Back pain - use or abuse norco

[Enthalpy1]

I have suffered back pain for 20 years. My profession is commercial hvac work. Several years ago, I was having big time issues. I had an MRI showing damaged discs, stenosis and arthritis in my back and arthritis in both knees. I started with meloxicam for the arthritis which is a godsend. I also started norco 7.5 as needed 30 a month. I have had several spinal injections which worked but my job would undo the repair. Surgery is not an option right now because it would put me out of work and all 3 doctors said that my work would undo theirs. I'm in pain management which I go every month for review. I was on butrans 20 and norco 7.5 twice a day. The pain was somewhat manageable but I was riding the depression train. I had a RFA done which seemed to help a lot. I asked to get off the butrans and they said ok and upped the norco to 4x a day as needed. The pain has been manageable but the depression varies day to day. I decided to take a break from the norco to see if the depression would change. I should mention that I have been on Wellbutrin for a year after I suffered major depression last year before I got into pain management. I have been off the norco for 4 days and dealing with the withdraw ok. Runs, poor sleeping, stomac pains and major back pain. The depression is getting better. Here is my problem. On norco minimal back pain. Off norco, depression seems to be getting better. I know I'm not the only one with this problem and I would love some help from anyone. Sorry for the long post but my background is important. Thank you and this forum has been a great support system since I am doing this alone. P.s. day one really sucked.

[Enthalpy1]

I did get the Thomas recipe.  I'm having problems with the potassium content. Nothing I could find was even close to 100% RDA. I am on day 4.

[Enthalpy1]

I am in aa but I try to work on my spiritual health as a priority. AA is a good support system and definitely helped with getting sober. I don't go to as many meetings now as I did in my first year. I was at one tonight. I don't know if it is switching one vice for another. That is one of the reasons I am doing this. For pain assessment. Where am I? I am not familiar on how opiates work on the brain or depression.  This is my first time off meds since the depression hit last year. It seems to be getting better but I have seen this light before. As for additional pain management, I take meloxicam 15x1. I have an inversion table, a jacuzzi tub and a tempur pedic bed.

[bama88]

I stayed up for two days. Yet I was so exhaused I couldn't go.to work.....is sleep for two three hours then back up. It improved after ten days ....get in the tub now. It will help. I promise. Soak for thirty minutes or more.  

[bama88]

No sleep is common. I'm 81 days clean and still battle for sleep. When I jumped off I could take a handful of ambien and stay up for days. It is awful. Just awful. After a week or so you'll sleep maybe not in bed...no I'm just playing....but you will sleep. Hot baths help. A soak will do you good. And relax your muscles. Try it. Also get some Epson salts. Also did you get everything for the Thomas reciepe??

What day are you on

[Enthalpy1]

What's up with the sleep or lack of. I can take an ambien and get 3-4 hours of sleep and then it's clock watching for the rest of the night. Before this week, my problem was dragging my butt out of bed. The depression still made it tough to get out of bed but I could drag myself up and within 20 minutes feel better.

[bama88]

Yep. Sounds like the Norco. Ok.
And I am also a recovering alcholic. I put down all the liquior and picked up pills. I can relate.

When you got sober with the alcohol what did you do?? Did you attend as or any self help meetings. Or are you like me?? A dry drunk as some would say in addiction. I never got help for the drinking. I just outgrew it. No...I found pills lol. Wait twenty minutes and have a heck of a buzz. Plus pills don't stink. Just pin the eyes. Drinking was too hard to hide.....I'm just saying.

Are you familar with how opiates work on the brain??  The chemistry behind them??

If not ill explain. I love to research this stuff. It helps me. Knowledge is POWER. And I need all the power I can muster.

Do you have a good understanding on how anti depressants work??

Also with all you said. Whew. That's a lot of back ground stress... The marrital problems. The getting the feelings out in the open at the physcologist office...I am getting the picture.

I would say def Norco induced. But I am not a doctor. I just know too much about opiates.

Let me ask you this....is Tue depression worse off the meds?? Or on?? And if you think off...how long does it take to kick in?? Or is it always there and doesn't matter if norcos or not??

I am so glad your getting help. That's a huge first step. Huge.

And I won't tell your secret. That's what's so great about this site. Were all in this together. One common goal. To get off this stuff and move on.

What do you do for pain besides the Norco??