Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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PinkAnything09 05/08/2015

So I'm pretty much healed from my surgery... I don't go back to my doctor until the end of the month for my programming. I took my last pain pill yesterday, but aren't doctors supposed to taper you down, or assist with withdrawals? They've had me on this medication for over 6 months, so physically, I am dependent!

I placed a call to my doctors office yesterday to ask about this. I have a REALLY good relationship with him, so I hope he has a good answer back for me today.

Do you guys have any thoughts on how this usually works?

ALSO I still need to see him for my carpal tunnel... and I wanted to discuss the other issues with my back now that this is out of the way.

BrightSide987 05/08/2015

Taper is usually the right thing to do. Perhaps he does not realize how long you have been on it.

Google Thomas Recipe for some good suggestions about stopping pain meds. You are not an addict. But the physical effects are going to be pretty similar.

redheaddiva 05/08/2015

I agree with BrightSide...

Also, your doctor can prescribe meds like clonodine to assist with withdrawal. It did help me a little. Especially with sleep as it made me very sleepy. The Thomas Recipe is great. If you are prescribed a benzo like valium or ativan, those help also.

But your best bet is to have a discussion with your doctor and see if he'll be comfortable prescribing the pain med you've been taking so you can taper down gradually. Some will, some won't but if you have a great relationship with him, he may be open to doing that.

Withdrawal isn't fun but it does eventually end. While I do not like the increased pain, I do enjoy having a clearer head. I never got "high" off pain meds but, in hindsight, I can say they did give me some fogginess. There are some benefits I've found to not taking them but, of course, the downside is the significant pain.

(((HUGS)))

ItsJustMe2012 05/08/2015

It is best to not wait until you've taken your last pain pill to ask about tapering or stopping. Also, it is best to not call on a Friday because it may be the next week before they call you back. Hopefully your dr will get back to you today.

annettearizona 05/08/2015

they should cut you down gradually=-most meds even warn you about just stopping a medicine

jancam 05/08/2015

Any word from your Dr yet?
hugs

jeremy1999 05/08/2015

I hope your doctor will give you a tapering schedule. I got myself down to where I only needed a half of a 10/325 norco per day. I did that from 4 a day over a period of about a month. It worked. I just started taking the norco again because on only a half of a pill per day, the pain came back with a vengeance. It is weird, in my case I'm only physically dependent on 10 milligrams of norco per day. I guess I should consider myself lucky. I will be asking my new pain doc next week for clonodine to help me sleep if he decides to discontinue my narcotic pain meds.

Any how, how is your spinal cord stimulator working out for you? Is it taking enough of your pain away that you do not need to take your pain medication anymore? I hope all foes well for you. Hugs!

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