I finally got in to see my pain management doctor today and laid everything out on the table. He was actually really nice about it. (I was sure he'd kick me out of his practice.) We talked about my addiction issues, my recent hospitalization, and pretty much everything. He actually talked about putting me on a long acting pain medication (like methadone), and I told him that I didn't want to be on opioids because I just didn't feel like I could trust myself. My husband was with me and he agreed.
So what the doctor did was gave me zanaflex (a muscle relaxant which I have taken before and didn't have problems with--he told me it's not habit forming, although I really think anything can be.) He also gave me a prescription for tramadol. He told me that some people consider it to be addictive and others don't. He thought it would be OK for me to take it with my husband holding it for me. I am nervous about it--I want pain relief, but I don't want to end up at square one.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this, especially if any of you have ever taken tramadol or have chronic pain.
Dude, I used to snort Well-butrin... LOL you're right, any mind altering substance is a potential threat for us. But working with your doctor and a sponsor is the best way to go. I honestly don't have any idea what I would do if I had to deal with chronic pain. I would be curious to hear what these wise fellow addicts on here have to say too....It's awesome that you are being honest:) Thank you for that:)
What does your sponsor say? I don't have experience with cronic pain. I have once in my recovery had to take a narcotic pain reliever. Personally I didn't like it and have hoped to never need to again. I know that I work in a treatmnet facility and we don't allow Tramadol because they say it is addictive. We use something called Torodol which they say is non-addictive. I do have to agree that as addicts anything can be addictive for us. I used to abuse things that weren't even drugs (pixie sticks). I would really suggest that you talk to your sponsor and seek out those in meetings with direct experience with chronic pain and medication. I know addicts are out there who can help. Is your husband in recovery?
It's nice to know I'm not the only one who snoted Wellbutrin. Clean I had a doctor try to give it to me. I said no ot the doctor and I ahd to tell him I used to abuse it. He asked me why and if it did anything? When I told him no I realizied I had a problem.
Be careful with the tramadol. I am one that was addicted to pain meds. Tramadol is a light one but can still kick your ass if you are not used to it. Never start on morphene, diladud, or demeral. These were my down point. Good luck and be safe.
Lets be pragmatic. 1) How bad is your pain is it interfering with the activities of your daily living ie can't work, clean the house etc. or is it interfering with the quality of your life or both? 2) Have you tried hot packs , cold packs , massage exercise, yoga, meditation. 3) Have you considered letting your husband or sponsor or someone you trust, hold your pain medication to reduce your chance to relapse. It sounds like a pain in the butt but if needed why not? 4) What have others in your fellowship done to met this challenge in their recovey
I see a chronic pain Dr and he gives me enough to last 2 weeks and they only last 5 days. If you have a tolerance to pain meds taking as prescribed won't kill your pain. so you ll just eat more and more. and if your boyfriend gives them to you 1-2 every 4-6 hours or less they won't help so why even take any?? Why take something that could hook ya if the recommended dose dont help? You ll abuse them just to get the pain relief
I also detoxed off of opiates & alcohol a couple of months ago. I have severe TMJ and I have to have an anti-inflamatory or my jaw locks up. After talking w/ my Dr. he changed my meds to Tramadol. It's supposedly not very addictve but there does seem to be a lot of controversy concerning it. I am taking it exactly as it is prescribed and yes I must admit that is even scary. It's actually a "synthetic opiate" or at least that's what my counselor told me. Being afraid of something like relapse or having to start over is actually a healthy fear. Let me know how it works for you because it seems to be helping my pain w/out the high. Good Luck, Stacey
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