getting Addicted?

Question

What should i do i'm 15 years old i take percocet for my excruciating pain i have in my left leg, I think I'm getting Addicted to the pills but they are the only pills that help.I don't wanna say something then get them taken away but i don't wanna be a drug addict.(i take about 7 a day when i should take four)

i do see a pain doc hes givin me all kinds of stuff.
i have lymphedema(i dont wanna here about your support groups)

Answer 1

At 15 y/o a chronic pain condition is more serious, than in an adult, but the pain is no different. Taking medication for pain is not an issue, if you have pain you need medication. However, you should never exceed your prescribed dose. After years of managing patients with chronic pain syndromes/conditions I have found that the key to working with the patients is being honest, in both directions. I have to tell them what they can expect from the treatment, and they have to let me know what they are experiencing. If you are prescribed 4 percocet per day and take 7, there are 2 issues. First you are taking more acetaminophen than the physician would like, this is not good for your liver, and could cause issues in the long term. Secondly, if you take 7 pills a day you will need 210 pills per month, you are prescribed 4 pills per day which means you have 120 pills per month. At 7 pill per day you will have 13 days of the month with no pills. Most physicians will not refill a presciption for a controlled medication early. If they do this often without good doucumentation of a reason (you taking too much is not a reason) they will lose their DEA prescribing number and can no longer provide controlled medications to anyone.

Obviously, it would seem the percocet no longer meets your needs for pain control. If your physician does not feel he can provide anything stronger, or that your use is out of proportion to your expected pain level, you should be referred to a chronic pain specialist. Percocet is designed for the short term management of moderate pain. If your pain persist in excess of 30 days you should be switched to a different, long acting medication.

All, pain medications can be addictive. But addiction is not the issue if you have pain. First you need the pain controlled. There are serveral methods to do this, some do not require medications. Then the medical condition needs to be corrected or controlled if possible. After your medical condition is controlled you can worry about transitioning off the pain medications.

Psychological addiction is not as significant an issue with pain patients as the physiologic dependence on the drug. Both can be managed at the proper time.

Talk to your doctor. Inform him that your percocet is not meeting your pain needs and that you have had to exceed the dose. If he does not want to give you anything else, ask for a consult to pain management.

Be honest with your doctor, and yourself. If you can not take the medications as prescribed ask for help.

You don't want to go 13 days with no pain medication.

I sincerely hope you get the help you need.

Answer 2

First off by taking 7 a day (when you are only meant to be taking 4) is dangerous to your health. Very seriously.
Any pain medication can be addicting and its why physicians should be careful in writing scripts for them.

You have answered your own question. If you think you are addicted, then you are.

And believe me when I say that the addiction is FAR worse then having them taken away. Do yourself a huge favor while you can and talk to your doctor about this tomorrow. There are alternatives out there, so use them.

Answer 3

You need to be honest with your doctor and yourself. You also need to ask yourself if you are taking them to get high or are you taking them to help with your pain? If it is to get high then you need to talk to your doctor about addiction. If it is because you need more to control the pain, then it isn't an addiction. That is called drug tolerance, which happens to everyone who takes pain meds for a long period of time. You need to tell the doctor that it is taking more meds to control your pain. Percocets have Tylenol in them and depending and what the doctor is prescribing you, you could be taking too much Tylenol for your liver to handle safely. Your doctor can prescribe pills that have the same narcotic drug with a higher dose of that drug and at the same time have a smaller Tylenol dose.
So, if you are taking them only for the pain, tell your doctor that they aren't working as well as they use to and that you have had to take a couple extra a day sometimes. He will understand that it happens and won't just take them away.
If you are taking them to get high, well then that is a whole other issue. You could have your parent (I am assuming you live with one since you are 15) give them to you only when it is time to have one. And you have to be totally honest with your mom and doctor if you are taking them for recreational use. But I think you are probably just taking them for the pain and just need a stronger prescription.

Answer 4

u can see a pain specialist (a doctor that specializes in pain management) who can further help you...
why do u have such pain?

Answer 5

just stop man, i know what your going through, visit feelnormal.org