Lortab Addiction ??

[mikeyhow30]

Sorry for being so wordy. I am a 40 yr old married man with two wonderful young children. When I was 18 while playing high school baseball, my cervical disc c-4,c5 c6 was was hit by a line drive at close range while at batting practice. That day changed my life. Nothing was broke but I couldnt turn my neck for a month or more. I have slept in a recliner since that day because I am unable lay flat. I had many physical therapy sessions, blocks, chiroprators and Orthopedic Surgeons over the next 12 years with none of the doctors prescribing Narcotics. But nothing was helping. I was staying miserable, pain shooting down my arms and losing almost all radius in my neck. At about 30 yrs old my father forced me to see another orthopedic surgeon. He did another C-SCAN and said that those disc's were severly deteriorated and he prescribed Lortab 7.5. This was the first time since the accident that I really felt any relief at all. This Lortab was a blessing in my eyes and I was finally able to sleep halfway decent in 12 years. He treated me for two years on Lortab and Anti-ifflamatory. All the while suggesting a fussion at those two disc's. I finally gave in and had the surgery, but during the surgery the doctor nicked a vein but did not notice. I Was closed up and sat in recovery for 8 hrs all the while bleeding out into my throat and lungs. When I quit breathing I jumped up and ripped my neck collar off and all my iv's and began fighting all the nurses. I coded and my heart and lungs shut down. I woke up again in ICU. They were able to bring me back and operate to fix the bleeder. But during the previous struggle the new hardware in my neck had been jarred and futher damed the disc and nerves. I also had new internal injuries to my throat area. I am now 40 and live in constant pain. Ihave to sleep with ice packs behind my neck. I am now on Lortab 10 about 6 a day. I only get 90 of them a month and thats all I get. There is always a week when I dont have them and I will get them however I can during that week. On top of the pain, there is the severe withdrawls that I am very scared of. I have been there and dont want any part of it. I know I am addicted but really cant imagine any other way. Ive been there. I really hate my life

[Missy31]

WELCOME and just know that you have found a wonderful place for support and friendships, sorry for all you have gone threw and continue to. Someone on here will hopefully be able to give ya lots of good advice. Best Wishes

[MizDemeanor]

Hi Mikey
I am a professional woman in my 40's who also suffered addiction to lortab, then percocet. I didnt have nearly the physical issues you do, but I did start from an injury. I have to say MY addiction almost cost me everything before I stopped. I only DID stop by "accidently" finding this forum and seeing how many people were in my same boat. Please keep reading and posting, it really is a lifesaver. We all know how you feel and we all help each other.
Peace.

[mikeyhow30]

Wow, I am completely surprised at the replies to my post. I never expected anyone to be so understanding and able to relate to me so well. I am so very humbled and thankful to all of you. I have and will read everyone's replys and take them to heart. Thank You once again

[toxictome]

welcome to the forum...you have found a great place for help and support.I dont' have chronic pain...i used pills to "feel better" emotionally...i hope you find some answers..i just wanted you to know we're here for you...good luck and keep posting!

[nuredshuz]

Hi ~ boy you really have been thru the ringer.  I have cronic neck and lower lumbar pain.  3 1/2 yrs ago i was in an auto accident.  the MRI scan shows that I have a buldging disc flattening my spinal cord at C5-6 ~ I have limited movement of my neck too.  I also have probs. in my lower back that cause sciatic nerve pain.  I was put on hydro 7.5's then moved to 10s ~ was sent to a pain management doctor who put me on a time release hydro (they said it is way better to manage pain on the time release since there is no "rush" of med; its a slow release taking the edge off of the pain) im on 30mg x 3 a day ~ last month I took them a week too fast and I suffered severely I hope I NEVER do that again.  But in doing that I reduced my tolerence and I will hopefully stay at a lower med intake once I get my script filled again ~ I get new script tomorrow.  

This is a vicious cycle and I understand exactly where you are coming from.  Needing the meds for pain, yet finding ourselves in the cycle of addiction.  Cuz taking them too fast is a sign of addiction so is getting them how ever you can.  

I was thinking perhaps I need to view this like an overeater views food when they get some recovery.  They still have to eat, but they have to do it in a very conscience manner.  They have to change their relationship with food and I think I need to change my relationshipt with these pills.  I need to respect the danger they can be.  These are not a game.  I do like the way they make me feel, but the physical addiciton/dependancy is unlike anything I've ever experienced before.  I used to party a bunch in my younger years.  Pot, ludes, acid, speed, beer, none of any of that stuff even compares to the physical dependancy of hydro.  Even quiting cigs was a picnic compared to this he!!.  

I hope I have learned my lesson now.  I dont know if this is good advise to you, but maybe you could go thru a few days detox to reduce your tolerance, then start over at a lower dose than your prescribed.  Thats my plan.  My hubby is fully aware of this and he's gonna hold my meds and give me 1 a day instead of the three im allowed.  I'm gonna take half in the morning and half in evening.  for the last week I've been taking only a half per day and that in the evening.  Its been absolutely he!!.  

Well sorry for the ramble, but I do feel your dilemma cuz I have the same one.  I hope the best for you.  peace

[worried878]

I too have a neck problem and a fusion....I quit the narcs last month as my scrip would no longer last and i was going broke trying to get them...I was building a tolerence to them quickly...I could manage on 6 a day but was getting to where 8 a day was best and some days 10....docs around here just will not give out many so my scrip was running out way before my next appt....I am sure I could have doctor shopped and found one but chose not to....i could see i was on a dead end street going no where..I have to work and function...I wish the tolerence was not a factor for me but it was....I could see that in a few years i would be taking 15 a day...everyone is different and I hope you keep posting

[Chi_Chi_Lover]

I really feel for you and can understand why you are taking the lortabs. My question is that there is a reason the doctors are prescribing you 90 a month and no more. If you are running out before your next refill do you think you are abusing them??? Please don't get angry with me I'm just wanting you to see that yes, you may need them but you may also be abusing them. Have you talked to your doctor about this at all and the length of time you have been on these pills? Does he/she feel you will have to be on them for life??? The doctor has to know you are building up a tolerence to the pills and going to use more over this amount of time. Also, The lortabs are also making your pain worse. They lower your pain tolerence and you have to take more to make the pain go away or just get better in your case.
I know you are scared of WDs I was addicted to lortabs for almost 5 years and went through full WDs only once a year ago and that was enough for me. I started using them for real pain from auto accident with a broken back and then it got out of hand. I used for mental pain and any other reason. Clean a year now...
Peace and if I can help let me know

Chi Chi

[confused456]

Wow, you have been through a lot. I am sorry that I really don't know what to say about the meds. I guess my thoughts are that with all the injuries, you must need them, but I don't really know. I hope you can find some answers.