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Ouch	Oct-13-02, 04:25 PM (CMT)
"Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
I have been trying to wean myself off Vicodin since August. How do I stop taking it when I have several migraines per/mo, and still have pelvic pain from my hyst? Since July 16, I have had: 1. Hysterectomy 2. Non Specific pelvic inf 3. Infection in the tooth I cracked during surgery 4. Root Canal in that tooth 5. Infection following root canal 6. Numerous migraines 7. Severe urinary inf 8. Pain following post and temp crown procedure in the root canal tooth. 9. Increased insomnia I have not had one day of no pain in months. Most days I have at least (6) pain somewhere. My dr doesn't understand this, or thinks I should just endure the pain. I've tried, but I just can't do it. On the 27th of Sept my dr. wrote a perscription of 30 Vicodin. I am supposed to take 1 per day. I haven't been able to do that. I hurt, and hurt. Sandra
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RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, lesherb, Oct-13-02, (1) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, gina5234, Oct-13-02, (2) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Ouch, Oct-13-02, (3) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Richard, Oct-13-02, (4) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, cherieo, Oct-13-02, (5) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Ouch, Oct-13-02, (6) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, ejvill, Oct-14-02, (7) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, heavyhead, Oct-14-02, (8) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Ouch, Oct-14-02, (9) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, tmensink, Oct-14-02, (10) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Labtec, Oct-14-02, (11) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, hpilgrim, Oct-15-02, (12) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Richard, Oct-15-02, (13) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Norma, Oct-15-02, (14) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Ouch, Oct-15-02, (15) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Richard, Oct-15-02, (16) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, painfullintx, Oct-15-02, (17) RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful, Labtec, Oct-15-02, (18)

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Messages in this topic

lesherb	Oct-13-02, 04:39 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
Oh Sandra, I wish I could do something to help you. I am fortunate to only have migraine pain. The vicodin could be causing rebounds but I can understand your needing it for the pelvic pain and tooth pain. Can you go into your doctor for a visit and tell him/her what you have told us? I don't know if you are supposed to have pain for so long after a hysterectomy. Keep us posted! Łeslie
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gina5234	Oct-13-02, 04:49 PM (CMT)
2. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
You have really had a bad time of it lately. As if migranes aren't enough, going through all that other pain on top of it just doesn't seem fair. I don't think at this time your doctor should be trying to wean you off vicodin. That is crazy with all the pain you have going on. When you take the one vidodin, do you ever take a couple of Ibuprofen with it? For me, that seems to help relieve even more of the pain because it helps with some inflammation. It also seems to make the vicodin last longer (for me anyway). Just an idea to maybe help some. Does your doctor expect you to not need anything for pain right now? Is she going to refuse to give you pain killer? Have you still been going to the pain clinic and have they been able to help at all? Sorry for all the questions. I am so sorry you are having to go through all this pain. That is terrible. You would think the doctors would be a little more sympathetic given all that has happened. I really hope you feel better soon! You have had more than anyone should ever have in such a short time.
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	Ouch	Oct-13-02, 05:01 PM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	I can't take any NSAIDS. They irritate my stomach after only one. I mean hold my stomache, and throat from the burning pain. I have GERD, and NSAIDS add to the acid I already have too much of. I haven't gone back to the pain clinic. Still waiting for the ins approval. My dr will restrict my pain meds. She has done it before. That is why I rushed into having the hyst. I couldn't imagine having labor pain type cramps, that put me to bed in agony, every month, without Vicodin to help. As you know the Vicodin doesn't take the pain away, it just helps. I used to take 20 Vicodin per/mo for migraine, and 20 Vicodin for MP cramps. She restricted me to 20 Vicodin p/mo regardless of the extra amount of pain I had. It was just too bad if I had labor pain type cramps, got hurt, or whatever. I can't take triptans either. They give me chest pain, and aching pain all over my body. I also get nausea, and vomiting with triptans. I see my gyn on Oct 16. I am going to ask him for more time to heal. Sandra
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	Richard	Oct-13-02, 06:05 PM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	This is a really tough spot. Your gyn has been so supportive of you through this ordeal ... I hope your next visit goes well also. Another way of communicating the level and intensity of pain you experience is by communicating how it limits your normal activities. Some level of pain is "tolerable" in that one can still go to work or drive a car with that level of pain. Other types of pain leave one crying or screaming in a quiet dark room for an entire day. My pain manager's 1 to 10 scale has "smiley faces" over each number. Number 1 is a typical smiley face where number 10 reminds me of Ronda's husband's "Scream" drawing on this website. Another consideration is that there are many, many alternatives to Vicodin. But it sure seems your doctor is pain-management-leary. Hope that referral to a pain clinic works out soon for you. Wishing you nothing but well, Richard Ronda's Cast of Characters http://home.pacbell.net/seprgs/cast100.html
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	cherieo	Oct-13-02, 07:26 PM (CMT)
	5. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	LAST EDITED ON Oct-13-02 AT 07:27 PM (CMT) When you had your hysterectomy did they leave an ovary? If so ask your GYN doctor if you should be on hormones. That ovary can react at the time of your cycle and cause cramp like pains that seem as bad as before surgery. The hormones keep this from happening. Just a thought.
