The worst has happened..

[missmomma0062]

Really the worst has happened and Im not sure how to go about this..
Tonight at work I walked into the restroom, well apparently our new carry out who cleans doesn't know the meaning of the wet floor sign.. I opened the door, went to reach for the light and slipped, cracked my back on the sink and my *** on the floor..
Just got home from the hostpial, no narcotic pain meds were given to me upon request but the news from the MRI and CT scan have came back and I have now ruptured the disc between my l5 and s1 to the full extent.. along with a cracked tail bone... Because I go to the doctor tomorrow I was able to come home, they have me percs to take till tomorrow but Ive flushed them.
Ive caused some pretty bad damage.. Its very very painful.. whats my option now? I know my doctor will not only want me on pain meds, she'll want to increase them..
were do I go now? Please guys I need you! What can I do??  

[missmomma0062]

The pain is hardcore tonight, Cant sleep, sick and Im not sure if its the meds or the pain..

[1sorryperson]

Here for ya lil girl.  Have hubby read my pm.

I know your pain is hell, the waitin is bs, then everyone in uniforms...................  take a breath,   You'll be ok,

You both need to comprehend what's happening, look for or ask for options, choose what's best not neccessarily the easiest.  Don't be shy about saying you are uncomfortable with opiates and want to be clean from them before released, vs sending you home early with a bottle full of pills.   Regardless, we wish the best for you and want you back ASAP!  

[clean_in_ks]

Thanks for the update and for taking care of yourself.  NOBODY will EVER give up on you.  Just do what you need to do; have your pain meds doled out as suggested above and please keep us in the loop.  We love ya and we care~

[missmomma0062]

well guys just got home from the hospital, Made it to the doctors at 330, my blood preasure was 145/95, she sent me straight the hosptial to get my BP down and get more test ran.. They Iv'd me and medicated me, It seems that this has went from bad to worse. My tail bone, well a part of it is crushed just like powder and she doesn't think my disc will return to normal with ice and down time, it is now got a nerve "crunched" in it.  Monday I will know what day I will be going onto surgery. The medication knocked me down, I don;t remember a whole lot but I plan on having my husband explain it to me tomorrow. The pain was worse then child birth, and the pain medcation is not really effecting me, all though The same amount I took two weeks ago would probably make me vomit now.. lol..
I no longer feel like I failed, I seen the damage and theres no way in hell I could live on tylonal...Please don't give up on me!!

[limodan73]

Hi. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I had the same type of injury on 3/6. I went down from Ice(I work at a 700 acre facility) and landed on a concrete step, on my lower back/right buttock. My L5-S1 disc ruptured and decicated. My L5 has a hairline crack and the right facet is mushroomed. And the L3-L4 disc herniated. So I completely understand. Especially if your sciatic is damaged, like mine. But, the pain CAN be managed without narcotics.  If you can use ice( I can't do to the sciatica.) Do so, and switch from Ice to heat. Request from you're doctor Lidoderm Patches, they are a transdermal lidocaine patch that works well for this type of pain. It's not immediate, takes about an hour, but heat helps it kick in. Just listen to you're doc. There are limits on how long you can keep it on. And rotate from Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Unfortunately, you're gonna dealing with this for some time. And if you start down the narc rabbit hole, it will only get worse.  I hope you have someone you can openly talk to about your situation. Because.... the mental side of this type of injury and pain. Can be overwhelming. Get into Physical therapy ASAP.  And Don't hold back when you're there. The PT can be a godsend. Hope I helped. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. Stay strong mentally and spiritually. And you CAN get through this.
Dan

[VICourageous]

Oh Girl I just want to say I do feel for you..They said it all above. Also maybe a anti-inflammatory patch..or a light weight pain patch..I know they have many different patches out there..If and only in the Future you do need something then do get the shots..My Hub is badly disabled in his back and gets the Shots. OK do not beat yourself up about it because pain causes one of the worst depressions..Just have them handed to you! Heck any of us can be in the same boat in the Future..My Prays go out to you!!!

[jifmoc]

Hi, this has been said, but last time I was in NA, a girl who I was very close w/ got the WORST strep throat ever, and one time the speaker had just come off of a disc operation. They both did the same thing: gave their pills to their sponsor and literally had their sponsor come over and give only the appropriate amt.  This very issue has been discussed in NA. It happens!

Also, I am AMAZED that you FLUSHED your pills. BE PROUD. No way in hell would I be able to do that (at this point) and I'm sure many many people would not have. Amazing!!!

