Almost at Week 3 & Still Feeling Awful
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Almost at Week 3 & Still Feeling Awful
Hi Everyone!
I'm new here, so I'll give you a quick bit of background:
In July of 2006 I was injured in a 'hit and run' style accident. To be blunt, I was head on run over by a Jeep going 35mph while riding my bike. They never caught the person that did this to me. The accident fractured my left femur, took a bit of a chip out of my elbow bone, opened up my calf muscle (had to have skin stretching/stapling done), and knocked out several of my teeth. They gave me an IM rod in my left femur and a set of 4 titanium screws to hold it in there. I had surgery in 2008 to remove the screws from my knee, but I've still got the hip screws and rod in there. I was left in near constant pain. I tried everything, physical therapy, swimming, accupunture...
Anyway, the past year or so I've been prescribed Oxycodone 30mg pills. At first they were wonderful. It was the first time in years I'd been without pain. My life was transformed. Of course, as time when on, I needed more pills to stave off the pain and/or wd symptoms. Each time I mentioned this to my Dr. he told me to take more of them. I became tired of relying on the pills which were quickly becoming ineffective. At then end there I was taking about 120+ mg a day. I needed one just to get up out of bed. I had planned on weaning myself slowly from the pills, but wound up losing the bottle (right after I cancelled my appointment with the Dr
). So, I went through wd cold turkey. I thought I was going to die. Vomiting stomach acid, muscle spasms, you name it, it happened to me. I was able to move around about 4 days later. I went to a new doctor (an osteopath) and explicitly stated I didn't want narcotic treatment for my pain. Docs get a lot nicer after you tell them that.
She gave me Lidoderm patches and Voltaren osteoarthritis gel. They don't work one bit. I'm still in near constant pain and can hardly walk. I feel hopeless and have begun to withdraw from everyone around me. I can't concentrate due to the pain. I've had a constant case of the runs and other flu like symptoms ever since I stopped taking the pills.
Does anyone else dealing with chronic injury-related pain have any tips on how to stay off the pills? As soon as I told the doctor I didn't want narcotics she told me that they might be my only option. Funny how things work that way. I'm having such a hard time dealing with all of this pain again and my mental/emotional state isn't the best. I feel run down, nauseous, and exhausted.
How much longer until I feel better? I'd really appreciate any tips. I actually fantasized about laying down on the trolley tracks the other day.
I'm new here, so I'll give you a quick bit of background:
In July of 2006 I was injured in a 'hit and run' style accident. To be blunt, I was head on run over by a Jeep going 35mph while riding my bike. They never caught the person that did this to me. The accident fractured my left femur, took a bit of a chip out of my elbow bone, opened up my calf muscle (had to have skin stretching/stapling done), and knocked out several of my teeth. They gave me an IM rod in my left femur and a set of 4 titanium screws to hold it in there. I had surgery in 2008 to remove the screws from my knee, but I've still got the hip screws and rod in there. I was left in near constant pain. I tried everything, physical therapy, swimming, accupunture...
Anyway, the past year or so I've been prescribed Oxycodone 30mg pills. At first they were wonderful. It was the first time in years I'd been without pain. My life was transformed. Of course, as time when on, I needed more pills to stave off the pain and/or wd symptoms. Each time I mentioned this to my Dr. he told me to take more of them. I became tired of relying on the pills which were quickly becoming ineffective. At then end there I was taking about 120+ mg a day. I needed one just to get up out of bed. I had planned on weaning myself slowly from the pills, but wound up losing the bottle (right after I cancelled my appointment with the Dr
). So, I went through wd cold turkey. I thought I was going to die. Vomiting stomach acid, muscle spasms, you name it, it happened to me. I was able to move around about 4 days later. I went to a new doctor (an osteopath) and explicitly stated I didn't want narcotic treatment for my pain. Docs get a lot nicer after you tell them that. She gave me Lidoderm patches and Voltaren osteoarthritis gel. They don't work one bit. I'm still in near constant pain and can hardly walk. I feel hopeless and have begun to withdraw from everyone around me. I can't concentrate due to the pain. I've had a constant case of the runs and other flu like symptoms ever since I stopped taking the pills.
Does anyone else dealing with chronic injury-related pain have any tips on how to stay off the pills? As soon as I told the doctor I didn't want narcotics she told me that they might be my only option. Funny how things work that way. I'm having such a hard time dealing with all of this pain again and my mental/emotional state isn't the best. I feel run down, nauseous, and exhausted.
How much longer until I feel better? I'd really appreciate any tips. I actually fantasized about laying down on the trolley tracks the other day.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,504
Hi,
I'm sorry for the pain that you are dealing with.
My experience is with fibromyalgia, but I know from that, that chronic pain is exhausting physically and mentally. There were days when I could think of nothing else, but the pain.
I wonder if you have talked to a pain specialist? Many cities have clinics devoted to dealing with pain and you might find something helpful.
I'm sorry for the pain that you are dealing with.
My experience is with fibromyalgia, but I know from that, that chronic pain is exhausting physically and mentally. There were days when I could think of nothing else, but the pain.
I wonder if you have talked to a pain specialist? Many cities have clinics devoted to dealing with pain and you might find something helpful.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
We have a specific forum for those in recovery who deal with chronic pain. Take a look.
Recovery and Pain Management - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
Recovery and Pain Management - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome violetfemme - I'm so sorry you going through this. I hope you keep looking for solutions. In addition to the link that least posted, you may want to check out the section on substance abuse, too, and see what others have gone through in relation to pain meds.
I think Anna's suggestion of a pain specialist is a good idea. I really hope you can find some answers, and some relief.:ghug3
I think Anna's suggestion of a pain specialist is a good idea. I really hope you can find some answers, and some relief.:ghug3
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Thanks so much everyone! I will check out the chronic pain section on here for sure!
The pain specialist was the one feeding me all of the oxycodones. He gave me 56 a week and had no problem upping the amount as I needed more. The osteopath, who I have a visit with in 5 weeks says that she'll refer me to a different pain specialist if the gel & patches don't work.
I was wondering if the pain I'm feeling could be due to withdrawl at this point? Maybe it just seems like it hurts even more because I'm not used to having any severe pain at all? How long does it take for someone to get back to a "baseline" pre-opiate treatment level?
Thanks again to everyone so much!
The pain specialist was the one feeding me all of the oxycodones. He gave me 56 a week and had no problem upping the amount as I needed more. The osteopath, who I have a visit with in 5 weeks says that she'll refer me to a different pain specialist if the gel & patches don't work.
I was wondering if the pain I'm feeling could be due to withdrawl at this point? Maybe it just seems like it hurts even more because I'm not used to having any severe pain at all? How long does it take for someone to get back to a "baseline" pre-opiate treatment level?
Thanks again to everyone so much!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,439
hi violetfemme - welcome to SR
I'm afraid I know nothing about oxys...but I agree with the consensus here - I think getting a second professional opinion on your pain and treatment is your best option
D
I'm afraid I know nothing about oxys...but I agree with the consensus here - I think getting a second professional opinion on your pain and treatment is your best option
D
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