question about addiction

[joangy]

I know this question is similar to one that was posted a few days ago with definitions of addiction, tolerance and dependance- and as a nurse, I know the medical definition of those words... but I am personally so confused and looking for some opinions.

I was in a bad ATV accident 3 years ago and was prescribed tyl/cod for multiple fractures and dislocated discs in my back... I continued daily use of the med for months- max of 3 tabs per day.  I found out I was pregnant and stopped c/t with some w/d symptoms but nothing real bad... my motivation took over and I didn't even think twice about stopping. Well. after my son was about 5 mos old my back pain flared up and I went right back to the pills... still taking about 3 tabs per day.

I am on day 5 of c/t from the pills and my back pain is so out of control right now that it is making me question if it is an addiction, or something I need to subside the pain?? I felt like it was definately an addiction because I would take the pills everyday and obsess over the # of pills I had left. But, if I took the med as prescribed on the bottle I could potentially take up to 12 tabs per day- whew!

I watched my mother take 30 to 40 vicodin per day and I promised myself I would never do that!

I guess I am looking for some opinions from others going through the same thing, it's probably my cravings telling me that I was not addicted :)

[joangy]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and opinions! I think I am definately going to keep my promise to my family and stop the pain meds.

I also think I need to have a heart to heart with my dr who is prescribing the meds and see if she thinks it could be a problem.

I guess I might be a tad "paranoid" because of what I experienced growing up, but I don't think that is a bad thing.

Thanks again!!!

[worried878]

Hang in there....i could maintain at 60 mg a day...when i had to but i know i am an addict...chronic pain but i would get really worried when pills were low...and not because of my back hurting but because that clammy feeling and icky doomy feeling scared me....3 pills a day is not a ton but if u go thru wds/u r dependent and count pills to make it then u may be addicted...with ur mom being addicted i wouldnt chance it....think about the reason u count ur pills? is it due to the pain and having no pills or that dommy feeling from having no pills?  just isnt worth it for most

[landbray]

Hi,
Maybe you truely are in severe pain and need medication. I woudn't deny an cancer patient there drugs, nobody in severe pain for that matter. no one should sufffer. especially if they accute. Have you talked to a doctor??
I know you said you were a nurse, so someone you can trust..?
You may really need something for the pain.Just b/c you need them now doesn't mean you have to act like an addict when you have them.It's the mind thing.
You said" I don't want to take as much as your mom," then don't. You all ready decided that. You had a serious injury. If you don't need the pills you'll know. It's not worth your license. Find a dr you can be honest with. there are a few left.
Get yourself checked out first, make sure nothing serious is going on,,
good luck
paaddict

[GoingToMakeIt]

good decision. The pain may not go away, but it does usually level out to something more manageable. We can not say you are an addict, only you can. You are not sounding like one, if that helps you. LOL

[joangy]

It is actually what I wanted to hear- otherwise I have worried my family by telling them that I am addict and put them through the emotional rollercoaster this brings... so, in some wierd way- thank you!!

I will take your advice and at least give it 3 weeks... afterall, it's only day 5 :(

[enemy48]

Please give it time.  By that I mean at least 3 weeks.  I've said this to so many people here, but it true..........My pain was at it's worst on days 7 & 8 and 16 & 17 for some reason.  If after a month it's too unbearable, then maybe you need to take them, but as prescribed.  If not, then maybe a muscle relaxer.

I'm prescribed robaxin muscle relaxers.  Thank goodness I don't like the way they make me sleepy, so hardly take unless my back brings me to tears & frustration.

I know the pain that withdawals bring.  I think it's why so many of us relapse, or think we need the pills.  It's the brain fooling us though.  

I know that I probably haven't said what you wanted to hear.......but I didn't want to hear the same in my detox.

Best Wishes & Hugs,
Pamela

[joangy]

yeah... I think my cravings for the pills are messing with my head today-- yuck!!
I just wish the pain would go away and then maybe I wouldn't think about it so much!

Thanks for the comments

ps. I love the redneck joke :)

[lifesaride]

if your asking if any addicicts have pain, the answer is almost always (at one point or another) but then again alot of people who arent addicts have pain aswell.I guess the best way to put it is.... the pain I feel without the pills, is far better than what i wasnt feeling when on the pills. If you can understand that your problably an addict.

p.s. on a lighter note....heard a funny one today... "if you wash your truck more than you wash your homer crack... your problably a redneck''

[GoingToMakeIt]

To have increased pain while withdrawing is very common. With dependence meds, there is withdrawal even if you are not addicted. The pain will level out after a week or two. Ibuprofen 600s helps, so does Motrin.