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	Ouch	Oct-13-02, 07:51 PM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Yes, I do have both. I will ask my gyn about hormone therapy. Thanks for the tip. Sandra
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ejvill	Oct-14-02, 04:23 PM (CMT)
7. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
Sandra, There is a good book out there by David S. Sobel MD. and Robert Ornstein PhD. called "The Healthy Mind Healthy Body". Its a handbook/workbook that allows you to get in touch with YOU. And it deals with Chronic Pain and Chronic Illness along with many other illnesses, inc doctors/patients. It deals with many issues that a person with a chronic illness goes through and can relate to and gives yourself ways to prepare. EJ
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	heavyhead	Oct-14-02, 04:50 PM (CMT)
	8. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Ouch...this may not apply at all, but i know that pain medication can at times increases one's pain Especially thru the withdrawl period or if in a cycle of tolerance. When taking opiads your body stops manufacturing its normal pain killing chemicals (that is why we go thru withdrawl when stopping them) If your body has gotten 'used' to a certain amount of pain killer in the system, it might be making your pain evern worse...because your body now needs external medication to fight pain. I know this has happened to me in the past.....especially with tooth pain! Does this make sense....i am not all here this evening Sorry you are going thru all this. I hope your dr is willing to work thru it with you hh
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	Ouch	Oct-14-02, 05:31 PM (CMT)
	9. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	EJ, I called my book store and ordered it. It will be there in about a week. It will cost $14.95. Thanks so much for the tip! Sandra
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	tmensink	Oct-14-02, 05:57 PM (CMT)
	10. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Hi Everyone, Sandra, I surely can identify with your present situation been there done that, its not a nice lifestyle to be in. Its sounds like as usual everyone at Rhondas has been as helpful as can be, and hopefully you feel supported if nothing else. Sometimes its times like these where ideas from others is where we can gain inner strength, try and use your support here to keep your chin up... Having said that I will add my two cents worth. I understand you are waiting to get into a pain clinic?? That being true hopefully it is just a matter of time an you will be in an understanding situation, its how to get from here to there with out going crazy from pain. I think now more than ever you should choose either path, try and cope with what meds you can get and how many until you get help (not meaning anything other than prescription meds or OTC) in times where I was desperate a few otc meds which helped me by were robacet extra strength, nyquill extra strength, advil migraine, 222's etc. As someone else had posted these along with what you have could at least stretch them. The other path I am refering to is do whatever including doctors help to get off these vicodin, as they could be to the point where they are causing you more problems than helping not to mention it may be a good time to regroup and look at what are your pain levels etc. If you have someone close to you who can actually support you through the withdrawl and the pain that would be helpfull and of course you have our support here no matter what path you take. Just a thought I know how you feel about going off all meds, as I said I had no choice had to do it. AND it was my doctor who was sending me to the pain clinic along with the doctors there that took all my meds that helped me away, I thought they were NUTS, literally. BUT truthfully Sandra that was the beginning of getting some of my life back, trust me long story. My experience though it was very tough and at the time I was terribly angry at it seemed like the world, I know in my heart that was the only way to go. It was the way they could learn more about my pain and what my triggers were, and for them to dispell any ideas they had about rebound, addiction, hypochondriac and then some. NOW I have diagnosis, doctors who believe, and medications that help. Believe me whatever you do I wish you the same, that you get whatever it is you need to cope with all this pain and for them to either fix the problem OR give you ways to cope with what you have no choice about. Sorry I get long winded, but I am worried about you, so please keep us posted your definately in my thoughts, hang on help is on the way!!! Bye Roxy.
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	Labtec	Oct-14-02, 10:19 PM (CMT)
	11. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Sandra, I am going to be very honest with you and everyone who reads this post. I have had migs for over 20 years. I am now 40. I have also tried every med known to man and for what ever reason they don't work or the side affects are just to much to handle. The only med that works for me is also Vicodin. It works, I love it! I also liked the fact that it helped me sleep and I mean sleep hard. But of course they are very hard to get. I finally found this doctor that I currently have now and he use to give me all the vicodin I wanted. I got up to 120 a month. He would refill them like clock work every month. Then I became tolerant to the dosage and started taking a lot more than I should of. I started taking all 120 in 7 days. Yep, 7 days! Then I would start to go through some very hard withdrawls and I had pain every where. Even my back would hurt, but my doctor wouldn't refill the RX except for every 30 days. So I was starting to fake injuries and other problems just get them. I would go to urgent care and the ER just to get a RX. Well, I finally told my doctor what I was doing and that I needed help. I am currently going through detox and it has been hell, but I feel better about my self. I still haven't found anything else that works for my migs, but for right now I'm just taking Maxalt & Excedrin. It helps for the mild ones. I'm spilling out my guts here not to air my faults or to get any pats on the back, I'm doing it becuase narcotics can become very addicting no matter what you use them for. Some people can use them just for there pain, but there are some people like me that started to use them just to get high... I hope this helps and I know your pain is true. I'm NOT calling you an addict by all means, I just feel for you and I hope you find some peace soon! There I did it! Boy, what a lift off my shoulders...
