Live In Pain Or TRY to take painkillers as prescribed?

[moonshyne]

I kicked an oxycontin addiction a month ago. Went cold turkey and finally got off them, I was snorting between 40-60 mg a day. Well, here's the kicker. I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis last week (spinal stenosis is a very painful condition, basically my back is about 40 years older then I am. I'm only in my early 30's and the doctor said it's unusual for someone my age to have it but I do) He is sending me to a back specialist and starting me on physiotherapy. He also prescribed 20 mg of oxycontin to be taken 2 times a day. I am scared of becoming addicted to them again. Am I fooling myself if I think I can take it as prescribed? I've been thinking of giving the bottle to my grandmother who helped me through detox and let her dole them out to me. On the other hand I think I should see if i could, on my own, take it as prescribed.

Obviously my doctor does not know about my prior addiction. I tried to get him to give me only percocet (the lesser of the evils in my mind) but he said I'd need to take too many in a day to relieve the pain and that oxycontin makes it so you only need two pills a day. I don't know whether to flush them, try and take them as prescribed or give them to my grandmother to be in charge of giving them to me when I'm supposed to have them. Has anyone else encountered this and can give me some advice?

[moonshyne]

Well, they're gone. I flushed them all and as soon as I did it I felt better, like a weight had been lifted. I feel good about my decision and I'm glad I did it. Thanks again for helping me, this site and the people here have been so helpful when I first detoxed off these things - and again now, when I was tempted to try and ''take them as prescribed''. I know that would have never happened. Now I have to try and get some non-narcotic pain relief. I know they probably won't work as well but I'll take ANY relief at this point! Spinal stenosis is a very painful condition but I have to find non habit forming ways of coping with the pain. I am looking forward to starting physio next week. I hope it helps.

[avisg]

Yeah if your doctor does not know then that you abuse meds thats major problem. I have two kids They have never threatened to take my children.They were happy I was getting myself help .dss does not like to take children away from there parents and will only do when there is a major chance of the children getting hurt.
There are other things that will help with your pain try zanazflex its a mucle relaxer works well for me .Time its self off the opiates the pain will dull on its own .you can find other ways to deal with the pain many many of us have chronic pain that's how we got here.My pain is not as bad now as it was when I took opeates for pain.

[sweetieneedshelp]

Now that you made your decision all you have to do is stick to it. Pain stinks, I know. Try to listen to your body, as best you can. If you feel like you need to sit, sit. If you feel like you need to lay down, lay down.
Did you flush them yet?
If so, good for you!
There are so many people that can't really be honest with themselves about their addictions. I know I don't know you, but I'm proud of you! You are being honest with yourself and making a decision that is good for you. So congtats!
Feel good and take personal pride in the fact that you are going to do what is best for you!

[123456m]

I remember you and was proud that you quit. All it takes is one you you will be back where you started from. You should never had the script filled that was the adddict talking not you and you know this. As another poster said you are not in full recovery it just been a month! There are many many non narcos you can take. Do not listen to that voice. You could very easy have told your doctor all you need to tell him no I can not take opiates because many years ago I did and got addcited to them. So what is he going to say when you tell him that!
ITs honest enough yet a very safe thing to say.
Hang in there as its not just you if I remember you have 2 little wonderful kids yes?
Peace

[moonshyne]

After reading everyone's responses, I am pretty sure you guys have confirmed what I already know in my heart - that I won't be able to take these and not get addicted. I am going to flush all of them and avoid a lot of problems. I will go back to the doctor and ask him for some anti-inflammatorys. We tried them before but I got minimal relief from them. The problem is that with spinal stenosis, it's the spine compressing the nerves so muscle relaxants, NSAIDS etc don't have much effect but I'll take a little relief over none at all. I'm also hoping that the physio helps, I start that next week. Thank you SO MUCH for your help.

[peaceinknowing]

I agree with you on what you said about taking the pills even as prescribed will get you addicted to them. I took my Percocet as prescribed to me, never taking a pill over at any time, and I got addicted AND dependant on them very easily.  Good advice!