Opioids Need advise....

[RetiredMedic]

I have been clean of Oxycontin and Oxycodone for over 6 months. I was on a pretty good dose of the two for last 9 years due to back issues. Had my back fixed and now no longer require them. Getting off was hell as you all know. I now have to have Rotator cuff surgery and my doc says I would more then likely need to be on some sort of pain meds for 2-3 weeks. allergic to IBU, Aspirin and all Nsaids. Other than Tylenol Its back on the horse. My question is how long would it take to get re hooked so to speak? I know all people are different just a round about guess is what i'm looking for. I have put off the surgery so far due to me being afraid this would happen. Thanks in advance for any input..

 

[Mad Dash]

My first question is did you ever go through rehab? Or do you have (had) an addictionologist? There are doctors out there that should be able to set up a proper PM plan and then a comfortable relatively quick taper. If not I would seek an appointment with a PM specialist and tell him you are an addict, that you will need to be one strong meds, but only for a certain amount of time during the real pain. Once you are fully healed you need to do a taper. This is usually the recommended course for addicts. I learned about this in rehab. If I am ever in your situation I am supposed to call my PM doctor who knows my situation (I explained everything because he was going to write me oxy again, which is why he writes me subutex), and he will take care of exactly how long I can be on whatever drug on on at first it will have to be fentanyl because that is the only thing that break through then taper slowly/quickly. And be done and back on subutex ASAP.

Also, I see you are a retired medic did you serve? What branch? What unit? Or were you a first responder?

 

[RetiredMedic]

I went through Detox, I was told to go to AA and never did. I had a strong support in place and it was my choice to get off the meds. No won in my family asked me to, I just knew after my last surgery I was only taking them to prevent withdrawals. I was going through pain management at the time and no longer see them. The worst part for me has been the PAWS, I was on a high dose for years and has taken 6 months to feel somewhat normal again if ya know what I mean. I was thinking id prol only need them for 2-3 days to get over the surgery pain. I remember a tech at the detox told me I would never be able to use them for pain again..kinda scared me. I just know I walked through the valley of death to get off scared to do a U turn and walk back through. I might be blowing this out of size, just scared..... Thanks BTW for your input

 

[RetiredMedic]

Oh sorry missed the last part of your post, Yes I was a Paramedic first responder for 25 years, hence the blown back haha but found a most awesome back surgeon gave me a second chance at life!

 

[Mad Dash]

If I asked you to write a letter for me saying that putting in an IV is not supposed to cause so much damage to the patient that they strike a nerve but they found blood so they kept going, I said no this doesn't feel right and they said stop being a baby. Turns out with all the digging he did he all but destroyed a nerve in my left arm now I cant feel part of my arm. Little fucking prick. LoL I wish we had private civis for sick call just totally untrained AIT goombas.

 

[RetiredMedic]

If I asked you to write a letter for me saying that putting in an IV is not supposed to cause so much damage to the patient that they strike a nerve but they found blood so they kept going, I said no this doesn't feel right and they said stop being a baby. Turns out with all the digging he did he all but destroyed a nerve in my left arm now I cant feel part of my arm. Little fucking prick. LoL I wish we had private civis for sick call just totally untrained AIT goombas.

Absolutely! I can tell you there is a big difference in the way it feels to the person doing the IV much less the one receiving it. That was my forte so to speak, I could hit lines in pitch black just on feel. So sorry that happened to you. I often watched new medics strike arteries, the blood would pules up the IV line lol. but yeah a nerve has a distinct feel to hit like trying to drive a nail through a thick gauge wire almost.

 

[Bropiace]

I wish I had more experience to help out but the longer I've been sober off opiates was 9 days. Altho I did quit for less days than that numerous times. For me the addiction was back almost instantly. Within 24 hours of usage I have mild withdrawal symptoms if I wait too long between dose. Whithin 3 days of use, the time between the dose are stable and will be maintained unless I binge or taper down.

What awaits you ain't fun. Best of luck to you.

 

[Cliffy78]

I'd say just about 3days of steady usage would get u some minor wds for a few days probably. It comes back much quicker once you've been hooked and the quit in my experience. It shouldn't be too bad and the drs will make it as painless as possible with a quick taper I'm sure. Good luck to you brother!!!

 

[manboychef]

Do as mad dash says. Be honest and concise about it with the surgeon, and the PM doctor. I've been off opiates since Nov 4th 2014. I know how you feel. I have gone through withdrawals trying to stop so many times...but it is not the withdrawal that sends me back. What sends me back is the horrible despair, and listlessness that comes along with PAWs. The only thing that saved me from going back this time was that I went two months in rehab, and afterwards I worked with a psychologist to work through the problems that made opiates such a good fit for me. You can do it! I have lots of faith in you, and you can PM me anytime you like for some experience or hope.

 

[RetiredMedic]

Thanks all for the great replies! I guess that tech at the detox wasn't that far off far as not doing it anymore.. I have been very upfront with the doctors, the devil side of me always saying you can use this as a reason to go back to pain management while my heart says you got off for a reason.. Funny how we only remember the good times of a bad deal isn't it... Anyway I have never tried Tramadol and they said there gonna try that first. Not sure if I will have a allergy to it as stated before i'm allergic to most all non narcotic pain meds except Tylenol. The WD's are scary but to be honest the PAWS is worse and i'm afraid if my brain gets a taste of the happy meds it will kick back on in full gear. i'm almost 7 months clean and still have bad nights for sleep like last night.But they are becoming less frequent. Thanks again!

