Opioids Advice Wanted - 75 days clean of opiates - Big Time Surgery coming up

[timetohunt]

2012 was a year that I was constantly trying to get clean from opiate use (oxy and oxymorphone pill snorting). It was not as heavy a year of use from previous years because I would get clean for a few weeks then anxiety sent me back into short opiate runs when I 'thought' I needed to get things done. It certainly was not a good year because of constantly withdrawing at least once a month. The 4 years prior were pretty much constant heavy use with a couple tries at getting clean. I finally made it to this point of being clean by finding ways to limit my anxiety and most importantly cutting off every possible source.....and no I can't just drive to a city street corner and get stuff.......its just not like that here in the country and I would never do that anyway. I am finally done thank god, the fallout, the hurt, would be too much if I went back.

My dilemma is this. I have a major surgery coming up. I informed the doctor that I was an addict, and of my high tolerance. His take was that because of the amount of post surgery pain involved that some opiate pain medication would be needed..... Ibuprofen and NSAIDS were not going to allow me from howling throughout the night in pain. His rationale being that the stress of pain and possibly not sleeping could put the healing of the surgical wounds at risk. He thought a week to 10 day supply may be appropriate, something like 3x 15mg or 30mg oxys per day administered by my wife, he is aware that hydrocodone will not work with my tolerance given the amount of APAP that my liver would have to endure (and hes right, I tried some Hydro a few months back and it did nothing but make me puke).

I told him that 10 days was way too much and too long given the struggle that has me clean for 75 days. Even a week is too long I think. Since the worst pain is the first few days, I suggested 3 days of opiate therapy (4 max possibly) and then done, move to NSAIDS after that. If I have to scream a little, then so be it.

My question to you all is this. If I do take painkillers for 3 days (lets say it is 30mg roxi as needed, he is thinking one in the day and twice at night when pain seems to peak), again the REAL questions:

1. Will this put me way back in my progress, in other words, am I just going to feel a little crappy after those 3 days and then be able to pick up where I left off in feeling OK as I go thru my PAWS, or am I going to lose weeks or even months of progress and sort of start over again ? Maybe it is important to state that I do experience PAWS symptoms at times, esp anxiety. Even my stomach is not quite right yet.

2. Or perhaps since I am 75 days clean (by surgery time it will 80 or more) will I get a freebee, and not suffer any opiate rebound at all ?

Note: One thing it will not do is have me looking for more, I simply put myself in a position where I know that cannot and will not happen, so I will not be on the hunt. I'm just worried about feeling withdrawal since I know that I am upregulated from all of the previous use, and scared of going back to freekin start. Scares the hell out me. I do also know about post surgical pain, as my previous Tib/Fib post surgery was close to unbearable without opiate pain killers for the first week. So the post surgical pain also adds it own scary element.

Experience advice wanted. Thank you and bless.

 

[kwhat]

in my opinion 3-5 days of 90mg oxy use you shouldnt feel any withdrawal. possible maybe a little since it all depends from person to person, and if so just use loperamide or kratom for a cpl days after to combat any wd. the only way your gonna let this set you back is if you let it, obviously your your own worst enemy in this case and if you let it get into your head that you were able to use opiates successfully for 5 days and rationalize that you can get back into it then your screwed.

 

[timetohunt]

Thanks for your input Kwhat. Its just that I have heard some accounts that folks who have been clean for some time experience a set back even on a short and moderate run of use. For example instead of me being at day 80, might put me back to where I was at 2 weeks from a PAWS perspective.

 

[macd610]

Timetohunt,
You know what I think? I think that based on your post, your motivation to stay clean will get you through any setback. It is absolutely awesome that you have come this far and it's clear that you want to stay on this path. IMHO, it's all about one's motives. It would be different if you were excited about the idea of being able to take opiates without the guilt. That says alot. So does the fact that you were open and honest with your surgeon about your history.
I realize that you are concerned mainly about losing progress and PAWS and stuff. even if someone else went through something similar, everybody is different in the end.
I'm guessing that you won't have much trouble, if any at all. I know it's hard, but try not to stress so much over this and give it so much power in your mind. You really are simply doing what you need to do to get through post surgical pain. Period. And if you feel a little rough afterward, it seems like you are strong enough and dedicated enough to handle it and keep going.
Best of luck And please keep us up to date.
Cat

 

[luckyshot04]

I don't think a few days is going to set you back to where you were. In fact, I like at the end you said that you won't be looking for more. That says a lot and tells me that you're serious.

