car accident...able to resist pain meds.

[poisonarrow]

i was in a car accident yesterday that required me to be sent to the emergency room. today i will be 14 days free from pain meds. i have a concussion, minor head trauma, and acute cervical sprain (whiplash). i can't think straight, move my head, a headache straight from the pits of hell, and nausea.

they kept offering pain medicine and i told them no several times. they wanted me to stay overnight for observation, but i convinced them to let me go home and be watched overnight by someone. they were reluctant but said to come back if my symptoms go any worse. the problem is that they are. i'm scared to go back because i'm afraid i will be given pain meds. i feel really discouraged right now.

when they released me last night, i was sent home with a muscle relaxer, anti nausea medication, and a script for vicodin. the vicodin script went right in the trash. i'm torn because i know in reality i need it, but in my recovery i don't want it. i'm trying to tough it out the best i can. what do i do? i don't want to jeopardize my recovery. i've made it so far and don't want set myself back. this is so frustrating. if i have to absolutely take something for pain what do i do? give it to someone else to control and give to me? or do i just tough it out? any advice would help.

thanks to everyone who has supported me during this tough time. you guys have meant the world to me.

[livngr8ful]

Sometimes you need the medication.  Take the advice (someone else holding the meds for you).  Sometimes you can cause more issues if you dont treat the symptoms ot it can prolong the injury.  If you can be open with your doctor and have assistance at home you can be very secure with the medication. I would not think of that as a relapse.  It would only be that if you abused them or fell back on the same track you were on.  You need to dig deep and find your own honesty with this one.  Just be strong and have faith in yourself, because yourself is the only one that can make these hard choices. You are scared of this and it is understandable.  This is where honesty comes into play.  Worst case id the doctors could admit you into the hospital and they would have 100% control over your medications.  You walk out better and you didnt have to struggle with the decision to take them or not.  Head trauma is serious and many negative things can happen if you dont get help.  Take care of your health.  There is no reason to be in agony just because of fear of relapse.  Your health is more important. You can do this..  Dig deep and take care, find support and be honest.  It's very hard but help is there if you ask for it.  You have a reason to take them and a reason not to.  Make the best decision for you.  Keep on track don't miss use medications.  You will come out on top.

[quitinoxys]

Sorry to hear about your accident all the other posters are right be honest with the doctors and give the vics to someone that will control your dosage. Don't worry about relapse as this is not. If you had a broken arm would you not fix it becuase you would be worried about your addiction. Your health is the important thing now and it sounds like you understand your addiction and are dealing with it. There is a non-narcotic pain med that works for me it is called Toradol but it has to be taken IV (a shot) which means you would probably have to be in the ER or admitted. Good luck and I hope you fell better.

[ladywithtime]

I'm really sorry about your accident and I'm thankful that you're alright...it ***** to be in this predicament but if you put safeguards into place, I'm sure you'll be ok..the best to you..Lisa

[dominosarah]

This wouldnt be a relapse.  There does come a time when pain meds are necessary.  If you have someone that will hold them talk with that person.  You need to find some relief as you will heal better also.  Keep us posted.          sara

[vicki595]

No. It would not be considered a relapse.  You know the difference.  You're in a pain situation right now and there's no need to suffer IF you have someone to help you with the pills.

Try to get comfortable. Put some moist heat on your neck. You can do this...but you need relief.  :)

[poisonarrow]

by giving the meds to someone else that knows of my addiction problem will eliminate me from abusing them. the will is there. otherwise i wouldn't be concerned. i'm going to do everything in my power to avoid the pills. would it be considered at relapse if someone else is in control of the medicine?

[addict3]

Maybe you could tell the Dr. that you are a recovering addict and ask for a FEW only and no re-fills..... to get through this.

[bmdad]

So sorry to hear about your accident. Situations like this seem to be a recovering addicts worse nightmare. More than likely everyone of us are going to have to take pain meds again sometime in our life. There are some members here that have had clean time and also found themselves in a situation like this. The decision is yours to make but if you honestly do need them you have to have someone hold on to them for you. No addict can be trusted with narcotic pain meds. If we could control our use we wouldn't be where we are at right now. You have to give them to someone that will stand their ground no matter what.
You honestly know whether or not you really need them right now. If you have tried every other non narcotic pain reliever and haven't found one that works, then you have a tough decision to make. There are quite of few of non narcotic prescription strength pain meds. Maybe you could have your doctor prescribe something else at first. You have to give it a chance to work. The addict in us seems to think if it isn't an opiate then it won't work.
If you do end up taking them you have to be straight up with yourself and whomever you give them to to dole out. Only take them as needed. Just because it says "take 2 every 4 to 6 hours from pain" doesn't mean you have to. If you can, try and only take them before bed. That seems to be the hardest time to deal with pain. During the day do some things to try and take your mind off of the pain.
Once again, sorry to hear about your accident and the predicament you are in. You know if the pain is bad enough to warrant pain meds so if you decide to, tread lightly.
Best of luck to you.

Brian

[laurel453]

Do asVicki has said...  I am so sorry for your accident, the good thing is that you are in one piece and alive, everything else can be solved, i understand that taking pain meds comes at a time where you are clean and you can not accept it but as we say here, we are no martyrs.... if you are in a lot of pain and nothing else works and i know you will try everything else , tell someone else to hold the meds for you... here there are some people who have gone through the same situation and have taken some meds for some days... you will go back on track, don't worry , if there is a will, there is a way , poisonarrow

[poisonarrow]

i've been taking motrin since i stopped taking pain meds. when i was throwing up from the concussion yesterday, it had blood it in it. i was advised by the doctot not to take any more nsaids. i guess i could try to have someone control the pain medication, but i REALLY don't want to take any. between a rock and a hard place right now. so frustrated.

[vicki595]

Have you tried Motrin?  You can take 800mg 3x per day.   OR you can have someone hold the vicodin and give you ONE every six hours.

Feel better!