Aa
Using Pain Meds on & off
I didn't know how to title this but here is what I could use advice on.
I was using Norco 7.5/325 for the last 2 years for Fibro, RA & OA pain. Arms, hands, fingers, knees, leg pain. Before I was taking it for 2 years straight, I would take it 2 weeks on, 2-3 weeks off. Then the pain got worse and doctor put me on daily for 2 years.
My work schedule changed last September and I was working more hours, thus longer days. So my dosage increased from 6 a day, to 8 a day on the long days. I did tell doctor about this and he told me to go ahead and take 8 if needed. But the problem was I did not like how I felt on 8 a day. So I cut myself back to 6 a day. But THAT didn't help my pain. I think I was getting a tolerance to the medication.
Then I started researching medications and found this site. I actually found the Substance Abuse board first and started posting there. I was thinking I had an addicition going on and got scared. I marched into my doctors office with posts printed out and told him I was scared of this medication. He told me I had nothing to fear. He was not worried about me becoming addicted because he had test results proving my levels of pain. I argued with him that even though in the past I couldn't take anti-inflammatories becuase of major stomach upset, I thought just maybe there might be a new med out on the market. And besides, your body can change and all of sudden I might be able to take them now.
He gave me Voltaren. He had me taper off the Norco while taking the Voltaren. At first I tolerated it well. Then about a month later I felt tightness in my chest. So I quit taking the Voltaren. Even one a day made me feel weird. But I did like the way I felt when I woke up. When I took the Norco's I was so tired the next day.
I started just taking extra strenght Tylenol. 2-500mg pills in morning & 1 at night. But with this humidity (I think it is the humidity) --I am having some bad pain now. I have been off the Norco since MAy10th. I was just wondering, does anyone else take an opiate like Norco for a long time and then grow a tolerance, stop it, then start it again and have it work?
I never got the buzz or high feeling people in the Substance Abuse Forum talk about. So that makes me realize I prolly wasn't addicted, but rather dependant on it. That is a touchy subject over there. Don't get me wrong, the people over there (the regulars) are really good people and did help me understand alot about medications. But darn it, I am in a lot of pain, and this is not withdrawal pain at this late in the game.
Thanks,
SJ
I was using Norco 7.5/325 for the last 2 years for Fibro, RA & OA pain. Arms, hands, fingers, knees, leg pain. Before I was taking it for 2 years straight, I would take it 2 weeks on, 2-3 weeks off. Then the pain got worse and doctor put me on daily for 2 years.
My work schedule changed last September and I was working more hours, thus longer days. So my dosage increased from 6 a day, to 8 a day on the long days. I did tell doctor about this and he told me to go ahead and take 8 if needed. But the problem was I did not like how I felt on 8 a day. So I cut myself back to 6 a day. But THAT didn't help my pain. I think I was getting a tolerance to the medication.
Then I started researching medications and found this site. I actually found the Substance Abuse board first and started posting there. I was thinking I had an addicition going on and got scared. I marched into my doctors office with posts printed out and told him I was scared of this medication. He told me I had nothing to fear. He was not worried about me becoming addicted because he had test results proving my levels of pain. I argued with him that even though in the past I couldn't take anti-inflammatories becuase of major stomach upset, I thought just maybe there might be a new med out on the market. And besides, your body can change and all of sudden I might be able to take them now.
He gave me Voltaren. He had me taper off the Norco while taking the Voltaren. At first I tolerated it well. Then about a month later I felt tightness in my chest. So I quit taking the Voltaren. Even one a day made me feel weird. But I did like the way I felt when I woke up. When I took the Norco's I was so tired the next day.
I started just taking extra strenght Tylenol. 2-500mg pills in morning & 1 at night. But with this humidity (I think it is the humidity) --I am having some bad pain now. I have been off the Norco since MAy10th. I was just wondering, does anyone else take an opiate like Norco for a long time and then grow a tolerance, stop it, then start it again and have it work?
I never got the buzz or high feeling people in the Substance Abuse Forum talk about. So that makes me realize I prolly wasn't addicted, but rather dependant on it. That is a touchy subject over there. Don't get me wrong, the people over there (the regulars) are really good people and did help me understand alot about medications. But darn it, I am in a lot of pain, and this is not withdrawal pain at this late in the game.
Thanks,
SJ
First you need to get off norco that stuff is like candy. I've had 5 spinal surgerys. I'll say ask for " Methadone and Roxicodone ". Get right to the point.
Hi SJ!
I'm glad the one pill helped your pain. Just hang in with it and judge what you think will be enough. If you think your good with 1 for the day then just take one. Your body will tell you what it needs. You seem to have a great DR who is defenitly keeping you in mind and making sure you are doing what your okay with. Internal docs like your general prac are defenitly less expensive than going to a PM or a RA specialist and because he has known you for so long its probably a better relationship and trust is built so I'd stick with him for as long as you can. Seems to be really knowlegable too. I wish all docs knew the difference between addiction and dependance!
