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Lack of motivation from long term use of pain meds
Hi, My name is Kris and I am new to the forum. I have suffered from chronic nerve and joint pain for over 7 years now. I am on Oxycontin and Dilaudid and not proud of it. I'm tired of taking the pills and wasting all the money on them when I could be taking my daughter to Disney World like she asks. I have spent over $40,000, this does not include what insurance has paid, trying to find a fix/cure. I wonder what I could have done with all that money and I'm sure my husband does to. I have seen the top specialist in the country and I live in North Dakota, which means I have to fly a lot and I have another appointment in Minneapolis, MN next week. My question to all of you, that have been on long term narcotics, pain medications is wondering if anyone else out there has experienced lack of motivation, no drive in life, depression, and anxiety? I can't seem to ever get motivated to do anything or have the desire to do anything. Life is not fun anymore like it should be. I used to be a very driven motivated person. i can not find any research on this and none of my doctors have an answer. anyone else? HELP!!
The pain meds cause what is referred to as downregulation of dopamime. This chemical is vital to motivation. I know because my house looked like a bad dream - dishes piles up, no job, dirty carpet and everything I never used to be. What I did was cut back on my pain meds and start taking noortropics for brain health. I still take oxycodone 6x a day but I make sure that I am taking care of my brain health. Try binaural beats (YouTube has many!) It's the pain that causes us to have to take meds but the meds cause your brain's homeostasis mechanism to kick in which means it will make sure you don't have too much dopamine. It's answer to this? Stop producing dopamine naturally. Pain docs don't want to admit that these meds create depression, anxiety and a decline in quality of life but I'm here to tell you that they do. The fact that you're aware of the change and still care shows that you're not a lost cause. Focus on brain health and you'll see a turnaround. You can email me at myeshamooresphr at Gmail ******* if you need someone to talk to or need more information. I'm here for you. No one understood what I was going through so I did a lot of research, trial and error on my own. I'm not 100% but I'm getting there. Keep your head up and know that our children want what's best for us and the money you spent in the past is gone. Look towards the future and enjoy your daughter and family. They love you and want you healthy and happy above all else.
I have been on narcotics for chronic pain for several years now, and I have noticed that for the past 4 years, I have had absolutely no motivation to do the slightest thing, like even clean my home or cook dinner for my family, and I'm so depressed that it's awful! My house has become so cluttered that I almost feel like I'm liking in an episode of the show "Hoarders". It's disgusting. I went from a person who had OCD, and had to have everything exactly in its place or I would freak out, I mean, I would actually vacuum 2-3 times a day because I couldn't stand to see any dirt on my floor. I can't stand what I've been reduced to. My home is driving me crazy, but I don't have the energy to do anything about it. At least before all of these meds, yes I had lots of pain, but I just lived with it, and I could actually get things in my life done. Now I'm an absolute mess! I'm so afraid of detox though. I know that it's going to be painful, like absolute he'll on earth. I've already had some symptoms of detox because I've been having serious problems with my former doctor, she was taking away all my pain meds, every month lowering them more and more, and the beginning of this month, we had a huge blow up, and she refused to write my scripts for me at all. So now I'm left without a doctor. I only have what I have left, and then I'm going to go into full blown withdrawal. It's going to be miserable, but maybe in the end, it's a good thing. We'll see!
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Please begin a new thread (Question). This is an old one and will not receive the visibility and responses that you deserve.
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Warm Regards,
~Tuck
If you need assistance beginning a new Question please just ask. I'll watch for your new post.
Warm Regards,
~Tuck
PLEASE consider seeing a "holistic doctor." Someone with years of experience. ALL your medications, lumped together, my goodness, I would never want to get up off the couch.
Thank goodness there is still a glimmer of hope in you -- evidenced by you reaching out here in this forum.
Understand, though, that asking a question like yours' in a Pain Management Forum is like asking what the best diet is in a meat market, when you should be a vegetarian. All these people all doped up on narcs are going to tell you that your dilaudid is "jusssst fine."
