Reduction of Pain Meds -- Any Info?

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone!

I've been reading e-mails from everyone the last few days about cervical

spine problems, anti-depressants, etc., and I'd like to pick your brains (for

lack of better words) about something my pain psychologist suggested to me

yesterday. I had to see him because I LOST a prescription (Methadone) from

my pain doc and she wanted to evaluate situation before re-writing scrip (I

had no problem with this as I hadn't ever lost a prescription before, I feel

really stupid!!) and he suggested that I try to slowly withdraw myself from

Methadone and Lortab and see how my body kicks in with natural endorphins to

deal with pain level, as I've been on pain meds. since April of 1995, and

tolerance level is increasing all the time.

I have considered this before but I am VERY scared to do so because I was

hospitalized for suicide attempts four times in 1998, because of pain level

and depression. I'm much stronger mentally and emotionally now than I was

then, but I have some doubts as to how I will deal with level of pain if it

becomes too much to deal with (and just how will I know how much is TOO MUCH

to deal with????), I just don't know what to do. I would like to be able to

live without narcotic pain meds. and the side effects, but I am afraid that I

will further rob my husband and children of myself (as I am part of their

lives 24/7) due to an inability to cope with pain (I have a hard time even

now because it wears on me like Chinese water torture [drip, drip, drip,

drip!!!] and what would it be like without meds?).

My support system is somewhat crippled now as my father passed away in late

1997, my mother is no support at all, my mother and father-in-law are in

Florida (for health reasons) and I don't like to burden friends with my

" problems " , I guess you could say I'm just plain scared.

I hate to dump this on everyone, but your feedback (good OR bad!!) would be

very welcome. THANKS so much!!!!

Pain-free wishes!!!

Tracey (KY)

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracey

I don't have any experience weaning my self from the level of pain medicaion

you are using. I did wean myself from Vicodin recently... it (being narcotic

free) didn't work for me. I did it slowly and then I gave myself two weeks

of medication free time. That may not have been a long enough time for my

bodies natural endorphans to kick back in. I found that my activity level

decreased greatly due to pain and fear of more pain. I have currently gone

back onto an antidepressant. I hate being dependent on a pain

medication...or any medication for that matter. But I can't stand no being

able to do anything because of pain. So...I take the Vicodin. Hopefully that

will change.

I know wat you mean about the depression from pain. Your description of the

steady drip drip drip of pain really hit home. I don't have any answers for

you. You may get some very good responses from people on the list about how

to handle an attempt to let go of your pains meds. My suggestion is to get

as much information as possible and maybe a second opinion before you try

this. Keep and open mind but listen to your gut feelings.

Good luck!

Peace...

Love...

And Happiness...

Candy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/11/99 10:11:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,

Tlsouthw@... writes:

<< I don't like to burden friends with my

" problems " , I guess you could say I'm just plain scared.

I hate to dump this on everyone, but your feedback (good OR bad!!) would be

very welcome. >>

Tracey:

My apologies for being so late with this response. You may have gotten your

questions/concerns answered by now.

First of all, I think I can speak for most - if not all - the members of this

group: we are your family if you choose us to be.

Secondly, I certainly understand your fear. I am cutting back on my meds

(under medical supervision), too. Hopefully, I will be able to get off most

of the opiod meds ASAP; but, I am worried about the pain. IMHO, we can only

try to reduce the meds a little at a time; adjust to the new level; lower

again; adjust again. In doing this get down to the lowest level possible for

each of us. I am really frightened by having the excruciating headaches

24/7; and I'm having a fair amount of back pain at the moment. But, I am

going to try to reduce the meds, one at a time and a little at the time.

Does anyone in your immediate family (DH and kids) know you " breaking " point?

They could be somewhat of a barometer for you.

I know it's going to be difficult [and, I am not looking forward to it], but

I am going to try. So far, I have dropped Ambien from my list and am almost

off Klonopin. Next, I am starting on the Fioricet and/or the Soma. You will

know when you can no longer tolerate a lesser amount of medications.

Although I know I will have trouble with " rebound " and " anticipatory "

headaches and muscle pain, I am going to do it.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Of course, email me privately at

any time you need to talk.

{{{and angel wishes}}}

Carol

~~~•••••~~~

" In the little things of life, follow your mind; in the big things of life,

follow your heart. " (author unknown)

~~~•••••~~~

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for the thoughts!!!

I had thoracic facet injections (test) last Friday (Nov. 12) and I talked

with my pain doc about my reservations re reducing and/or eliminating pain

meds at this time of year (with a 9 and 11 y/o and a trip to Florida for

x-mas with inlaws who may as well be my parents -- they just moved to FL in

late Sept for health reasons and this will be our first VISIT!! -- and a trip

to Disney World as a christmas present) she understood that I'm reluctant to

disrupt the status quo, so we're waiting to see how I feel after the test

injections, and then will make decision regarding rhizotomy (electrically

burning - destroying - the nerves) to interrupt pain message, and then will

aggressively pursue d/c pain meds. She was okay with this, and she was

actually proud that I had made a decision like this, which makes me feel like

she's more supportive than before -- it's a difficult situation at best.

Today is Wednesday, and I've had a few days after the injections and the pain

has returned to a great degree (but I had expected this, was hoping not, but

.. . . .) and now we know that destroying the nerves in those facet joints

should give me some lasting relief from the pain so that I can reduce my pain

meds without reducing my " quality of life " to a great degree. It was so nice

to feel good over the weekend -- I helped my husband at work for the first

time in months (he stays so busy!!), we went out to eat with friends Saturday

night (another first in a while, I don't feel like socializing much when pain

level is bad) and just had a good day together with kids on Sunday (we joked

and talked with each other and and in a way that we haven't for

longer than I can remember -- makes me sad for what has been, but I can see a

light at the end of the tunnel -- it's good to know that I can still be " me "

when pain is under control!!!) which has helped our relationship a great

deal.

I hope all is well with you, and I do appreciate you responding to any

messages, no matter when!!!! Always in my thoughts!!

Tracey (KY)

[Guest guest]

At 07:14 AM 11/17/99 -0500, Tlsouthw@... wisely said:

>and now we know that destroying the nerves in those facet joints

>should give me some lasting relief from the pain so that I can reduce my pain

>meds without reducing my " quality of life "

Hi TL,

Proceedure sounds ghastly, but I expect it is the right thing to

do & will give you relief. A friend of mine had to have 7 major spinal

nerves that work the legs cut similarly. There was a way to compensate for

the loss of those nerves, and he did get back to a pretty normal life. We

are with you here.

Ken

[Guest guest]

At 07:14 AM 11/17/99 -0500, Tlsouthw@... wisely said:

>and now we know that destroying the nerves in those facet joints

>should give me some lasting relief from the pain so that I can reduce my pain

>meds without reducing my " quality of life "

Hi TL,

Proceedure sounds ghastly, but I expect it is the right thing to

do & will give you relief. A friend of mine had to have 7 major spinal

nerves that work the legs cut similarly. There was a way to compensate for

the loss of those nerves, and he did get back to a pretty normal life. We

are with you here.

Ken