Sick of meds

[sicknmadaboutmeds]

I don't know where to begin. I was in an accident in 1997 in Charleston, SC. I broke my back in 9 spots, both hips, crushed my pelvis, broken ribs, discs replaced in my neck, plates and screws throughout and numerous minor injuries. It was a hit-n-run and unfortunately we never found the guy who hit me. I say guy b/c I can't imagine a woman doing such a thng. Obviously I was on meds for a while. I was in the hospital for a couple months, bed ridden for 8 months and after being told I wouldn't walk again I defeated the odds and have been walking for over 10 yrs now. I was small in stature(around 130 lbs) but in great shape from wrestling in college and playing 7 other sports since junior high. That is probably what saved me from bring run over by the car. I am blessed every day for being able to walk and my wonderful family but here is where my dilemma comes in...I apologize for the rambling, this is my 1st post. I believe I've hit the bottom. It started by taking meds to help w/ the terrible pain I was stuck w/. By the way I didn't even take as much as a tylenol before this accident. After, I couldn't walk w/o assistance of meds. At the time it wasn't much but then from my job choice I was on my feet for 10-16 hrs/day even though I was told I couldn't do more that 4-6 hrs/day. Well it caught up to me and a Dr put me on a serious Med. At the time I didn't know what I was taking, I just put trust in my Dr. He put me on Methadone. If I would have known then what I know now I never would have started it. I am furious that someone I put my trust into put me on such a terrible drug. Yes, It's partially my  fault for not looking more into it but the initial feeling is to put trust into your doctor. Here is the nitty gritty, what do I do about getting away from the meds. I tried a few times to stop but I didn't do it right and it didn't work. Now I told my new Dr(who is a great Dr and listener and cares) that I wanted off Methadone. He suggested Dilaudid for a while and then on from there. It has been very hard b/c you need more Dialudid that Methadone. ! time I tried cold turkey(happy Thanksgiving, by the way) and after going through a  terrible time my Dr told me it was admirable of me but some people are meant to be on Meds, so I started back. My questions are: Do I have any recourse of the initial Dr who put me on the methadone w/o telling me more about the terrible affects, and 2nd what does anyone suggest about getting at least somewhat off the hard drugs. Honestly, I don't think my broken body can get totally off everythng buy I can handle most pain. I just want a normal life doing the things w/ my kids I always dreamed. I know this was a VERY long post and I would appreciate any input. Thank you so much for spending your time reading and help w/ this terrible situation I find me and my family in.        

[sicknmadaboutmeds]

I first want to thank you so much for the time you toolk to answer me. It really means a lot and you are correct in saying talking helps, which is something I'm just figuring out. I next want to say that it was not a focal point at the time of writing my post about the Dr who 1st gave the Methadone, I just wish I knew more. To be honest, I believe it was at a time that that particular drug wasn't needed yet. Maybe years later but not yet. I was told once I was walking again and wanting to get back to work that being on my feet over 4, maybe 6 hours/ day at the very most wasn't a good idea. Well in my line of work, I've gone b/n 10 and 16 hrs/day for 5 to 7 days/week since and it's catching up...big time. Sorry-off on a tangent.

As I said about the Methadone, it is my responsibility to read about what I was taking but when the pain is where it is at, I guess you tend to do what is needed. Since, my wife and I have read so many details, side effects, people passing from taking other meds w/ it and all other info, we both became very disturbed. That is when I decided to make a change. I stopped taking it 1 time and it wasn't good. My Dr called me in(probably from a call from my wife) and told me it was admorable of me but some people have to take Meds and if it is working I should do what I have to do. So I started again, but since it keeps me thinking I'm doing something wrong. Every time I get that med I feel like a loser and frankly sick of the feeling I get.

I know I'm jumping around I just have so much to say. I've bottled things up for so long and even got to a point where I didn't want to say much to my wife b/c I didn't want to complain too much.

I will sign off for now, but again, thanks so much for your kind words. Good luck to you and I am happy you are too among the walking. Happy holidays!  

[Tuckamore]

Hello Sickmadaboutmeds,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you have found us on MedHelp but sorry to hear about your pain and medication issues. I too survived what was considered a non-survivable MVA, only I was in a vehicle when I was struck by a loaded dump truck. Indeed my family was told repeatedly by the team of physicians that I would not survive. I fooled them all but attribute my recovery to divine intervention. I than went through a similar situation being told I would not ever work again or walk. I am sorry that this happened to you also.

Your pain must have been tremendous. Methadone is a potent drug however it can be very effective in pain management. I assume that is why your physician prescribed it for you. There are several great articles regarding it's very effective usage in pain management it is not only methadone but any Big Dog narcotic that can cause difficult withdrawals. Methadone's long half life makes it one of the narcotics that produces longer and often more difficult withdrawal symptoms.

In my opinion you do not have any recourse with the physician that prescribed the methadone for you. He most likely acted responsibly at the time. We all must take responsibility to a degree for the medications that we take. You also should have received information from the pharmacy regarding the drug and it's side effects with every refill. Unfortunately we often don't think about the side effects nor the future when we are in so much pain. It is my guess that you probably needed the medication when it was prescribed.  

Have you tried going to a less potent narcotic such as oxycodone or hydrocodone? There are medications that can help you through the w/d symptoms but to be honest you will have to tough through much of it. You are correct your broken body will probably always need some pain management but hopefully with less medication. I manage with less but I suffer for it however that is my choice. I assume you will find the same to be true.

So I suggest that you discuss this with your physician. I am glad that you have a good one, they can be hard to come by. He/she should be able to help you manage through the withdrawal symptoms and prescribe you a more appropriate medication. Research what he prescribes for you. As stated earlier every narcotic will produce w/d symptoms when you cease taking them. Obviously some more so than others.

We are here to support you. We all have personal experiences in one form or another to offer you information. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. After all you have been through you will get through this also. Please consider becoming an active member of our community. I have found that sharing helps. This community has been a wonderful source of strength for many of us. I am hopeful that you will find the same to be true for you.

Best of luck and take care,
Tuck