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Am I an ADDICT???
I had an a serious accident when I feel 38 ft off a roof. I have had serious pain in my back since the fall. It was not until about 5 yrs ago that any one would listen to me and hear what I had to say. There has been several testing done and it has been stated that I have severe chronic radiodiculaphy in my L-4/5 and S-1/2 area. I have since been on several pain meds to try and help me control my pain. I have been on morphine 60 mg every 4 hrs, methadone 40 mg 4x a day, fentanyl 75 mcg, Dilaudid, oxy 15 mg every 4 hrs, Neurontin, as well as several others. I have had 4 surgeries since April of 07 to try and relieve some of the pain but I honestly think that the pain has gotten worse since. I am also starting to notice that I think I am forming an addiction to the meds. I am wondering if there is anything out there that I can try and take so that way I can get away from the methadone, oxy and a few other drugs. I am a mother of 2 and getting scared due to my husband is in Iraq and I do not want to let him know I am feeling this way. Its just a feeling that I am starting to have but I am not completely sure if I am addicted. I know that I am averaging about 150 5 mg oxycodone in about 12 days. It just is not feeling right. Do you have any advice for me or some direction as to what maybe I can do. I would love to get as much input as I can in regards to this problem. Thanks so much.
Devilishly
Devilishly
My accident was in April of 98. When I awoke from my coma and I stated that my back was really hurting they said to me well you feel 38 ft its going to hurt for some time. With workman's comp you should know they really do not want to hear anything you have to say they want to get out as easy as they can. I complained for yrs about it while all my other injuries were healing. They were more concerned with my head injury than anything. It was not until about 5 yrs ago that people started to listen when they seen that my leg was going cold and was turning purple. They ran test and found the issues. They have pretty much changed my meds every so many month to try and keep me from developing an addiction due to that was my biggest concern. Currently I am taking 40 mg of methadone 4 times a day and taking 15 mg of percocet every 4 hrs (I take 3 pills that are 5 mg). During 2 of the surgeries they had to close early due to there were some issues with my heart so they had to keep going back in once I was stable enough. SInce April I have had the surgeries. Its not that I am trying to completely get rid of the pain completely I would just like to get away from the meds that I have been taking. I would like to take something that I don't have to be so worried about. Sorry I am pretty much a single mother who does not want to have to worry about withdrawls or some other BS with all these meds. Any advice would be helpful. Have a good day and I look forward to reading what everyone has to offer on this matter
You are definately have built a opiate tolerance.. you are physically dependent on the meds.. only you can say if you are an addict.. not us.. sounds to me that you are on the line.. Addiction is when there are negative behavoirs associated with taking the meds, doctor shopping, taking way more than prescribed, running out early..
I will say that alot of times the meds can make out pain worse.. and then we feel we need more.. i would suggest you start working on a plan with your doctor to wean down to a lower level to help with the tolerance. "reset' your tolerance so to speak.. and then see how your pain level really is.
I will say that alot of times the meds can make out pain worse.. and then we feel we need more.. i would suggest you start working on a plan with your doctor to wean down to a lower level to help with the tolerance. "reset' your tolerance so to speak.. and then see how your pain level really is.
The meds that I am given every month last me for the full month. I have never ran out before its time for a refill. I know that should I ever get to that point then I need to really go to rehab and get myself clean. I am currently taking 40 mg of methadone, percocet 15 mg every 4 hrs, Somma's but not an everyday thing. I just sometimes wonder if 6 yrs of taking the pain meds has taken its toll and I have developed an addiction, or maybe my body has formed an addiction to the meds. I am just not sure what to really think about it. I was merely wondering if there was other meds out there that I could use that maybe would get me away from the narcs. I have several pinched nerves as well, as other issues with my L-4/5 and S-1/2. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Hi and Welcome!
No one can say if you are an addict except for you. The first sign is that there is a problem is if you are taking more than prescribed. My goodness..you are on a lot of meds. I am concerned for your health in general.
I suffer with chronic pain every day. I have not found any long term alternatives as of yet. I wish I could help you. I do daily "exercises", if you will to make myself comfortable.
Please be careful. If you continue as you have, you may have serious medical problems down the road.
I hope you keep posting and talk with people here who have been where you are.
Take care and hope to see you again.
No one can say if you are an addict except for you. The first sign is that there is a problem is if you are taking more than prescribed. My goodness..you are on a lot of meds. I am concerned for your health in general.
I suffer with chronic pain every day. I have not found any long term alternatives as of yet. I wish I could help you. I do daily "exercises", if you will to make myself comfortable.
Please be careful. If you continue as you have, you may have serious medical problems down the road.
I hope you keep posting and talk with people here who have been where you are.
Take care and hope to see you again.
you wrote If your taking 12 a day he's giving you 360 pills per month, - there are no legal limits as to how much oxycodone a doctor can give.
Devilishly - you're body is definitely addicted and if you stopped cold turkey you 'd have bad w/drawals. If you are taking them when you don't have pain, taking more than the doctor recommends than you need to be careful as you could be headed towards addiction.
Devilishly - you're body is definitely addicted and if you stopped cold turkey you 'd have bad w/drawals. If you are taking them when you don't have pain, taking more than the doctor recommends than you need to be careful as you could be headed towards addiction.