 

[Jlosnow]

It depends on the person, tolerance is dependent on your prior use. Once someone acquires tolerance, it takes a long time to get rid of it. Short term use should be ok, taper before you go off. That is of course assuming you can control your use to no more than prescribed and stop using them when you no longer need them for pain.

If you don't trust yourself I'd go with tramadol

 

[legaluser]

Well im assuming that you feel that using pain meds again even just what the doc perscribes will get you back addicted to them.

My advise is take some Tylenol and just deal with the pain with no meds

 

[Whosajiggawaaa]

yeah, there are some really good non opiate pain meds.

 

[manboychef]

im with legal user on this. One of the side effects of my opiate addiction is my teeth became bad. I had to have a few removed. It was very painful, but I didn't trust myself with pain meds so I took ibuprofen to ease the pain.

 

[RetiredMedic]

im with legal user on this. One of the side effects of my opiate addiction is my teeth became bad. I had to have a few removed. It was very painful, but I didn't trust myself with pain meds so I took ibuprofen to ease the pain.

i'm guessing you missed the part that I am allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen and sodium naproxin.. not being a ass but man I wish I could take those. When I was on Pain meds I didn't abuse them. I took them exactly as prescribed for 9 years. but I was on a hefty dose 40mg oxycontin 3 times a day, 10mg oxycodone 4 times a day and soma 350mg 4 times a day. coming off that sucked worse than anything I have ever gone through. I think i'm going to try the tramadol if I cant take that then I will just deal with the pain. My doc doesn't believe I will be able to as I am having rotator cuff repair, from what he says its one of the most painful surgeries to have :/ I was just curious as to what my timeline would be to building up that oh shit feeling once I stop (if I were to take them again) thanks though for all the input! you all absolutely rock!

 

[Mad Dash]

i'm guessing you missed the part that I am allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen and sodium naproxin.. not being a ass but man I wish I could take those. When I was on Pain meds I didn't abuse them. I took them exactly as prescribed for 9 years. but I was on a hefty dose 40mg oxycontin 3 times a day, 10mg oxycodone 4 times a day and soma 350mg 4 times a day. coming off that sucked worse than anything I have ever gone through. I think i'm going to try the tramadol if I cant take that then I will just deal with the pain. My doc doesn't believe I will be able to as I am having rotator cuff repair, from what he says its one of the most painful surgeries to have :/ I was just curious as to what my timeline would be to building up that oh shit feeling once I stop (if I were to take them again) thanks though for all the input! you all absolutely rock!

Hey man, there is no reason to be a hero, even in AA and NA it is recognized that for a short period of time you must use opiate painkillers, the key is to do it through the eyes of a pain specialist with the knowledge that you are a recovering addict. You have nothing to prove to anybody. You actually IMO show more strength by being able to go on it short term and get off it in a quick period of time. My PM doctor and I already have a plan in place in case I ever have surgery, it is signed and dated by both of us. It gives me plenty of comfort (fent during the procedure because I take subutex daily for pain) and then upon returning from surgery I have 2 weeks to heal and use opioids: very generous amount on the first week so I don't have to deal with any pain, and a fast but comfortable taper the second week so that by the third week I will be back on subutex (24 hours in between to avoid PW)

Please try a plan like this because God forbid you have the surgery and get home and the tramdol does jack-shit (most likely) and then you have to start making all sorts of calls trying to get the proper medication and going to the pharmacy to get it filled all the while being in serious pain. Using medication the proper way is OK I have even been told by people in NA/AA that it doesn't count against your sober days. So don't try to be a hero for no reason. Rotator cuff surgery is almost as painful as it gets. Think about what is going on in there man... the human body is not designed to deal with that kind of pain. That would be like saying I don't want anesthesia because I am in recovery.

 

[tacodude]

you will end up dependent there is no avoiding it, but whether or not you become addicted or suffer nightmare w/d is up to you. Just use the lowest dose you can as infrequently as possible. When you are ready to quit lower the dose by 2.5 mg every day until you are off to quickly taper and reduce the w/d to a minimum if not at all.

GL! While pain meds are a hellish addiction they are what they are named, which is pain meds. Something for pain. Value it is that and not a high and you should be alright

 

[Bropiace]

Don't you hate it when you try to edit your post on your cellphone and you delete it instead...

Anyway, doesn't the fact that the OP had a dependance before means he will need to be on a higher than standard dose ? My understanding is that unless he needs to be on pain meds for only a few days, his tolerance will raise fast to the highest point it was in the past.

Maybe because of this his best option would be to do a Suboxone fast taper after having spend his last week tapering the meds. Never did it myself but I am hearing good things about it.

 

[RetiredMedic]

Thanks all for the incite! I am seeing another doc on Thursday and will be very truthful with him. He is a well known and top shoulder guy. My first doc started to get all weird on me due to I was so worried about the pain meds. He said he would only write for Tramadol when I asked what if I have a allergy to it? he point blanked asked me, do you want to be hooked again? I was like whoah. I didn't have to tell you jack about it he had no knowledge about what I went though until I asked him. Mad I will take what you say to heart. I think you hit the nail on the head.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me out!