pls help

[tetley3]

Hi,  Im wondering if my situation is of the norm., I suffer severe migraines & daily headaches, back/neck pain started about 10yrs ago from my little one hanging off my neck and she forgot to let go when i started to stand up, oh & usually abit depresssed. i take the following meds daily, butorphanol spray 3 bottles a week (i do add water to the bottle all the time to make it last/weaken it) demerol 50mg 3 per day, oxycodone for my neck/back pain, ativan and then because i dont know how to fall asleep anymore ive been on zopiclone 7.5 every night.  These are all prescribed to me and ive been on these doses approx. 5 yrs, im terrified to cut down/stop as i when i was out of my sleep pills for 9 days, i only lightly slept for 2-3 hrs each night literally, so now im afraid what i other symptoms will i go through if i try and cutback, i dont want my dr. to know i have these concerns, as now i dont feel in control of much in my life anymore.  any suggestions/comments would be very much appreciated. thank you.  

[tetley3]

thank you all for your comments, i have been a true migraine sufferer for 25 yrs, they are different from my tension/stress headaches as lights, smells etc make me nautious when i get my migraines, i have over the yrs through my neuro. tried ensaids, beta blockers, seizure meds, etc., those helped for abit the first couple of yrs, and imitrix i was allergic to. my neuro. is very good, i have had 3 mri's & eegs?, and i have something in my skull that i frgot the name of which he has to monitor, my migraines are 98 percent alwys on my right side, i had 1 xray on my neck and they didnt see anything, Bfore the incident with my daughter my neck was fine, it was when she was laying on my bed i leaned over to give her a hug and then when i was starting to stand she 4got to let go & there it is my neck pain has been here ever since. I aso go to massage therapy for my neck,  thx for ur suggestions, i will on my next appt with him ask about some of the meds.

[killmypain]

I agree.... talk to your doc....You been on some strong drugs that were designed to help you short term with acute pain.... When you take these meds long term they have long term side effects.... Don't be afraid to discuss this with your doc. YOU are the only advocate you have so speak up! I made the same mistake as you, I was afraid to discuss the meds because I was afraid he'd stop prescribing them. Dont be afraid of getting better! You have a life worth living without all these pills!

[Devonlee]

Im curious if you have had a diagnosis on your neck and for your headaches (MRIs)? I cant imagine your small child hanging on your neck 10 years ago has caused enough pain/damage for you to be on all these meds. And no its not normal to be on all those meds for headaches and or frequent migraines. I suffer from both and I get by with otc tylenol (used to use amrix but made me to drowsy) and an occasional lortab on the days I get a migraine. On those days I take 1 to 3 pills if needed. All those medecines you are taking can disguise your real pain with "fake" pain. This false pain is your body tricking you into thinking you need all these meds. I think a serious heart to heart with your dr is in order. You need to be weaned or ct off of these meds...you then need to reasses your pain and then treat accordingly. I would highly suggest other altenatives to your neck pain and headaches then all these pain meds and sleep meds. there is physical therapy...nsaids...heat and cold packs (I swear by cold compresses for my head when I get a migraine) TENS....massages...etc etc. I believe you are taking way too much meds....too often and for too long. I wish you the best of luck.  I do feel your pain because I too suffer from headaches...migraines...insomnia plus pelvic issues. It isnt fun. I wish you the best of luck.

[NeedsEncouragement]

I completely feel your pain!  I too was on a tremendous amount of medication for migranes.  Seems like we shared symptoms, but not drugs, weird?  I was finally referred to a H/A Clinic in June.  They were very nice, started me on Topamax and 25 days into it, I had a severe MENTAL reaction.  Apparently this happens to only about 1 in 500 people, oh well!  It was probably the best thing that could happen to me.  It kick started me into looking at the affects the other medication I was taking was having on my headaches and my life.  Since then I have come off Amrix, Tylenol #3, Ambien and I am working on the Xanax.  My headaches are so very much better.  I have only taken Relpax a couple of times this month and it seemed to take care of the headache with in a couple of hours.  Apparently, in the name of treating and preventing our h/as we go a long way to stuff things in ourselves instead of taking the time to look at other alternatives first, at least I know that is what I did.  The other problem for me has been that the medical community (both my regular MD and the h/a clinic) treat through pharmaceuticals!  Even after my reaction to the Topamax, the only thing the h/a clinic wanted to do was prescribe me another medication.  I finally had to object letting them know that I was aggressively trying to get the junk out of my system and the last thing I want is any more drugs. Looking back, it is a wonder I didn't do irreparable damage to my organs, although I'm still very foggy, so my brain hasn't decided it's well yet.  You are in the right place.  Without this forum over the past 11 days, I would have lost my mind.  Since I am not readily familar with the medications you are taking, I don't know how to advice what w/d will be like. I know from Opiates, it is hell, but I truly believe in the end it will be worth it!  Oh and after much request I got a referral to physical therapy. Apparently they can assess and teach you how to strengthen the muscles in your head and neck area to help ward off tension headaches.