Hey edge,
Sure im happy to explain. Im completely coming off all medication, sans aleve. So I was 27 when my l5 s1 vertebra popped, herniated, and lost all fluid. For two year I went to every place you could imagine, from acupuncture, epidurals, PT, spine surgeons (they wanted to do spinal fusion) I would have lost 60% twisting movement and they said I might only be 10% better. So at that time I had a 2 year old daughter, I love golfing, and skiing, oh and the wife, I think you can guess where that's going.
So finally I went everywhere my primary dr sent me too, and thousands later, I told him nothing worked and argued with him for a long time. I needed to work, was living a 6 figure lifestyle and told him I wanted a pain mgmt specialist. Finally he gave in and sent me to one. At that point im 29. Fast forward 7 years, I went from about 155lbs to 235. I was becoming very lazy, missing work and most importantly I was missing my own daughters life. (Forgot this part but at 32 I had disk replacement surgery, paid 50k out of pocket because insurance didn't cover it) Recovery from that surgery took awhile a long while. Since I was addicted to the meds, more physically then mentally at that point, I just kept going to the pain dr. I do have nearly complete movement back and at 32 I didnt want to not be able to show my daughter how to ski or golf.
Okay, back to the present, missing everything I mentioned was a big part. However, when I was constantly counting my meds to make sure I had enough, and if I didn't, what could I do to get some. I thought about seeing if I could steal some from my 95 year old nana. This was on 8/28/14, I thank god for the moment of clarity and I thought what the fuck are you doing and thinking?!? I realized my mind was now fucked too, not just my physical addiction. That day I called rehab/detox and checked in on the 29th. I called my dad told him what I was doing, I was supposed to go on vacation for labor day weekend, he came up and supported me.
So I detoxed for 7 days then left, im either 27 or 28 days clean now. I have no urge for the meds, but the lingering PAWS, im going to have to endure will be lengthy, I probably wont be back to even for another year.
Also the meds were a big part of getting off too. Its so hard to get them even with a valid prescription. Every other month my normal pharmacy wouldn't have it(walgreens). So then you have to go all over gods green earth to find them because you cant function without them. Pharmacies wont tell you if they have oxy or morphine for fear of being robbed. Not to mention the FDA is putting more restrictions on these meds because of the massive abuse in the US. So I also got tired of the rat race, tired of it all.
Im going to get back into shape and use electric stimulation and hydro therapy to help. Don't get it twisted though, im still in pain and I have numbness in both legs. Weirdly though I was in more pain while taking the meds, I feel better now and my mind is coming back.
Hope this answers any questions you may have had, feel free to msg me if you have any other questions.
I wish you the best, just know what you're getting into,
Bob
