Is this all in my head?

[Susan252]

I've posted the last week, and have a question.  Is it possible to get severe anxiety just by thinking about withdrawls from tapering?  My body was used to taking 7.5, sometimes every two hours or 2 pills 3 times a day, didn't take as prescribed, just trying to kill the back pain.  Now I am on 10 mg. one every 4 hours.  After 2 hours I start panicking, is this mental or is this that my body was used to getting it every 2 to 3 hours.  My dr. will be weaning me after my spinal injections and I'm terrified of this anxiety I am having.  I'm also considering going into detox or treatment to get off these, its like I have to take them for the pain and to feed my body, and yet I am sick of taking the darn things and just want to go to detox and get it over with.  Cold turkey is not an option for me, I would panic too much.  I've been searching for treatment centers and medicare does not cover inpatient anymore, I am on disability for the spinal problems I have.  And how long does it last, if it is withdrawl from every 2 to 3 hours to adjust to this regimen.  As I posted earlier, I was taking more than the prescribed does like 7 to 8 7.5s a day and not very spaced out.  Would it be better to take half every two hours.  This is insane!!!!!  Thank you

[Ella789]

Fear keeps alot of people scared of detox/withdrawl.  I remember that I was afraid of detox and  I am still glad that I had a Dr. who was willing to help me out with it.    I know now that it is not the scarey thing I once thought it was.   Even tho it is not pleasant it is still a very doable experience.  The only bad part of withdrawl for me was that being a chronic pain person, just knowing that an opiate would help me was such a bummer but I was disgusted with myself enough to make it through alright.  

Best wishes
Ella

[Susan252]

The dr. said the same thing, I'm on a low dose, maybe I'm making a lot of it up in my head.  No I will wait to get my spinal treatments first and then wean, or go to detox, but I have got to get some pain relief first, cold turkey I will not do, I will end up in a luney bin, I know myself.  It's amazing how in the beginning these pills worked so good for the pain and now? nadda, maybe an hour relief after each dose and that;s it.  Amazing.  

[Susan252]

My chiropractor suggested maybe having the rod removed however I had it put in in 1972, and everything is all fused together anyway, I'm not sure they would even touch my back.  No the treatment they want to do on me they use a laser to burn the nerve fibers which prevents the pain message going to the brain, the nerve fibers eventually grow back and then I have to do it again.  What youre having done sounds better, non invasive, maybe safer, I don't know.  This is all new treatment, so they don't know the long term effects of the treatments.  I guess we are all guinea pigs with this technology.  That's great that you can deal with the pain, bless your heart, I hope everything works out for you.  I'll check you're w/d taper, thanks

[peaceinknowing]

Anxiety is definately something that we've all been through even when just thinking about having to go through the WDs from getting off of pills. You're on such a low dose of medicine that it shouldn't be as bad as you're making/thinking it out to be right now. If you truly want to get off the pills then there's only one thing that can be done.. Just stop taking them. Everyone on the forums is here for you.

[Susan252]

Unfortunately i have xanax, which I was only taking 1/4 mg at bedtime but now have upped it to 1/2 mg a day, want to get off those too, strange though, they are not working a whole lot with the anxiety.  My heart is pounding so hard like it's gonna jump out of my chest.  I don't have a hubby right now in my life, maybe you're thinking of another post, lol, it can get a little confusing for me, all these people.  Thanks for the suggestions, I will get some theaning, I'm also taking zoloft, see I want to get off all of these and go the natural route, that's why I think maybe detox or treatment would work out best for me, maybe not, but I figure If i can get all 3 done at once then it's done.  It's not fun always having a cloudy head, and I am not myself.  The feeling of exhaustion and anxiety is something I have never felt before, it is torture.  I also have hepatitis c and that is another reason I have to get off these, my liver function was normal, amazingly the last blood work, everything was normal.  Thank God, I have to save my liver.  Thanks

[BIKERDAD1963]

I had all the steel in me too. They had to remove my lower spine and put in a cadaver bone(they used a forearm). I am just happy the paralisis went away. A few years after the surgery they took the rods out because they were causing me more pain especially when i sat. You may want to consider it. The otc meds are helping thus far. I try not to take anything unless it is just to bad and i cant find a comfortable spot. There are lots of things your doc can give you while going thru the wd. just dont take them to long or you will just find yourself back in the same position. Lyrica worked for me. I took them for a few weeks and then stopped. They were going to put an electric inplant in me, not sure if its the same thing as you. it changes the pain frequencies and mixes them up so they dont reach your brain thus its suppose stop the pain. i opted out at this point and figure I can deal with it rite now. Anyways we are all here for you during you detox process and we can all help in one way or another. you are not alone. Just shoot me a message if I can help with anything. I have a journal posted about my taper and detox if you would like to look at it. Good luck and keep us posted.

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

Dont want to make light of your situation - but your dose is low enough that you should be able to do this. I would suggest not enrolling in a rehab or maintenance program until you have tried to seriously stop a time or two on your own. Sounds like the anxiety is a stumbling block. Have you ever tried the amino acid Theanine (natural valium) and some other herbal mood things...some like St Johns Wort...... 5-HTP would do your mood a lot of good. There are plenty of steps to take. Look up the Thomas Recipe in Health Pages and the Amino Acid Protocols in either Health Pages or in MedHelps search engine.  We do a lot to our bodies when using and proper nutrition and supplements to recovfer is a good practice...........along with some sort of aftercare and finally being truthful to ourselves.......You will be able to get your life back - - - - BUT with hubby still using and not ready to quit and in the same household it will be a struggle. Remain strong and focused and take some "me" time when you need it.................

[Susan252]

It has been 3 days, since on this new regimen, it's a bummer being in pain, and I have noticed that the pain level has gone up since on this stuff, however, for a while there, I had myself almost pain free, but now am taking as prescribed.  
I don't know if you have ever heard of radiofrequency ablations but that is what they are going to be doing on my back, maybe that can help you, I've had temporary ones, where they numb the lower back and they lasted 2 days which makes me a good candidate for the ablations.  
I'm so sorry to hear that you broke your back, my God I can't imagine, I've got scoliosis with a 12 inch steel rod, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, you name it, it's a mess.  Do the OTC meds help?  
Anxiety is my demon now, lol.  Good God, makes me want to run around the block which I can't do because of the pain.  Anyway, thank you for your post, and your support and the info.  God bless, Susan

[BIKERDAD1963]

Anxiety is normal. You will go thru some WD while taperring but your body will get use to it in about 3-5 days. Dont self medicate at this point just do as your doc tells you. I was in the same place. I broke my back 7 years ago and had been on meds all that time. 7 months ago I just got tired of being so dependent on the meds and decided I wanted off (not to mention my wife told me I was a totally different person). I went thru all the injections or spinal blocks also and 2 long surgeries. Unfortunately they didnt help me. It turns out that your bodies pain tolerance lowers while on the pain meds and once off of them your tolerence will go back up and you may be able to just do OTC meds and be free from the demons. Your doctor will get you on a taper program and just stick to it. I did and things have worked out well. By no means should you take your meds sooner than you should at this point. Let your body get use to the dose you are at and then start taperring. You are going to get on the rite track with your doctors help. Be strong and make sure you have support. You will need someone to dish out your pills for you so you stay on the path. Good luck.