Tolerance

[pon]

I have not been to this forum for a while...I am at 105 days clean from hydrocone.  I became addicted when I was exposed to it for pain mgmt after a severe shoulder injury.  I used the hydro for approximately 4 months and had built up to a level of about 100mg a day....my question is this, obviously at the peak of my addiction I must have developed a pretty large tolerance to the drug....I have spoken about the whole situation with my Dr and we have an agreement that she will not use any type of opiate pain med agian unless it is a truly desperate situation and in hospital....I am curious though, with the tolerance developed by my addiction, would they even ever work at normal doses?  Does the tolerance developed ever wear off or is it permenant?

thanks,

pon

[Rex1]

Unfortunately, it sounds as if you have simply run into the wrong doctors.

My experience with my pain management specialist was the complete opposite of yours.  He was nothing short of extremely sympathetic, and as I have said here previously, "partnered" with me to get off hydrocodone.  It was in fact my regular doctor that behaved as you have described.

Also keep in mind that this is a very busy time of the year for them -- with everyone who's on medication starting a new year's resolution of some kind or another.

If you can find another doctor, I would do so.  But sometimes these doctors respond better when you speak to a head honcho at the insurance company.  After all, that's who pays them.

You can always switch your insurance over to another group, and find a pain management specialist within that new group.  If you can't wait for the insurance to change over, pay out of pocket for the first appointment until the insurance kicks in.

Good luck...

Rex

[Post50]

I am so glad that I've found this site.  Just yesterday I went to a "Pain Management Specialist" at the suggestion of my Family Dr.  Honestly, I don't know where to start, but this man made me feel like some kind of criminal.  He started the appointment talking about people who file law suits against Dr.'s.  Then he told me that I was taking too much Oxicontin (10mg 4xdaily).  He noted that I had taken 200 7.5 Lortab in a months time prior to that.  I didn't deny any of this, it was true...But I was there for some sort of "alternative"...He gave me one.."I don't know what you should do".. He basically didn't want to see me or treat me.  He suggested that I deal with my depression, because I cried in his office.  I'm already on a antidepressant.  I don't feel depressed.  Am I just another hysterical female, and depressed because of the way that he treated me?  He said that he would call my family doc and have him call me.  My family doc called me yesterday afternoon.  He said that the Pain Guy is concerned because I ws taking too much Oxicontin, needed counceling because of depression, and that I should have a knee replacement.  Now, either I'm completely out of the loop, or these guys just plain, don't get it...I've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I know that the answer is not life-long pain meds.
How many of you have had the same sort of treatment?  What is wrong with a Medical Profession who starts you on these drugs and then nobody wants to treat you after you've been on them for about 6 months or so.  I've never gone above the prescribed dosage.  I've never "Dr. shopped"... I just don't understand..Have any of you ever gotten the same treatment?  From what I've read here and other places it looks like I'm not taking too much of anything...Am I?
Thanks in advance....

[madeline]

Hey everyone,

What a good posting site.  You all sound
like you have had some rough times, but
came thru them.  Well I am addicted to
percocet from a knee surgery. Up to about
12-15 a day now, and trying to wean down.
Before that it was alcohol on and off.
However quit alcohol about 8 weeks ago,
since the percocet I liked better.  Well
now every time I try to stop the WD come
fast and hard causing me and my addiction
to start popping again.  Am afraid of detox
ing and want to wean slowly as I have a
chance at a job I have been wanting for
so long.  If I up and leave now I wont
get it.  Thought I could taper myself
down slowly.  Is it possible?  They did
send me for a drug test, (the job) but
I thought cause I have a prescrip and its
legal they may still hire me.  I havent
heard yet.  It involves driving.  I really
need the job. Do you think I could wean
off and get the job all at once?  Hey I
am gonna pray for all you guys, and please
keep me in your prayers.

Madeline

[Rex1]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I hope that you find comfort and peace, Chezz.

God bless...

Rex

[Chezz2]

Thanks guys,
I appreciate your support and words. I really am having a hard time with this and feel like I am just so lost most of the time right now.
I have to fly out on the 2nd. The service is going to be on the 4th. It has also been hard just dealing with that also since I have been the one to pretty much set it up and all.
The sick thing is that her house was broken into, and her car stolen a couple days after she passed. That is just so unreal to me. I can't imagine the hell they will pay when it is there turn...
We were left with some pictures and a few other items to remember her by. That is really all that matters. The rest of the material possessions are just that.....material items.
I just want my Mom back...
Chezz

[teeitup]

Hang in there, I'll be thinking of you!

teeitup!

[pon]

My friend, there are not words to tell you how sad I am for you right now...you know I lost my brother last May and I know where you are right now.

I will be thinking of you Chezz, I'm around if you want to e-mail.  I am back at work from vacation tomorrow, but I will check my yahoo e-mail a couple of times a day.

Take care of your self my friend, and remember there are a lot of us here if you need or want us.

prayers,

pon

[saveyourself]

My condolences on the loss of your mother,  Man it is so heart breaking.  I lost my mom 8-21-00, then my dad died 12-3-00. They had become my best friends and thank God got to see me clean for alot of years. No words can convey what your going through, your in my prayers.
Greg

[hippy]

i am sorry to hear of your loss
my condolences go out to you and your famly.

i hope you are okay, i know from presonal experence
how devastating losing a famly member can be.
especally a parent.

my prayers are with you.

michael.

