Dextroscoliosis and many other serious issues

[Dandybrandi]

I'm an addict in recovery. I recently had a surgeon puncture my lung and artery doing a subclavian. So I had a drain tube put through my side. I'm in extreme pain but the doctor is afraid of prescribing me anything opiate related. I'm bedridden! And I also have dextroscoliosis... Doesn't help. What do I need to say or do to return to my quality of life?

[Tuckamore]

Dandy,

Phil is absolutely correct - and I assume you learned that in the Substance Abuse Community. You have a right to comfort.

I am not certain of what medications are used or suggested in your situation - but others so know - and as Phil suggested one of them may be the buprenorphine patch.

Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opioid derivative of thebaine. It is a mixed agonist–antagonist opioid receptor modulator that is used to treat opioid addiction in higher dosages, to control moderate acute pain in non-opioid-tolerant individuals in lower dosages and to control moderate chronic pain in even smaller doses.

It is available in a variety of formulations: Cizdol, Subutex, Suboxone, Zubsolv, Bunavail (available as buprenorphine HCl alone or buprenorphine and naloxone HCl; typically used for opioid addiction), Temgesic (sublingual tablets for moderate to severe pain), Buprenex (solutions for injection often used for acute pain in primary-care settings), Norspan and Butrans (transdermal preparations used for chronic pain.

Again I wish you the very best and hope you'll find better pain control. Please keep in touch.

Peace,
~Tuck

[philnoir]

Dandy, there are opioid pain management treatments for people in recovery. Just because you once had an abuse problem does not disallow you from treatment of pain.

Popular these days is the buprenorphine patch. While some find ways to abuse anything, this patch is simple -- you put one on every few days, as directed.

That's it -- no pills, no worry -- and you can expect satisfactory pain reduction.

There are pain specialists who will manage people in recovery with acute pain conditions. This current pain event is an acute pain event. That means it had a beginning and will have an end in the near future. That's when you stop using the patch.

Brandi, as long as you're taking your medication as directed (with the patch, that's easy), and not using medication without medical need, which means using them when you don't have pain, then we call this treatment, not abuse.

**** happens, even when you're in recovery -- people in severe pain post surgery require pain medication.

And if you have a sponsor, work closely with her during your treatment.

Remember, who's responsible for your recovery -- you and no one else.

Plenty of people in recovery will want to take your inventory over this. You can't control that. But you can control the desire to reciprocate.

I'll let you in on a secret I learned both in recovery and in pain management. They both work best when you take them  one day at a time, or one minute at a time if you prefer.

Recovery works best when you work your program and let others work theirs.

Now go do what you need to do, and let others worry about what they need to do.

Best wishes.

[Dandybrandi]

Yes I worked hard to get clean and I'm at a years and 6 days.

I'm stressed because I know what my chance of relapse is if I continue to be in this pain. I know how bad that sounds... But if I know anything I know what sets me back and this is flirting with that line.

I have a care plan where I am never in control of my own medications but it's really worthless because I can't get anyone to listen to me. They just judge me by a past I can not change.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Dandy,

Welcome to the.Pain Management Community. I'm sorry to learn about your pain and addiction. You're in a difficult situation. I would think that there are other medications (non-opiate) that may help relieve your pain. Ask, and ask again.

I was going to suggest that you post on our Addiction and Substance Abuse Forum but I see that you have already done so - good choice.

I assume you fought hard to get clean. A would hate to know that you have to go through that ordeal again. Ppl in your situation or that have been in your situation will have betters suggestions for you than I. Sorry.

I wish you the very best. Please let us know how you are doing.

Take Care,
~Tuck