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Advice on how to deal with withdrawal Symptoms

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Posted 5/14/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Percocet 10/325 four times daily for
about 3 years now. Last month out of no where the doctor
Decided to decrease the Meds to three times a day because he said he was going to try me on lyrica as well. Well I tried to explain to him that the workers comp insurance does not cover the lyrica and he said he would talk to my case worker and get it sorted out, but I am
Still waiting. In the mean time it has been almost impossible to take the Meds less then 4 times daily because my pain has been really bad. One a scale from one to ten it had been a ten almost
Every day. I am going to run out of Meds a few days before my refill
And I am so afraid I'm going to go threw withdrawals. I take Xanax for
Anxiety which I heard will help. I also have an rx for lyrica that at this point I'm contemplating paying cash for if it will help me not have to suffer through withdrawals till next week. I don't really have the money but the insurance won't cover it. I realize I jumping the gun here as idk if I will even have with drawls, but I know I am going to be suffering in a lot of pain either way with no Meds. Ugh this is so frustrating. I tried to call the doctor to get an appt to come in and talk to him about it but they cannot get me in till next week. What can I expect to go through and what can I do to lessen the effects? Thanks for your help
Posted 5/14/2013 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Liza,

Welcome to HealingWell.... just got caught up on your posts...

A few things:

It definitely sounds like you haven't found the "right" meds to cover your pain - so I hear that for sure. I saw you mention on the other thread about not having something for "breakthrough" pain. Percocet is a short-acting medication that is typically used in CP patients as BT medication. Many of us are on an "extended release medication" - such as morphine, oxycontin, fentanyl, etc (not all, but many).

I can only tell you what I would do. I wouldn't tell the doctor that you've taken more than prescribed and that you are going to run out early. (more on that in a moment). With many pain doctors being reluctant to prescribe medications.... that it's a WC case.... I just would not jeopardize my relationship w/ my doctor by saying that I took more.

What I would do is get the Lyrica filled. I know it's an added expense.... but if there's anyway that you can at least cover this first month of it - that's what I would do. Who knows? It may be the medication that really helps w/ your pain.

From here - I would take the remaining Percocets and try to stretch them as far as possible until your doctor's appt - even if that means dropping your dosage to 2x a day, or even 1x a day. Having "something" on board will be better than several days w/out something (just my opinion).

How long have you been taking this dosage? I don't know if you'll have W/D symptoms.... but that's why I say to stretch your meds out. In addition, I do think that having the anxiety medication will help and so forth.

From here - when you do get to see your doctor - I would just be really upfront that the 3x times a day is not covering your pain.... and until the Lyrica gets in your system - would he be willing to put it back at 4x a day.... etc. You just really have to advocate for yourself, be really open and honest about how this affecting your day to day life, etc.

That all being said.... narcotics are just one part of the puzzle. There's other meds (like the lyrica and so forth).... I don't know what else you've said in your other thread that you've tried - but there are trigger point injections; epidurals; other procedures; physical therapy; getting good rest; eating healthy and on down the line.

I also noticed in your other thread that you mentioned depression..... I would definitely see a doctor about this symptom... there are several here (myself included) that are on anti-depressants.... However, do you have a primary doctor? I *think* that's the route I might go w/ the depression issue....

Hang in there. I know how difficult it is to be experiencing pain, not have the right meds on board, etc.

--Tina
Posted 5/14/2013 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Liza. I replied on the other thread but didn't know you had the Lyrica script.

Tina gave you some sound advice and I only wanted to add that your pharmacy may allow you to partial fill on the lyrica since it's expensive and your first time filling it so you don't want to put out that kind of cost not knowing if you can take it.

Also with the depression issues Cymbalta may prove more efficient in dealing with both. Something to keep in mind and look into discussing with your Dr.

Good luck and hopefully you can get all this worked thru next week.
Posted 5/15/2013 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I would either ask your Dr for samples and tell him you cannot afford it (it is going to cost you hundreds). There an older form of Lyrica called Gabapentin (sp?). It doesn't work as well, but it is generic. Good luck!
Posted 5/15/2013 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
As we are in the same boat I thought I would give you my 2 cents.  Get some immodium! I am on day 3 without any pain meds as I took a fall and took them off schedule.  I take a stronger dosage than you so maybe your symptoms will be lighter. The diarrhea is the most annoying. Keep busy! I have come to school all 3 days and kept my mind occupied. I had to use a cane and partial wheelchair time as the pain is excruciating, but I'm not climbing the walls. Lastly make sure you sleep! I have ambien, but otc might work. I read other sites and was terrified of the withdrawl after 3 years on meds. Personally I find strength in inspiratinal music wether its Helen Reddy "I Am Woman" (ya know "if I have to I can do anything) or Elvis gospel (I know my age is showing)  I hope this helps you. just post again if you need anything.
Posted 5/15/2013 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Liza... What I can say is try to take very little of your pain meds until you go back... being in some pain is better than being sick from withdrawals... I would also ask if the Dr. can get samples of the Lyrica for you.. I am lucky that my PCP always has samples of meds for me... from insulin to hormones to anything... As was said before you don't seem to be on the right pain meds to actually help.. I would let him/her know this... Maybe they just don't realize how much pain you are really in..

Good Luck and keep us posted.
Posted 5/15/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
keep a sweat shirt or blanket handy as you may go from hot to cold very quickly.  As I said my dosage is much higher so hopefully you will have milder sympoms.  I took the meds when I fell now I don't have them. Sometimes the world does exactly as expected and it sucks! I am a suck it up and deal with it kind of chick which explains why I am at work in such pain. I have been at work all 3 days without meds and the "Withdrawl hell" I read about before I found this forum has not hit.

I am a big advocate of honesty I am always brutally honest my pain Dr. Honesty really is the best policy! (It's the school teacher/mom in me!):)

Posted 5/15/2013 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I honestly doubt you are going to have any kind of withdrawal issues from decreasing your percs from 4 a day to 3 a day. You are still going to have that medication in your system and it is when all narcotics are gone from your system is typically when withdrawal symptoms are going to occur.
Posted 5/15/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Jim -

If I read it right, I think OP is going to be out early - because of using above the 3x a day.... I think that's what she was asking the question about.

-- Tina
Posted 5/24/2013 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I had a terrible case of shingles. I did not notice that Lyrica did anything for my pain at all, even at maximum dose. Just so you know.
Posted 5/25/2013 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Lucid and welcome to the chronic pain forum.

We would all love to hear your story and offer you a proper HW welcome.

If you would start your own thread introducing your self and give everyone a chance to say hi. Many times when you make your first post on another thread its missed by members.

Thanks and welcome.
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