MST addiction - coming off

[Frances144]

I have a large right sided prolapsed L5/S1 disc, due for a discectomy on 9th January 2009.

My disc prolapsed on 4th September 2008 and I was immediatley put on 150mg MST morphine, Diclofenac (3 times a day) and valium (at night).   I was off my head but I could walk!

Now, a few months later, and an MRI confirmation scan, I am due surgery in the next few weeks.  Hurrah.

Meanwhile I hate the morphine.  It controls my life.  I have bought a tens machine and zap myself for one hour every evening, watching Voyager (Star Trek!).  I think that helps.

From 150mg of morphine a day originally, I have now gone down 5mg at a time, and got to 20mg a day (10mg morning and evening).  Next step 5mg morning and evening and then what ........?  5mg MST in the morning and 5mg Vallium at night?  I don't know what to do but I want to be off the morphine before surgery, before the nurses take control of my pain relief and I know my body is horribly addicted.  I do wish the doctors had told me this before they put me on it - I suppose I would have agreed, coz I couldn't sit or walk or do anything.

Am I addicted to the valium too?  I know it helps me sleep.  The diclofenac does nothing much but I would rather try and use that as my painkiller if I can.

Can anyone suggest a drug routine that will help.  I get no help from my gp - they just write the scripts for whatever I want as long as I don't bother them.  I hate this addiction.  I hate being in pain but I hate morphine so much because it controls everything including my bowels, which is horrible.  I want to go into hospital just on the diclofenac and may be the valium (can you be addicted to that?) and see if that is enough.

Cheers and thanks for reading.

[Frances144]

Thanks for your reply.

I have tried chiropractor and physio - both won''t go near me now I have this diagnosis.  After surgery, I will start yoga with a friend (Teacher).

I think I was given the valium as a muscle relaxant as my whole back  muscels are in spasm - trying to protect the bit that went wrong!

So hence the drugs.

I have made the decision to stay on the MST, diclofenac and valium until after the surgery and then, if it is deemed a success, I will take stock of my requirements and come off as much of them as possible.

Thanks for reading
Frances x

[worried878]

well...not sure if u r addicted to valium...not a good med for sleep tho..lots out there safer than benzos for sleep....ask them about it/ur doctor i mean

sounds like u have done a wonderful job tapering down on the morphine...the med u mentioned is an anti-inflamatory....and can help pain...other things can help like muscle relaxers, nerve inhibitors like neurontin...have u tried yoga?  or chirporactic....perhaps this surgery u speak of will do wonders...keep posting as there is lots of support here