March 17, 2008 - 10:34pm
I am a 38 year old mother of 3; I was in a car accident, injured my back and now have two herniated disks in my L-4 and L-5. I was originally given Vicodin (which I was reluctant to take at first because I was worried about dependency). I guess I became tolerant of it and wasn't getting adequate pain relief. My doctor gave me oxycodone extended release, I guess because it was stronger and lasts longer. I will say that they definitely helped with the pain, but are also very strong and make me feel "at ease", stress free etc.. (which is a bad thing) I would now like to try to stop taking them because I am afraid I am becoming dependent of them; however I am so afraid of any type of withdrawal. I have always been a strong independent woman, but these pills have now gotten a hold of me and I HATE it. Any help would be very appreciated. What can I expect when trying to stop taking them?
March 20, 2008 - 12:37am
#2
Dont worry.
Just be honest with your doctor about what you are feeling. I have heard good things about suboxone on here, so maybe you should go on the internet and research it and see what he feels about it. Remember, there is a difference between addiction and tolerance....
March 20, 2008 - 12:32pm
#3
It is not uncommon for
It is not uncommon for people with an underlying predisposition to addiction disorder to recognize the lure of narcotics when they start taking them. If you are on a relatively low-dosage you may not have withdrawal or may only have mild symptoms.
If you have a legitimate need for narcotic pain relief, you may want to try Suboxone as another poster mentioned. Narcotic pain relif without euphoria or the other "good feelings" that come with typical narcotics. Any doctor can prescribe suboxone (off-lable) for pain.
Have you tried all the non-narcotic treatments for back pain, including interventional pain management (shots in the back), TENS unit, PT, elavil, pamelor, or cymbalta, Motrin type medications, etc?
March 20, 2008 - 12:50pm
#4
>>Here's a personal quote
>>Here's a personal quote that i created for situations like this;
~There is no sense in stressing over what you cannot control…instead focus on what you can control, and then change it out of the desire to better yourself
Basically there are things in life that make us feel good, you shouldn't feel bad that you are at ease after you take it, perhaps it is more or less the fact that you are free of pain that you feel this relaxed and stress free, so for now no sense in fighting it. when we are in pain our blood pressure rises, and makes us tense and anxious, unless the euphoric feeling, which shouldn't last more than an hour or 2 max, is coupled with it and once it is gone so is the feeling of relaxation and stress free are gone with it. however, if it lasts the duration of the ER oxycodone, i would more or less feel it is from you being pain free. dependence is the physical need for the medication once you have built receptors and are tolerant. Addiction is what you are scared of, the mental and physical need for a pill to feel normal and to take away your problems etc. If i were you enjoy the fact that you aren't in pain and are relaxed, it feels more normal, and thats why you dont like it, you don't feel that you should feel this good, and you blame it on the pill and you start stressing. Look at the pill as a tool to regain normality, not to take away your problems of stress and tense-ness. Remember you deserve to be pain free and have no stress and feel relaxed, accept it and move on, i dont think it is a bad thing.
HOWEVER if the relaxed and stress free feelings are only associated with the euphoric feeling then yes, you should switch and get off the meds because that leads down a very dark path that is very difficult to escape.
I am not a doctor, i am an experienced individual
Enigmuh
March 25, 2008 - 7:42pm
#5
This is what happened when I stopped
When I stopped taking my meds, which was about 7 days ago.. first, I just had the "Jones" for a pain pill, which to a certain extent is still present, but not as bad. The next thing, came being somewhat sad because I realized that they had a grip on me, the worst had passed by the fourth day, but day 1-4 were very difficult...I experienced some significant stomach issues, Ill spare ya the gory details, but I figure you know what I mean, Im still fighting them a little. Youll probably have some nightsweats, daysweats and any other sweats you can think of.. You may get the "Jimmy Legs" that restless leg feeling and ya cant sit still... That still comes and goes, BUT!!!!!, all of these things eased off after my 4th to 5th day.....I have my pain, which at times is pretty bad, but Im realizing that even on the bad days when I had my pills, they werent doing much for me, so, it is definitely a good decision for me to stop... I cant speak for your case, only you know how ya really feel and how bad your pain is,,, DONT get cocky after you make it thru the worst of the withdrawals, because the last time I tried, I got cocky and I got dependent again...This time seems to be different because I didnt plan it, I just did it and today as for the last 6 days, I havent taken one pill and that gives me a sense of accomplishment...Its a daily fight and will be for me for quite some time..I truly wish you the best.
Talk to your doctor, it really depends on several factors such as how much you take and how long you have been taking them as to the severity of the withdrawal symptoms you will feel. Speak to your doctor about a tapering schedule to ease any potential WDs you might have.