I have been prescribed oxycotin now for 5 years, first its was 10mg then 20mg and now at 40mg. I was told I would be on them the rest of my life because of my disability. I also have to take 120 Vicodin a month as well as 90 Valium, Cybalta and Maxalt. The days I forget to take the pain medicine as I did once on a vacation overseas for a week with family, I was in so much pain beyond normal and I was told this was because of detoxing from my pain killers. I have tried natural remedies already, shiatsu, acupuncre, deep massage therapy, creams, ointments, you name it. the only things that work are pain medicines and i hate the dependency on them, what can I do differant?
2006-12-30 09:10:17 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
To those who say ride out the pain, I dare you to try it with mine.
To those understanding my problem:
My disability is several things from Full Myofacail problems with my verterbrae, to sleep apnea major and a knee that is so shot i can barely walk. I get migraines 2-3 times a week the keep me bed ridden and throwing up.
The Drs have tried PT, and walking and its not helping. i am a former Pro Athlete and have just done alot of damage to my body.
I agree I should stick to the regiment and be careful and have help. I already have an LNA helping.
2006-12-30 13:20:49 · update #1
I too am in a similiar situaion just not as many medicines as you. YOu might want to talk to your Dr again about your concern. Maybe have someone else help you control your medicines so you do not forget them? IF you say you have to be on them the rest of your life and you have tried all these other remedies and I assume exercise as well as Physical Therapy. If they say you have to be on them then you just might have no choice. Just dont run out and make sure someone else can help youcontrol them.
IF you dont need them Seboxin is great for Opiate additctions and dependancies.
2006-12-30 09:13:42 · answer #1 · answered by Legend Gates Shotokan Karate 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I also suffer from chronic pain, and have to do the meds thing, so I think I can relate to what you're going through. First off, I think you should not feel that you are in any way a bad person because of the medications you must take. Don't listen to anyone who has that kind of knee-jerk opinion. You are not taking these meds to get high. You are simply trying to not be completely debilitated by pain, and there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe this particular combination needs to be changed. I do't know the nature of your pain. But the best hope you have is to find a good pain specialist and be open and proactive with them. I have found that I literally have to plan my entire life around my pain, even with meds. At first this made me very angry, but when I can drop that attitude and just do it, I find it helps. I try to sleep as much as possible. If I'm having a "bad" day, I say NO to anything that causes extra exertion. My pain is in my lower body. I'm not restricted to a wheelchair, but I have one. I've found that using it for exercise really makes me feel better. I go for a "walk" in it, either outside, or in the winter I take it to the mall. It's a killer on the arms, which distracts my brain from my legs......I don't know if that's an option for you, but if there is any variation of that, I would recommend it. I would not try to just stop all the meds abruptly. That could cause all kinds of serious problems for you. All the natural stuff is all good. But you just might have to accept prescription pain relief as a part of your life, not feel stigmatized by it, and try to get the "mix" right. You should be proud of yourself for your good attitude, in the face of something that most people just can't comprehend. Good luck and Happy New Year!
2006-12-30 09:59:02 · answer #2 · answered by shannon e 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do you feel it's necessaryto get off the opiates?
There's a world of difference between dependence and addiction. Lots of people are dependent on one medicine or another.
A tremendous amount of hysteria has been generated over the years about narcotics, very little, if any, of it true. Opiates are among the safest, most effective drugs there are, and if they work for you stay with them.
Most likely you will need to increase your doseage as time goes by. Don't worry about it. It's to be expected. It has nothing to do with addiction. Less than 3% of legitimate pain patients taking narcotics get addicted. And it has more to do with personality type than the drug.
Oxycontin is a pretty mediocre narcotic. You haven't even reached the morphine level. And there are several above that.
Don't worry, take your meds, and feel better.
Trust me. I know about this stuff.
2006-12-30 09:25:57 · answer #3 · answered by bettysdad 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't mention what your disability is and that would be helpful info. It does sound like that you need pain meds and that you are not abusing them in any way.
Oxycontin tends to wear off in about 7-8 hrs in many people and this can lead to ever increasing dosages being needed for pain relief. Options for someone truly needing long term pain relief might be switching to fentanyl patches that provide pain relief for 48 hrs or longer or methadone which is metabolized very slowly and so if you miss one dose you might not even notice.
Talk to your Dr about your fears and ask about switching to a different time released pain medication. The only other suggestion I have is that if it is possible for you, try and take a walk or other gentle exercise each day as this will increase your natural endorphins and lower your pain level. You also have to realize that pain meds don't and won't cure all pain but just reduce it enough to make life tolerable. good luck
2006-12-30 10:07:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to a hospital to detox from oxycontin. You will possibly get very sick and dehydrate quickly. It happened to someone I know who tried to do it on his own. This was done abruptly (not a good idea). Ended up in the hospital very very sick. It took about 10 days to feel halfway good again. Oxycontin rotted his teeth out and he had to have veneers put on several of them.
That same person broke the oxycontin dependency but still had pain. Now uses a Fentanyl patch daily with occasional Lortab for breakthrough pain.
Talk to a doctor.
For me, a chiropractor who uses the Proadjuster system and a home traction device has helped me a lot. Best investment I ever made. Exercise also helped me.
Good luck to you!
2006-12-30 09:23:27 · answer #5 · answered by lifeisagift 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
there are many ways that you can go thru detoxification. But the main point here is, Should you be trying to do so at this time. The pain and the dramatic system change is reason enough for you to slowly reduce the amount of medication that you take over a short period of time but cold turkey can really knock your entire system for a loop. So I strongly recommend that the reduction of your medication will be the best way to withdraw from your dependence of your medication, over the long run.................................................. Also those other remedies will not be able to save your system from the shock that your system will have to endure.
2006-12-30 09:27:46 · answer #6 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only when you realize that 90 % of pain relief is in the brain and that you are in control not the drug or alcohol or any substance that is the catalyst. Natures best is a natural substance mental activity is the essence of life. Detoxing is largely a myth the human mind is stronger than the worse pain.
Peace.
2006-12-30 09:17:07 · answer #7 · answered by JVHawai'i 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋
ride out the pain and stop the pills
2006-12-30 09:13:02 · answer #8 · answered by connie sue 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