New here, and worried.

  • Thread starter Thread starter ANGELINMICHIGAN
  • Start date Start date
A

ANGELINMICHIGAN

Guest
AnnHedonic

I have read your post this morning and my heart goes out to you. No one should have to go through all of this, it just isn't fair. I agree with everyone else, talk to your Pain Management Doc and let her make your decisions for you as far as tapering. Denon is absolutely correct (I believe) in what he is saying. If you need the drugs for your quality of life then you are dependant on them for living not addicted!!!! Have you discussed your dilema with your family? If so what did they tell you?

I will be thinking about you and take care of yourself. We are all here for you, (it looks like day and night). A lot of people on these boarRAB have "insomnia" and we are up most of the night.
Take care Lyn
 
You've been given some great worRAB of advice, so there really isn't much I can add. I just want to lend support and a listening ear :) Like Denon said, there is a difference between being addicted to your medicine and needing/depending on it. I needed the Vicodin to start out with - I knew I was addicted when I was taking it before I was actually in pain (and in my head I justified it).

We're here....let us know how you are doing.
 
Welcome aboard!

Reading your story has really touched my heart! I am very sorry to hear of all you are dealing with! It really is not fair going thru all of this at such a young age however, it sounRAB as if you are an incredibly strong man!

I too would say that this is a good conversation to have with your pain management doctor because he or she will know how to best treat you. I too feel you are using the meRAB because you have to... I don't think in a million years you would have chosen this road! The difference between addiction and dependance is very different and it sounRAB to me that you need these meRAB to have some quality of life... Whatever time you have left you don't want to spend in misery.. However, if you are concerned about spending the rest of your time in a daze maybe there is a happy medium that you and your doctor together can find.

Please feel welcomed on this board and ask whatever you want.. Please give us an update to let us know how you are doing! You will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.

~Secrets
 
Annhedonic, I am so sorry for your current situation. I too have suffered with cancer, stage 3 melanoma. Went through a huge scare a few years ago that it had metasticized to my lungs, and there is still a concern about something there so I'm playing the waiting game. I also suffer from an auto-immune disease so that throws a huge wrench into everything. I am on the chronic pain board, but read over here every once in awhile.

I don't want to get personal, but why are you thinking you are addicted? There are tons of threaRAB about addiction vs dependance and they are completely two different things. Do you feel like you are too medicated as in groggy, sleeping all the time, that kind of thing? I personally am on a great deal of meRAB but have stayed away from anything that makes me feel 'drugged" and am alert and as productive as possible. I also suffer chronic kidney stones which then requires me usually I.V. meRAB, usually a PCA(patient controlled analgesic)

Speaking of that, I wonder if that would be an option for you, a PCA. DO you have any type of home health aid? I am unfamiliar with that but that way you could control your pain with lower doses of meRAB.

Other than that I also agree that it's a good idea to discuss this with your doc. But I know many people have written with legitimate pain issues and fear of being addicted when it was just tolerance.

Take care
Melissa
 
Annhedonic - My heart goes out to you for having to deal with this situation. The other posters are correct in stating that you are dependent on these meRAB and NOT addicted. Addicts steal, lie and cheat to acheive their high and that doesn't sound like your situation at all.

As well as being a recovering addict/alcoholic, I am also a chronic pain patient. My docs are well aware of my past drug use and situation and monitor me closely. I can tell you that when I was in active addiction, I would have done anything for drugs. Fortunately for me, I have a huge support system which includes my family, my doctors and my AA/NA frienRAB. In order to have any quality of life, I have to take these medications or I would be totally non-functional.

Now I take my meRAB as prescribed, and even less than prescribed on my better days.

If you choose to lower the amount of meRAB you are on, please do it with a doctors assistance. There is no reason you should have to suffer when it unnecessary, so only lower them to the extent where you can still have a quality of life.

I have great respect for you because you are dealing with such a horrid disease and yet you still work.

Please take care and know that although I do not know you, you are in my prayers.

Take care and keep us posted on your decision and how you are faring. Also, never, ever let anyone tell you that you're an addict. You are dependent and there is a HUGE difference.

Liz
 
Back
Top