In the middle of withdrawl, need help!!

[G'Kar]

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[Angelica]

You both seem to be doing very well w/ your meds.  You will have to understand, that once you decide to quit, or a new treatment comes out....withdrawals will be innevidable, but not that intense, because you have professionals treating you.  Take my case for ex.  I have been on 20mg of Oxycontin w/ Vicoden ES for breakthrough for 3 weeks, well low and behold, my doctor decides to go HOME/move!  He has given me a months supply, but if this new doctor that I am seeing does not follow through w/ MY doctors treatment, guess what??? I will go through withdrawals, unless this new doctor helps me to taper.  This is why I am very conservative w/ my meds right now.
I used to believe that if a person had withdrawals, they were an addict......I know better, now.  I've taken the liberty to educate myself on chronic pain, and its treatments....I am considering moveing to a new state, or staying here, and fighting the war against prohibition of narcotic meds for chronic pain.  I'm still undecided.  My state is one of the worse, in the treatment of chronic pain, so just remember when you get angry at your doctors, because you are dependant on your meds, there are doctors out there, that won't treat pain pt's for that very reason.  As Brighty once said, we are involuntary addicts....I have accepted that.  Just keep a close watch on your schedules, and try not to take anything when your not in pain.....then when your pain is really bad take the medication.  I do think 2 years is a long time, and tolerance has certainly built up.  So you have one out of two choices:  Taper down, so that this amount will work later, or talk to your doctor about upping the dosage.  This is strictly my opinion.......and merely advice...This is what I do.  Keep in touch....There are chronic pain websites out there, if your interested, i'll post them.
Angelica

[jewells]

Today I have taken 1 80mg oxy. I started feeling alittle bit liek **** again so I just took a xanax and think I will know nap since I am not so shakey now. But If I can make it with just that one oxy today that will be wonderfull. We will see.Thanks for checking in and getting back to me. i wish all of us here the best of luck and I do pray for all of us. I believe that god will come through and I think one day we will all conquer this problem. I know I won't get completely off the oxys because of my injury and pain amount but I will take the least amount possible ..take care......*SS* to all......

[Deja]

Just knowing that you both are in the same boat I am regarding the chronic pain makes me feel so not alone in this rocky boat.  I too have come to terms (slowly and I am still coming to terms with it after many years) with dependency being a side-effect of the meds I need to function.  I was able to ditch the oxy's and am now sticking to 4 regular vicodin a day.  I know when my disease flares again (the nature of what I live with, on top of a messed up back) I may need more pain relief, but like you, Angelica, I also use the 0-10 scale to measure my pain.

Using the numbers - 10 being the worst -  I decide what I can live with and aim for that level of relief.  My doctor is wonderful and totally into pain management.  After reading what so many people here go through with doctors not wanting to deal with people like us I feel very fortunate.  

Jewells, how are you doing?  Angelica- thank you for your posts here, I read everything you write because I can relate to what you say and it helps me put things in perspective.  

Thank you for being there!

Deja

[jewells]

Hi  well I was in a car accident about 3 years ago. It was pretty bad. I have been to the best doctor in SanFrancisco one time. He said i needed surgery. I have had the injections in my back around 4 times. That didn't really help for that long. I also went to physical therapy.Then I went back to work, BIG MISTAKE..I reinjured it worse at work lifting someting to heavy. I really shouldn't of been working. But No I don't think I can live without the pain meds. If I can get myself down to taking like two 80mg a day I would be happier. I just have a hard time sticking to what I'm suppose to take becuase I have been on that same dose for 2 years. So I know my body does need more meds to feel better. But I guess for someone being on them 2 years and not abusing them that's pretty good. But soemdays I am just in to much pain and that is why I take more then I"m suppose to. My back injury is in L-5 S-1. Also, I have scoliosis which makes my back hurt also. I had to wear a brace in 8th grade for 2 years so the curvature didn't get any worse. But I am trying to taper down and am doing it. It just sucks becuase of the pain.

[Angelica]

If your back problem cannot be solved by surgery, your pain is level 6 or higher, chronic in nature, and prevents you from proceeding in somewhat of a normal life, then addiction/dependance is a natural, normal side affect.  I've just recently come to terms w/ that myself.  What else can we do?  At least you've found a doctor to treat your pain.  I haven't been so lucky, and had NO choice, but to suffer for years.  I've been on the oxys (20mg) for 3 weeks now, and I've gotten my life back....my husband said that I am a new person, and i was very withdrawn before.  He had never confessed that to  me in the past.  My chronic pain condition was effecting my family, and I didn't even realize it.  
I will never in any given day or period take more than I am supposed to, just my policy.  Try tapering down.  write your plan/schedule down.  Give it a try. Your not taking as much as some people, but your headed that way.  Can you live w/ the pain.....if so, ask your doctor to help you taper down.  Just tell him that your doing better.  There are States in this country, where people are actually turned away(in my case, before)and not treated, if there condition is really severe, because doctors do not want to treat them w/ these drugs; long term (DEA, I guess). I've called several doctors, not that long ago, and the nurse told me they werent taking new patients...AFTER I STATED MY CONDITION, and she said that she would ck w/ the doctor, and talk to him about my case, and get back in touch w/ me.....guess what????..Never heard from them again.  Just re-evaluate your situation, and frame of mind....you'll know what to do.  Best wishes.
angelica
ps.......what happend to your back, how many surgeries, and how many(if any) injections have you had???

[Angelica]

I can definately relate.  Back in '94 I had the shingles (shh) yep.....I was sitting in someone's desk that had the chicken pocks....and then I was around an elderly person who had the shings!!! My immune system must of been really low due to an accicent sometime earlier.  Well anyway.......I only took the pain medication for about 1 month.....then the pain was almost gone.  Ya see, My doctor put me on this medication....some antiviral medication(cant recall the name?), and it cut the duration in half.  Why don't you ask your doctor about it.  I actually saw an ENT (eyes, ears, nose & Throat specialist)...this may be who you need to see.  You shouldn't have a problem w/ a referral.  You gotta stay on top of these people.......Make some calls.  Have you ever called for a refill???  You may be able to do this, a few times.  Are you sure, you don't have a problem w/ the medication??? DO you?  I know from experience this problem(shingles) can resurface, even years later.  I still get burning senstations on my face(7 yrs. later), and stabbing pain in my ear....from time to time.  That can be w/ you for ever, but at some point it isn't chronic anymore.  I have heard some horror stories, though.  I had the kind that just affected my facial nerves, and ear......no bumps.  Let me know how this turns out for you?