Help for my son

[Birdman69]

My son was injured in a football game when he was 17. He had back surgery at that time. (In retrospect, probably a mistake) He is now 26 and has been on some type of opiate for 8 years. He is now taking 40 mg of Oxycotin twice daily plus Oxycodone (dosage unknown). I recently discovered that he was injecting the Oxycotin. After many long talks, he says he is now ready to detox.

A facility in Nashville has described their program as a 4 day inpatient detox. As the amount of Oxycotin is decreased, Suboxone is given. I don't know the dosage of the Suboxone, but it is my understanding that it is very addictive. Also, the underlying issue of pain will still exist...the chronic back/leg pain. We've talked about a epidural block...it has worked before.

Can someone help me. I'm totally overwhelmed by this whole situation...

[Birdman69]

Grace....thanks for your suggestions. The thought had occurred to me that the epidural might be best administered prior to the detox, suboxone, and antidepression meds. We're talking to a physician tomorrow to get the scenario and timing right. Again, thanks for your help.

[grace925]

The epidural does give pain releif, especially if it's the first one he's ever had.  Make sure to talk to a doc about wanting that injection before going onto the suboxone and antidepression combo, just to make sure it won't interfere with the epi medication.  My b/f told me he had no pain for 9 months after his first epi shot and the side effects were less after the 1st one too.  It might be something to consider if it's affordable to go that route. The epidural was performed on an out-patient basis, so I would think the costs would be less then jumping right into surgery.  It might buy him some more time before surgery (without being on harder meds) and maybe it can be something he can fight for (surgery) with insurance.  In theory the epidural shot is supposed to pull hernated material in together so there's less floating around hitting the nerve/s.  It won't fix the problem usually, but it can give some relief for a little while.  

[Birdman69]

My son has 2 herniations and unfortunately, we just discovered that his "health" policy has a $2,000 maximum limit for treatment related to his back. To add insult to injury (no pun intended) his health policy has a limit of $3,000 for mental illness (which includes detox/rehab).

We are hoping that he can control his pain with the suboxone until we can figure out his pain baseline and then determine how to pay for the inevitable back surgery.

The suboxone issue concerns me, but the clinic he plans on going to has a "dual" program....detox, add suboxone, and add an anti-depressant. (I personally have been taking Paxil for 20+ years for depression. Can't function without it, but no major side effects either)

We're hoping for the best......

[grace925]

Hi there--
I am not an expert on pain meds by any means, but my boyfriend just came down off oxi by tapering.  He's been off ALL pain meds for 9 days, but I must tell you he's positively miserable still.

I might be able to help with some back tips though.  My boyfriend had 2 microdiscectomy surgeries and then this past February he had back fusion surgery.  He has had 6 epidural injections in his life and the more he's had the less they helped and the more side effects he sufferred through from those injections (it was like a menopausal woman I tell ya!!!!!).  Has your son had a recent MRI?  Any herniations in the discs?  My boyfriend has degenerative disc disease and he also worked many many years in a physically active career, which made things much worse....3 herniations total!  He was dealing  with chronic pain, which is how he ended up on oxi; HOWEVER, he completely wants off these meds.  We are still trying to figure out what his actual baseline of pain is because these meds have masked it and coming off the meds is a painful endevor!  

I have to tell ya, living with him throughout this journey of surgeries and pain med management has been taxing, not just on him, but on me.  I really do understand your concerns and how hard it is to watch someone you love go through something like this.  BUT, just like the story of the mustard seed in the Bible.  You can plant seeds, but it is up to your son and God to go (grow) from there in getting off these things.  Also, setting limits really helps when trying to help someone through this.  

Your story really hit a nerve with me, as I have a 14 y.o son who is playing high school football this year.  Having gone through the pain issues with my b/f it's something I sincerely worry about with my son playing football!!!!  

I sincerely wish you and your son all the best.  I will keep you both in my prayers Birdman.  If you need more help, keep posting...this site has been such a huge help to me in understanding how these meds work, and how I can help (and where I can't help too).