Vicodin and how I feel now being rapidly detoxed

[Rebekkah]

I am desperate, please reply if you have any ideas.  I have been on Vicodin for about fifteen months and nine days ago was rapidly detoxed. I had a long history of depression etc for many years.  I was prescribed Vicodin ES for migraines and chronic hip pain for these last 15 months. Before the vicodin, I was tried on every combination known to man and psychopharmacology never proved to be beneficial. About fifteen months ago, I was hospitalized at Cedars sinai Psych unit for depression, cutting and suicidal ideations.  I was perscribed 100mg od demerol for about 33 days which would addict anyone to narcotics.  They switched me to Vicodin and supprisingly enough during the time I was on the Vicodin all of those intolerable feelings of wanting to end my life went away. I was fully functional, I also happen to be a medical professional which makes the whole situation worse.  I am not at all in trouble at work for this Vicodin issue.  They don't even know about it.  My issue now is that the feelings of cutting myself and wanting to take my life are back and very strong. I have a PHD and an aneshesiologist which believe the treatment is psychotherapy and more psych meds. I am tired of that. I just want to end it. I'm nervous about going back on Vicodin because that type of drug is not acceptable to society but the drugs that they want me one prozac etc are useless to me. My delemma Vicodin vs suicide.   Thank you for listening.

[Lynn B]

Dear Rebekkah -- sure hope you're feeling better.  I deal with chronic pain, too.  I'm also a recovering addict.  I work with a pain management specialist and a pain managementn/recovery psychologist.  With the help of a good solid program of recovery and professional assistance, I can manage my pain and stay clean and sober.

When you're talking about cutting, it seems that a good psychiatrist who knows addiction AND pain management might be of benefit.  As you well know, cutting is just a short vacation from the real stuff, so why even bother??  Tell your doc what's going on, and get the help you know you need.  You don't ever have to do it alone...  best -- Lynn

[Brighty]

Your husband is right. A doctor can't treat a person properly if they don't know the truth. Prednisone is no joke and you're not the only person who has side effects.. so please speak up,honey, so you can get some relief. Having trouble breathing is serious business. What if your child told you he had a stomach ache and he really had a problem seeing things.... you'd be giving him Pepto Bismol when he likely needed glasses. Lot's of good that would do him. It may not be acceptable to tell the world how lousy we feel. But it's something you MUST tell your doctor !! Doctor's can't know ahead of time when they prescibe something if it's going to be the wrong med for the person. Everyone is different. Just tell him the truth. Please make an appointment today !! Love, Brighty

[tom to Joan C]

Joan, when you go in to see your doctor, say to yourself, "The doctor works for ME. I don't work for him. I do not need his approval. I am the customer and I want my money's worth!" Doctors are highly educated but they have no more moral authority than you or me. I know exactly what you're talking about when you say you're intimidated to the point of telling them what you think they want to hear. They represent power, in that they control the source of your relief. But realize this: By telling them you're fine when your not, you're betraying yourself and them. They really do want to know exactly how you feel. The clinic, the whole hospital or wherever you go exists for your benefit, not theirs. Maybe you should begin by telling your doctor that he intimidates you and you're having trouble telling him how you really feel. Doctors are very aware of the effect they have on patients. From the meds you're taking, I imagine you're really suffering. Tell him that! He's a human being. He got into medicine to help people like you. Tell him what he really wants to hear -- the truth. If you find that he works so fast you don't have time to think of everything you want to say, WRITE IT DOWN. (Doctors can read -- that's how they got into med school.) That's what I do. It works like a charm. My doctor appreciates it when I prepare for the examination in advance. If he cares about you, he'll be glad to read your notes. Try it. What've you got to lose (besides everything)?

[joedice]

right those kind of precription drugs are ot acceptable, but yet booze is i agree with you 1000%, i"m a vicodan addict of 10 years..its no picinic trying to get them...best of luck to you joe

[Joan C]

Well, I went to see my doctor and took my husband with me.  Not only did he give me my ususal meds, but also prescribe Remeron.  Talk about being out of it.  I took the Remeron with 2 ativan and got so zonked, my husband was going to call the hospital.  Does anyone know what Remeron is, I though it was an anti-depressive.

[tom to Joan C]

I believe it is an anti-depressent of some kind. The ativan no doubt potentiated the Remeron. I seem to remember someone on this board saying they used Remeron at bed time ...