will pain really reduce after quitting

[alreadybetter]

I have an undiagnosed pain condition that is chronic, all the time, never stops, drives me insane sometimes and is slowly stealing my life. However, I have to say that the pain has worsened over the three years that I've been on meds and I dont' even know my baseline level of pain now. The pain meds don't even work anymore anyway. And, I'm damaging my body by taking them. BUT, can anyone tell me: does pain actually decrease after you quit taking the pain  meds?

[meegWpaw]

toby, I did not have excruciating pain like you describe but I did have a lot of non-specific pain issues when I was using painkillers, which was for about fourteen years.  towards the end of my using it definitely seemed that the pain issue was becoming worse and worse.  since I've been getting clean I have noticed a huge decrease in the instance and amount of pain I was having. maybe that will give you some encouragement and hope.  all the best to you :)

[jethro733]

Yes.

Taking painkillers stops your body producing them naturally.  Things will be much more painful for a while until you start to produce your own again.  I felt mine kick in around about the end of week 3 and into week 4, from a 400-600mg a day oxy prescription for chronic abdominal pain.  

I was exactly where you are, I got on them because it was driving me insane.  Have faith in life, I know it's hard but you will start producing your own chemicals again.

[BelleFemme]

My heart goes out to you....that sounds so very painful....my thoughts and blessings are going out to you...

Belle

[alreadybetter]

Would you PLEASE pm me? I need to talk to you. That sounds like exactly what I have. If it's compressed nerves, is there nothing they can do? Or, is your pain manageable now? Today,I have felt so hopeless, I hurt so badly I cant' enjoy ANYTHING. I am beyond desperate. Im having a myelogram to look for a pinched nerve which would mean back surgery, which i'd welcome in a second. I just cant take this kind of pain anymore. I want to quit these demon pills, but Lord, there will be suffering associated with it. It's on the bottom of my feet, is that where your foot pain is? I've been seeing doctors for 3 years and only recently have they agreed to a myelogram. It's like it you're a middle aged woman with kids they automatically think you're just depressed. But, I AM DEPRESSED, MR. DOCTOR, BECAUSE I AM IN PAIN AND CANT STAND TO BE AWAKE. The best part of my day is when I go to bed and take a pill to sleep. That's my only relief. And, I have a child. I cant abandon her. I have never experienced misery like this in my life, and believe me, my life has not been easy. But, this is horrific. And, no one has been able to help me.

[ariley13]

Hi tobybunny! I have chronic back, leg and foot pain. The legs and feet are caused by compressed and damaged nerves in my back. I have been off of vicodin for about a month and honestly I notice a huge difference in my pain level. It's really just amazing. I felt that on the pills my pain was getting much worse. I was also getting generalized muscle aches all over my body, and had the rebound headache that fourjays and selfinduced talked about. My pain is still there after a month but it has probably been cut in half from what it was while on pills. It is truly amazing the tricks that our brains will play on us! Hang in there and take care!

[FourJays]

Have you been to a Podiatrist for an evaluation, x-rays, etc.?  (I'm sure you probably have).  And honestly, I can relate to foot pain too; in fact have had both of my feet surgically fixed.  I had "fallen metatarsal" bones in both - an evidently 'genetic' problem (that NO one in my family history, that I know of, ever had; frustrating!).   Anyway - it would be so helpful to get that true baseline level of pain and then be able to go from there.  I totally understand the fear of the CT (took me a LONG time to finally do it) and of the taper (Never could do that).  But when you are ready, whatever way you choose to do it, you know that support and encouragement will always be here for you :)

[alreadybetter]

Thanks for responding. But, both you and sefl induced refer to rebound headaches. I don't get headaches from the pills. I'm just referring to the pain, which is in the bottom of my feet (sounds weird, I know). But, it is severe, unrelenting pain, which includes deep bone aches in my feet and ankles. I have to admit though that the pain has "changed" since I started the meds and I need to quit (for many reasons) but also to get a "real" true baseline of what my pain actually is. I'm so afraid of CT but tapering seems to just drag it out, and out, and out and out :)

[FourJays]

I found the same to be true.  I was initially prescribed the pills for lower back pain.  Over the years my pain levels increased as did my usage of painkillers.  I also started having the rebound headaches, that were at times worse than the pain that the pills were prescribed for.  I do have some serious spinal issues and had neck fusion surgery last summer.  It was successful and along with several months of physical therapy I was starting to feel better but definitely not enough (or so I thought) to get off the pain pills.  And by that time the headaches had become a daily occurrence.  Since I quit ALL of the pills last December my pain has become manageable with exercise and I rarely, if ever, have headaches - it is amazing.  Over time the pills had completely masked my true pain levels and in fact caused other "rebound" pain (the headaches) and many other unwanted side effects.  I would not have believed it, but it really was true for me!  

[selfinduced]

Yes, Yes and ummmm YES! I don't know the science of it all, but I took pills for different ailments over the years and not only did they stop lowering my pain levels, they created rebound headaches that were worse than any other issues I manufactured. The brain seems to be a very unique tool where addiction is concerned. Once we are dependent/addicted, it will do anything to convince us we NEED these meds to live a quality life. The first couple months are hard as our bodies still scream for drugs, but as time passes the brain heals and settles.More will be along to share their experiences.