Opiate Withdrawal and I'm about to start Chemotherapy?!

[SentencedToBirth]

Not sure if I'm posting in the right section seeing as this is my first post. I'll start with a little back story...

I grew up down south here in FL when the blues were cheap. as. hell. Got prescribed them easily for sports injuries right out of highschool and was on Roxys, Dilaudid, OC, the works from 2008 to 2012. 2012 all the pharms started closin and they changed the laws blah blah blah. I went to a rehab and got off the stuff and have been clean since 2013.
(Only telling you this part to indicate that I am not narcotic-naive)

Fast forward to 2015. I was diagnosed with StageII Embryonal Tesitcular Cancer and it has metastasized to my lymphnodes and a tiny spot in my lungs.
I was in the hospital for two weeks undergoing a few surgeries and they had been giving me 3mg Dilaudid IV evr 6 hours, plus 20mg OxyContin twice a day, plus 10mg oxycodone IR as needed every four hours (needless to say I took them every 4 hours like clockwork because I was bored and I love the feeling)
They sent me home with 2 weeks worth of instant release oxys and time release oxys.
I just ran out 3 days ago and wasnt expecting much of a withdrawal since I'd been taking everything as prescribed. I was on 24 hour opiates for a strait 4 weeks. Unfortunately I started having nasty WD. I thought I would just kick it no big deal but I caved in an found some H like a dumbass.

I thought I had some time before chemotherapy would start (Doc said we'd be lookin at the first of December). So I thought I had time to kick everything and be clean when it came to chemo because I def wont be able to score when Im doing chemo. Doctor calls me yesterday and says my cancer proteins in my blood doubled so they wanna start chemo ASAP.

Should I tell my doctor that I have previously been addicted to prescribed (and illicit) opiates and that I am experiencing withdrawal and that I am obtaining opiates illicitly? I am terrified because it can be very dangerous to start withdrawal the same time I take my first dose of chemo (ill be taking BEP chemo a real ass kicker)
I kind of want to ask the doctor if he can give me something to taper me down or even if he can prescribe me a low dose of methadone or something while I'm going through this process.
I am worried about telling him about my history and my current predicament because I'm scared they wont believe me that I'm in pain once I have further surgeries and when I'm on chemo. I am concerned that telling him Im an addict might send up a little red flag and I dont want to be miserable through all this. I'm not emotionally or mentally addicted to the stuff like i was years ago just physically.

Has anyone ever been in this predicament? Any insight, advice, personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ranDumbNumb-er]

Cancer docs don't get scrutinized as hard about drugs as other doctors do. Basically, you became dependent on opiods on his watch, so I hope he'd help you get off them. I don't think you have to mention your past or the stop-gap measure. The oxycontin could have lasted until now, and tons of people become addicted on prescribed doses and durations. Maybe two weeks post-hospital was too long.

 

[Drderms]

You should be fine if you need them , you need them there's no other way around it . Just because you're going through withdrawal because of the drugs they prescribed doesn't mean they can't treat you well I'd like to think so anyway

 

[herbavore]

I would advise being completely honest with your doctor. You do not want to be sick from both things at once. I'm very sorry to hear that you are having to deal with cancer at such an early age. My husband has been on the "C" train for four years now and it's a rough ride. My advice is to find good doctors and make sure they are all communicating.

 

[motiv311]

he needs to know that you are dependent and it happened under his care, he should maintain or withdraw you; but not make you go through WD while you're in chemo, thats too much for a person to take all at once.... I would be honest , but don't tell him that you did H or that you were hooked if you wish to keep doing opiates (honestly, docs can get an impression anyway without too much information, better to keep the info on the tighter side, that way he can deny anything if it came back to him)

 

[neversickanymore]

I would certainly continue the opiates for now, just find a legal way.. should not be that hard at all. Also look into cannabis therapy for common side effects associated with chemo. Fuck the laws, just do whats right for you.

 

[JunkieBuster]

All of your doctors, or attending physicians needs to be aware of any past substance abuse. Although, given your circumstances, and in a controlled environment, and with no long term history of abuse they will likely continue to prescribe opiate medication. If you're in chemotherapy, there is still the potential for medication abuse. Unfortunately, and fortunately, there are no medications that are quite as effective at relieving pain as opiates. You need to have a close, personal discussion with your prescribing doctor about your past substance abuse to help formulate a plan to HELP, and not hinder you. There are also various medications that can be prescribed for off-label usage that help treat pain. Like I stated though, nothing is quite as effective as opiate medication, or opiates themselves. Your doctor should fully understand where you're coming from, and granted you have no major substance abuse history, should be willing to prescribe, or talk to you, and find the appropriate medication to help treat your illness. Don't be afraid to voice your concerns with potential substance abuse to your doctors.