However, the doctor is correct about stress and lack of sleep relating to your wounds properly healing. The body can take a lot, but I don't think you want to be laid up for the first few days knowing that taking your medication as prescribed might give you relief to at least make it through somewhat comfortable.

If you don't think you're going to look for more and you can mentally handle a few days of usage, you should be fine. I don't think you'll wake up on the fourth day craving the next high again. If anything, I would assume you'll wake up with a sore body, but a clear head.

Good luck!

 

[enoughorangejuice?]

if i were you i'd get the normal drugs they'd give anybody (midazolam/valium IV + fentanyl/demerol/etc). since you'll actually be in pain and need the relief you won't get anyhwee as high as you would normally (without surgrey or pain);

 

[Serotonin101]

You might get mild withdrawals. Some uncomfortability. Shouldn't be too bad. At least oxycodone has a short half life so that's a plus. I wish you the best of luck. I'm almost 14 months clean and I dread the day I may need opioid pain relief (knee and back problems run in my family)

 

[bunge]

As the above posters said, a few days of opiate therapy wont set you back. You might get a little anxiety wgen you come off the opiates but if you weigh that against the relief you will get from the post surgical pain then its a fair trade.
Addiction-wise youve got to remember that when the pain is genuinely bad and your doses are set at the correct level to cover your pain without giving a strong high, then the addictive element is alot less in effect. Couple that with the relatively short-time you will be using opiates (less then a week if I understand right?) And the risk of relapse is minimal. What would be more risky to your recovery would be to try and go without the pain relief until the pain has you so run down that you end up hospitalised for a long period of time and still end up with opiates. Using opioids for their intended/designed use isnt something to be ashamed or frightened of. Instead, be proud of yourself for the massive progress you have made and the fantastic attitude you have towards your recovery and future.
Btw good luck with your surgery.

 

[Mass08]

Good luck with your surgery brother and may you have a speedy recovery!

That being said, I honestly think you would be setting yourself further back if you decided to completely abstain from your opiate based pain medications. They are used and prescribed for a reason man, recovering from surgery is extremely painful. Couple this with the fact that opiate abuse can lead to hyperalgesia you might be really really hurting after your surgery. Take the pain medications as long as you need them and just take them at the lowest dose that keeps you comfortable. Even if you take them for 7 days and are left with 2-3 days of feeling a little off, that is a worth sacrifice than going 7 days in aboslute fuckin hell. Good luck again.

 

[timetohunt]

Thank you all for the encouraging entries. Above all else it was post opiate anxiety during withdrawal that reeled me back in during my times of trying to quit, that and lethargy. That anxiety literally kept me in hiding, wouldn't even drive my vehicle for fear that I would kill somebody because I was so tense and sweating like crazy. I was one of those types that got mega energy and productivity from opiates (it would take elephant doses to induce any kind of nod, even then I still kept going). The thing that has finally saved me in this process of being clean was that I did give myself enough time and found some of my natural energy coming back (which in return reduced anxiety). Having a bit of general anxiety disorder was one thing that turned me to using in the first place. I am still a bit scared of even a legitimate, monitored 3 or 4 day 'Free-lapse'. Its not going back into full blown use than scares me (won't happen), its the ground I might lose. I can get very depressed over something like that - then I become immobile again - then when things don't get done, back comes the anxiety storm. Maybe I can do it like the old days, a bottle of whiskey and something to bite on. As requested I will post back after the surgery. The experience might help someone else. Lets face it, some of us addicts are going to have to have some kind of surgery or situation where full agonist opiates are needed. Yet another reason not to get involved with the poppy, because when the time comes ......... having to explain to your surgeon how to treat your pain after a 300mg per day oxy habit........... This really can complicate medical/dental related challenges when they come down the pike. And since we are not machines, those times eventually do come.

 

[timetohunt]

if i were you i'd get the normal drugs they'd give anybody (midazolam/valium IV + fentanyl/demerol/etc). since you'll actually be in pain and need the relief you won't get anyhwee as high as you would normally (without surgrey or pain);

I only think I will be in hospital one day after the surgery, unless there are complications. So if they use what you are talking about I will likely be zoned out for that day......its when I get back home is the issue. I don't care what they run through the IV at the hospital. I have almost no say in that. But I do have some input as to what to do when I get home.

 

[Xn1919]

been in your shoes before man.. as long as u take it WHEN you need it and not let your mind tell you to take more to feel good and get energy you will be fine but once the pain is gone man completely flush the things dont let them stay around for you to get a wild hair and take one.. you will be fine man best of luck.