receptors go into over-drive when you're in withdrawal, and that this effect will diminish with time. I had to remember this last night when I awoke with severe pain.
For us, it's about trying different ways to manage our pain symptoms. Meditation, yoga, diet, exercise, and distraction are huge. You may want to get a prescription for medical marijuana, as well. I do know people who this has helped. There are different strains, as well as different ways to ingest it so you don't experience the high and mental fogginess.
I also think that you may want to talk to your GP about non-opiate pain control medications. Depending in what causes your chronic pain, you may have some options.
Remember that you are taking these meds for a legitimate reason, and to go slow if you need to. There's no rush, and it is your schedule that's determining this. Stay in touch, if you'd like, I could use some support and advice, as well, from a fellow chronic pain buddy:)
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