How addicted am I?

[bBarry]

I was in a motorcycle accident in 2002. My collarbone is overlapping and it shortened my R shoulder 2 inches or more. They stopped counting broken ribs at 14. Some of the ribs are overlapping and non-union still in 2014. Some of the ribs are broken right off and not touching, or have tried to connect to another bone. My scapula (wingbone) has a big hole punched out of it, about 1/3 of it is just gone,  can't be found on x-rays or ct scan. Fractured pelvis, 2 vertebrae, several ruptured disks, collapsed lung, head injury and I'm sure I forgot something. I was in critical condition in ICU for a week and they didn't fix anything, maybe because of my condition and the collapsed lung. They just gave me a bed and a morphine pump. I think they should have pinned and plated a lot of broken bones, but they didn't. I was on Percocet 10 for 3 months every 4 hours after I got out of the Hospital. Then I was on Vicodin 4x a day.

For the last 10 years I have been taking 2 Lortab or Norco 7.5 during the day. I take 1-1/2 Soma at night. Soma does a better job of relieving pain and allowing sleep. I have to sleep on my stomach because of the broken scapula. It always hurts but gets a burning pain if I sit back in a Lazy Boy for more than 20 minutes or anything touching it. Doc Rx'd me 4 Lortab, 4 Soma and 3 Valium 10mg a day(I only take 1-1/2 10mg valium a day. If I had taken as prescribed I would be a drooler and a terrible addict.

At 2 Norco, 1-1/2 valium and 1-1/2 Soma a day, how bad would withdrawals be? I still have 6 weeks worth and 2 refills from the Doc that got raided, if his refills are any good. I am still in pain while on these drugs, they just take the edge off. I would have been content to just stay on this low dose for life. Don't know if I should CT off them, wean off, or live life in big pain. I never take more than I have mentioned. I took a Norco at 4pm yesterday, by 1pm today (21 hours later) I was cold, runny nose and my pain was back full throttle, nothing more. Does it get worse?

What about the 1-1/2 Soma and Valium? I had a heart attack 3 years ago and another heart cath 2 yrs ago. I have irregular HB but I had to stop the Statins and I quit taking metoprolol because I can't breathe on it due to Pulmonary Fibrosis from working with asbestos, silica dust, sandblasting, muratic and hydrofluoric acids for 35 years. I'm 61 yrs old. I'm kinda afraid I will have another Heart Attack if I just quit taking the meds that have allowed me some quality of life. I'm pretty much without a Doctor now. I have been to a couple new ones but never got any pills from them. One mentioned taking me off Soma and putting me on Psych drug. I don't want to get off Soma. It works really well. Why trade one addiction(low as it may be) for another? It's a shame people can't control themself on Soma and have to take 20 at a time. I know of a young Lady that died after she took 100 Soma in a day, she was a nurse. I can understand Doctors not wanting to prescribe it after so many OD on it, but some people are legit. I can't be the only one that takes less than prescribed. My problem is I have been on meds so long. Started on Tylenol 3 after I burned a hole in my gut with aspirin in 1995

Now that the Family Doc moved away a Neurologist I have been seeing for 20 years has been prescribing my meds. The DEA raided his office for something so it looks like he's gone. I have been to Pain Management Dr last year who said he would take me, but I didn't like him and kept going to the one that just got raided. I cancelled my appt with PM and they weren't taking new patients. They are probably mad at me now.

I'm pretty much screwed. Any advise on how I should quit? Should I quit and live in pain or try to find a Dr that will give them to me. Should I stop everything all at once? I am just beside myself. I asked the Family Doc that I knew and trusted for 25 years "What if you move away?" He assured me he was here for life. I do know where he is and have his phone number in another State. Went to him so long he seemed like my friend.

Any input or suggestions would really be appreciated. I need to know how to stop them, how long I will be sick, what the symptoms will be, if it will affect my irregular Heartbeat, or if I should just try to find a new Doctor. I have X-Rays and photo's of my mangled rib cage and low back that hurts to the bottom of my feet. Having trouble getting my records from the original Dr's. place that has them. I asked for all they had, they sent me 1 year for 50 bucks.

I should mention that in 1999 I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Doctor said he was sorry, it was terminal and there was nothing they can do for it. I have been waiting for 15 years, still here. I don't want all this drama so late in life. I am so tired. Sick of being in the Drs office with Big Brother too. My Doctor and I should not be under a magnifying glass from the government.

[jleets71]

Holy Crap Mate!  I ride a bike and this makes me not wanna ride anymore.  Are you still riding?

On to your question:  IMO, absolutely not.  You are not taking enough to be an addict, only to manage your pain responsibly.  As far as the WD's?  They may happen but mildly.  I'd look into staying on the SOMA since it helps you sleep and replacing the norco with Ibuprofen for your pain.

Good luck!

[travel_melb]

I've answered on your other questions posted have a read there :) but it echoes what IBKleen has written

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

Because you have so many medical problems I strongly suggest that you withdraw under a doctor's supervision. During the withdrawal process you may suffer with a high heart rate or respiratory problems. Most of us can handle that but since you have a history I would take any chances.

I too suffer with chronic back pain and getting a doctor to prescribe medication is a fruitless process where I live. I have simply found alternative ways to deal with the pain as best I can. There are days where I simply can't stand it but there is nothing I can do. The government is cracking down on everyone since pain pill abuse is at an all time high here in the US. It is sad for the people who really do have pain. Only you can decide if your pain level requires medication. One thing I will say is you will need to be off the meds for some time because you can accurately assess your pain level. The withdrawal process also brings on re-bound pain and it is hard to tell the difference between that and the real thing.

Again, Please see a doctor before doing anything. Let us know how you are doing.