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What to do

Old 12-15-2011, 01:27 PM
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What to do

For those who know me, I've been here for a while.
Had major back surgery last month and got off my pain meds completely for 2 weeks. Was doing so-so despite the pain.
Back pain got so intense I had to do something. Went back to doc and sure enough x-ray showed some post op problems. Went back on meds for just 7 days. Been off for 3 days again now and still in so much pain. I though this surgery would do me some good but post op problems complicated my situation. I stopped my meds last Monday CT and despite just being on them for 7 days (after being clean for a couple of weeks) went back into full blow W/D.
So, I'm stting here wandering what the hell I'm going to do. I want off but the pain is too F*$&ing much. Mind you, I realize that a small portion of that pain is the W/D....
I'm so damned sick of this roller coaster I want off! But I realize I'm not the invincible 20 year old I was back in the 80's...
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Old 12-15-2011, 01:37 PM
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Ivan,

I am the last person who would tell you to take an opiate without good cause.

There is a time and a place for pain medication. My suggestion would be to get with an addiction medicine specialist to help plan your pain control while you recover from your surgery.

There is no shame taking pain medication when it's legit.

Don't make yourself suffer solely for the sake of being able to call yourself "clean".

You can do this without becoming addicted again.

FT
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Old 12-15-2011, 01:46 PM
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I'm meeting with my Pain Mgm doc tomorrow @ 10:30 AM and plan to discuss this with them. I realize the catch 22 I'm in. I wish to God I was one of those 20 somethings again without the physical problems. BTW, THanks FT and congrads on your 1 year. Proud of you. Hope I get there soon myself.
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Old 12-16-2011, 03:34 PM
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Well, I went to my pain mgm doc today and had a long talk about everything. I was somewhat astounded at what he told me. When they did the surgery they discovered that my DDD (degenerative disk disease) was more advanced than what the MRI showed. Essentially, the arthritis is pretty bad and is compounding everything. Doc told me that they did not mention this to me post op because he was concerned that this affect my mental outlook on this in a negative way. Being that he knew about my addiction concerns, he didn't want me to feel as if there was no hope...
He did mention to me that he was rather impressed at my determination to end my cycle of dependence on opiates. Going two weeks without pain meds so soon after surgery was "impressive".
We went over the x-rays and MRI and the results told him that while the procedure was somewhat of a success, the arthritis and swelling is putting a great deal of pressure on the surrounding nerves.
He put me on some stronger anti-inflamitories that should help with the swelling.
He mentioned that I was a good candidate for a spinal TENS implant that would block the pain signals. Only problem is I simply can't afford it. I have insurance but I'd still hve to pay a few grand out of pocket. So, I'm going to be saving up for that and perhaps by summer I can afford that. As far as taking the pain meds, I will have to take them until I get the spinal implant. My doc told me that he and I will work together with that to insure it doesn't get out of hand. He put me on extended release pain meds. That's important to me because the instant reales stuff hits me hard for 30 minutes and I'll be pain free for a couple of hours. But then the meds wear off a couple of hours before my next dose. That makes me want to take more before it's time.
So, for now I'll be taking pain meds but it will be monitored heavily by my doc (per my request). Once I can afford the implant, the doc said he would work with me to detox and get off permanently.
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Old 12-16-2011, 04:27 PM
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Hey Ivan,

I think you have a very sensible plan. You are modeling behavior for me that I may need to draw upon at some point. My fake knees will eventually need surgical "tuneups", and I am not about to have surgery without pain relief postop.

My suggestion is to keep tight control with your doctors. The long acting opiates were something I hated when I was using because they didn't give me any pleasure rush. I even tried crushing them up, and no "luck". So I avoided them, preferring the instantaneous rush short acting opiates give.

Lordy, am I glad I'm not dealing with that now. But you are, and you are going about it the way you should.

Keep us up to date on how it is going.

FT
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Old 12-16-2011, 06:42 PM
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FT, it's funny you mentioned that that the Extended relief didn't give you that "euphoria".
I honestly DO NOT want that high and I feel that it's very important that I don't get that high!!!!!!
I simply want to be out of pain. I've been on the roller coaster long enough to realize that.
I think that's important because we both know that that's the driving force of addiction. Getting that "High"! Addicts are always chasing that high and you know from experience that after taking these meds for a long time - well, you never can get that high you did for the first week.
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Old 12-16-2011, 06:55 PM
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sounds like you're approaching this sensibly Ivan - you've been open and honest with your Drs and you're going to work out a plan of best practice.

I hope it won't be too long before you can afford the alternative treatment - back pain is the worst.

take care man
D
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Old 12-17-2011, 03:51 AM
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I had a simular situation worked with a great Dr. and he detoxed me at the right time and it worked for me. The key is being honest with him.Good luck we can recover even with real legit pain issues
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Old 12-17-2011, 07:03 PM
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Thanks, that's what I'm planning on. I'm hoping that once my post-op swelling goes down I'll be able to cut back on the meds. The big thing is getting my arthritis in check and allowing time for the tissues to begin healing. My doc told me it could take a couple of months for that to happen. The Arthritis is interfering with the tissue healing process.
I'm going to look at Acupuncture and K-Laser therapy in the meantime. I've heard some really good stories about the K-Laser's ability to accelerate tissue healing. A good friend of mine is a vet and uses the K-laser on animals and reports that it is amazing. He also told me the difference between animal and human k-lasers.... ZERO difference LOL! So, you know where that's heading with me!
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