[Chezz2]

Pon,

Glad to see you are still out there.
And that you came back when you knew a choice was coming.
I would write more, but I just can't right now.
My Mom passed away, right before Xmas. So I am having a rough time trying to deal with it.
Chezz

[hippy]

hey pon . the forcast for you sounds good.
i am glad your pain is temp. and not
the severe nagging kind that make you feel
like you are stuck in a box under water
suffacating.

peace to you and congrats on 107

your freind hippy,
with love and respect
it's alway nice to read good news.

[lisabet]

Dearest Chezz, I just want to say I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. God bless you and your family. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.  Love, Lisabet

[pon]

thanks...it is good news and I am happy to have been able to see the right decision...no point in playing with fire...I don't want to get burned...it hurts to much.

prayers to you my man, have a great new year!

pon

[pon]

Way to GO!!! Congrats on day one!  You are on your way to a freedom you have been missing...one stolen from you by the pills...

I am at 107 days and happy...

Since I have been back posting my original question has become moot for me...I have decided to tell my Dr that I will not accept any opiates at all regardless of the pain level.  I am lucky that my pain is only of a temporary nature due to the upcoming operation...not the horrible constant pain that many here suffer...so I will grit my teeth and take advil

So, I have made my choice...NEVER AGAIN....too much at risk

prayers

pon

[needhelp1]

I never want to pick up another vicodin again. They have wrecked my life so far. I can only look my to when i was clean i remeber what it was like to actually be a person. I hope i get that feeling so again. There is no looking back this time. and i know that i cant just do it once.
A

[pon]

Witchy and Hellbent are right...it will pass...it is different for every person.  They both had it really tough, I didn't, mine passed in about 5 days...so, you may be lucky too.  Thing to remember is it WILL pass, but only if you stay clean.  Today I am at 106 days from hydro and exactly 15 years from alcohol...sobriety beats the alternative hands down...my life is wonderful sober, it became hell addicted.  Stick with it, you are worth it...it IS tough, but it can be done and it is defenitely better on the other side...

prayers

pon

[pon]

the later part of your post is exactly whgy I don't want her to give me any opiate pain killers...I am fearful of even a very short duration putting me right back on the merry-go-round  I don't want to risk it...not with 106 days under my belt and feeling good

pon

[pon]

hi....I have been away for a while enjoying exactly what you described LIFE...I am back because I am afraid on my upcoming surgery and its implications...although I have pretty much convinced myself after the last two days posting that I am going to tell my Dr that I don't care how much it hurts, I will not accept even one single dose of opiates...not worth the risk...too much to lose

[needhelp1]

thanks for the comments. Today is Day 4. Im going to a meeting tonight. i am able to get about 4-5 hour sleep a night but mostly tossing a turning. I know i had insmonia my first detox but it wasnt this bad... i hope i can get a good night rest soon. only time will help...
A

[Rex1]

Yeah, I have been wondering about you and some others too.

If you are lurking let us know.

Feel free to email me at ***@****

Rex

[suzieneedshelp]

WW.. lovely post. We sure misse d ya!
Pon.. I believe tolerance is an ingrained trait.  Mine has always been high and even if i did nt use fo r monthes.   I needed 120 mg of demoral which they said would knock out a 300 pnd man.  Most get about 25 mg in a shot.  So.. in response to your quesitno...it is a tendancy we have.  I know people who get knocke d out by aspirin!  Geezz!
Peace,
Suzie
P.S. i am on my final detox from stadol now.  Day one is about over!

[Rex1]

Way to go!!!!!!!!!!

Hang in there, be tough, throw stuff, do whatever it takes!

New years is on its way....


Rex

[Witchywoman]

It's good to see you posting again, and even better to be able to see postings from those of us who can honestly say that life can and does get better on the other side of this.

Yes, detox is hell, but life post detox, if you do the emotional work on yourself, can be wonderful.  I think it is important to offer experiences that give folks who are facing detox HOPE.  Life is not perfect when clean, but it is a hell of a lot better than being a slave to a pill and chasing a high that will never return.

Life clean is Life. Sometimes blissfull, sometimes shattering, but we FEEL what really is.

A few words I've read today on this site are very key.
You have to work on believing that you are worth it. Spiritual pursuits help, if you have a spirituality that is right for you.
Leave the shame behind and know that you are worth and can and will get better.

The sun is getting brighter and brighter every day, even though it looks very dark at 5pm.  It's always darkest before the dawn.
There is such a thing as a happy  recovered addict. Want it. Want it with every cell and fiber of your being. Put as much energy into recovery as you put into the addiction and your chances of crossing over to the land of sunshine increase substantially.

with love and holy day greetings to you and all,

WW

[Witchywoman]

elavil and trazadone are both prescription only. They are the old class of tricyclic antideppressants. In low doses they do help with sleep, but be prepared for a dry mouth and a foggy feeling. I can't imagine how anyone ever got better from depression on them, they make me feel kinda crappy, but they do help with sleep.

I'll check my mail now.

love,
WW