Do I have a shot in hell of kicking this addiction

[addicted_to_being_addicted]

Im gonna make this short and sweet, as to not take all of your time. After a neck injury cause by a blotched visit to the chiorpractor , first trip ever, had been having headaches that went down to my neck, so I took the advice of friends and family, to go in for an "adjustment" No xrays were done before hand, a 300lb man cracked my neck
1st side not so bad, second side rushed to the emergency room to find out I had 3 buldging disk. Whos to say the xray should have been done prior, I only learned that you should most definately have an xray, mri, etc. before "adjusting" ones neck. I ended up having to go to a pain specialist who suggested that we manage the pain as oppose to having neck surgery at 25 yrs old. So I have been taking hydrocodone 10/500 for about a year only recently my dosage has been lowered the past 6 months to hydro 10/325. My dosage is 1 to 2 tabs every 4 hrs as needed not to exceed 7 per day. I am 27 yrs old 5'3 and a buck twentyfive, no wonder i am worried about addiction ehhhh. I have tried to treat my pain with over the counter relivers, but when I run out of my meds, it seems like the end of the world, I have all the symptons of addiction to this drug. Please be honest with me ANYONE, IS THERE A CHANCE IN HELL OF ME GETTING OFF THESE PILLS, if I can bare the neck pain?? I have come to the conclusion that I am bothe physically and mentally addicted, I don't knnow if i should go cold turkey wean down which i have failed at many times before, detox, home detox, ???? PLEASE ANYONE ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.



DESPERATLY SEEKING HAPPINESS WITHOUT A PILL.

[addicted_to_being_addicted]

OK YOU GUYS, I AM MORE DETERMINED THAN EVER TO GET OFF THESE PILLS. Ya know whats funny, I don't even know if my neck hurts anymore, I am consistantly medicated, I don't think in the past year and a half that I havent had at least 3 pills minium. Not to mention, my husband thinks that my doc is a quack and that my injury didnt warrant my dosage in the first place. This is sinking in more than ever, as of now my daily medication schedule rules my life. EVERY DAY one 20 mg prozac three 2 mg xanax and of course the seven 10 mg loratabs. Now I am not concerned with prozac I have taken them off and on for 10 years, no longer than a few months at a time, so I know I can do with or without them, the xana are a little concerning but I know for a fact that I need them in order to get off of the loratab so i'll cross that bridge when I get there  . These meds are all prescribed to me by the same doctor and legally legit, so I guess thats how I justify it to myself.  I am not concerned with the neck pain at this point, I am concerned with the addiction. I am open to any suggestions of a good detox system or a good weaning off system, I do not want to speak with my doctor about this because I know when I walk in there im going to fold, and not say a word, politely take my script and leave,. I have went there intending to tell him about it but chickened out. I am not even focused on the pain anymore, I know there are other alternatives to managing the pain, I'm only 27 and very active, i'm pretty sure that I can handle the pain alot better than I can handle this guilt I feel for taking this medication. Do you guys agree with my hubby concerning the amount of meds the doc has me on. i'm 5'3 125 lbs. It feels so good to actually talk about this with you all, I cant even talk to my hubby about it I can,. but I get angry, defensive, and it ends up in a fight. And none of this is his fault. So thanks guys.

[Victor322]

It is true what flmagi had said...that when first detoxing from the pain meds the original chronic pain might return and seem unbearable, and when combined with the wd's feelings many people will relapse thinking that the pain will never go away or ease up.

In my situation I've found that the original "chronic" pain issue HAS EASED up SIGNIFICANTLY, apparently my body/brain found new ways of dealing with it since it didn't have the pain medication to do it's job for it.

IMO, that is one of the 2 major reasons why people relapse during a detox from pain meds...the other reason being is that they haven't acquired the correct tapering/detox tricks/tools and simply give up out of exasperation and major discomfort.

Everyone will eventually find the best way to taper/ct from meds if they are earnest in their attempts and willing to be open minded and give various taper/ct idea's a chance, and there may not be a better place on the entire WWW than right here to learn how to successfully detox from drugs!

God Bless!
-Vic

[joann1975]

Yes, you can get off the pills.... like others said the pain will seem worse at first but can ease up.... I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I worked in an MRI center for 5 years and saw MANY cases like yours so I understand your pain.

Please read the health pages that are on the right side of the screen there is lots of tips and info there. You have options such as tapering down or just going cold turkey. You may want to discuss them with your doctor.

Feel free to post your questions....there is so much support and info here!
JoAnn

[scaredmom330]

I take lyrica for fibromyalgia and it works great for me, only side effect so far is weight gain, which to dr say will level out...I sure hope so.  They do take about a week or so to start working, they start you on a low dose if that doesn't work, don't suffer call them back, get it higher..it is not a narcotic.  Good luck and welcome. You will meet wonderful people here and make lots of friends.


Karen

[flmagi]

Yes, you can get off the pills. The trick here is realizing your pain will be worse for a little while after stopping the pain meds. The pain meds replace your bodys natural pain releivers and it takes alittle while for them to start back up. Not knowing this is a reason for alot of peoples relapses. They think that their pain is really to much to deal with without the pain meds. You have to get past that point and get a realistic view of your pain level. Most people are surprized that their pain can be handled with over the counter pain releivers.
We're here to help you thru this, so keep posting.
Magi

[marcatj]

yes.  you do.

many of us have, with similar back/neck issues.

they key, i believe, is finding a great pain management/addication specialist, who can find the right procedure/medication (non-narcotic)/program that can get you out of pain.  for most, this can work, including bulging disks (i have 2.)

so YES, you have a better chance than you think.

in fact, very doable, if you really, really want it...

very warmly,
mj

[bandnmom]

First off...your dosage was lowered but only the amount of acetaminophen in the pill not the hydro.
WElcome to the forum it is a great place to be. YOu will find that most of us that are addicted to pain pills started taking them for ligit reasons only to become addicted to them. it is a battle and i wont lie..its a tuff battle but you can do it. With the help of your doctor and us here of course you have a great chance of getting off these pills. OTC pills never work at first. your body is so use to the strong stuff you have been feeding it. I suffered for months with pain after i stopped the vics and hated every mintue of it but i knew that i didnt have a choice. It was my own fault i thought. Then i talked to my doctor and he put me on Lyrica. NO it didnt work at first but after about 6 weeks i did see an improvement. Yes i still have pain but nothing like before. There are mixed reveiws about Lyrica but i never had a problem with it. Researched it and talk to your doctor.
so i guess to answer your question..YES it is possible!! You will see..stay strong!! Fight fight fight because you know this is what you want and you and your life deserve it!!