how can it be

[2much2long4me]

I have cronic backpain, my Doctor has given me 90 Percocet a month for almost 8 years now, he said from the beginning i won't get hooked, is this true ? also i recently was on life/support for an infection and namonia a month ago, the doctor asked me how long i bin taken Percocet for, he said i should ask my doc to increase the dosage because after 8 years takeing 3 a day is like takeing 1 to 2 because i'm kinda immune to them, and yes i do feel they still help but not as good, question if i approach my doc on this will he think i'm hooked now, i don't want to get cut off, just manage my pain. i'm kinda in a catch 22 here could anyone please advise me, and thank you for your help

[Jaybay]

Yes, you are now physically dependent on the percocet.  As IBK suggests, you'll know for certain if you stop taking it and experience withdrawal.  Symptoms include increased blood pressure, insomnia, hot and cold flashes, sweating, extreme restlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and restless leg syndrome.

There is a huge difference between physical dependence and addiction.  The fact that you have taken the percocet at the same dose for 8 years and not asked for an increase tells me that you are not addicted.  Addiction is a mental issue involving cravings for the euphoria that the drug provides and self-medicating - taking more than prescribed and sometimes from multiple sources.  

Sometimes changing to a different pain reliever can work just as well as increasing the dose of the one you've been taking.  Not all opiates are created equally and everyone responds slightly differently to them.  

Another way to manage tolerance is to taper off the medication and take a short opiate vacation.  This allows the brain to reset so that when you go back on the meds you won't need to take as much to achieve relief.  Of course, you will suffer in the meantime with increased pain.  Much of that pain is called "rebound pain."  It is a temporary condition caused by reducing or stopping opiate therapy.  Simply put, your brain throws a temper tantrum wanting those opiate receptors to be filled so your perception of pain increases, and sometimes in areas of the body that never hurt before.  

Please do talk to your doctor about all this.  I can't imagine he would think that you are trying to pull one over on him based on your behavior all these years.  You really sound like the ideal opiate therapy patient.  :-)

[IBKleen]

Hi,

Eight years is a long time on pain meds. Even if you are not addicted to them you could be dependent on them. Although a little rough, one way to find out is to stop taking them for a day. If you begin withdrawal then you will have your answer.

I hope it all works out for you and you find relief for your pain.