Percocet replacement

Try whatever the doc recommends. We have to jump through the hoops until the doc comes up with a solution. I tried everything and finally settled on tramadol, but that doesn't work for everyone. Prescribing the more regulated opioids for years does not make our docs happy. They want us on less addictive stuff, maybe for fear (reasonable) they will be in trouble for prescribing too many narcotics.

Welcome to the fibro forum. If you feel like you are not taking anymore then you should and they are not causing you any problems I wouldn't change my pain meds. If you are not having problems taking them, you are considered dependent and not addicted. I use to be on tons of narcotics and I became very addicted to them. They caused me havoc in my household. This is we're my addiction Dr. Said you need a change. He knew I had severe chronic pain from a neck injury. So he didn't want me without something. So I went on subutex for pain controlled. It less addictive for me and I just need 1 1/2 tabs a day. I got so much healthier being off the other narcotics. I would talk to your Dr. about the difference between addicted and dependent. If you get no where, I would go see another Dr. Or ask for a referral to pain management. Some Dr's are willing to write a referral then write a narcotic script. You are right opiate withdrawal is not fun. You have to be honest with yourself about your meds. If you feel like you take them appropriate and they cause you no problems, then I wouldn't come off them. If you are like me, chronic pain can push my mental buttons. It a fine balance usung narcotics. I finally feel I have good pain control and live a happy productive life. I hope you find that balance for yourself.

I take more pain medication than I'd like to but the alternative is worse. I've been on them for years so I have a very high tolerance.

The first Dr. that prescribed them for me told me that he hated some people's opinions of them. He said when you're in the hospital, all the Dr.'s want to do is keep you out of pain, once you're out, you're on your own. So true for many people.

If you go to the National Pain Foundation website you will find that less than 1% of Chronic pain patients actually become addicted to their pain medication. Dependency is a totally different animal. That is a normal body response. There is a pseudo-addiction where your pain is not being controlled so you want more (I've had that) and I think Dr.'s confuse that with a person wanting drugs.

Find a dr. who understands that quality of life is important. Tell him/her what your pain limits you from doing. I've actually come out and said, "if I didn't speak for myself, I'd be doing myself a disservice...."

Ive never been 'high' from my medication so maybe that's why I dont' crave it, and it does not take away all of my pain. I don't know if anything ever will. At some point you may want a Dr. who will prescribe a long acting med with a breakthrough med. That is the best combo. I have done tons of research because I've not taken this pain medication thing lightly AT ALL. But, like I said, the alternative is not something I even care to think about.

Good Luck.

I was taking Percs and thought I'm going to try going back down to norco. Now I have to take 1 1/2 to take edge off and honestly that isn't helping much. I talked to my rheumy this week and she said I may need to go back to the percs to get the pain under control. I hate taking medication but I'm also aware if I don't take it I can't function. My quality of life isn't the greatest anyway and if I cut back on my pain meds it's worse.

So, do I live the rest of my life on pain meds and other meds? Prayerfully no! God is still in the miracle buisness...so, I await the manifistation of mine!!!!

It's raining and cold here in SE texas..but tomorrow 20 degrees warmer...after all it's Texas!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone..

It sure does Debbie. We never know what to expect next. We all need to take it one day at a time.

I hope everybody feels better soon.

Hugs to all,

Karen

I know your doctor might want you on something different but if the opiates work try sticking with
them. I've been on all sorts of crap from the doc and the only thing that works is the opiates. They
are a plant based pain killer where most of the other stuff is synthetic. For me that doesn't work as they
make me real sick so I'll stick with plants. I do mostly hemopathic remedies and use skelaxin and
hydrocordone when I have to.

Actually many of them test to make sure you ARE taking them and not selling or taking other meds as well.
It's really quite a humilitating position to be in when you know that some bad apples have ruined it for those of us who are truly in daily pain and not abusing our medication but need it to have some sort of quality of life if only for short spurts of time!

I guess we put up with what we have to even though it's tough to fight the stigma sometimes.