[OpenMind24hours]

Good that you are doing something for the pain. That's what they are for! Good that you have someone controlling them for you. I'd need the same exact method. I have a friend in NA who, for years, has been on a morphine pump with controlled dosage. I was attending NA while still on my pain pills for my back. He told me at a meeting "just because we're clean, doesn't mean we're supposed to writhe around in pain". Glad you're getting right in to see your doctor. You'll be okay through this. Keep with us on here. -Robert

PS: Google "NA More will be Revealed" click the very first hit (sobermusicians) and read starting at the 8th paragraph. It made me feel much better about being on them.

[toothfairie]

sorry last night was so bad girl!  i'm hoping the doc can give you some relief of some kind....hoping for a speedy recovery for you and some decent sleep!  

[missmomma0062]

Last night was horriable, I'm going to have to go back to the pain killers, My husband has agreeded to take them and hold them and dole them out as directed. My butt hurts so bad lol..
I really appricate the support, its amazing that not even 12 days ago you were all cheering me on, and even with the turn of events your still here.
My doctors app is in a couple hours, and I was wondering since I was on 10/325, has it been long enough that just a small 5 would take the pain. I don't want the buzz, I just want the pain to go away...
Heck she may not even give the same meds.. we'll just wait and see.. About 4am I regreted flushing the percs the hospital gave me. I cried for about 2 hours before I got just a little more sleep...
My whole lower back is black, Ill have the hubby take pictures of it when he gets home and post, it looks horriable!

[1sorryperson]

Very sorry to of your injury!   Looks like everybody has beat me, um .... just emphasize with your Dr about your fear of opiate pain meds, push for anything non opiate that might help.  I had a similar fall 17 years ago, same breaks and lost conciousness for a couple minutes.   Was very sore for a few months but completely healed eventually.  Let us how todays dr visit goes, several on here have been thru this,  you might even want to take your own soft pillow cushion.

[overopiates]

sorey accidentally posted.get a friend/family member2dispense the meds2u

[overopiates]

I glanced through the responses.Im.very proud of u.U r clean,ur happy&ur not wanting2take pain meds&ur terrified of the w/d from them.I know people said there is a difference n managing REAL&UNDENIALBLE pain which i have.This is NOT something u should force urself2deal w/at all.A few things1st these meds r temporary,u NEED/MUST have some1hold them@ALL TIMES,dispense2u ONLY AS DIRECTED.Most people dnt realize but u take them correctly&short term u wnt really have w/d.FIND SOMEONE2hold them(spouse/mate,p arent,adult.child,

[dominosarah]

Perfect~

[17mthssober275]

So sorry to hear you hurt yourself right after getting clean. I suggest talking to your doctor of your problem with using and get advice on what to do. Best wishes.

[conhall]

you can get thru this and The same thing happened to me Not exactly but similar, I fell at work and I was 2 weeks into my detox , I broke my arm and needed surgery herniated a disc bruised my tailbone and had two black eyes and swollen face. I slipped on wet floor also, For me yes I had to accept I needed pain meds there was no way around it, I was having surgery I talked with my Doctor and got a plan in place and I gave someone my meds and had them in charge of them and I got off them ASAP , It worked and I also told my Guy all my secrets and all the ways I could connive my way into getting more pills so I wouldnt have any opportunity to cheat. Just because we are addicts doesnt mean we have to suffer in pain true pain just remember get a plan in place dont wait. I am coming up on my year mark My accident was a hurdle and I got over with HELP! and a plan!   "AFTERCARE" has been an important necessary part of my care. I got to group 2 times a week sometimes 3 sometimes 4 ! You can get thru this.

[kyle505]

There will come a time in all of our lives when we may need pain meds. Remember - the pills aren't the problem. We are the ones who abuse them.
So, I took a page out of Sarah's book. This is what you do, but you need someone you can trust who will hold the pills...First, have someone pick up the meds for you. Have them hide them and give them to you per the doctors orders. Have them count the pills at the end of each day, and have them make sure that the pills in the bottle match the description of the pills on the bottles label (I found some over the counter pain meds that looked a lot like Vic's to the untrained eye. Over the years I've switched out hundreds of Vic's for OTCs). If you do this then you will not abuse. Also be sure the doc knows you're an addict and that no automatic refills are available.
A lot of effort. But it works.
K

[clean_in_ks]

So sorry about your fall and the results you have gotten on your MRI and CT Scan.  Try not to stress about "all the details" and particulars until you see your dr tomorrow.  It is CRITICALLY important that your dr DOES know about your 12 days opiate free, though.  Cause your body will react differently now. And if you are totally honest with him and tell him/her how strongly you feel about putting narcotics back in your body.....there may be a solution that you'd never imagine possible.  It's certainly worth talking about and asking, huh?      

