Dr.Appt new script

[onlyme1]

I have a dr.s appt tomorrrow.....I have not had vics for 3 weeks.....I know he will give me a new script and I do need it for the pain whih is why I have taken the vics for the past few years...I do not think I ever really abused as I took them as I was told.  Of cours, after a year I had to take 1 1/2 instead of 1 500 to ease the pain...never took them to get high.....then as everyone, the viciopus cycle of "if i dont take one, I feel the symtoms of withdrawal, which I would have never realized if it wasnt for this board.  I thought i was just having more muscle pain and spasms due to my arthritus and back problems.......so. For the past weeks I stopped.....went thru some withdrawal but was able to function....the back pain without the vics was severe.  Now, I think I need to take the script and again take it as perscribed.....I am not looking for a high, just a release from the pain.....any one in the same boat?

[s10sittnondubs]

Wow that is great to hear.  A doctor or in my case and ortho surgeon is just an excuse to get pain meds.  I started getting 60 hydrocodone 7.5's and that led to 90 a month then to perc's then 10mg's at age 18.  At 19 I  getting 90 perc 10's a month along with 120 1mg xanax from my psyc.  My doctors were a little crooked to say the least, but I allowed it to happen.  I have had these wrecks and messed my knee up pretty bad in all 3 the 2nd being the worst and was under the infulence of prescription narc's 2 out of the 3 times.  I am glad to hear that you had enough strength and will to cancel it and not put the drugs back into your possesion.  Its hard having bad chronic pain and thinking the only way to deal with it is by taking prescription narcotics from someone you trust as in your doctor.  Keep up the good work and let us know how everything is going!!!

[onlyme1]

I just cancelled my appt.....I am going to give some more time and tryl what some of you suggested...OsteoBi-Flex, Motrin (though it usually upsets stomach), etc.  Today I have had several Ecedrin Back n Body ( just a marketing gimic...its regular Excedrin without the caffeine), and have walked more than usual and kept myself buy to try to block out the pain.  Has anyone tried acupuncture as I might give it a try.  Anyway, thank you all....I am proud of myself for cancelling the appt....this morning I was determined to get the script and use only when pain was sever, but now I have decided to try to bear with the pain and keep off the pain-killing vics....thank you all

[nursegirl6572]

Just some FYI's....

S10...the acetaminophen in lortabs is actually tylenol, not aspirin.

Higher dose Motrin (800 mg every 6 hours NOT just as needed) can really help the kinds of injuries you all are having.  Chronic pain is a *bleep* to manage, as narcotic pain meds make you feel better temporarily....but not only do they cause w/'d and addiction issues, they can also make the pain WORSE in the long run.  It's a result of long term narcotic use keeping you at a certain pain level, and then without the narcs, BAM!  The pain is impossible to tolerate.  It's basically a form of re-bound pain.  The pain actually worsens.  :0(

Sad...I heard about your back, so sorry.  BIG owie there.  Alternating heat and ice (20 min each) will help, along with a hot bath, and try the 800 mg Motrin every 6 hours, no more than 4 a day.  You can even alternate with plain tylenol in between the Motrin doses.  Just obviously watch how much you take due to liver issues (and the history of substance abuse).  A few days of that should get you feeling better.

Also...do "cat" stretches, where you lie on the floor on your belly, slowl;y stretch your back up toward the ceiling like a cat (kind of ending up on your tiptoes)...hold it for about 10-20 seconds (feeling the stretch), then slowly return to the floor, pressing your hips into the floor, allowing the muscle to stretch the other way (also holding the stretch for 10-20 sec).  Of course, do not be lifting anything heavy for a while either.  Take some easy walks if you can as well.  

So sorry for all of you who are suffering.  It is such a catch-22 eh?.....what the heck are you supposed to do when you are in chronic pain....yet can't take anything for it because of addiction from pills for the chronic pain???  ARGH!

Wishing you all well.

[PromisedLand]

Thanks, Lisa...I just might look into that.  I've been taking alieve which doesn't do a thing.


Jim

[sadinmichigan]

just a thought..I am going to try taking a product called Osteo bi-flex (name?) amyway..My mom has very bad arthritis in her hips, she has tried pain meds etc..she gave all that up because she hates taking the stuff,  she says she can't believe how much better she feels and is able to do alot more than she was able to before..So I'm going to give that a try too..I'll let you know. She said it took a few weeks but said she will never stop taking it now..You can get it at your local drug store..for about $20. it's worth a shot.

[PromisedLand]

I have terrible back problems and have been off of vics for, I think, 9 months (with a brief relapse of  few percs when I couldn't stand the pain.
I'm fighting with every bone in body to keep from picking up the phone to make an appt with my doctor who I know will give me a script (though he knows of my problem 9 months ago).

Phys therapy might help...but then with the life I lead I don't have time for my own doctor appts as I am always driving my wife to her's (those of which are in Boston, 50 miles from us)

So I don't know what I'm going to do..my ability to do just typical yard work has decreased considerably and I HAVE to clean out our basement this weekend and I'm dreading that.

Jim

[s10sittnondubs]

Yes oxycodone and hydrocodone just mask the symptoms of pain and inflammation at the surface...the only anti-immflam in a lortab is the aceitomenophen(aspirin) in it.  There are much better drugs that are non-habit forming and are completely safe to take and much better for you.  I wish I could say I had 3 weeks clean, but I'm taking it day by day.  I have a lot of scar tissue and torn cartiledge in my left knee, and it really needs surgery but I am so scared of the actual pain and relapsing again.  Please if you have been off them for 3 weeks then you really don't need them.  Its only in your mind telling you that you do.  I will pray for you and hope that you can find an alternative.

[sadinmichigan]

I am suffering with some sever back pain but the pain meds don't help and they cause more problems then they help. Hydro isn't a good solution for long term pain as it tends to mimick the pain you origianlly started taking them for..Have you looked into chiopractic or acupuncture..That has helped me in the past. I know your in pain and i think most of us are/were at some point which is why we got on pain meds in the first place..but please try and look for an alternative..You can google alot of stuff about hydros.There is alot of good info..including their ineffectiveness in treating chronic pain..I am not trying to down play your pain but even taking them as prescribed will cause addiction and then w/ds when you stop..Also your already finding out that you need to increase the amount because your body is simply getting used to the,..I just care and alot of us have been in your position..just a thought..

[onlyme1]

If I take  them only as needed...when the pain is really bad....and do not take them in any recreational way (never did) and then cut and taper, will the wds really be worse?

[TrayCee]

You will still be dependant even if you take as prescribed, as I do.  When you stop again you will do through wd's again.  Its a slippery slope, I know.   Congrats on 3 weeks clean.  Every detox gets worse.

Good luck on your decisoin.