Ball and Chain

[britgal76]

I have lupus and my body is constantly in pain. I am prescribed vicodin and I have found myself taking 6-8 per day. I hate taking it but it's the only thing that seems to help. Ugh. This really isn't a question, I guess I just wanted to get this off of my chest. Like most everyone here, I hate being chained to these pills! Without them, my body just hurts but I know that I'm treading into the Abuse Zone.

[worried878]

chronic pain is a hard thing to deal with...dont think narcotics are the answer..like u said they have a way of pinning u down..some r ok with this..others r not...understanding ur "wanting" them like u seem to be doing is a good thing as u r being responsible and cautious..which u should be..this whole thing can get awfully scary...can make pain in the back/neck/etc..look like a small problem in comparison

[bluespence]

Hello! I am sorry you find yourself in this predicament. I, too, have pain (probably not as much as you), I hear lupus is very painful. But I do have degenerate arthritis in my spine and pain in my neck and shoulder and also in my lower back. Although I am prescribed the meds I am addicted to them too. I take anywhere from 10-15 a day (percocet 10/325) and I take so many because they lose their effect after a while. So what to do...take em and have some relief but feel dependent on them and can't go anywhere w/o em...OR, stop taking them and live in pain but have some freedom from the constant thought of having to have these little pills to do anything. I dunno, I wish I had the answer...just keep posting and talking to people, it does help!

Take care, Denise