YES, I'm sure you need some pain meds... but in my opinion, what you need is the care, concern, life, hope, and joy that a genuine holistic physician can offer. And, don't let your "concepts" get in the way. Just because a doctor is a "holistic" doctor doesn't mean they are going to put you on a wheat-grass-juice diet. I'm not talking about that BS. No, I'm talking about a well-established genuine naturopathic doctor (http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=60).
Your logic, will, and intelligence has gotten you this far -- you see that what you're doing now ain't workin' -- and you are smart enough to hollar out for some help. You may or may not get many responses here, but, at least you got my response!
Thank goodness there is still a glimmer of hope in you -- evidenced by you reaching out here in this forum.
Understand, though, that asking a question like yours' in a Pain Management Forum is like asking what the best diet is in a meat market, when you should be a vegetarian. All these people all doped up on narcs are going to tell you that your dilaudid is "jusssst fine."
YES, I'm sure you need some pain meds... but in my opinion, what you need is the care, concern, life, hope, and joy that a genuine holistic physician can offer. And, don't let your "concepts" get in the way. Just because a doctor is a "holistic" doctor doesn't mean they are going to put you on a wheat-grass-juice diet. I'm not talking about that BS. No, I'm talking about a well-established genuine naturopathic doctor (http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=60).
Your logic, will, and intelligence has gotten you this far -- you see that what you're doing now ain't workin' -- and you are smart enough to hollar out for some help. You may or may not get many responses here, but, at least you got my response!
Depression and chronic pain go hand in hand.
Yes, medication helps plenty. While your Dilaudid is certainly a nervous system depressant, it are not the cause of clinical depression. I lived for many years with hydromorphone with my primary pain medication without suffering depression.
You will find that life is what you make it, but for now, you need the support of an experienced pain psychologist. Ask your pain management physician for a referral to a good pain psychologist -- a mental health specialty that understands people who live with chronic pain.
Best wishes.
Yes, medication helps plenty. While your Dilaudid is certainly a nervous system depressant, it are not the cause of clinical depression. I lived for many years with hydromorphone with my primary pain medication without suffering depression.
You will find that life is what you make it, but for now, you need the support of an experienced pain psychologist. Ask your pain management physician for a referral to a good pain psychologist -- a mental health specialty that understands people who live with chronic pain.
Best wishes.
Hi, this is Remar and I just read your other comment. I looked for this post and found it.
Yes, it could be your medication causing depression but it's also common for chronic pain patients to have depression from the pain.
There are many antidepressants you can try. I took Paxil myself and although it worked so great for my anxiety and depression it also made me have no motivation. I was just so tired all the time! I finally went off of it and tried another antidepressant that did not have these side effects.
Can you say what other pain medications you've tried? We're all so different and respond differently to these medications. I did very well on the first one I tried. It worked great for my pain and I was able to do the things I needed to do. It quit working a couple of months ago and my Dr tried me on another one. It makes me very tired and does not work nearly as well for my pain.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Have you talked to your Dr about other treatments and other pain medications?
Yes, it could be your medication causing depression but it's also common for chronic pain patients to have depression from the pain.
There are many antidepressants you can try. I took Paxil myself and although it worked so great for my anxiety and depression it also made me have no motivation. I was just so tired all the time! I finally went off of it and tried another antidepressant that did not have these side effects.
Can you say what other pain medications you've tried? We're all so different and respond differently to these medications. I did very well on the first one I tried. It worked great for my pain and I was able to do the things I needed to do. It quit working a couple of months ago and my Dr tried me on another one. It makes me very tired and does not work nearly as well for my pain.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Have you talked to your Dr about other treatments and other pain medications?
