Harm Reduction The Pain Management Mega Thread Version 4

[RodRamsey]

Don't feel bad about anything. I been an addict of everything you can imagine. Only after life threatening moment or major pain with an injury do I notice how bad I was. None of that matters anymore when your pain level is in the 9-10 range. First deal with immediate issue then you will be able to detox off pain meds. I living proof of that. Dealing without doctors or self treatment is scary sometimes but neccessary if they can't help you. I would say do what you have to, nobody can function with breakthru pain.

 

[Doomed2pain]

I know what you mean Rod, spend my usual day at a 9, it is so draining and this is all I have to look forward to, constant and utterly soul destroying pain. The temperature has changed here and I'm really struggling tonight

 

[bennyZA]

Just an update, I put on a new patch. 50 mcg/hr (which is usually good enough for everyday pain) and then I put probably 25mcg/hr worth of patch on my gums. I feel a lot better, but I just used an entire patch and 1/2 before I needed to.

In regards to the fent lollipop, he will def not prescribe that. I would love one, but they're not going to give a super strong IR opiate to someone with an addiction problem... I would probably need, at the very least, 30mg + of oxy to feel anything more on top of the fent patches.

Fuck I feel bad... I'm a patch and a 1/2 short and I did some junkie shit by putting it on my gums. I'm also really worried that now that I started I'm going to go down the path of abuse again.

 

[RodRamsey]

I know what you mean Rod, spend my usual day at a 9, it is so draining and this is all I have to look forward to, constant and utterly soul destroying pain. The temperature has changed here and I'm really struggling tonight

I used to pay no attention to the elements. Now it effects me greatly, specially humidity. That last heatwave almost killed me lol. Was taking 8 cold showers and living on cold cutts. Everything was messed up by that heat. Hope you feeling better and get some relief from pain and the weather.


@benny
Ya those lolly pops hard to come by. Usually only cancer breakthru patients. Since you have that history like I do also, the doctors will treat you differently. My friend used to eat and smoke patches lol. Don't worry about it, your in real pain not a junkie. Its hard to treat someone who has a past issue with meds and now really needs them. Most dr's can't handle that. England on here mentioned methadone and I have also heard its awesome for pain. Its very addictive which why I can't do it but your pain level is way higher than mine. Might consider methadone or research its use as pain treatment. Feel better, they going to give you more patches right?

 

[bennyZA]

I can't blame anyone for my addiction but myself, but at the same time I sometimes feel that this whole addiction to opiates could have been avoided if the doctors had done a better job managing my pain in the beginning. I loved opiates, always have, but I was a coke addict, not a junkie until my accident. No one knew about my addictions at the time, so when I left the hospital they just handed me a shit ton of OxyContin and sent me on my way. Well, surprise, surprise, an unsupervised, unlimited oxycontin prescription started my decent into opiate addiction. When they started tapering me, they still gave me IR whatever I wanted as long as it was weaker than 3x80mg. For awhile, after my OD, they would only give me suboxone for the pain. I had to beg and plead for a year until I got something more, the fentanyl patches. So now I can't get proper pain control simply because they had no qualms about giving me so much to start with. I don't care if someone has history of abuse or not, if you are getting 240mg of OC a day, you need to be monitored, sign a contract, something...

But again, I can't blame anyone for my addiction. The only person I can blame for my situation is me. Now I have to live in pain, and it's my fault.

 

[RodRamsey]

Suboxone pretty useless on pain but good for getting off opiates. I was on over 500mg of liquid oxy per day and the suboxone probably saved my life. Methadone is good on pain and treats for opiate use. You mentioned some od tendancies so maybe methadone not a good choice. Sounds like they started you way too high on oxy dosage then you developed a tolerance. I built major tolerance and had wd sysmptoms even at that redicilous dose of 500mg. These meds simply don't work on real pain. I think in next couple years something else going to come out. All these opiate/morphine derivatives are useless and antquated therapy for pain. Hopefully the scientists will stop taking drugs and figure out something new that actually works. The doctors around here look higher than anyone else. Wonder where all the meds are going! Right up the dr's nose.

 

[bennyZA]

I actually od'd on methadone. It's the only opiate I will never touch, even if I'm in pain and is offered to me by someone for free. Too scared. The reason they started me on such a high dose of oxy is cause I fucked myself up. Really bad. REALLY BAD. I have trouble walking 4 years later. I can't use my right arm for anything than the most basic shit, and I have to be very careful about what I do with my left. I had three relativley minor surgeries on said limbs, but they didn't take and they got worse. I need 3 more surgeries in the coming year. This time they're going to be EXTREMELY invasive. That's one of the reasons for the super high dose of oxy to start. the other being that, naturally, I have a VERY VERY high tolerance to opiates. First time I ever took an opiate, ever, I had to take 20mg of hydro to get adequate pain relief, and I was 15yo. I have a very serious neurological disorder, which probably explains a lot.

