Update off Trams/norcs and next steps

[Goblin666]

Hi,  So I am on day 8 of no tramadol and day 6 off of Norcos.  My back is holding up, noticed some stiffness yesterday.  This is the best I have felt since the process.  My head seems very clear.  My mood is pretty stable and haven't felt that emotional despair for 2 days.  Still pretty weak feeling and a little ache above the knee but manageable so far today.

I would like some input from others who have had discussions with their Docs.  I have gotten all my meds from my doc and want to tell him that I am coming off this stuff and not to prescribe it to me again unless I "really" need it.  I'm not sure how to communicate that to him or what parameters I should ask him for...i.e. do not prescribe unless seen in the office, do not call it in, etc...  I have an appointment with him in 2 weeks and would like to communicate the issues I was having (dependence/addiction).

I do have legitimate back issues, trying to avoid surgery, and worried about what to do if the pain returns... which got me in this mess in the first place.  Well I got myself into this mess.... not my pain, not these meds, not my doc.

Any experience would be appreciated.

......and I have a tram refill available to me and am struggling with calling/not calling it in.  I am justifying to myself that taking one or 2 more will help with the W/D and do a "proper" wean...even though I am on day 8.  I KNOW that is BS but I want to be honest with you guys and with what is going on in my head.

Thanks all.
Goblin
  

[BearsFan1966]

You can do this sounds like you are committed! We are all here for you and will give you all the support we can! You are on the right track keep up the good work! I know it is hard but remember it is so worth it to have your life back!

[Goblin666]

I just emailed my doc and his nurse and told them to no longer prescribe these medications to me as I was dependent/addicted to them.

I feel nauseous after doing that and feel like my addiction just got stabbed.

Next step is to get rid of that refill at CVS.... this is hard and I am getting ready to cry...

[3Xs_U_R_Out]

I would think that if you admit to your doctor that you have issues, there would then be no issue with the doctor offering you meds. Any doctor I've ever heard of won't want to touch addiction issues. You admit that you have a problem and you will never get them again. They're not going to let you set up terms. And that's a good thing! So tell your doctor you don't need them any longer. Cut off your access because there is no in between. Your mind is telling you that if you need them in the future just in case, you'll have the option. And that's how you can end up in the same position you are now. We've all had these same thoughts. Best of luck to you! Stay strong!

[OxyTired]

I can so relate to your dilemma. I also declined surgery. They wanted to do a 3- level lumbar fusion and laminectomy on me. I did not want to risk failed back surgery syndrome. I chose to use Pilates to build core strength instead. When I gave up on my oxycodone and told my pain management Dr I did not want any more of them he really did not seem interested in me or why-just showed me the door. I made sure he understood NO MORE.
I too was worried about, "What if, the pain returns?" Its a 100 days later and my serious back issues give me a low level chronic pain, and I have stiffness too. But nothing that requires opiates.
You have made it a week! You will find  the pain levels decrease with time. Opiates activate more pain receptors in the brain somehow, and create a need for more pain control.
You owe it to yourself to stay away from them. Give your body a chance. Develop other strategies for dealing with pain flareups; nsaids, heating pads, tens, etc
The posters above are correct. Your mind will spin you around in circles to get you to continue drugs.
I told my doctors simply, "We are done here with opiates." It is a good feeling to go home emptyhanded having closed that door.
I still have to be pretty careful with my back. I keep my guard up against the monster in my head that wants drugs, I know he never goes away.
But he can and does lose. Just read the success stories here. Become one of them too!

[WAwantsherlifeback]

EXACTLY.. this is the first time I have ever wanted to stop.. I lied to myself and said they gave me"energy" and that I couldn't function without them... We will see today.. Today is my first day back to the real world and not just laying in bed feeling like a Mack truck ran over me.. :)

[BearsFan1966]

The first thing you need to do if you really want off this stuff is call and cancel that script! I also was taking trams and Norcos and am on day 54 of C/T..you need to tell your dr that you do not want any pain meds again! I know this is hard but after I came off all this stuff my pain level went from 9-10 down to 3-4 and only needing to take Aleve for the pain! If you have access to the pills you will find every excuse to get them. The physical with drawls are hard but the mental are even harder! Trust me cut all your sources!
Remember 1 is too many and 1000 is never enough!
Keep us posted please and we are routing for you!!
Life is so much better sober! and you are worth it!!

[Goblin666]

I know, I heard last night someone say..."Don't do what you want to do (get pills), try doing something different."

II know where getting pills will lead me...  IT ALWAYS DOES.

[WAwantsherlifeback]

I TOO tell myself LIES.. HALF of our brains tell us, 1 or two won't hurt but your other half says NO... Today is day 5 for me and I am STRUGGLING too... I didn't have a prescription for the hydros but they are ALL around me..