how to get off pain meds

[sarvalk]

I was prescribed oxycodone 30mg 5x daily, neurontin 400mg 2x day, kadian 30mg 2x day for chronic lyme disease, 4 herniated discs, pinched nerves, & also had partial laminectomy in 2004 L5-S1.  I've been taking them so long my tolerance to the meds is so high they do nothing for my pain. I want to stop taking the meds but I can't do the withdraw. I've heard suboxone is used to get off meds and prevent withdraw but I also heard suboxone is addictive too. Any advice on the best way to get off these kind of meds

[Jessica2430_]

I dont know how to write to just you doc but i am new on here and desperate to find an expert opinion to get off sub

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Your heard correctly. Suboxone is an FDA approved treatment for addiction, but it is an opiate itself and a very addictive one at that. In fact, almost half of all patient we detox in our clinic are detoxing from Suboxone, which they paradoxically started taking to get off of whatever they were on before!
Suboxone has it's place, and in very able and determined hands can be used as a tapering tool, however, more so than not patient get stuck on it and end up addicted to a new drug.
You can read my blog about options for detox and find out more about what we do in our clinic by clicking on my name in blue and then www.mdsdrugdetox.com.  There you can find out about naltrexone therapy as well.
I would not worry too much about getting off of neurontin. I actually think you are not on a high enough dose for chronic neuropathic pain.  You also probably should be on something like Lyrica. (Just a suggestion).
The opiates at this point are just causing what is termed "hyperalgesia", whereas you are feeling more pain than you physiologically should.
Well, read my blog, there is lots there for you to think about and good luck to you.