In the end, I just want to be pain free. Because of my stupid mistakes, I will never achieve that goal. The pain I'm in, physically and mentally, is also one of the driving forces for me getting high.

This is the most fucked up part: I'm actually looking forward to the surgery because the doctor said it was so painful that I would be in patient for several days just to control the pain, and I'm going to be on megadoses of opiates. For once, I actually think I might be pain free for a hot minute. Seriously, I'm excited about being in the hospital for a few days just to control pain. How fucked up is that? These are the main reasons I want to die...

 

[PagingDrFeelgood]

So my tiger found out she has arteritis in her left hip even though she is only 19 (stupid disability) She was on codeine before MRI results came back, and found that if she took three instead of two she would feel high and it would help her sleep really well. My tiger has now been prescribed two panadol at night and two in the morning with an extra dose during the middle of the day if she needs it. My question is what can I expect from this medication in terms of coping with the pain and other general feelings on it?

 

[bennyZA]

So my tiger found out she has arteritis in her left hip even though she is only 19 (stupid disability) She was on codeine before MRI results came back, and found that if she took three instead of two she would feel high and it would help her sleep really well. My tiger has now been prescribed two panadol at night and two in the morning with an extra dose during the middle of the day if she needs it. My question is what can I expect from this medication in terms of coping with the pain and other general feelings on it?

Hello! From your post I'm going to infer that you are new to Bluelight, so welcome! Unfortunately I know nothing about Tiger anatomy and I was curious as how you got a tiger to lay still during an MRI. I kid of course. Here at BL we don't like to talk in the 3rd person or use SWIM or whatever. It is both confusing for the reader and a pain in the ass for the writer. I can assure you that no one will come knocking at your door because you said I/me.

Also, it is important to remember that no one here on BL is a medical professional. No medical advice can be given. What I can tell you is that panadol is tylenol/apap/acetaminophen/paracetamol (all the same thing). So if you've taken tylenol, you'll now how it will work. Codeine is an opiate that must be prescribed (in most countries), it has a high abuse potential, and it is addictive. If you are curious about the codeine high, there is plenty of information if you search. If you're looking for a comparison between tylenol and codeine, you will find that they're nothing alike. Tylenol is an anti-inflammatory drug and works mostly by reducing inflammation. Codeine works on your endogenous opiate receptors. For most people codeine is far more effective, but that comes at a price. Hope that helps

 

[RodRamsey]

Codeine is legal in japan and china. They have this drink mix for colds that has alot of codeine in it. My old college roomate had them and yes I stole almost the whole box lol. Codeine is soo weak for me, anytime its offered I refuse it, waste of my time. Morphine, codeine even vics I never really had any relief from them or any fun recreationally. I suppose if your very low tolersnce it could help. Even when I was 12 and broke my wrist skateboarding codeine didn't work at all and basically I took nothing. Those meds are soo old school IMO. Think they need to work hard on a new approach to pain treatment, new meds everything. I heard rumors something is being tested but who knows when available or if it really works. Morphine based pain relief belongs back in the 1800s when it was developed for battlefield use.

 

[Lifeinpain]

So my tiger found out she has arteritis in her left hip even though she is only 19 (stupid disability) She was on codeine before MRI results came back, and found that if she took three instead of two she would feel high and it would help her sleep really well. My tiger has now been prescribed two panadol at night and two in the morning with an extra dose during the middle of the day if she needs it. My question is what can I expect from this medication in terms of coping with the pain and other general feelings on it?

Hey, Welcome. . . Just to clarify . . . You said you had arteritis which is an inflammation of the walls of arteries. But, I also wondered if you misspoke meaning to say Arthritis a joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints? Moe

 

[bennyZA]

Codeine is legal in japan and china. They have this drink mix for colds that has alot of codeine in it. My old college roomate had them and yes I stole almost the whole box lol. Codeine is soo weak for me, anytime its offered I refuse it, waste of my time. Morphine, codeine even vics I never really had any relief from them or any fun recreationally. I suppose if your very low tolersnce it could help. Even when I was 12 and broke my wrist skateboarding codeine didn't work at all and basically I took nothing. Those meds are soo old school IMO. Think they need to work hard on a new approach to pain treatment, new meds everything. I heard rumors something is being tested but who knows when available or if it really works. Morphine based pain relief belongs back in the 1800s when it was developed for battlefield use.

