Will this ever end?

[kamora38]

Guys, I'm so ashamed of myself. I actually was completely clean for 30 days. I started back taking vicodin,(I know it sounds like an excuse) because I'm due to have all my teeth pulled, while I've been waiting for my insurance to o.k. my procedure my dentist gave me a script for vicodin. Like most here. I did not tell him about my problem with the pills. In my head, I was NOT going to have them filled. Then the tooth pain got so bad I caved. Now I realize it maybe another 2-4 weeks before my insurance o.k.'s my procedure. I can't afford to pay for the procedure without my insurance!!. So I'm trying to stop once again!! I know I'm going to go through hell again!! What I'm REALLY worried about is when I do have my teeth pulled. What the heck can I take besides a narcotic to get me through the first few days?? I so don't want to keep repeating the pattern. I want my life back. Any ideas??

[quitinoxys]

Tooth pain can be one of the worse pains you can experience. I recently suffered thru kidney stones and after 560 days clean I almost broke. I was going to go to the ER and have them give me something for pain. I did go to the ER but when I went I told them I was a recovering addict and the gave me a shot of a non-narcotic pain med that worked great. So I know how extreme pain can push us into taking narc's.

I agree with all of the posters above that once the teeth are pulled you shouldn't need any narc's. I hope you can find some pain relief w/o the use of opiate pain meds and I will pray for you. God Bless---Rick

[bmdad]

I hear you about the tooth pain. I've had one toothache in my life and that was a couple of years ago. It's let me back to taking pills but just for a week or so. I needed a root canal and I guess that can't do it until the infection goes away. The dentist gave me a weeks worth of antibiotics and a weeks worth of vicodin. I took the vicodin for a couple days and just stopped because it didn't even touch it. I was so relieved to have the root canal done even though it was still somewhat painful for a few months. Not sure why. I even went to a specialist. Enough about me. I just know exactly how you're feeling with the tooth. When I was in the Marine Corps I received 2nd burns. I was in the hospital for 11 days. Two times I day that would take a plastic scrub brush and scrub the burns. Good Lord was that painful but the toothache ranked pretty close to it.

As for the after you have them pulled. I'm with Sara in possibly not needing anything narcotic based after you have them pulled. I'm not sure if wisdom teeth are the same as other teeth when you get them pulled but I had three wisdom teeth pulled all at the same sitting. I was in the Marine Corps when I had them pulled. My appointment was scheduled during my lunch hour. I went and had them pulled, went to lunch afterwards and went right back to work. Sure, I was a little sore but not bad at all. I didn't even need ibruprofen or tylenol. Once that tooth is pulled the nerve is gone too so the pain shouldn't be too bad. It might be a little sore around the area of the tooth but you should be fine.

Just keep your use to a minimum right now and only take as needed. Even better, have someone you trust dole them out to you so you are being monitored. I'm with the posters above. You have to inform all doctors, dentists, etc. If not everything you worked for will be for nothing. They're not going to deny you meds if you're in pain but they will help keep an eye on you. That's something every addict needs. It's all too easy to end up right back where we started. Once we start on the downward spiral it's very difficult to stop.

Watch yourself and know that we are here for you.

Best of luck with everything.




Brian

[theaddict]

the WD stages for me were hard, i'm not going to lie. but if i'm going to be completely honest here, the WORSE PAIN EVER that i've felt was a toothache. and not just a small surge of pain here and there, i'm talking the entire side of my face was absolutely horrible. my cousin had twins, and has also had a horrible toothache that led to her tooth being pulled. she said that hands down, she would give birth to twins for a month straight than deal with a horrible toothache for 15 minutes. it's for the birds.

because i'm sure you're in a lot of pain, like others have said, i would talk to my dentist and inform them of your situation. you'd be surprised at how many doctors and dentists will either come up with something non-narcotic for you to take, or tell you that it would be best to take the pain medicine he has given to you. doctors and dentists WILL monitor your intake of pills for you - so maybe that would be your best choice right now. it all depends on how much you're hurting right now. but if you're scheduled to get all of them pulled, that says you might be in a great deal of pain.

let us know if you need anything else, and congrats - but best of luck on your procedure!

[kyle505]

I agree with sarah...You need to tell your dentist and, while you're at it, your doctor if you haven't yet. Put up roadblocks to help when you're weak. I know that tooth pain can be horrific; if the dentist can't recommend non opioid (sp?) meds, then ask him to monitor your use. Then, it will be up to you to take them only as needed. Otherwise going without may be the only choice.

[dominosarah]

Tell your dentist what is going on.  Many of us have gotten thru these procedures without pain meds.  Have you thought about recovery care?