Addiction to narcotics

[downriver777]

I have been a follower for months now and have decided to join this forum.  I have been addicted to narcotics for 4 years now.  I started with darvocet after my back surgery in 08' after that was banned I was prescibed tramadol.  I startee taking 2 a day then it went to 8 a day.  I noticed I was irritable and had a short temper while taking this medication. The LBP has gotten worse over the last 6 months and now they have prescribed oxycodone 7.5 mg 3-4 a day and  I stopped taking the tramadol ( 1 month now), it took about 5 days to get through the withdrawls.  I experienced restless leg syndrome, extreme fatigue.  However now I have become dependent on this medication.  After 4-6 hours I start experience chills, cold hands and feet, and constant yawning. 30 minutes later after I take a oxy it goes away and I feel good.  I hate this dependency, I do not want to tell anyone because I know how people look at addicts.  I work in the medical field and I hear Dr's talk about patients all the time saying "they are just hear for pain meds".  Dr's look at these patients different and have less respect for them. I joined this forum for support that a lot of us do not get in the medical community.  I do appreciate the support this forum brings for everyone.  It is great.

[toothfairie]

welcome to the site!  and congrats on wanting your life back!  just wanted to offer my support as many here will....this site is awesome and it has helped me get and stay clean for over 40 days....that and aftercare....just post when you have questions or need support!  we are here for you!  

[luvabugga]

I also just joined after lurking for many months.  I'm on about 22hours(amazing how i can count the minutes of this) of detoxing from 60mgs of Norco a day for the last year and a half.  Symptoms are just starting but I'm determined to get through this.  Praying for us all!  Take my hand and jump...we'll do it together!

[downriver777]

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement.  I plsnning on tapering off the oxy with breaking the 7.5mg pills in half for 4 x a day for 3-5 days then to 1/2 pill 2 a day for 3 days then none.  I will take all the prayers

[YesLife4Me]

Hi & Welcome!   I'm glad you have joined us.  Sounds like you have a good idea of what to expect.   Being in the medical field doesn't make someone safe from becoming dependant/addicted to pain meds as you found out.   Until someone has been through it themselves, they just don't understand.  Most all of us started out with a legit scrip and found ourselves first dependant then addicted ourselves due to the growing tolerance to the meds.  I sometimes wish Dr's had to take these meds for a while and then come off them to experience what it's really like!!     Are you planning to taper off the oxy?    

[Teresa1717]

Hi and welcome! You are right about the stigma that is associated with addiction for medical professionals. We seem to be looked at a bit differently by other medical professionals (especially those who dont understand addiction) IMO because people think we should be "above" this disease since we are the ones who see what it can do up close and personal.  The fact of the matter is that addiction is like cancer in that it doesn't discriminate.  There is a surprising number of addicts who are in the medical field and we have alot of shame i think because we are the ones who are supposed to be helping others and not needing help ourselves.  You're not alone and this forum is a great place for support and advice! You have made the best choice to take your life back. You wont regret it!