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	hpilgrim	Oct-15-02, 08:37 AM (CMT)
	12. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Sandra, I wish I had some words of wisdom for you - I currently take 2 Lortab a day, and am unable to cut down from that (I've tried!) Hydrocodone is tough stuff - it does help my back (which is why they were originally prescribed) but if I miss a dose, I hurt everywhere! I have tapered off and quit them twice, and made it fairly well through the day (just gritting my teeth), but my main problem was that I couldn't get ANY sleep, I hurt so badly.... Right now 2 a day is not enough, but so far I have had the strength not to ramp up.... because I saw my husband, who has RSD, go from Lortab to Morphine (and lots of it) over the course of several years. That is not a road I want to go down - It is so hard to hurt, though--- you'd think we'd all be used to it by now, but that's not the way it works, with me at least.... I become less and less stoic every day. You have been, and remain in our prayers here at my house, and will continue to be... Please keep us posted, Sandra-- Holly
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	Richard	Oct-15-02, 08:49 AM (CMT)
	13. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	LAST EDITED ON Oct-15-02 AT 08:51 AM (CMT) Good Morning Labtec and Sandra, Labtec, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story of misuse of Vicodin. That took some real courage, my friend. I stand in awe of you and your willingness to share a painful part of your life in an effort to offer help to someone else. I thank you, I applaud you, I support you. Your story shows the difference between addiction and physical dependance better than all my essays on the subject. Using more than prescribed (120 in 7 days), lying to get more - these are signs of addiction. Using as prescribed, when prescribed ... these are signs of physical dependance. Sandra ... it has been a few days since your initial posting. I do hope things are better by now. As my pain manager tells me, "If you can't wean yourself off for a drug holiday, Richard, that's OK. There is nothing "moral" about it. We are talking about a medical condition, not a matter of moral judgement." I think the same thing applies to all people in pain with a physical dependance. Hang In There, Sandra! Richard Ronda's Cast of Characters http://home.pacbell.net/seprgs/cast100.html
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	Norma	Oct-15-02, 01:21 PM (CMT)
	14. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Sandra--it seems to me that you are between a rock and a hard place. You are being "granted" just enough vicodin to keep you dependent, but not enough to relieve your pain. So you are stuck with the very worst of both worlds--in pain from your health conditions and from withdrawal, and no effective treatment for either. I hope you find an acceptable way our of that situation soon. Norma
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	Ouch	Oct-15-02, 06:40 PM (CMT)
	15. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Another thing I am facing is going back to work. I see my gyn tomorrow, and he may release me back to work. I am NOT ready to go back to work. I am going to take my pain diary to the appt, and show him my woes, and how they affect me. I'm not sure that I can even work 1/2 time yet. Right now I have to pick which activities I can do, and which I have to give up. My husband wanted me to go to Salem, a 1/2 hr drive, and explore a Sportman's Warehouse. I told him I could do that, or I could play cards at his Mom's that night. I couldn't do both. Exhaustion, and pain that puts me to bed occurs if I over do. I'm also afraid my migraines will increase if I go back to work. My body has been physically stressed since BEFORE my hyst in July. Since the hyst it has been stressed even more. My sleep habits are turned upside down too. I can't get to sleep before 4:00AM most of the time. Then I am asleep/awake/asleep/awake, until about 6:00AM, then I sleep good until 11:00AM or noon. My work hours will probably be 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM. I have put the going/not going back to work into God's Hands. I have asked Him to have my gyn treat me as He would if He was my human physician. Sandra
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	Richard	Oct-15-02, 06:50 PM (CMT)
	16. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Hey Sandra, I understand from your postings how very much your gyn's opinion and its impact has on you. I hope the appointment tomorrow is positive for you. By "positive" I mean that I hope you leave the office feeling that you were honestly heard, regardless of the outcome. I think Norma is right on the money regarding the pain reliever prescription situation. Just remember that we are discussing a medical condition and not strength vs weakness or good vs immoral. You are a strong person. An incredibly strong human being. Lots has been heaped on your plate this year. A whole lot. A lessor person would have thrown in the towel months ago. Hang In There! Richard Ronda's Cast of Characters http://home.pacbell.net/seprgs/cast100.html
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	painfullintx	Oct-15-02, 07:00 PM (CMT)
	17. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	LAST EDITED ON Oct-15-02 AT 07:31 PM (CMT) I hope this works. I went and read all of what was written to you and man was I way off base. So to whom ever had already read what I wrote, please dont even pay no mind to me. My migraine has just made me plain azz stupid. I am so sorry. But I do hope this deletes. I wish you all the luck in the world and I will post to you when my thoughts are just a little more clear. Until then though you arre inmy prayers and thoughts. love patti west texas
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	Labtec	Oct-15-02, 07:29 PM (CMT)
	18. "RE: Vicodin wean is unsuccessful"
	Wow Richard, Thank you very much for your very kind words of encouragement. It sure is nice to know that I'm not being judged. I already have enough of that in my life.... Sandra, How did the doctor visit go today? It was today wasn't it? Pls let us know.
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