Opioids Pain Management... and ADD?

[XoTillWeOverdose]

Hey friends, hope everyone reading is well. This is only my second post on Bluelight as I'm still relatively new. Please forgive me if I am posting wrong or including something I shouldn't. That is honestly not my intention, I'm just beyond scared right now.

Basically long story short, I'm in my mid 20's and have been going to pain management the better half of a year for back, spine, neck, and hip replacement surgery pain. I've done a few epidurals also and am having a follow up appointment on Friday in which they'll assess my pain and likely continue on my medications as they've done for almost a year.

I am nervous because I have suffered with ADD and was prescribed medication for it (prior to pain management but had stopped before seeing pain management) and went to a pyschiatrist earlier this month. I told her I had a contract with pain management and told her I was not trying to break any rules. She told me I needed to be on medication and as long as she wasn't prescribing me a benzo, I was following my contract. I believed her and picked up a prescription for Adderall.

Since yesterday, I have really started freaking out. I have no quality of life without the pain medication because it allows me to function. However since before my hip replacement surgery, I had to stop working because of the pain issues. Regardless, I'm realizing I need to help out and can't continue to ask my mom to finacially support me, pain or not. That's why I went to see a pyschiatrist since focus, drive, and concentration are essentially nonexistent in my world. Never once was I trying to be "sketchy" but I am extremely worried my pain management doctor might drop me as a patient. I don't know what to do. Has anyone seen a pain management doctor who is okay with them also seeing a pyschiatrist and getting ADHD medication? My mom is telling me not to worry, but I am because I can't fathom being in pain if they drop me. I'm almost shaking at the thought of being dropped when my pain is still at the levels it is. Thanks so much for reading.

 

[jsf11]

Hi, I have some experience in this arena. I am in my late 20's and have had serious pain issues for the good part of a decade. I am prescribed a low dose of methadone for pain only, which works extremely well. I have been diagnosed ADHD since around 12, and have been prescribed meds (Dexedrine) for it on and off since I was 17. My pain doctor just recently has advised me to see a psychiatrist and get prescribed stimulant medication as she is aware that it works for me and benefits me in multiple ways.

I am still waiting to see a new psychiatrist in my area since I have moved location fairly recently, and am hoping that he will listen to both her assessment and mine of the situation and responsibly prescribe a psycho-stimulant. I like you have little to no quality of life without pain medication currently, and I don't enjoy life much with untreated ADHD either TBH. I like you am not trying to be 'sketchy' in any way and want to keep everything completely above board.

So my answer to you is yes, I have a pain specialist who is more than OK with me seeing a psychiatrist and being prescribed ADHD medication. I hope the situation works out OK for you also, as I understand the issues you raise in your post...they feel very familiar to me. Good vibes and good luck friend.

 

[XoTillWeOverdose]

Thank you so much. As you can imagine, I've been in a world of panic and even called a nursing friend of mine to ask her thoughts as well. I appreciate hearing your experience and am glad you weren't turned away. We shouldn't have to pick and choose what issue of ours will go untreated! Hopefully I'll find myself in your position Friday. All my best to your continued health.

 

[Chris42393]

I was in pain management for 3 years as well. For my back and neck. I think you will be okay, as long as you are getting the medicine prescribed from a doctor (and not on the streets). I never had any issues with it, when I was going. Im guessing you get drug tested there? Tell him what you're doing and what you're going through and im sure he'll have no problem with it.

BUT before you take the medicine (just playing devil's advocate), maybe you should talk to him just in case... to hear what he has to say about it. For ME, id rather not be in pain versus having no "focus, drive or concentration"... as I have been through all that (extreme life draining pain). Its no fun, at all. In the end, its up to him. Id rather not be kicked out either.

Pain relief > anything else.

 

[LucidSDreamr]

If you value your opioid pain medications as much as i think you do. i would forget about stimulants for ADHD. there is no rule that says they can't be scripted together, the way things are right now its pretty much impossible to even get an opioid script even without another non-pain schedule II drug in your record, good luck getting opioids with an amphetamine script (and filling them).

whenever i was under the same situation as you, I always forgot about the adderall or bought it on the street and didn't dare jeopardize my pain script.

i did encounter much less issues being scripted suboxone and adderall by the same psych though. but i realize suboxone isn't that great for pain.

 

[Silenced]

As with everything, it really depends on the doctor, but with how things are now and getting more strict, you will probably have to choose one in the end.
I had a doctor who didn't care and the one I'm with now since moving doesn't allow other scheduled drugs.
You are in a program - what does your contract say?

 

[Blackout2906]

We?re not here to help you scam your doctor into giving you more drugs so you can get high, that?s immoral.

 

[XoTillWeOverdose]

I was in pain management for 3 years as well. For my back and neck. I think you will be okay, as long as you are getting the medicine prescribed from a doctor (and not on the streets). I never had any issues with it, when I was going. Im guessing you get drug tested there? Tell him what you're doing and what you're going through and im sure he'll have no problem with it.

