Pain pills are controlling me.

Are you saying your pain medication is not helping manage your pain ? Are you expecting to be pain free ? Have you discussed with your doctor the pain medication not working ?

Hi,
I don't know what happened. My neck is alot better! It's my lower back and middle back. The thoracic region has arthritis. Going to get nerve ablation done on the 11th to calm it down, I hope. They are working on getting the si joints approved, so I can get nerve ablation done on them.
My problem is I am taking too many pain pills. My brain knows that I am in trouble, but I can't stop! I never thought this would happen to me. I have always took it on time. Not early.
Should I go into rehab? Or get my husband to give me my pills on schedule?I am afraid that I can't function without my pain pills. I have too much pain. The tylenol doesn't help by itself. The pain pills don't hardly work. I don't know what to do......

Only you can make the decision on what path to take. If you go with having your husband keep your pills are you willing to give up your extras to him? We have had some members that have had prior issues with drugs/alcohol & will let a husband or family member keep their meds so they are not tempted to take more than they should. Rehab is an option since you have insurance. The main thing that stands out in your post is you say the pain pills help very little. If this is truly the case it is pointless to keep taking them, you have boxed yourself in a corner.

It seems that your anxiety is in high gear too. I suggest that you work on getting the anxiety down the best you can too. You know the microscope chronic pain patients live under now.

Take care.

I have no personal experience with rehab, some have reported here good & bad. Just a guess on my part it depends on the facility. They will take you off of your pain medication, from what I am understanding it is a group setting more than individual care. My thoughts are see what facilities are covered under your insurance & go check them out in person, if this is something you are considering.

It sounds like you are feeling overwhelmed with everything at this point. I agree with Straydog about addressing the anxiety. Having your husband help with your meds can be a good thing at least to give you peace of mind. Once you feel more comfortable and in control, you can have him hand them back over if you want. I ran a rehab program for 7 years and can give you information if you need some. Many of us struggle at times with feeling like our pain and or meds control our lives. The fact that you are willing to allow someone to help you is a good sign.

Each facility will have their own protocol. This is why I suggested that you go in person & talk to them about their program.

How will you manage your severe physical pain without pain medication long term ? This is something you need to seriously think about. You need to be prepared for no doctor to prescribe you opiates. You also need to be prepared for the attitude of some doctors towards addicts.

Psychological addiction is not something you overcome by going to rehab. It is something you will struggle with for the rest of your life. I am not sure if you are saying you like your pain meds because you like the high they give you. Or if you are saying your physical conditions have worsened tot the point you need stronger pain medication to manage it. The two are worlds apart. Do you crave your pain meds because you like the high ? If you do, you are addicted to them. Being physical dependent on pain medication to manage pain. Is different than craving the high.

Have you discussed an increase with your pain management doctor ? This could be another pain medication that is stronger. If you have,and your doctor said no way. Have you considered finding a,new,pain management doctor?

Doctors do not prescribe opiates as,freely as they use to. But they do still prescribe,them. Some doctors listen to their patients and adjust dosages,when needed. Unfortunately, some doctors do not. But, it does not hurt to have a frank discussion with your doctor. Some will give a temporary increase until surgery or procedures can be performed.

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 6/8/2019 5:35:54 PM (GMT-6)

Hi,
Pain mgt will not give an increase. Done asked. I have anxiety meds that I can take. It is what it is. I am on WC. They are the only pain mgt that takes the wc ins.The epidurals don't work anymore. That's why I am going to try the nerve ablations. Every day is a struggle. I'm not going to rehab. I googled it. I will give my husband my pills and see how that goes. Tired of living like this.........I really am.

AMDD

I'm in a similar boat. Live in the woods an hour and a half from my docs. Ten years of seeing pain management and it stops working, one procedure at a time over years. My first steroid injection worked for 2 years, but then a year and then only months and then maybe a couple of days.

Thoracic ablation is a hospital procedure, not safe to be done in an office, says my pain doc. I've had lumbar and cervical several times and they did help.... for a while. Even ablations don't take care of everything. I've got bad radiculopathy in left arm, pain in legs, starting to have urinary incontinence/urgency, vision problems. All can be caused by spinal cord being pinched.

It's time to talk to a neurosurgeon. When meds stop working you don't have any other recourse. I've seen mine and am getting new MRIs next week. If you haven't had one for a year it's time to ask.

I'm one of the 10% who do not react to regular doses of opioids. I don't react at all to many types. Talk to your doctor about maybe getting genetic testing. It's available. I'm planning on doing it myself if my doc won't. I see him in a couple of days.

My pain doc finally wanted me to get off meds and go on marijuana. So I went to the neurosurgeon who repaired my broken neck 6 years ago. He was concerned with my symptoms. That made me feel better. I don't expect to be cured, but some relief from pain that meds don't touch would be enough.

Don't take more than the prescribed opioids. Losing your doctor just isn't worth it! Don't overdo tylenol either! I use distraction, heating pad, my little hot tub. Maybe get phys therapy.

Hi,
I've tried pt several times also. I am hoping the nerve ablations help. I DO need another surgery, but I decided to take my loose hardware out instead. I've been having problems ever since. The Dr told me he was glad that I decided against the surgery. He said my spine would never be normal anyway.
AMDD

Thanks so much Jake. When I look forward in my life, all I see is pain and I just cry and cry. My daughter has Crohns since she was 15. She will never be able to have any kids. She is my only child so I will never have grandkids. I pray for everyone that's on this board. We are all in pain.

AMDD