getting doctors help

[lsakds]

My doctor said he will help me come off the pills. I am not the first and wont be the last to abuse them. When one pill looses its effect we tend to want more and take them. He said instead of telling our doctor early on that we may need help we let it get worse. But I am not a lost cause he said. He is a pain managment doctor and I am so glad I have him. He gives me celebrex for my athrities, zanafelx for the muscle spasms (I have been on them for years). Coming off all them lortabs and the venlafaxine and gabapentin was extreamly dangerous (also on them for years). I must only take 40 mgs of lortabs (at 5mgs a time) for 1 week. I then go to 30mgs, 20 mgs, 10mgs... Then we work on a new medicine that has no narcotic for the pain. I get to come off the other three meds at the same time but a bit faster. I get to stay on the celebrex and the zanaflex. This sounds crazy... I am still scarred. That medicine helps me so much and my stupid self abused them to the point that they stopped helping. I sure do hope that the new (non narcotic) drugs will help me.

[lsakds]

Thank you. My doctor (I hope) will only help me. I will know all I can find on any new medicine I will be taking. At this time though, I am still taking some of my old medicine (very small amounts). I am beeing watched by my doctor and I am carefully coming off all narcotics.
Sandy

[micheleTX]

Oh yes, ultram is another drug that people have problems with coming off of.  Alot of doctors say they are non-addictive but most people find they are.  Please research before you decide on this one.  Plus, it has a built in antidepressant which may interact with other things you are taking.  I am not a doctor at all, and would never tell you not to do something, but make sure your doctor understands that it can be addicting?  
Im sorry to tell you this too...many take it for pain, and it does help i guess, I took it for a couple years -way long time ago, and had no problem coming off, but I was on a very low dose.
Good luck to you, hate to hear you are in pain :(

[taperme]

Ultram IS a narcotic, I believe. Before trying it, please do some research. There are many on this board who have had severe problems with coming off of it. I believe it is also called Tramadol-they are the same thing. Do a search of these boards and read up on it before trying it. Sorry to rain on your parade with this one, but forewarned is forearmed. Good luck.

[lsakds]

Iv not ever herd of it but Ultram is the name of the medicine I will be trying first. Dont know anything about it though.

[taperme]

That is terrific that you spoke with your doctor.  I am coming to believe that it is very important to work with a doctor if possible with this stuff. Especially if you have pain/health issues to begin with. It sounds like a good plan, and I am sure you can do it. Keep us posted.

[TrayCee]

what "non narcotic" meds are you planning on taking?