Codeine does work well for a lot of people. I wish codeine + NSAIDS were OTC in the states. Sometimes NSAIDS could use a little boost, even if it is tiny. You don't need to "feel it" in order to get pain relief. For a lot of people who don't even realize codeine is an opiate, and who just have minor pain, a few mg's of codeine really helps. Also, for a lot of people, large doses of codeine can really mess you up.

Morphine and vicodin, in regards to those, I'm shocked that you think they have no merit. For most people vicodin is more than enough. For a lot of opiate naive people vicodin is too strong. Even for recreational use, if you do CWE and have a low tolerance, then take 20+ mg of hydrocode, you are going to fly. If you take 100mg, it is easily as much as an an oral OC 80.

As for morphine, I'm going to have to completely disagree with you. Oral morphine maybe weak in small doses, but it can be VERY strong in higher doses. Morphine IV is also pretty damn strong. In several studies, people were given heroin and morphine and IV almost no one could tell the difference. In one study, people preferred morphine. Saying that it should be only used for battlefield medicine in the 1800's leads me to believe that you do not have much experience with morphine. When I was in the hospital for a couple weeks from a serious accident, IV morphine worked far better than dilaudid for pain. Morphine is just as legitimate today as it used to be. I think opiate pain-killers have reached a point where they don't need to discover anymore. They already have every opiate for every conceivable pain issue. I think the most important thing they should work on is making a non-addictive, non-opiate, pain medication that is just as effective.

You might just have very weird body chemistry.

 

[RodRamsey]

Ya I have enormous tolerance way back even as a child. Always had injuries and broken bones. They give me vics or codeine and nothing happens for pain or fun. I know alot of people enjoy them. My friend is 6'5" 325 lbs and a vic 5 will knock him out. So everyone has different metabolism. Who knows why but the only thing that helped me was high doses of oxy and roxy. Thats it, unfortunately those two are the most abused by me and everyone else. I was also given morphine pills, iv, huge doses. It works for about 10-20 minutes on me whatever dose. The nurse give me my shot then leave and 20 mins later I back to 9-10 level pain. This is after surgery from a trauma incident. Have had soo many injuries over the years and when they pull out the ole morphine shot I say forget it. Actually 20mg of oxy works better for me because it lasts longer. For breakthru instant relief maybe morphine is good but I was in pain 24/7 and can't use something that wears off soo fast. The next patient may have totally different experience. I know old people with real issues and morphine helps them. I used to get vials of liquid oxy and that was obviously the strongest ever and lasted very long. Thats very hard to find or afford these days. The fent lolly pops were unbelievably strong and I understand why alot of nontolerant patients die on them. Thats why its soo hard to get them. Honestly they were too much for me and just put me out for an hour. After the hour I right back to normal. Basically I've tried it all, had broken tones of bones, stabbed 3-4 times, been shot most recently, then 3 surgeries for that, now I can't mess around with opiates. They too addictive and my tolerance is thru the roof. I take nsaids and thats it,dealin with it. Pain is everyday part of my life. Somedays I'm active others don't want to move.

 

[TooOldForThis]

Can you go back?

Hi Everyone,

I feel a bit guilty even posting a question in this thread, because my pain does not come close to what you all suffer with every day. I do have pain in my back. I have had two surgeries, and been told that I will always have pain issues. My pain, however, comes and goes, depending on what I have done or not done that particular day. I have a pain management contract with my GP. I do not doctor shop, or buy off the street (at least not yet!). But I take my pain meds recreationally, and then typically run out at least a week early. I do not take them daily, so I am constantly getting high, then going through a mini withdrawal. My major withdrawal symptom is exhaustion. I am not working now, so I end up spending one or more days a week in bed all day. I have tried having my husband hold my meds for me, which helps me to not completely binge on them, but he will give them to me whenever I want. I don't want to make him my jailer.
I know I am fucking up. I don't mind if you wish to flame me for being an idiot. I deserve it. At this point I have not suffered any real consequences. The fact that I haven't OD'd is a miracle (I love to mix things). I know that if I continue down this road, I am going to fuck up and possibly lose my pain meds. I know I could have much worse consequences, but that is one of them.
Has anyone out there been able to go back to using their pain meds only for pain after crossing that line and using them recreationally? I should mention that I am on a tiny dose (60 perc) a month. And I have been abusing them to some extent for 5 years. It has just gotten much worse lately.
I know the best answer would be to give them up completely, but when a bad flair up happens, I am not able to function without them. So far I have been lucky and not had one of my bad flair ups when I have been out of meds.
Thanks for reading this and for any honest answers you wish to give. I have such empathy for people who suffer on a daily basis.

