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Oh boy, where do I start.....I have been taking pain meds for over a year. Vicodin ES to be exact. Ever since I had my son and thirteen months later gave birth to my twins, my back has hurt really bad to the point that it can make me sick to my stomach. So I do have legitimate pain. Here's my concern......One vicodin turned into two, then my sister gave me some of her roxycet and I started to buy them :( then when I am out I'll buy more from her :( I hate the withdrawls. So I guess my question is.....how do I know if I have a problem? I'm scared to talk to my dr in fear I will have nothing and if that happens I'll be in pain and won't be able to work. I don't get "high" from them, it just stops my back pain. I don't know if it was a good idea but I talked about this with my sober ah because he knows what it's like to have withdrawls and an addiction. I would never do illegal drugs. What should I do? I'm afraid to talk to anyone because I have children and don't want to be looked at like a "drug addict". I am a kick butt mother, one of the best ;) So I have legitimate pain.....and the pain killers are not working at the prescribed dose so I am taking more. (in a nutshell) I'm telling you all this because I feel safe with you and your judgement calls. Love ya, mwah.
I'd say you have a problem IF you think you do . . . you certainly describe a problem created by dependency on the Vicos. The thing is, if you take an opiate drug a few times every day for a year you WILL get dependent, your brain stops producing the natural endorphins because you are supplying them, so when you quit taking the Vicodin, EVERYTHING hurts.
THis happens to anybody who takes opiates long term. Even worse, you build up a tolerance so they don't seem as effective so then you take more. But soon even the higher dose will not be enough.
When I worked in rehab we had people with legitimate pain issues on hundreds of milligrams of Oxycontin who wanted OFF. We got them off of it, and then substituted with other drugs that weren't so addicting, and they found their pain was much less after the withdrawls than they expected. When you aren't producing a normal amount of your own endorphins, even the slightest twinge is amplified into pain.
JMHO: If you don't get off them sooner, you'll have to LATER. Just being in healthcare I know docs are wiggy about prescribing Vicodin for continued pain after childbirth, even as many as you had in a short time. You got yourself hooked unintentionally, but having to seek out docs who'll give you more and more so you won't go into withdrawl probably won't happen without you getting "the label' of drug seeker.
I'd go to my prescribing doctor and frankly tell him about your situation, and ask about alternatives to Vicodin. You shouldn't need to be in pain. And once off the Vicodin, you'll probably find your pain is manageable with other non habit forming meds.
I did a lot of counseling (as a nurse) with people in your shoes, so PM me if you want more advice.
Hi dear, hey we have pain med for your kind of problem.
After awhile our bodies need more to do the same thing, it is normal. It would not have surprised your doctor if you had went to him/her.
If I were you I would be honest, go to him/her, tell him that you are having break through pain and not getting the same relief and ask his advice as to what to do.
He can raise the vicodan amount, or change you to another pain med that works better with a stronger narcotic or one that is a different kind.There are lots of things to do.
Have you gone thru testing to know what is causing the pain? He may want to do some more testing.
I hope you don't feel badly. When we take meds for pain, it is not for fun.
Wanting/needing to get high is totally different. At least in my experience.
You could even tell him, I was in so much pain I took my friends roxy whatever and it helped so much. You are an adult, responsible for your own body. He works for you. He is not your judge.
You may have a very nice doctor. Not saying he is not. Some people think they are gods, they are not. they are just like you and me but have chosen or had a call for being a doctor.
One of my best friends is a doctor. I saw him start at a community college! He is an excellent doctor, but he is also Frank the nut who loves H O trains, laughing,friends tells his patients to go ahead and try the natural stuff, if it works great.
Thank you for your posts. I will talk to my dr and hope for the best. I hope there is a non narcotic pain reliever for me. I hate the withdrawls. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Its like this enevitable doom hanging over me. How long till this goes away? :(
I agree that if u think you might have a problem there is a good chance that u do - and I really appreciate your honesty in sharring it here . You certainly wouldnt be the first person addicted to prescribed drugs , looking for an alternative is a great idea am pleased you agreed to share this with your doc . Your gonna be just fine . continue to take care of you . Louise
