Do you take pain pills? If so, what is your reason?

Question

I know this is a very personal question, but the reason I ask is because I take pain pills. I have severe scoliosis, my spine is shaped like an "S" and my curves, last time I checked, were measuring 53 and 55 degrees. I have never had surgery, and don't intend to. I have had this since I was 12, and I am 26 now. As I got older the pain got worse, and finally in 2005, I started taking pain pills. I was ashamed at first to resort to taking pain pills, as there is a stigma that goes with them. But in order to be a productive mother/wife/person, I need pain management. I take Lortab, the 10's...I only take 2 at night, and I suffer during the day because I am afraid of becoming a "junkie". I also take a muscle relaxer at bedtime. This only reduces the pain, as it never goes away entirely. I would just like to hear other peoples stories who have chronic pain that is a common part of their everyday life. Sorry so long.

I've done research on the surgery, and from what I have learned, the curves will not be improved, only stopped. The pain is sometimes worse after surgery. The hump on my back would not go away (my rig cage is shifted). And I would be physically limited after a surgery. Right now, I can do anything, with pain of course. But if I have surgery, there would be a lot I couldn't do, and still have the pain. Its just not worth it to me.

Surgery might be an option in the future, but as of now, I have 2 small children to raise, and wouldn't have any help during the long recovery.

Answer 1

Hi Staci, I am a Pain Management Patient and have been for a while now. I understand you concern about addiction and pain meds, and most medications that we have to take for pain are physically addictive, I believe that the mental addiction is up to us. You mentioned your family and with the concern that you show for being committed to them I think if you give yourself some good boundries, share them with your family so that everyone knows what is going on as far as your medications, like what they are for, how they may effect you and importantly the doses. This i feel keeps you honest and you will have a support system right there for you. That way you can try to use some medication during the day to level out your pain. Staying in pain all day only to relieve it at night really isn't a good idea and I'll tell you why. Pain is very hard on our bodies and minds. It effects our heart/blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weakens the digestive system and can really cause a very severe depression if not gotten under control. That said, i do recommend that you do this under the care of a Pain Management Group. They are there just to work with you and your medications, to make sure that you are taking them at the right times and determine what doses would be right for you. They also listen to your concerns which is something our doctors don't always have time for. I learned one thing when I started pain management because I too was very afraid of becoming very addictive or a junkie like you said. I learned that when you have the pain that we have, the medication goes to the pain and although we may become sleepy or groggy at times there is not the euphoric feeling that addicts search for and get because there is nowhere for the medication to direct itself to.

I can tell you that I take some very strong pain medication 4 times a day, and I live a very productive life. I do lay down in the afternoon for a nap before I try to tackle dinner but other than that I am not layed out on the sofa or dosing in my chair. I can do what ever housework that my condition allows, I get out now and walk a little bit sometimes even with my 70+ lb. dogs(but not often. lol) , I can go shopping now without it just really sapping all of my energy. I am a much nicer person to deal with and I have more patience. So, to wrap it all up....I too was ashamed to start of regular doses of pain medication and scared too, but I have absolutely no regrets and now wouldn't have it any other way. I feel like including my family in every aspect of it keeps me safe from mental addiction because not only do I have a support group, they can watch me and my behaviors and make sure that i never get carried away or start taking too much. Not to mention everyone understands me and what the pain can do now!!

Good Luck to you what ever you chose and I hope that you find something that works well for you and your family. You may email anytime at all for support if you wish. ;=)

Answer 2

I have a 35 degree thorocolumbular curve in my spine, lower back-ish. In a sense, I go to see a chriopractor for it, and I'm ashamed to lie to my parents (I'm 16/F) that the chiropractor makes it feel any better. I personally can not stand doing the chiropractor it wastes my parents money, and I feel that the chiro touches me innaproprietly. When I brought the subject up, my parents didn't believe me...so I'm stuck going there. I carry tylenol on me, because the seats we have at school are terrible, sometimes I get naproxin...I suppose I see what you mean when you talk about not wanting to be a different person even though you're on heavy pills..I'm not too sure what you're on, but the last time I was on morphene I scared my friend half to death. It was for surgery and it helped the pain, but I felt so bad afterwards seeing her in tears. I can't really help answer your question, but I've been in your situation somewhat and I hope my story helps. Don't get the surgery..people claim that it helps but it's pretty harmful if you think about it...my good friend went through so much pain for that stupid surgery...now, she cant do all the work she has to do..bearing a child will be terribly hard for her...Bending is tough for her, she cant move too well...It's better to stay away from it. You either have pain with the surgery, or pain without it...stay away from the rods.

Answer 3

Don't stress about taking your pills, as long as you can control yourself. My mom is now serving 9 years in Alderson Federal Prison Camp (Martha Stewarts place) because she let an addiction control her (she traded pills with a few people who were also in pain; and our goverment calls this conspiracy). After this happened, I was afraid to take any pain medicine, and wouldn't even take a midol or tylenol when my period came around. My mom lectured me that it was controllable, and you can take them without getting an addiction. Right after her arrest she was sent to rehab, and between rehab and her imprisonment she was "free" for a year. She took the minimum and did fine. Even an addict can control it. She's had so many different Theres nothing to feel guilty about untill your going beyond what helps. Don't become dependent. Tell yourself that you "want" it not that you "need" it, because then you always think you need more.

Good luck, and no stress. You'll be fine =)

Answer 4

Why won't you have the surgery? I've seen it do wonders on people. And they were scared too. I live on pain killers. My foot was broken 5 yrs ago , and never showed up on the x-rays. So now it is arthritic. I also have a brain tumor, not life threatening but sometimes the pain is severe. I'm glad I have the option. Other wise who knows what I would do.

Answer 5

I don't take them anymore, but I use to take 2x Hydrocodine 750mg 4 times a day for a herniated lower back. The pain was awful, leaving me in bed, incapacitated for over 4 months. I feel your pain, I'm truly sorry. You however, should consider surgery. As it seams to be a quality of life issue w/ you.

Best of luck,
Love Meep

Answer 6

Yes, Major accident in September ,swerved and flipped my jeep on gravel road to avoid hitting a boy chasing goats across the road... Take pain killers for pains spasms when unbearable.

Answer 7

Ouch..sorry to hear that I am a chronic sinus headace sufferer and when all else fails I have to take Aleve Sinus and if its really bad I take a percocet....but I try to stay away from that because all that crap goes thru your liver and can ruin it if you habitualy take all of that. I am not sure if there is a natural remedy for what you have but I suggest to start with Chinese remedies i.e accupuncture...

Answer 8

Very rarely. Only when I really have to.
Do what you have to do to function.
Don't be ashamed.
Go see a doctor or visit a clinic that specialises in long term pain management.
Change doctors till you find one who is better able to help you, and be very honest about (all) of your problems.
Consider going to a Psychologist.

Answer 9

Yes, I do. They arnt a narcotic though. I take them for chronic pain and sciatic pain from a car wreck. I have for 7 yrs now.*

Answer 10

why don't you get surgery, coincidentally my friend had the same problem with her back and the same kind of shape, she was 12 and got the surgery
you should get the surgery if you really feel the need....