I've Missed You All

[Mollyrae]

Hi everyone, it's Mollyrae :)

I can't tell you all how much I've missed you all. The reason for my absence...well, I have been clean and off all narcotics for 1 month now. Hooray!!

I am facing yet another Surgery for 3 Herniated Discs, C3, C6 & C7. The discs are above and below my fusion. In order to have this Surgery, the Doctor had requested that I either cut way back on the Pain Meds or try and go completely without to prepare. Well, I decided to see if I could go without for a couple of months using other types of pain meds like Lyrica, naproxen, Prednisone ect...

I will tell you that it was one if not the hardest thing I have had to go through. Even though the Doctor had me on meds to help the w/d process like Clonidine and valium.  I have been opiate free for 3 weeks now and I am actually doing fairly well.

I never thought I could do this. Last night I really needed a pain pill because of my painful neck and took 1 15mg Oxycodone. I couldn't believe it...It actually worked. It was like taking pain medicine for the first time in my life.  It was powerful. I haven't had that feeling for many, many years.  I am now ready for my Surgery. I see the Neurosurgeon on the 30th and he will set up the Surgery date.

I think that if it's possible, everyone should take a break from the opiates to re-vitalize the maximum effect and get the most out of your meds.  

I should tell you that while I was in the midst of the taking all the opiates and my tolerance getting higher and higher, I became more and more depressed. Now that I have been opiate free, the depression has lifted.  So, I guess this time has benefited me in more ways than one.

I hope everyone is well and please take care of yourselves,
Mollyrae

[opus88]

sorry I should also have explained my PMP told me its likely the opiates weren't working well for me b/c the majority of my pain was nerve pain and opiates aren't very successful in that regard. therefore the oxycontin was used mainly for the back issues I have...this is why alot of rest, heat, high gabapentin and prn percocet is so far suitable.

♥OPUS

[opus88]

so glad to see you back Molly, I too was worried about you dear....

I too tapered OFF the oxycontin earlier this year, my tolerance was too high and the pain kept increasing. I tapered off VERY slowly and felt no real side effects...other than some pain. I now take only gabapentin and 10/325 perocet usually daily although on days that I can get tons of rest I try not to use. I am in pain, but not severe like I was on the oxy and I find the percocet does indeed work much better when not used on a daily basis. I told my doctors I wanted to try and I'm so happy I did, I'd rather be putting narcotics into my system on an 'as needed basis' as opposed to daily!!
However I do understand there are some who aren't able to function w/o high amounts of pain relief, but a drug holiday if possible is very good for your system and tolerance too.

best of luck Molly now and with the upcoming surgery.

♥Opus

[designgyrl]

Amazing!  I was just telling someone that I hadn't been taking the vicodin for a few weeks and how I didn't feel strange being off of them.  You never know when you don't take them for awhile if  you are going to have the withdrawl that people talk about, and I just didn't have anything.  I had no problem concentrating at work, no upset tummy, nothing.

[namnam46]

Thanks Mollyrae - Your happiness puts a BIG Smile on my Face!!!!.......Sherry  :)

[runitskat]

Good job on coming off the opiates. I've taken several "holidays' some by choice and others not. The longest I've gone is about 6 weeks. I know how hard it is the first week or so but after that it usually gets better. And for me my pain actually decreases because all the rebound pain is gone. Good luck with your surgery.

[Mollyrae]

Thanks girls. You uplift me. Between the gorgeous weather and just life, I feel great.

Tuck, oh how I've missed you. We will get back to our chats very soon. I do not yet have a surgery date as of yet, but I sure will let you know when it arrives.

Blessings everyone,
Molly

[namnam46]

Mollyrae - What a wonderfully strong woman you are to be able to do this!!! You are to be congratulated on your accomplishments..

This is TRULY outstanding.  That said - I'm SO VERY sorry that you are facing this surgery.  I HOPE and PRAY that you will get 100% relief (I know that probably isn't possible) BUT, Dear Friend, I hope that YOU will be able to accomplish it!!!  You deserve it!

Believe me I will continue to keep you in my Thoughts and Prayers and even put MORE emphasis on them for you!!!  :)   PLEASE let us know as soon as you have a Surgery Date!!

Best of Luck and I'm HOPING that we ALL get a glowing report after your surgery is comopleted.......Sherry

[mellie4]

Congratulations on getting off everything but sorry you need more surgery.

I had another surgery on my hand last week. I had talked to my pain management team about a plan for after the surgery of trying a medication holiday.  I am on a ton, some only for a couple of months and others for years with increasing dosage.  I'm very depressed and suspect the medication worsens it, though at the moment my life is very stressful and I don't see an end to most of it for about 6 months.

I'll be honest, though, I am terrified of the withdrawals.  I'm already on Clonidine for nerve pain and Ativan.  My NP, though, has told me I'll have no withdrawals as she'll taper me very slowly.  (Others have told me that no matter how slow you taper you cannot escape some withdrawals.)  

Once, when my prescription was a couple of days late coming in the mail, I had about 17 hours of withdrawal and another time I think I was in withdrawal when after a surgery I had extreme vomiting of everything for about 8 days.  (At the time, I had no idea I was dependent.)  I figure at 17 hours into withdrawals, I wasn't even near the worst of them.

But even with all this fear, I think it will be worth trying to get to no narcotics so I can at least evaluate my pain at nothing and go from there.  I probably will have to have something but maybe it will be only a small amount.

I'm very encouraged when you say you took one 15 mg. oxycodone and it worked and you felt it.  I had heard that your tolerance won't go away for about ten years.  It's hard to know what to believe when there is so much mixed information out there.

Glad you're back and doing well.

Mary

[Tuckamore]

Hi Mollyrae,

I was "looking" for you on several MH sites last week. I was saddened that I could not locate you. So I have been even more worried about you. I am relieved to know that you have returned and are doing better. :)  :)

Bravo! Bravo! I commend your strength, determination and accomplishment.

Thank you for sharing your news and information with us. I hope you will continue to do so. Do you have a surgery date yet?

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers even more. Blessings!  

Take Care Our Old Friend,
~Tuck