TMA
I'm glad the one pill helped your pain. Just hang in with it and judge what you think will be enough. If you think your good with 1 for the day then just take one. Your body will tell you what it needs. You seem to have a great DR who is defenitly keeping you in mind and making sure you are doing what your okay with. Internal docs like your general prac are defenitly less expensive than going to a PM or a RA specialist and because he has known you for so long its probably a better relationship and trust is built so I'd stick with him for as long as you can. Seems to be really knowlegable too. I wish all docs knew the difference between addiction and dependance!
TMA
He is my Primary Care doctor, so I guess he is a General Practioner. He referred me to a RA doctor at one point so I could get a second opinion and get a diagnosis. The reason I just go to the Primary doctor now is because my co-payment is $20 vs the RA at $45. Plus with the RA I have to wait 3 months to get in.
My Primary doctor told me without a diagnosis from the RA doctor he could prescribe medication for this RA.
Plus at my Primary Doctor office there are 6 other doctors, just in case I need to go in on his day off. My doctor specialized in Sports Injuries when he first got out of med school. I guess that is why he is into all the stretching stuff which is good advice. He also refers people to Chiropractors (that is something the rest of his group frowns on)--but Chiropractors have helped me alot in the past before the RA-OA diagnosis.
Thanks,
SJ
My Primary doctor told me without a diagnosis from the RA doctor he could prescribe medication for this RA.
Plus at my Primary Doctor office there are 6 other doctors, just in case I need to go in on his day off. My doctor specialized in Sports Injuries when he first got out of med school. I guess that is why he is into all the stretching stuff which is good advice. He also refers people to Chiropractors (that is something the rest of his group frowns on)--but Chiropractors have helped me alot in the past before the RA-OA diagnosis.
Thanks,
SJ
sounds like your doc is a good one,,he mos def knows what hes talking about especially with the whole addiction,,dependancy,,tolerance issue. What type of doc is he. im glad the one pill worked for you,,thats great.
I saw the doctor today and we had a good discussion. He told it doesn't matter how many pills a person takes, 2 a day or 40 a day: A person can still be addicted. But his office calls it addiction when a person is taking (any) pills just to get high. If they are taking the pills for pain, then they are dependant on the medication. If they increase their usage ( as I did by 2 pills a day at one time because I had longer days than normal) then they should tell their doctor as soon as possible NOT because of addiction risk but for other reasons, such as: They have become tolerant and may need something stronger or something else could be wrong.
I told my doctor when I increased my dose and when I decreased it.
He also pointed out that had I really been addicted (so to say) then I would not have been able to go 72 days without the meds and not had any cravings. I never had these cravings that addicts speak of. Just the last week or so, when the pain got real bad, I wanted pain relief!
I have seen the same doctor for 9 years now and he knows me pretty good now because of a few major surgeries. He said all his arithitis / Fibro patients complain of more pain with high heat/ humidity. Especially if you go in & outside. The alternating A/C + the heat makes us hurt. Some doctors don't believe that, but he does. So do I from experience. The ice cold winter weather does the same thing.
I asked him, because I had develped a tolerance to the meds would they NOW work again after being off for about 3 months. HE said definitly. In fact, he has alot of pain patients (like me) who go on the Norco's for about 2-3 months and then off for a few months. I think I will be able to do this because by Septmeber the weather does cool down here. I will taper off again in September and then wait for the temp to dip to around 32 degrees.
I only took one pill today and got relief. He wanted to give me a stronger dosage, but I told him just to give me the 7.5. I still am funny about having to take pills all the time.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond here.
SJ
I told my doctor when I increased my dose and when I decreased it.
He also pointed out that had I really been addicted (so to say) then I would not have been able to go 72 days without the meds and not had any cravings. I never had these cravings that addicts speak of. Just the last week or so, when the pain got real bad, I wanted pain relief!
I have seen the same doctor for 9 years now and he knows me pretty good now because of a few major surgeries. He said all his arithitis / Fibro patients complain of more pain with high heat/ humidity. Especially if you go in & outside. The alternating A/C + the heat makes us hurt. Some doctors don't believe that, but he does. So do I from experience. The ice cold winter weather does the same thing.
I asked him, because I had develped a tolerance to the meds would they NOW work again after being off for about 3 months. HE said definitly. In fact, he has alot of pain patients (like me) who go on the Norco's for about 2-3 months and then off for a few months. I think I will be able to do this because by Septmeber the weather does cool down here. I will taper off again in September and then wait for the temp to dip to around 32 degrees.
I only took one pill today and got relief. He wanted to give me a stronger dosage, but I told him just to give me the 7.5. I still am funny about having to take pills all the time.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond here.
