Hi FrienRAB,
I want to first and foremost start out by saying that I have been reading posts here and there and keeping up on the board as much as I can and you have all been in my prayers. It seems like there are a lot of people hurting right now and there are also a lot of strong inspirational stories that have given me strength to take charge of my own nasty cycle of addiction.
I am not happy or proud to report by any means that I have been using. I am sure it's not a huge surprise to a lot of the regulars here. MIA usually is not a good sign for me. So here is what I have been doing..... I had a Dr's appointment for my knee and new xrays taken because of increased hip pain. They found I have a pretty advanced case of arthritis in my hip and that is what is causing the pain. The Dr. could not believe how much arthritis I had for only being 26.... As soon as I heard that come out of his mouth it was like the addict part of my brain turned on and opportunity to use hit me so hard I could not stop myself. First it started out with Vicodin. Yes, I have pain in my hip and knee but nothing I can't deal with anymore without the narcotics. However, I about fell off my chair when he gave me an RX for 50 of those devils with a refill. That just made my head spin and the cycle started. Went thru those in 5 days, (yes, 10 a day) then I refilled it. 5 days later they were gone. I of course then called for a refill. He gave me 50 more. 5 days later they were gone (150 in 15 days) and they said they wanted to change my meRAB to something non narcotic. He put me on an arthritis medication peroxicam and Tramadol/ultram. He gave me 50 of those with a refill... I knew the dangers of Tramadol. Did I listen to the good part of my brain screaming "NO, STOP NOW!" No, I didn't. I flew threw those.. Taking 4 at a time 2 to 3 times a day even though I read you can only safely take up to 400 mg a day. However, he put take 2 every 4-6 hours on the prescription so I ran with it. Refilled the next 50 and got one more Rx for another 50 (Total of 200 with 27 left) and here I am..... I have 27 left of that RX and I NEED TO STOP. How did this happen again? I KNEW BETTER! My husband and I are trying to have a baby and I am screwing everything up. I don't know how at this point my body could even be healthy enough with all of these nasty demons in me to become pergnant. It's shameful. Having a baby is the most important thing to me and I have not been acting like that. Until today.
I don't know how I let this happen but I do know that it neeRAB to stop and if I want to have a healthy baby at some point, it starts with me. I would not be able to live with myself if my addiction hurt a baby in any way.
Here is where I am at. Every morning I am waking up in W/D of course. So in order to get up and going to work I have to use. Up until today I would take 4 and go.... Then in the afternoon I would take another 4. Then when I got home another 4 and sometimes even another 4 later in the evening. UGH, shameful.
This morning I took 3 and I only have very minor signs of w/d. I am going to hold out until after work or until the w/d get bad enough I can't stand it and try to get by with 2 maybe? I have to stretch these out as best as I can! I am not sure how my Dr is going to feel about giving me another RX so I may just have to tell him I would like to taper and I need another RX to do so but I can't even fathom calling him before Monday. So at that rate it leaves me with 4 a day until Monday. SO I guess I am going to have to take 2 in the am and 2 in the evening and get by. I got myself into this mess, I have to be a big girl and get myself out of it. If anyone has any advice about Tramadol/ultram tapering please share... I beg of you!
I have been using to deal with stress.. That much I know. My husband is suffering with some sort of lung disease. He see's a specialist next Friday. His other Dr did not want to diagnose what he saw on the CT scan so we have to wait to hear the news then and it sounRAB grim. He is in a lot of pain and they gave him Dilaudid in the pill form since he has problems with pain control because he metabolizes medication too quickly. Your thoughts are now going to "Have you taken any of those pills from him?" Yes, (head hanging in shame) I have taken a total of 4 out of his bottle (one at a time so he would not notice) How could I take his medication? He is suffering!!!!!!! How could i do this to him? I really am loathing myself right now. I know tonight when that bottle of Dilaudid is sitting there I am practically going to have to cut my arms off to not take one...... He puts them away but I know where his "spot" is.... Then on top of that with my Dad still living with us I am stressed and using that as an excuse to use. Pathetic.
I can't tell him I took his pills and hurt him that way. He doesn't even know I am using. He thinks Tramadol is harmless and since it's non narcotic I get to be in charge of those. He is so niave and trusting and I am sick for taking advantage of that. I am done. This is not who I am as a person and I can't let myself become this anymore. I know I am a good person, caring, generous,strong,loving and dependable but right now I am acting so selfish.
I don't know what else to say.... Any thoughts, advice, whatever please share. You guys are my frienRAB and I know anything you say is said because you care and want the best for me.
Blessings to you all!
XOXOX