BUT before you take the medicine (just playing devil's advocate), maybe you should talk to him just in case... to hear what he has to say about it. For ME, id rather not be in pain versus having no "focus, drive or concentration"... as I have been through all that (extreme life draining pain). Its no fun, at all. In the end, its up to him. Id rather not be kicked out either.

Pain relief > anything else.

You're absolutely right. Unfortunately the script was filled and I've taken some since. Truly I didn't even start to get nervous since I blindly believed my pyschiatrist, until a few days ago when I posted this. I'm hoping it'll be okay, I'll see him Friday and just be honest about the whole thing. In the past he's been too busy to meet with me and has me meet with either a nurse or someone like that, so it might be okay. I'll just remember that perhaps for now, if I'm lucky enough to get another chance, not to even potentially mess it up. Having my pain relieved is most important to me anyways. Thank you for reaching out, all my best, friend.

 

[XoTillWeOverdose]

We?re not here to help you scam your doctor into giving you more drugs so you can get high, that?s immoral.

Dude, I'm not trying to get "high." I said that in my original post.

 

[XoTillWeOverdose]

As with everything, it really depends on the doctor, but with how things are now and getting more strict, you will probably have to choose one in the end.
I had a doctor who didn't care and the one I'm with now since moving doesn't allow other scheduled drugs.
You are in a program - what does your contract say?

That's the thing, I don't have my contract with me. In fact, I think they're the only ones with it, I don't remember ever getting a copy. However they've always made sure to tell me not to get other prescribed PAIN pills if they're controlled. They never said I couldn't seek help for my ADD. I'm hoping since I genuinely suffer from both issues, it'll be okay. I can't even imagine getting dropped from the program - I guess we'll see.

 

[Chris42393]

No problem brotha, wish ya the best of luck. Let us know how everything went.

 

[jsf11]

As with everything, it really depends on the doctor, but with how things are now and getting more strict, you will probably have to choose one in the end.
I had a doctor who didn't care and the one I'm with now since moving doesn't allow other scheduled drugs.
You are in a program - what does your contract say?

Very true, some doctors will not even consider the idea however some will as you say. Unfortunately it does feel that the likelihood of being prescribed more than one Schedule II equivalent concurrently is diminishing. I wish the OP luck and please keep us updated. I should note that I am not in the USA.

Thank you so much. As you can imagine, I've been in a world of panic and even called a nursing friend of mine to ask her thoughts as well. I appreciate hearing your experience and am glad you weren't turned away. We shouldn't have to pick and choose what issue of ours will go untreated! Hopefully I'll find myself in your position Friday. All my best to your continued health.

Thank you very much and same to you friend

 

[XoTillWeOverdose]

I genuinely want to thank all of you for responding and sharing your insight. Just as an update, my doctor didn't even bring it up and I was prescribed what I normally take for pain! (He also scheduled future appointments including another epidural so I don't think he's "firing" me)

It's hard to know if this was just an oversight or if the ADD medication is "okay" for me to pick up in his eyes. Part of me doesn't want to risk this again, in case this was a one time fluke. I also am scared to ask in case they overlooked it and decide to drop me. Perhaps I am in a position in which I should "pick" pain relief over ADD help although that's pretty sad some of us are forced to choose between our ailments.

 

[Chris42393]

I genuinely want to thank all of you for responding and sharing your insight. Just as an update, my doctor didn't even bring it up and I was prescribed what I normally take for pain! (He also scheduled future appointments including another epidural so I don't think he's "firing" me)

It's hard to know if this was just an oversight or if the ADD medication is "okay" for me to pick up in his eyes. Part of me doesn't want to risk this again, in case this was a one time fluke. I also am scared to ask in case they overlooked it and decide to drop me. Perhaps I am in a position in which I should "pick" pain relief over ADD help although that's pretty sad some of us are forced to choose between our ailments.

Awesome man, glad to hear everything worked out well for you. Thanks for the update! Like I said before ... Pain relief > anything else (imo)

 

[LucidSDreamr]

I genuinely want to thank all of you for responding and sharing your insight. Just as an update, my doctor didn't even bring it up and I was prescribed what I normally take for pain! (He also scheduled future appointments including another epidural so I don't think he's "firing" me)

It's hard to know if this was just an oversight or if the ADD medication is "okay" for me to pick up in his eyes. Part of me doesn't want to risk this again, in case this was a one time fluke. I also am scared to ask in case they overlooked it and decide to drop me. Perhaps I am in a position in which I should "pick" pain relief over ADD help although that's pretty sad some of us are forced to choose between our ailments.

I dknt understand did you tell him you are on amps?

 

[pharmacybandit]

It should be fine, as long as it?s prescribed and it is. Pain contracts usually don?t want you getting other pain medication or benzos. I?ve never seen a pain contract that didn?t allow the patient to take adhd meds (although I?m sure there are plenty that don?t allow it, I don?t think it?s the norm).