Pain doc called for random pill count

[Pajo7800]

My pain clinic called today and said I had to come in tomorrow for random pill count. I'm really short. Only have 12 and should have 40. I have RA and at the moment have a broken rib so I was taking more than I should. Will they kick me out of the clinic?   Also I don't want to stay on these forever 10mg Oxycodone x 4 a day.  My dilemma is, I'm sure I'm addicted at this point and am very afraid of withdrawals and do not want to use Suboxone or Methadone. My other fear is that if I don't have them I will have extreme pain from RA. Please help?

[marycarmel]

Whether you get withdrawals being on Ultram remains to be seen.  Percocet is stronger than Ultram, but if they're using the long-acting while you're tapering, that may work.

I just want to point out you need to be very careful with Ultram.  The withdrawals can often be worse than withdrawal from other narcotics.  I'm sure others will chime in on this.  The reason Ultram can be so hard to get off is it has two components to it.  One is the pain killer part, which produces the same withdrawal symptoms as drugs like percocet.  The other component is the antidepressant-like component.  And this can cause withdrawals similar to stopping  an antidepressant cold turkey.  Ultram shouldn't be stopped abruptly; it needs to be tapered.  Depending on the dose and how long it's been taken, stopping it abruptly can cause a seizure.

I know you want off the meds immediately.  I don't know to what extent your RA is or if you have any other health issues.  If so, you may be better off doing a slow taper under your doctor's supervision.

[Missy1231984]

Calling and getting advice from the doc will be your best bet.  There are also some vitamins and supplements that I've been reading about that can help.

[Missy1231984]

Calling and getting advice from the doc will be your best bet.  There are also some vitamins and supplements that I've been reading about that can help.

[Pajo7800]

No I'm taking 100mg ER Ultram two times daily, but it has to be for a short amount of time or they are addictive too. I don't even want to go for a taper plan. I want to taper off the 25 I have left of the Percocets now. I'm going to call them tomorrow for advice on how to do this. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers.

[Missy1231984]

I've heard that ultram can help ease some withdrawal but you have to be very careful and take a very small dose or else you will withdrawal from them too.  They are highly addictive and I am trying to get off of them now.  

[Sonrissa]

Hi Pajo, I'm so sorry you are feeling bad. Try to hang in there and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  When is your next appt? They should be able to give you a proper taper schedule to help minimize your withdrawals. I'm a little confused about the Ultram. Is this the first time you've taken this? It's Ultram ER, and they are telling you to take 1/2 pill at a time? In addition to the Oxy? This doesn't make sense to me, but I don't know a lot about Ultram.  Plus, he is wrong about not having withdrawals from Ultram. If you take it long enough, you will have withdrawals, and they can be worse than Oxy withdrawals. Something just doesn't seem right.  Hopefully, others will weigh in with better information.  Sending you prayers for strength. Take care.

[Pajo7800]

Thanks everyone for your support! When I went on today I told them the truth and that I wanted to get off the narcotics. They said they had two problems with me; one that my percocet levels were low indicating I'm not taking it right and I had hydrocodone in my system. I didn't admit that had taken some of my husbands old script for fear of legal implications. Then he asked if I had been selling them. I was so humiliated and embarrassed! Lulu you're right this drug is evil and I wish I would've never tried it. I had to take another ursine today and  sure hydrocodone will be in there as I took some last night to help pain and stretch out the percocet. So I may be kicked out at next appt. This appt, they have me extra to last till next appt and Ultram ER. I'm to take one half pill four times daily. Then he said we can reduce dosage next time so I can get off slowly. I don't want to do that. I'm done now! Any advice on how to taper what I have left? I have 25 left and want to taper and be done. He said if you're on Ultram you won't have withdrawals. I'm just feeling very depressed today and can't quit crying. I'm hoping tomorrow will be easier.

[Missy1231984]

How are you doing today?

[lulu747]

I am echoing the advice above about the honesty.  Truly, it is a blessing in disguise.  I have RA also, so I know what you mean- but opiates are not effective pain relief for RA.  In fact, opiates are not good options for chronic life long pain ever.  You will always need more.  Always.  Oxy is a terribly addictive drug.  I don't know a single person who has used it for more than two weeks and not become addicted.  You're only 7 months in, get out while it's still relatively easy to do so.
I find the best cure for my RA pain is hot yoga, a strict anti inflammatory diet, and good supplements including regular shots of B12.
If you want any other advice on non-narcotic pain relief for RA feel free to PM me anytime.
I was in 90% less pain off opiates than on- it took about 2 months for me to discover this.

Bless-
Lu

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

You are SO right...I forgot about the thermacare...I use those also.  Walgreens now has an awesome shoulder heating pad.  I just picked one up and it helps so much when I have to be on the computer for long periods of time working.  I know for me...nothing is 100% but use of the 4 things in some kind of combination alleviates much of the pain for me at least!

[marycarmel]

I also use the Voltaren gel and the Lidoderm patches.  I find they help.  For me, nothing works a hundred percent.  I find putting a bunch of things together gets me better relief.  I even use ThermaCare heating patches on some spots that feel better with heat.

