10 replies to this topic

[sugar31281]

i'm toni and new here. it was july 1,2010 when i wrecked and it broke my T/4 T/3 spine and severed my spinal cord. i still havn't ben through all my Spinal Cord Injury therapy, i am ready to get moving on. i start on friday GOD willing. i was an addict in recovery prior to my wreck, was on the suboxone program but my family thinks i shouldn't be on any narcotic pain medications. i have tried many non narcotic meds and many muscle relaxers for my spasms but they don't work. i have found what works for me and i want to stick with it and i know in time the pain level may go down after therapy and in time and i can wean myself beack off hopefully and get beck on the suboxone program and eventually be off it all. i have 2 beautiful kids to live for and don'y need drugs for the same reason i used to use them for. but right now with the therapy and this is still real new and i hurt really bad. chronically. how can i make them understand i need this medicine and i feel strong enough to monitor it myself. i go to church and aa/na as much as i can. they just want to be in control of everything and i am a grown 29 year old woman. i can handle this. how can i convince them of this? any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[jscott92064]

Time is your friend here. Let them see over time you are responsible and can handle your pain meds according to the directions on the prescriptions.

[wiggy]

Family, sometimes, can be a very strong influence in decisions that really need to be made by oneself.

Sometimes only the opiates help in the first several weeks. The good thing about being in a hospital/rehab setting is one really does not have the ability to abuse any of the drugs that are administered for pain. I would advise that you explain this to your family. Also, I would advise that you let your physician know that you were on a program prior to your accident, if you haven't already.

I am glad to hear that you were already taking steps to making your life better, please do not lose that strength.

Something that I kept thinking when I was in the hospital is that God will only give you as much as you can handle. Sometimes it feels like one can not handle it, but He provides strength and courage when you ask for it.

-wiggy-

[Lucky]

I too tried the same med a few yrs back. It's mainly Buprenophine and although these days used to treat people wanting to give up heroin etc, it was a strong pain-killer before and it also comes in patches too.
I found it a very useful drug.
Good luck.

[Lucky]

I too tried the same med a few yrs back. It's mainly Buprenophine and although these days used to treat people wanting to give up heroin etc, it was a strong pain-killer before and it also comes in patches too.
I found it a very useful drug.
Good luck.

[tyvin]

Ah the double edged sword or catch 22 which ever floats your boat. You must decide for yourself and not spend useless energy trying to convince "other" people you know what's best. Show them by example. Your pain will subside post injury (hopefully); the all important question is when. Diet and exercise are crucial at this point and have a very important role in healing the body. You have just as much right as anyone else to pain relief.

You sound confident in what you're doing. Pain management is just that. So for the non-believers they will just have to sit and see. You might be on pain meds for years; who knows but the skill lies in being able to manage it and like you very well know not to abuse it. It's always hard when a former addict gets physically hurt and requires the stuff that nearly killed them to keep them well. I've seen some pretty barbaric stuff done to patients in this predicament. You sound confident and that right there is the key along with diet and exercise. Pooh hoo to them; if they can't trust you, I wouldn't even bother. Enjoy your children and your life.

[Snakeye]

Opiate addiction in much like alcoholism...Once addicted always adicted is the rule of thumb...I would find an alternative to opiates as soon as your condition allows otherwise one finds excuses to stay on them..I can understand your families concern..It's your call and ya gottan be a big girl on this deal for your children's sake...Be brutally honest with yourself about this issue for your very future depends on your being able to cut through the BS going on in your head and do the right thing whatever that may be in your case.You will have enough problems dealing with your condition and rehab. Ya don't need to carry your old demons on your back at the same time.You'll find it a rough row to hoe but I'd bet if you reach down deep you'll find the strength to do what ya gotta do.. ...Good luck..

[evilmac64]

I'm a addict was before am now 3 yrs out still taking mega doses sometimes the meds make me hurt worse i take them any way just sayin

[harlton]

Hi,
I've been taking Dilaudid now for close to 20yrs. 4 x 16mg for a long time,and then they put me on gabapentin 10yrs ago, I reduced the dilaudid down to 4mgs x 4 daily, I couldn't physically manage anymore. last year my Dr put me back up to 8mg x 4.
Many have called me an addict, out of ignorance, but I am always clear headed, except for when the pain gets the better of me.
I've never taken more than I should, infact the opposite is true. Diluadid and the gabapentin combined is all that has ever worked for me, and they have tried me on everything.
My medical file is now kept separate, together with all the other narcotically medicated pain patients, in plain veiw. As the police now have the right to search and siezure without a warrant and the right to enter any premisises and sieze anything they like including others medical files. Both my pharmastist and my GP have been away on courses on this, and many are just plain refusing.
Problems with narcotics are not going, away even if you have done nothing wrong. We just have to be very very carefull. I live in Ontario Canada.
I have never had a problem with any substance and have no criminal record, no charges or even suggestions that I know of. It's just our new laws. This is something the disabled community should watch, and something to be aware of when you embark on your pain management solution.
It's happening in lot's of places very quitely. I wish you luck.

Regards Ian

[LostHillsRoller]

In time if you show them that you are responsible enough to contol your medication, then I don't see why they would not trust you again. Keep working on it.

[munkypoop]

sugar31281, on 06 October 2010 - 01:10 AM, said:

i'm toni and new here. it was july 1,2010 when i wrecked and it broke my T/4 T/3 spine and severed my spinal cord. i still havn't ben through all my Spinal Cord Injury therapy, i am ready to get moving on. i start on friday GOD willing. i was an addict in recovery prior to my wreck, was on the suboxone program but my family thinks i shouldn't be on any narcotic pain medications. i have tried many non narcotic meds and many muscle relaxers for my spasms but they don't work. i have found what works for me and i want to stick with it and i know in time the pain level may go down after therapy and in time and i can wean myself beack off hopefully and get beck on the suboxone program and eventually be off it all. i have 2 beautiful kids to live for and don'y need drugs for the same reason i used to use them for. but right now with the therapy and this is still real new and i hurt really bad. chronically. how can i make them understand i need this medicine and i feel strong enough to monitor it myself. i go to church and aa/na as much as i can. they just want to be in control of everything and i am a grown 29 year old woman. i can handle this. how can i convince them of this? any advice will be greatly appreciated.

just because it is a narcotic, does not mean you will get addicted. I have oxycodone and Loratab for five years. I usually do not take them unless I absolutely have to. For the first couple years, my parents had to convince me and forced me to take them. And now, I'm not addicted to them. I can totally tell that, and when I go a while without taking them. I do not have withdrawals. However, those pain patches work very well but there are withdrawals once they are on too long or you: go without them, but that happens when you are constantly wearing them for a while