Is it wrong to use pain meds to curb withdrwal between bouts of pain?

[Joe]

Since my chronic pain levels are not constant, I use the pain meds as needed.  However I noticed that when I have a "good" day (i.e. using less pain meds) I have withdrawal symptoms.  I typically take 1/2 a pill to curb the symptoms until the pain has me take a full dose.  My question is: should I just put up with the symptoms or is taking a small dose to curb it going to lead to an endless cycle of addiction.  I hate taking the meds when I don't need it for pain but since it looks like I'll be on them for life, I can't help but think why should I go through withdrawal several times a week, but feel "guilty" getting the withdrawal relief.

[to doc dan from joe]

It wasn't too bad last night untill I got to sleep, woke up at 12:30 and felt like I swallowed a 400 HP engine, just bursting with energy and a weird sense of pain and cramping all over. At 1:00 am took 2 xanax (I had read about this before on the forum) it didn't help I was up till 3:00am with that same feeling.  I had to get up for work at 6:00 so I broke down an took a single pill, was able to go right to sleep within 20 minutes.  I figure using 1 pill at night untill my body adjusts isn't so bad, I can cut it out completly within a few days (just got to get that sleep).  I can't figure out why my pain suddenly stopped yesterday, I hope that it doesn't come back and have gone through all of this for nothing. I never really needed more than 4-8 pills a day to control the pain, I don't want to  imagine what it must be like to detox from the high doses that I've read people taking on a daily basis, must be the closest thing to hell on earth.  Thanks to everone for your advice!!!!

[Lynn to Neena]

Hi guys. Joe, I could eat up to 30 percs a day, so when I had to detox from that I crashed and burned, Ugh, it was awful.
Neena, I'm O.K., if you want to call it that. Ran into some pills  Monday, that's why you haven't heard from me. I'm beyond help. I have access all the time and no willpower, so I am still active. But I'm real proud of you. Real proud. I know I can go through what you did if I really wanted to. Trouble is.. I don't want to.

[To sick and scared from Neena]

I wish that I could inspire you somehow, but I do know your problem first hand.  I still have access to my vics, but have not made the call.  I did tell them to not give or sell to me for a while...but I am sure they would if it came right down to it.  So far, i haven't picked up the phone.  I am actually friends with my hook up, and actually miss spending time with her, but for now my sobriety and cleanliness is more important and she respects that.  Lynn, please hang in there.  When you run out of percs next, let me know...maybe I can stop you from buying more and help ou through the shitty next couple of days.  Good Luck!  Neena

[Frankinscense]

There is a better way. This life absolutely SUCKS. Give it up for god's sake before it is too late. Been there done that. It will eventually get you in prison or dead. Hook ups evertually get busted. Your time will come.
The better way is opiate agonist therapies or treatment. Admit your addiction and get help. You are all to far gone with your addictions to go to a pain clinic. Pain clinics offer drugs to responsible narcotic users which are rare as a three dollar bill.
A long acting opiate such as methadone will cure you I promise,at least allow you to carry on your life without all these cravings and withdrawals. I had the same type of problem. Now there is order in my life and I finished my  education. Shady drug deals with pushers and drug seeking ALWAYS end in disaster. Methadone(or LAAM) clinics provide you with your drug for pain,withdrawals,and cravings. It gives you back control of your life. All clinics are not about heroin junkies. 60% of the clients at the clinic I go to are pill addicts. They provide counseling,medical attention, and provide authority with dosing. If we all could take our medicine like we are supposed to and not run out early we would not need these controls. The reason we are addicts is because of a chemical imbalance that would gets by taking short acting opiates.(eg.percodan,vicoden,lortab,morphine, oxycontin-it is still a short acting opiate only in a time released form) These drugs deplete endorphins that when depleted cause cravings and withdrawals. Your brain sees vicoden as an endorphin and does not manufacture stores of endorphins. Endorphin molecule is almost exactly the same as short acting opiate molecules. The brain sees percodan for instance and thinks it is the natural occuring endorphin and does not replenish endorphin stores that have been depleted. So when you run out of your percodan there is NO endorphins at the receptor and withdrawal and cravings begin. (sick and no energy or the first signs of being "endorphin challenged".) If you keep this pill popping and addiction active eventually you may never produce natural endorphins again - hence the term Endorphin Challenged.
The only way to get your addiction in control is through the use of a long acting opiate such as methadone or Laam. T
There is nothing to be frightened of in atteding a clinic. If you are serious about a better life for your self seek help through this very effective mode of treatment.
Again, Sincerely, Doc Dan (CDCI)
***@****

[To sick and scared from Neena]

Hi. I've been clean of Vicoden for 6 days now.  The shakes rarely occur and my appetite is returning.  The initial withdrawal was HORRIBLE.  I felt like dying and asked my hubby to take me to hospital.  Instead, we contacted a doctor friend and told us how to taper me off the nasty stuff.  I also have not touched booze (for me, beer) in more than two weeks.  My question to you.  When will I have my strength back?  When will my endorphins be produced naturally?.  I am still having problems sleeping at night.  My doc has me on Xanax every 4 hours or as needed.  I would like to stop taking all pills, but my lack of sleep is zapping what is left of my energy.  Any ideas on energy filled foods?  Mulitvitamins?  I hope the rest of the people can get as far as I have.  If they go through the withdrawals at home, some may not use again, as I have not.  The humiliation of my hubby finding me on the bathroom floor was enough for me to stop and fight this monster.  Neena

[Frankinscense]

Hang in there Neena you are doing good. As to be expected. As time passes you endorpnins WILL peplinish themselves. Only in rare cases will endorhin production be effected. Exercise (very important for endorphin production)good high protien diet with meats high in vitamin b 12. Try a good multivitamin with minerals. The more days drug free you can achieve the better off you are in the endorphin department. One day of relapse will interupt the delicate balance in your brain chemistry that is needed for neurohormone production. Research has said that if a person continues to have problems with energy and depression one may try a mild antidepressant that will help production of another vital neurotransmiter norepinephrine(aka noradrenaline).
Such as the antidepresants known as NARI's. In my opinion I would never take high dose of any antidepressant unless I was severely depressed. The first one that comes to mind is Remeron. Good for sleep and norepinephrine production. But I would use them
in conservative doses. It is my opinion that prozac, zoloft,etc.,etc or overused. And in doses that R way too high for mild depressions or mood disorders. There are some other norepinephrine specific A/depresants.  Research says using imipramine type drugs for energy related problems is somewhat effective. I had some success with Elavil 50 mgms. at bedtime. But the drawback here is 3-6 weeks it takes for these antidepressants to work. I think 4-6 weeks alone without medications will be enough time for a mild vicodin type addiction. This should be enough time for the body to start producing stores of endorphin and other valuable neurohormones/transmitters.  Sincerely,Doc...