Hi ,your on a opioid roller coaster. The reason for the different types of anagesics (pain killers) is because the brain has receptor sites. the problem you are using say methadone which blocks the eurphoric and analgesis properties on oxycontin,percocet vicodin etc.methadone is more effective in the treatment of addiction rather than to treat your pain issue.I find if you keep it simple,due some homework, why use one drug to cancell the other, resulting zero pain relief and a big *** addiction. All the Best johnny
You'd be very welcome in N.A. - the only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. If you let me know the city and state you're in, I'll post a link to help you find a meeting.
MOM, Five years ago when you fell of the roof you went to the hospital right. What did they do for you regarding test.
After that you were referred to your PCP right?, What did he do, according to your story they did not give you pain meds at that time or did they,
So five years latter they were able to come up with a diagnosis and you were referred to a Pain Management Practice, It sounds like they have tried several C-II opiates with little relief. You have even had 4 surgeries as of 4/07, That is unreal! So if I understand you correctly you are off all opiates with the exception of percocet 5/325 they dont come in 5/500 unless your on hydrocodone (vicodin) why? Is it because the dr thinks that's all you need. What do you think you should be on for 90% pain relief because you will never be 100% pain free, Tell me what medication do you want your dr to prescribe for pain relief? How many pills is he prescribing for you per month now? If your taking 12 a day he's giving you 360 pills per month, That's more than the legal limit. You must run short during the month do you? I think your not in as much pain now as you were initially, Because one reason I say that is your own statement, "It just doesn't feel right" When you should be stating I am in so much pain what do I do? Because of the obscene amount of opiates you have been prescribed in what I consider to be a short time your Opiate receptors are all over the place. I feel for you I really do.I can't tell you if your an addict your have to come to terms with that all by yourself. Has your life become unmanageable or what? When the doctor says take 1 tablet every 6 hours, do you take 2 or more. These are signs of addiction for sure, But it is also signs of poor pain management. Do you think your dr really cares about your condition, I want you to right the name of this drug down and show it to your dr and listen to what he says it's called SUBOXONE. Until then take care and let me know---------------------------------NOAH
After that you were referred to your PCP right?, What did he do, according to your story they did not give you pain meds at that time or did they,
So five years latter they were able to come up with a diagnosis and you were referred to a Pain Management Practice, It sounds like they have tried several C-II opiates with little relief. You have even had 4 surgeries as of 4/07, That is unreal! So if I understand you correctly you are off all opiates with the exception of percocet 5/325 they dont come in 5/500 unless your on hydrocodone (vicodin) why? Is it because the dr thinks that's all you need. What do you think you should be on for 90% pain relief because you will never be 100% pain free, Tell me what medication do you want your dr to prescribe for pain relief? How many pills is he prescribing for you per month now? If your taking 12 a day he's giving you 360 pills per month, That's more than the legal limit. You must run short during the month do you? I think your not in as much pain now as you were initially, Because one reason I say that is your own statement, "It just doesn't feel right" When you should be stating I am in so much pain what do I do? Because of the obscene amount of opiates you have been prescribed in what I consider to be a short time your Opiate receptors are all over the place. I feel for you I really do.I can't tell you if your an addict your have to come to terms with that all by yourself. Has your life become unmanageable or what? When the doctor says take 1 tablet every 6 hours, do you take 2 or more. These are signs of addiction for sure, But it is also signs of poor pain management. Do you think your dr really cares about your condition, I want you to right the name of this drug down and show it to your dr and listen to what he says it's called SUBOXONE. Until then take care and let me know---------------------------------NOAH
I am new to this area and don't even have a clue where any are. I have been here all of 2 weeks and my husband being in Iraq I don't want to ask him if he knows due to I don't want him to worry. This is where his family is from. I do not think it would be a good idea to even ask them I know they would tell it or die trying to tell it. My husband has hated that I have taken all these meds since my accident and would love for me to be pain free and off the meds but I am not sure if that will ever happen due to all the pain. I just need to figure all of this out before its all too late. I think in some ways to go to NA and still take the pills is a double edge sword its not really helping. Any thoughts?
Currently I am taking methadone 40 mg 4 times a day. Oxycod. 10 mg every 6 hrs, and then OxyCottin (See I cant spell, lol) 20 mgs every 6 hrs as well. This is what I am currently taking daily and they all come from the same Dr.
Yes, currently I am taking the methadone 40 mg 4 times a day. I am just starting to get worried because I find that I am taking them more often than the hrs stated. My oxys say 6 hrs and I find that I do good to last 5 hrs. Maybe sounds crazy and I am not sure. I only know that the pain at times is kicking my butt and at others it is not so bad. Mornings are the worst it seems and even later into the day as I have been active. Any advice???
If I read your post correctly........that is an astronomical amount of meds. and very powerful one's to boot. I am scared for you. Are you getting all these from the same doc. and are these all different meds you have tried or are currently taking? I'm a little confused and concerned.
Nauty..........
Nauty..........
Sounds like you are (and that's not a bad thing - could end up being the best thing you every found out about yourself). It sounds like you're going through a lot and could use some support. So you're on the oxys now? No more methadone?
Only you can decide if you're an addict - this might help:
http://www.na.org/ips/eng/IP7.htm
Only you can decide if you're an addict - this might help:
http://www.na.org/ips/eng/IP7.htm
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