August252015

I don't remember exactly how much it was per day but it was a one week Rx - I hurt my back in Mar and got the Rx from the Urgent Care place I went after two days that ended up in not being able to stand up straight or walk. I was in enough pain to justify a short round and, like I do with my Ativan for anxiety dx (prescribed for daily use as needed, by my excellent psych- that's a separate meds story and one about taking them all just as directed and being honest with my dr about effects and mental ones are included there) - and my husband knew, including where the bottle was in case either of us wanted to make sure I was following directions.

I never had a problem with pain killers BUT I do have a high tolerance for them to take effect, and typically need more of anything to get the effect most people seem to with less/regular doses. So my GP then specialist, along with me and my psych too, all agreed that only a non-addictive muscle relaxant and Advil were right for me. That's been since April, and last month after another one week course of steroid pills, we are taking the next step with an epidural. Some of those include fetanyl, so I made sure to discuss what will be in mine (just anethesia and steroid) - I definitely don't want to mess with that drug or any oxy-something lest opioids become a thing!!

I also think intent is key - for example, here at 2 yr 8 mo sober I only recently had a dish that had alcohol in it. Starting with a surprise about that at a dinner when I was about 7 mo sober- that freaked me out- I have gone to great lengths not to consume alcohol in any food. This time, I stopped eating the delicious food but didn't get upset, and the main reason is that I wasn't intending to "get drunk" plus I did have an ingrained strategy from the 2 years of effort on this issue- and it would take a LOT of risotto like that to get drunk anyway

I'm giving you a long answer ... I do think this is a real concern and for me, a doctor that seems to be the least bit dismissive of my top priority of sobriety would probably not be one I would keep seeing.

As I write this, I am in what has become typical daily pain, not crippling but definitely not fun.

I may have to make different decisions when something like surgery comes up (I'm 42 so assuming I live another 20,30,40 years, I am pretty sure it will somehow!!), but I'll cross that bridge then, with these same priorities.

It's a very personal decision to take meds or not, when we are in sobriety. You are asking good questions....for me, accepting that since I am in recovery, there might be stuff including physical pain that I have to accept or find other ways to try to minimize is what I need to do.

I hope you feel better and find some kind of maintenance routine that gives you reassurance in your sobriety.