Dealing with pain med addiction post treatment

I won't be much help on te pain med side, but step one is seeing and admitting the problem. Is there a group or program in your area that can help?

You can do it!

twinthings said:

I hope you're getting help

R, it's nice to meet you but sorry for the circumstances.  I hope that your email is blowing up with the help you are seeking.

Fortunately for me, I won't be of much help.  I do however, have much secondhand experience with prescription addiction and I am well aware of the pitfalls of such addiction.  Because I have a couple of dear friends, as well as family members addicted to pain pills, I suffer the pain of bilateral pinched nerves and two blown discs in my cervical spine, rather than taking my meds.  I've seen my loved ones struggle for years and it scares the hell out of me.

Kudos to you for admitting you have a problem and reaching out for help.  Takes a lot of courage! 

Sending well wishes you way!

 

S

Sindy, I also have a family member, still living, that is addicted to pain meds.  My mom, who is deceased from kidney failure, never met a pill she didn't want to take.  Consequently, I fight taking meds of any kind and almost got into trouble after my surgery.  I have a sacral spinal cyst and a blown disc at L4-L5 that is pressing on my spinal cord, plus bone on bone arthritis in both hips and spine, RLS and Fibromyalgia.  I take a 2mg Valium when my legs are jerking so bad I'm in danger of kicking the back of my head in :0 and a Tramadol when my back hurts so bad I can't move.  The family member keeps her pills all in one bottle and marks down when she can take more....oxycodone, Vicodin, Percocet, neurontin, soma, and God only knows what else.  She cannot/will not get off of them.  I respect anyone who can recognize they need help and go get that help.

rchalmer said:

Thanks for reaching out

S,

 

I've recieved 1 email so far, and I hope to get more. I applaud you for being able to suffer through the pain you have. I have moderate-severe arthritis in both my AC (shoulder) joints as well as my knees that give me a lot of pain as well as major lower back pain that as of yet has been undiagnosed. 

 

I've been clean almost a year and it's only been since my neprhectomy that my med addiction has escalated to the point of addiction.

 

My family (Mom's an RN) doesn't beleive I am in pain and still think I am drug seeking. the lack of trust in my family members sucks but it's something I have to rebuild. 

reaching out in a public forum like this was a little nerve-wracking, however I'm glad I did. 

 

-Ross

also .. how do you send friend requests?

 

Ross,

I am not to be applauded.  I think it's fair to say, if I hurt bad enough, I'll take my Norco.  I am a strong woman, not a stupid woman.  I would not let myself suffer great pain, knowing my Norco would help.  But despite what my neurosurgeon says, that most people with my diagnosis are on pain management prior to surgery,  I just don't need it very often.   I can't explain it but I do know, I'm no superman, (or woman ) who pushes through her pain, stronger than all the rest.  I wish I could stake that claim, but I'd be lying. 

Sadly, my condition is getting worse.  Surgery is no guarantee so, to do it or not to do it has been bouncing around in my head for the past 6 months, since doctor recommended it.   Doctor tells me not to wait till it's an emergency situation...he doesn't know me too well.  I'm a stubborn one!

As for sending friend requests, I didn't know you could do that on this forum.  Despite spending much of my day on a computer, I'm not too tech savvy.

Keep working on that trust issue with your family.  If you are sincere, your actions will speak louder than words.  These things take time.

Good luck!

rchalmer said:

Thanks for reaching out

S,

 

I've recieved 1 email so far, and I hope to get more. I applaud you for being able to suffer through the pain you have. I have moderate-severe arthritis in both my AC (shoulder) joints as well as my knees that give me a lot of pain as well as major lower back pain that as of yet has been undiagnosed. 

 

I've been clean almost a year and it's only been since my neprhectomy that my med addiction has escalated to the point of addiction.

 

My family (Mom's an RN) doesn't beleive I am in pain and still think I am drug seeking. the lack of trust in my family members sucks but it's something I have to rebuild. 

reaching out in a public forum like this was a little nerve-wracking, however I'm glad I did. 

 

-Ross

also .. how do you send friend requests?

 

I have a sister who has had a lifelong serious problem with alcohol and drugs (pain pills) to the point of needing a new liver. The bad thing is she's developing arthritis now in her early fifties that I'm sure she inherited from her grandmother that had both very serious osteo and rheumatoid crippling arthritis. I can see the deformities forming in her hand and feet, and yet nobody knows whether to believer her about her pain. I feel very sad about her situation, because her liver is so bad she's not supposed to take medication, and yet she does/is. It's a real tuff quandry to be in. I hope you find relief and support.

I don't know from personal experience, but I know several people that are very serious meditators and that are in pain from arthritis, and they say their meditation has helped them. Unfortunately, it's not a quick fix. You really have to work at it.

Todd

twinthings said:

If only

If only we lived in Colorado!!  

 

It's not that tough to get here. $25 and a complaint of persistent pain will get you a prescription....

Todd