SJ
I agree with Sandee, and the pain could and most likely be caused by the humidity and heat right now,,so maybe it is a good idea to take the pills just during this time and see how it goes when the weather starts to cool down stop them. I have heard of some stopping the pain med because of tolerance and then starting again a couple weeks later and it working again/or working for the first time. Anythings worth a try if your in pain and need relief. Good luck to you :)
I know of several people who have went off these meds because they had built up such a tolerance and just had to start over again. They did this under Dr's supervision and then went back on their meds again. This is sometimes an option to those who take really high doses but yours is relatively low so you need not worry about that. I can understand where your coming from though I stayed on the same does for 6 years or so afraid to increase and the Dr finally said you need too take more due to your tolerance and I did and it made a big difference. I take long acting as they do not wear off so fast and I only take mine twice daily and sometimes only once. You should talk to your Dr about a long acting med it will not give you the fog and make you as tired but will provide relief. Chronic pain Pt's are different than a pt that is in pain for a short amount of time your right about that, also your not addicted because you need medication to function.
Fibromama and I both have great info about this in our journals. The weight gain comes from the cravings from sugar when taking these meds most of the time and if you can limit your sweets you should be fine. You should not try and make it without meds that can help you for the wrong reasons,taking pain meds for chronic pain is no different than a diabetic taking their meds. I suggest you call your Dr and get an appointment and discuss your options while he cant relieve all the pain he can make it manageable:)
Fibromama and I both have great info about this in our journals. The weight gain comes from the cravings from sugar when taking these meds most of the time and if you can limit your sweets you should be fine. You should not try and make it without meds that can help you for the wrong reasons,taking pain meds for chronic pain is no different than a diabetic taking their meds. I suggest you call your Dr and get an appointment and discuss your options while he cant relieve all the pain he can make it manageable:)
Oh and one more thing. I know this is not w/d pain. I had very little trouble with the w/d stuff with my taper plan. In fact I am thinking of getting more Norcos, taking them until this heat quits and then tapering off again so I don't gain weight.
Thanks for writing.
SJ
Thanks for writing.
SJ
No my question was, did anyone take Norco for like 2 years, then stop because it really wasn't helping the pain- stay off for a few months, then if they start taking it again, did it work again?
One of the reasons I got scared on this- after doing research on the med- is that from what I read, when people take opiates, your pain receptors in your brain remember the pain and then when the dose wears off, your pain receptors tell you to take more. I read where if you just tough out the pain sometimes it will go away.
Maybe this is true for like recovery pain (from a surgery), but I am thinking with us chronic pain people, we really need something to break the pain cylce. This is how I use to use these Norco's. On for 2 weeks to break the major pain cycles...then off.
The reason I believed all that pain receptor stuff, because after I tapered off the Norco's I had quite a few weeks of manageable pain levels. I was amamzed that I could go without hardly any medication. Then it dawned on me, that I still was taking those Voltarens and maybe they stay in your system for awhile.
I think I am going to call my doc tomorrow and go see him. I have always been honest with him about medication and dosage. I also think perhaps, the high heat & humidity could be causing a pain flare up. I have not been overdoing it on work either. I am back to normal schedule.
One thing I really hated about those Norcos: I gained weight on them. That was another motivation to quit them.
One of the reasons I got scared on this- after doing research on the med- is that from what I read, when people take opiates, your pain receptors in your brain remember the pain and then when the dose wears off, your pain receptors tell you to take more. I read where if you just tough out the pain sometimes it will go away.
Maybe this is true for like recovery pain (from a surgery), but I am thinking with us chronic pain people, we really need something to break the pain cylce. This is how I use to use these Norco's. On for 2 weeks to break the major pain cycles...then off.
The reason I believed all that pain receptor stuff, because after I tapered off the Norco's I had quite a few weeks of manageable pain levels. I was amamzed that I could go without hardly any medication. Then it dawned on me, that I still was taking those Voltarens and maybe they stay in your system for awhile.
I think I am going to call my doc tomorrow and go see him. I have always been honest with him about medication and dosage. I also think perhaps, the high heat & humidity could be causing a pain flare up. I have not been overdoing it on work either. I am back to normal schedule.
One thing I really hated about those Norcos: I gained weight on them. That was another motivation to quit them.
actually I think i may have read wrong, are you now having pain after being off the Norco since May and want to know if it is w/d that your feeling.
If you had pain like your doc said you wouldnt become addicted but yes dependant. And I would say if your not feeling any type of w/d now then your not going too. I took Norco for years prior to Methadone and Suboxone and took it off and on all the time and never had physical w/d,,I only had w/d when I used MS contin for 3weeks everyday. Is this a possible answer to you question. I hope I may have given you some advice. Also I have some good info on the difference between addiction,dependancy and tolerance under my journal.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
