Back Pain - what to tell doctor about meds ...
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 64
Back Pain - what to tell doctor about meds ...
I think the stress I went through worrying about my health, finally getting to the doctor, then the waiting ... then the release when I got my results ... really did a number on me. Since yesterday, my back has been knotted up and if I move too quickly, my lower back completely locks. Now that I know I can take Tylenol again, I went and got some regular strength. I threw out the Tylenol I had with Codeine because I didn't want ANYthing addictive in the house. But it hurts a lot and I don't know if I can even go to a yoga class.
So, my question is ... let's say I end up having to go to the doctor, I am wondering what the point is if I say "Please don't give me anything that I can abuse or become addicted to." There really isn't anything the doctor can do because anything he will prescribe will be stronger than what I can get at the pharmacy.
I don't want anything to mess with my sobriety. How do you handle pain in this situation? I hope I wake up feeling better, but if this gets worse, I will end up having to be seen. This is all new to me .... up until a month ago, I would have been excited to go to the doctor for my back and lap up whatever they were giving out.
So, my question is ... let's say I end up having to go to the doctor, I am wondering what the point is if I say "Please don't give me anything that I can abuse or become addicted to." There really isn't anything the doctor can do because anything he will prescribe will be stronger than what I can get at the pharmacy.
I don't want anything to mess with my sobriety. How do you handle pain in this situation? I hope I wake up feeling better, but if this gets worse, I will end up having to be seen. This is all new to me .... up until a month ago, I would have been excited to go to the doctor for my back and lap up whatever they were giving out.
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
I think the stress I went through worrying about my health, finally getting to the doctor, then the waiting ... then the release when I got my results ... really did a number on me. Since yesterday, my back has been knotted up and if I move too quickly, my lower back completely locks. Now that I know I can take Tylenol again, I went and got some regular strength. I threw out the Tylenol I had with Codeine because I didn't want ANYthing addictive in the house. But it hurts a lot and I don't know if I can even go to a yoga class.
So, my question is ... let's say I end up having to go to the doctor, I am wondering what the point is if I say "Please don't give me anything that I can abuse or become addicted to." There really isn't anything the doctor can do because anything he will prescribe will be stronger than what I can get at the pharmacy.
I don't want anything to mess with my sobriety. How do you handle pain in this situation? I hope I wake up feeling better, but if this gets worse, I will end up having to be seen. This is all new to me .... up until a month ago, I would have been excited to go to the doctor for my back and lap up whatever they were giving out.
So, my question is ... let's say I end up having to go to the doctor, I am wondering what the point is if I say "Please don't give me anything that I can abuse or become addicted to." There really isn't anything the doctor can do because anything he will prescribe will be stronger than what I can get at the pharmacy.
I don't want anything to mess with my sobriety. How do you handle pain in this situation? I hope I wake up feeling better, but if this gets worse, I will end up having to be seen. This is all new to me .... up until a month ago, I would have been excited to go to the doctor for my back and lap up whatever they were giving out.
Since I suspect my back or neck problems may come back in the future, my plan is to 1) fully inform my doctor about my history of problems with addiction, particularly as they relate to pain pills, 2) request that he prescribes pain meds as conservatively as possible and 3) if he does prescribe pain pills, get an 'accountability partner' from my program (Lifering) who I would report to about my use, and obviously strictly stick to prescribing guidelines.
I personally don't think someone "in recovery" should suffer through terrible pain just because of their history - but they should be quite careful. Just my two cents.
-DrS
Hi luisalehz
There are usually non addictive treatments available - if your Dr knows about your alcoholism they should take that into account but it doesn't hurt to remind them either.
Don't skip too far ahead tho, if Tylenol is doing the trick right now- good
D
There are usually non addictive treatments available - if your Dr knows about your alcoholism they should take that into account but it doesn't hurt to remind them either.
Don't skip too far ahead tho, if Tylenol is doing the trick right now- good
D
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