I'm gonna share two things.  I had an experience with a fractured pelvis, tailbone and sacrum in a horrible accident.  Then not too many months later, two discs totally herniated and they would NOT recede with ice and bed rest as they had always done every previous time in my life.  I HAD no insurance after I recovered from the accident with the fractures....due to pre-existing conditions no one would take me.  I simply HAD to return to taking pain meds until the miracle of getting VERY EXPENSIVE insurance came about and then was able to have cage replacements/titanium rods and screws put in my back.
I simply could NOT have made it that long,  being bedridden, in that much pain without pain meds.  That may not be the case at ALL for you.

Your doctor will be able to discuss what your options are.  If surgery is recommended or an option or if thru bed rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, etc....the disc will recede and the tail bone will heal.  It IS possible.  But you really won't know anything tonight.....so if you can.....rest your hurtin, tired body and just "wait and see".  (my hubby says that to me A LOT "just wait and see, honey"......and I HATE that....lol)

Lastly, I wanted to share about an amazing woman I met a few yrs back that was in her 80's and had hip replacement surgery with NO PAIN meds post surgery.  She was DETERMINED NOT to take them.....she healed faster...her attitude was unbelievably positive.....and she was up and about much sooner than you could ever imagine when compared to those that just automatically expected having to have pain meds for such a procedure.  She made it QUITE CLEAR...she DID NOT want them.  

All the individual details of these injuries at this point will determine what can and cannot be done.  Being honest with your dr about your recent commitment to be OFF opiates and what options are available to you should ease your mind.  You need to be safe; not jeopardize your health and healing process and yet be willing to do what may necessary.

I know that great and positive attitude of yours will take you far....be honest....and make the wisest choices you can.  We have lots of members here on the forum that had been off opiates and then at some point in time had to have a major surgery and take pain pills for a short time.  They gave them to a trusted person, had them doled out "as needed"....and when they were thru the worst of it....returned to living clean without opiates.  You can TOO.  You are doing great thus far...and I'm SO sorry for this fall today!
I will keep you in my prayers.....and surely hope you'll let us know how it goes. OK?
Blessings to you, dear one~

[missmomma0062]

As of right now I am not tolerating the pain to well, I've been on my right side for a an hour and will be wakeing my husband up here shortly to get me to the bathroom and to rearrange me, its horriable, my left side is were I had all theproblems with to began with so to lay on that side is just killer..

I;m just going to put it all in my doctors hands tommorrow and let her decided what is best,.. I will keep you all updatd!

[Twist00]

Oh yes, there are many things...check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoUy_vLt6QA

[missmomma0062]

Thank you twist, you have helped calm me...  I can't deal with this pain without something. I wasn't aware that thier were natural things for pain! I'm going to try and not fret about it tonight, make it to my doctors tomorrow and let her know my accoplishments and see what she says, shes a good doctor, and I trust her completely..

[toothfairie]

i'm so sorry for this happening to you!  but just because we are addicts, doesn't mean we have to suffer needlessly....yes, get with your doctor tmrw and see what options you have....don't stress over it...just make yourself as comfy as you can tonight....get thru one hour at a time...and congrats on your clean time!  and hoping and praying for a speedy recovery for you!!  i know it has to hurt!!  

[OpenMind24hours]

Sorry to hear about your accident. its hard to say to you " don't use no matter what" I don't feel your pain. I suggest you talk to your doctor tomorrow and explain. And I highly suggest NA if you can get around enough with your injury to go. You need all the support you can muster. If you're writhing around in pain, that's not good. If you are tolerating pain, then that's good. I had a herniated disc sticking into my sciatic nerve 4 years ago. I took a Vicodin 7.5 from a script my doctor gave me and it did absolutely NOTHING for my pain. The only thing that took it away was a steroid injection 2 weeks later. Took it away completely. Back injuries are tricky when it comes to what is sticking into what spinal nerve groups. Let us know what happens tomorrow. We will support you. Just know that in the end you're going to be okay. You'll get through this.

[Twist00]

Hey, look...there is a difference in giving in to a weakness, and doing what must be done for your health. I understand pain meds are no good for your health, but if you broke your tail bone, and suffered many other injuries...you do what you do to get through life. I really doubt anyone is going to judge you. However, I hope you can speak with your doctor and find another solution. There are quite a few natural things you can take/do for pain, although it'd be minimal with something like this...just stay positive okay? At least keep calm until you can speak with the doctor.

There HAS to be something they can do for you.