 

[RodRamsey]

Honestly coming off percs is said to be worse than heroin because it last 10 times longer. The percs go deep into muscle tissue and takes awhile to get it out of your system. Your on a low dose so don't worry too much. When you feeling good try to skip doses and hopefuly your script will last longer. Don't want to tell doctor you like mixing or any abuse issues. They cutt you off quick. There's always suboxone if your having bad withdrawls but that just as addictive. Best to have those bad days and try streching your meds as much as possible. Feel better and what you describe is very common issue with percs. Soo easy to abuse so be careful, keep on the low dose. I used to take your whole months script every day 7 days a week. Thats a real predicament nobody want to be in.

 

[Lifeinpain]

Hi Everyone,

I feel a bit guilty even posting a question in this thread, because my pain does not come close to what you all suffer with every day. I do have pain in my back. I have had two surgeries, and been told that I will always have pain issues. My pain, however, comes and goes, depending on what I have done or not done that particular day. I have a pain management contract with my GP. I do not doctor shop, or buy off the street (at least not yet!). But I take my pain meds recreationally, and then typically run out at least a week early. I do not take them daily, so I am constantly getting high, then going through a mini withdrawal. My major withdrawal symptom is exhaustion. I am not working now, so I end up spending one or more days a week in bed all day. I have tried having my husband hold my meds for me, which helps me to not completely binge on them, but he will give them to me whenever I want. I don't want to make him my jailer.
I know I am fucking up. I don't mind if you wish to flame me for being an idiot. I deserve it. At this point I have not suffered any real consequences. The fact that I haven't OD'd is a miracle (I love to mix things). I know that if I continue down this road, I am going to fuck up and possibly lose my pain meds. I know I could have much worse consequences, but that is one of them.
Has anyone out there been able to go back to using their pain meds only for pain after crossing that line and using them recreationally? I should mention that I am on a tiny dose (60 perc) a month. And I have been abusing them to some extent for 5 years. It has just gotten much worse lately.
I know the best answer would be to give them up completely, but when a bad flair up happens, I am not able to function without them. So far I have been lucky and not had one of my bad flair ups when I have been out of meds.
Thanks for reading this and for any honest answers you wish to give. I have such empathy for people who suffer on a daily basis.

You should re-read your post a few times, As mentioned you abuse you medications and have done so for many years, taking them to get high is more of a priority than taking them for pain or as prescribed.
If you’re OK with this and it makes you happy, I’m not sure what the problem is? As long as it’s not hurting others and as you say your husband is on board as he gives you your meds to abuse so clearly he’s OK with it.
So I am sorry but I really don’t see what the problem is here? Moe

 

[RodRamsey]

Anyone ever tried lexapro for pain/anxiety? I reading its for fybromyalgia or nerve pain plus anxiety. Its non controlled substance so hopefully easier to get from doctors/pharmacies. Has sedative qualities maybe helpful with sleep as we all know the hardest part during a pain attack. It works on seratonin receptors or levels, I obviously not a scientist lol. I give it a test run today see if anything good about it. Found a couple in my meds drawer, maybe from my ex gf or something. They in my house now they mine heeee we will see. Would like something with these qualities thats non opiate or benzo or controlled bs.

 

[SOUTHERN HELLO]

Question for everyone :
Can a Dr label you as a drug seeker because you told him what you thought of him an refused to sign his consent forms?? I'm disabled an have severe nerve damage an was on fetynol patch 10 a month an 90 Vicodin a month, now that I'm labeled a drug seeker I can't get as much as a tramadol prescribed to me, is this legal how can I get this fixed????

 

[Lifeinpain]

Question for everyone :
Can a Dr label you as a drug seeker because you told him what you thought of him an refused to sign his consent forms?? I'm disabled an have severe nerve damage an was on fetynol patch 10 a month an 90 Vicodin a month, now that I'm labeled a drug seeker I can't get as much as a tramadol prescribed to me, is this legal how can I get this fixed????

YES Absolutely!

I would return as soon as possible, ask to quietly speak to the doctor and apologise profusely saying you were just having a very bad day and that you were suffering in pain and lashed out in anger and that it will never happen again.

 

[Morphling]

Err, if you refuse to sign a required narcotic drug contract in pain management, that's definitely going to be a huge red flag. Sure, the restrictions and drug testing and all that suck, but those restrictions are there to protect the prescribing physician as well as assure treatment compliance so you don't OD and whatnot.

Those contracts and consent forms are really common these days, I think all pain management docs use them tbh.