I feel like a prisoner to my pain meds from my chronic pain!!

[AngelDawn]

Was in a near death car accident in December 2007 and my doctor suggested I go to a pain doctor for chronic pain. I refused then but 2 years later the pain was affecting my every day activities while raising 3 boys on my own because my husband died the same year at age 38 from cancer in April 2007. The car accident left me with 3 compound fractures that now I have metal rods in my whole left leg, my left arm also my wrist is fused. They put me on opiates short acting and long acting. Along with getting injections. Now addicted and some months run out!!! I tried to stop them and had major pain along with major depression and anxiety. I felt as if I was dying. So I took my meds and soon felt like normal again. I have prayed to God and asked for release from these meds but idk if God heard me cause now they have increased my meds to 30mg of OxyContin 3 times a day along with 15 mg of oxycodone 4 times a day!!!! Will I ever be free from pain pills controlling my body and mind???

 

[vespasia]

Opoids CAN be helpful for short term use but they are hellishly addictive, the longer you take them the more you need to take to get the same effect.
Not a lot of fun.

They are also very cheap to produce and too easy to prescribe.

Does your insurance or similar allow you to be referred to a specialist pain clinic? Pain clinics offer a way to manage chronic severe pain through arange of approaches including physio, alt' pain management such as relaxation, TENs and so on. If need be they can also refer to a service that provides support to people with prescription drug addictions to help them withdraw from the more harmful drugs and onto less addictive drugs.
They can also help you work out how to manage your drugs to give the best pain management for your circumstances.

You have to be very string to turn round and refuse to accept the easy option of just taking more opoids and push for access to a pain clinic or neurologist who specializes in chronic pain conditions as a result of previous injuries. They may be able to offer drugs aimmed at relieving neuropathic forms of pain that might improve your quality of life and reduce the amount of opium derived drugs your taking.

These associations may be of help: American Chronic Pain Association - New Page and U.S. Pain Foundation website - Empowering Us All to Live Fulfilling Lives

 

[christopher morgan]

Hi Angel, I am so sorry you have encountered so much suffering as you journey through this world. Your responsibilities I am sure add extra stress to your day along with worrying about what lies ahead. I agree the Opioids are so powerful and hard to deal with, I am on fentanyl patches as I find the tablets, oxycodone etc. too powerful in the way they release their action. I do find the slow release patches more tolerable but still hate the woozy mind and exhaustion and I never find they really stop the pain just numb it to some degree. But you could talk to your doctor about trying the patches for a while to see if they make the effects more tolerable. It can be sad for us to think our life is now dependent on strong meds. But keep searching for other answers. I don't know what other possibilities are available for you. Some people get relief with acupuncture or remedial massage but often costs are a preventative factor for regular treatment.

As a Christian who believes we are on a spiritual journey while undergoing a physical experience, I can only say to keep up your faith in Our lords teachings. I believe the only good thing we can do with our pain is to use it to get closer to Our Lord and God. The pain I have been thrown into has made me realise how I know nothing really. All my big plans and abilities are now gone. I must turn to the Love that Our Lord showed us as being the only way through this temporary world. It doesn't make the pain go away but to really believe that there is a spiritual world with no suffering and that those there love us and want us to do our best to prepare our souls for the eventual journey to be in the presence of God, that gives my mind a sense of peace that no opioid can give me. I can only hold on to Our Lord's teachings on forgiveness, love and the promise of life after death and try to keep growing in my spirit despite the destructive pain and medication.

Wish I had more to offer you but pain has robbed me of everything but my faith so I can only give that to you. I pray the grace of Our Lord enters your life and helps you in your pain. I will say a prayer especially for you after I send this and ask the Holy Spirit to send you a sign you are not alone. christopher Australia

 

[mmksparbud]

So sorry you're in pain. I've had fibro over 23 years, pain has been my constant companion, then got added more pain with diabetic neuropathy and degenerative disc disease. About the only thing I could pray for was death. But, I gave cannabis a try and I have a life now. I still need some pain med, Tramadol, but I only take 3-4 a day as opposed to 8 plus muscle relaxants and Ibuprofen and Benadryl. I cried every day in pain. I haven't shed a tear in pain for over 6 mths--I'm not pain free but, thank God, it is now bearable. I hope you find something that will make this bearable for you.

 

[zippy2]

So sorry you're in pain. I've had fibro over 23 years, pain has been my constant companion, then got added more pain with diabetic neuropathy and degenerative disc disease. About the only thing I could pray for was death. But, I gave cannabis a try and I have a life now. I still need some pain med, Tramadol, but I only take 3-4 a day as opposed to 8 plus muscle relaxants and Ibuprofen and Benadryl. I cried every day in pain. I haven't shed a tear in pain for over 6 mths--I'm not pain free but, thank God, it is now bearable. I hope you find something that will make this bearable for you.

MMKSPARBUD--

I am in the same situation you are in exactly. Fibro, diabetic neuropathy, degenerative disc disease and Rhumatiod Arthritis. God bless you, cause I know whereof you speak dear one.

Angel---

I am so sorry for your pain. I know it is so bad that sometimes I just cry or even scream. I too hope and pray you find something soon to help ease it. But it seems you have had much emotional pain as well. Please know that others care and we are here if you want to talk. May the Lord make our burdens lighter.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

Strangely enough, I'm on exactly the same regimen. Do you know if you have neuropathic or noiceptive type pain? I take Lyrica and am switching to gabapentin for neuropathic pain as well. I was once on 80 mg x 2 daily of oxycontin and several 5 mg percocets a day and tapered off to zero medicine in a couple of months, by stepping down slowly, but don't make any changes without agreement and coordination with your medical team. One doctor took me off that and put me on methadone and I ended up in the ER with BP and a heart rate that was cause for real concern, so NEVER play with pain medicine. Taper slowly and only with agreement and support from your doctors, because if you try to do something and they find out you decided to play with your medicine, you could end up black listed and unable to get anything for your pain in the future.