Dear Kris 40,
I need help so badly and I'm going through almost the same as you. Extensive Failed Laminectomy 2008, many other procedures by very qualified Pain Management Drs. Had Medtronic trial stim. it worked than the implant and it was done, now mal-practice suit. Neurosurgeon did everything wrong. Second Neurosurgeon did who reconstruction and found batter was supposed to put in upper bottuck was put on waist finding blood clots around it, fried wires, a wire was found on outside of spine, I was getting sever electric shocks through out my back, pressure in chest. In O.R. for over 2 hours for what should have been the first time same day a little pain and discomfort. stuimulator works fine now but I was left with damage, pain, quality of life gone. I was also a vibrant, out going person, travel, horses some much is gone.
. Takinging Hydromorphone 8 mg since Nov. 2013. I was told I was going to get worse and I am. But the medication has taken my ambition, caring for myself, my home, my life and now severe depression, confussion, remembering words etc. Medication I take is the only one that has helped the pain.. I see a Psychatrist,, Psycotherapist. I have taken, Paxil, Brindelix,with endorphins but they make me very anxious. Living is hard because I'm a shell of who I was. No intention of hurting myself. I mearly exisist. Is ther anyone out there that medication has helped. I know some spelling is wrong and I apologize. I cry all the time and very sad. I can't drive far anymore due to medication and I can't sit long anymore.
I need help so badly and I'm going through almost the same as you. Extensive Failed Laminectomy 2008, many other procedures by very qualified Pain Management Drs. Had Medtronic trial stim. it worked than the implant and it was done, now mal-practice suit. Neurosurgeon did everything wrong. Second Neurosurgeon did who reconstruction and found batter was supposed to put in upper bottuck was put on waist finding blood clots around it, fried wires, a wire was found on outside of spine, I was getting sever electric shocks through out my back, pressure in chest. In O.R. for over 2 hours for what should have been the first time same day a little pain and discomfort. stuimulator works fine now but I was left with damage, pain, quality of life gone. I was also a vibrant, out going person, travel, horses some much is gone.
. Takinging Hydromorphone 8 mg since Nov. 2013. I was told I was going to get worse and I am. But the medication has taken my ambition, caring for myself, my home, my life and now severe depression, confussion, remembering words etc. Medication I take is the only one that has helped the pain.. I see a Psychatrist,, Psycotherapist. I have taken, Paxil, Brindelix,with endorphins but they make me very anxious. Living is hard because I'm a shell of who I was. No intention of hurting myself. I mearly exisist. Is ther anyone out there that medication has helped. I know some spelling is wrong and I apologize. I cry all the time and very sad. I can't drive far anymore due to medication and I can't sit long anymore.
We've all been in your shoes to one extent or another. Chronic pain isn't easy to deal with, meds or no meds. It infiltrates every area of our lives, and it can take years to accept those major life changes and then begin to rebuild a life that is entirely foreign and certainly unexpected. My pain shrink has been a huge help for me in that regard. Maybe a therapist can help you sort through some of these issues. It's worth trying anyway - what do you have to lose?
To a large extent, we all have to learn to live with pain in one way or another. Most everyone here is on opiate therapy, and we all still have pain. We're all still living too. The idea is to celebrate the good days and learn to survive the bad days and leave them in the past. It's kind of a Scarlett O'Hara, "tomorrow is another day" kind of attitude, and it is something we all have to do to survive with chronic pain.
Although you may not be able to physically do many things now that you once did, you still have a brain and you also have a computer. Take advantage of your time and resources and satisfy anything under the sun that you're curious about. Get your daughter involved too and make a joint project out of something she's interested in and make it a bonding experience. I love genealogy and spend a lot of time researching and reading anything I can get my hands on. Through exercising my mental self, I suppose I live more in my head these days, but I'm still LIVING! I've found relatives I never knew about and now have a huge extended family, many of whom I have become very close to over the years. The idea is to focus on what you have rather than what you don't have. There is a very good reason that the word "disability" is often spelled "disABILITY." That puts the focus on Ability rather than the lack of it.