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I forgot to mention...there are other ways to help control your pain.  I have RA in my knees, degenerative arthritis in my right ankle, hip and both shoulders.  I now use Lidoderm patches and Voltaren Gel to help.  The Voltaren is a anti-inflammatory and I even got my 77 year old mother to ask her doctor for it.  She LOVES the gel...she has RA bad and in the cold winter she used to be barely able to move.  Now she rubs in the gel and gets some relief.  

[PurrfectlyKrazy]

I agree with everyone else.  Just be honest because frankly, those pain clinics have heard it all...they will know if you lie.  Show your proof of need, be honest and ask for help.  Many doctors are now starting to understand that they are also responsible for all the people who are addicted.  Many doctors do not do more than require to see their patient once a month...they could do tests monthly to make sure their patients are not abusing their drug but they don't.  Doctors also have responsibility in my opinion....to try to make sure their patient doesn't cross over to the dark side.

[marycarmel]

I've been on and off pain meds for a long time.  I always have fear of how bad the pain will be'when I come off them.  I also use large doses of ibuprofen and it wrecked my stomach a few years ago.  Now I take Prilosec and it will help your stomach with the ibuprofen.  (I get a prescription for it because it's cheaper but you can also get it over the counter.)

I'm having a lot of extra, different pain and swelling in all my joints and I'm being worked up for an autoimmune disease.  Have you been on any of the other non-narcotic drugs?  Though I do use narcotics, I also have other non-narcotic meds and things to help with the pain.

I hope your doctor is understanding.  I would suggest if something like this happens again, to call your pain doc and ask him how to proceed.  My doctor is a bit of a jerk.  I'm going to start looking for a new one.  I had brain surgery for a brain aneurysm in May.  I asked my pain doctor who he wanted to handle pain meds if I needed any above and beyond my regular dose.  He wanted the neurosurgeipon to manage it in the acute setting.  (I didn't need more of the narcotic, though he did have me on Fiorocet for about ten days.)

I know just from listening to my doctor during our appointments and by hearing him talk to staff or other patients (thin walls)  that he wouldn't cut anyone slack for anything.

I hope it all goes well for you.

[Missy1231984]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.  I think the best bet is to be honest and say that you have had increased pain but that you are also addicted and would like help to taper.  It's much easier to go through withdrawal with the guidance and support of a doctor.  

[Pajo7800]

Yes I have documentation available from the RA doctor. If I ran low previously I would ration them to make them last so I wouldn't have withdrawal. I didn't always run out early.
Thank you all so much!! It means a lot to me that you're all so nice and understanding.  I'll keep you posted.

[vicki595]

I agree with my friends: just be honest. Do you have documentation about that broken rib?  If so, that will go a long way in explaining your use, as long as you didn't take too many in one day and abuse the meds...

You can ask the clinic for a taper plan to get off the pills. It's much kinder than stopping abruptly. Good luck!

[EvolverU]

Hi there & Welcome :)

You got some great advice above! Just go in & be truthful. If you feel embarrassed, you can tell them that too. Tell them of your fears & ask them for their help.

Please, don't feel embarrassed with us, though!! You're not alone here & if you want to stop the meds & talk about  your ambivalence & the RA, there are others here who've done it successfully & would be happy to share their insight & experience with you. I believe your instincts & fear re: Methadone & Suboxone to be on the money & well-founded!! You can definitely do this without recourse to those much stronger & more difficult drugs.

Best of luck to you tomorrow. Please, let us know how it went. We're here & we're pulling for you! :)

[dominosarah]

My advice is to go in and be honest.  This may be a blessing in disguise.

[ouchie1987]

Did you always finish ur script early? what would you do before your next fill?

[Pajo7800]

Thank you so much for your reply. It made me cry because of your kindness!  I'm so nervous about tomorrow and feel embarrassed and humiliated! I've been on the oxycodone 10mg for about 7 months. Like I said, though, I really don't want to use Methadone or Suboxone because I've heard it is even worse to withdraw from.   I'm feeling ambivalent about stopping the Meds because I'm worried that the RA pain will be unbearable and NSAIDS kill my stomach. I will take them and they help, but I have to limit my use with them or I have horrible stomach pain. I just don't know what to do. I'm very anxious about this. Again I know I don't want to stay on them forever.

[Sonrissa]

Hi Pajo, welcome to the forum. You will find lots of great advice and support here.  I don't know if the pain clinic will kick you out or not, but it is certainly possible. Did you sign some sort of pain contract with them? I think your only option at this point is to go in there tomorrow and be completely honest about exactly how much Oxy you are taking. They will know anyway since you are short.  Talk to them about non narcotic options for pain relief. As far as quitting, I can certainly understand fear of withdrawals. You can get through them without Suboxone or Methadone. How long have you been taking Oxy? Depending on how long and how much Oxy you've been taking, physical withdrawals typically last about a week or so. Then, you will begin to feel better each day. It's like having a bad case of the flu, and there are several things that you can do to ease the symptoms. It's Definately doable. We can help you get through this with advice and support.  

Best wishes, and keep posting with any questions and for support.