If you've been on the same meds all these years, or even for several months, a change to something different may help in a couple of ways. One, simply changing to a different medication of similar strength can help with tolerance. You may find you don't need as much as you thought you did with a different combination. Two, your depression very well may be due to either one of your meds or the combination together. Now would be a good time to find out. If you aren't taking an antidepressant, ask your doctor about trying one. If you're already taking one, maybe it's time to change to something else. Loss of effectiveness is a common problem with antidepressants.
Have you ever tried to lower your dose for a while just to see where your pain levels are at? After years of opiate therapy, you may not need as much medication now. The only way to find out is to try it. That's another frank discussion to have with your doctor. You both need to talk about your goals for pain management. If you're looking for physical and mental improvement rather than a cure, you are both more likely to reach a realistic treatment goal.
You mention that you've spent years trying to find a cure or at least something that will improve your life. Take a break! I totally understand that you want a cure so you can be all the things you want to be for your daughter, but don't forget about yourself. I also sense that you realize that maybe you've focused on finding the cure for too long and perhaps with too much intensity. Meanwhile, you're daughter is growing up and you're missing out on so much. Disneyland is nothing. Having a solid relationship with your daughter is the important thing here.
It's HEALTHY to take a break, step back, and enjoy your life for a while. Your pain and condition will still be there. It's not going anywhere and taking a few weeks or months off from your search doesn't mean you'll miss out on some super doctor or treatment that you didn't know existed. If they do exist, they'll still be there when you get back to your search. Try not to beat yourself up for not discovering something that may not even exist. Taking a break is not a surrender, nor is it a sign of some kind of weakness - and neither is having to take opiate pain medications.
I get it. I really do because I got caught in the same thing time after time before I finally understood that there is only so much medicine can do for me. My life and my quality of life is really up to me. That was a tremendously difficult concept to get through my thick head. You've put so much responsibility onto your shoulders trying to get better, it's no wonder you're feeling down and unmotivated. You don't have to continue feeling that way.
I hope I haven't either misread your situation or worse, confused and depressed you even more! Your post really called to me because of the similarity to my own chronic pain experience. Please keep posting here. You'll see there are so many people just like you, and we all support one another through times like this. You never know when someone will write one phrase or even just a word that will resonate and begin to lift you out of your funk. It WILL get better! :-)
To a large extent, we all have to learn to live with pain in one way or another. Most everyone here is on opiate therapy, and we all still have pain. We're all still living too. The idea is to celebrate the good days and learn to survive the bad days and leave them in the past. It's kind of a Scarlett O'Hara, "tomorrow is another day" kind of attitude, and it is something we all have to do to survive with chronic pain.
Although you may not be able to physically do many things now that you once did, you still have a brain and you also have a computer. Take advantage of your time and resources and satisfy anything under the sun that you're curious about. Get your daughter involved too and make a joint project out of something she's interested in and make it a bonding experience. I love genealogy and spend a lot of time researching and reading anything I can get my hands on. Through exercising my mental self, I suppose I live more in my head these days, but I'm still LIVING! I've found relatives I never knew about and now have a huge extended family, many of whom I have become very close to over the years. The idea is to focus on what you have rather than what you don't have. There is a very good reason that the word "disability" is often spelled "disABILITY." That puts the focus on Ability rather than the lack of it.
If you've been on the same meds all these years, or even for several months, a change to something different may help in a couple of ways. One, simply changing to a different medication of similar strength can help with tolerance. You may find you don't need as much as you thought you did with a different combination. Two, your depression very well may be due to either one of your meds or the combination together. Now would be a good time to find out. If you aren't taking an antidepressant, ask your doctor about trying one. If you're already taking one, maybe it's time to change to something else. Loss of effectiveness is a common problem with antidepressants.
Have you ever tried to lower your dose for a while just to see where your pain levels are at? After years of opiate therapy, you may not need as much medication now. The only way to find out is to try it. That's another frank discussion to have with your doctor. You both need to talk about your goals for pain management. If you're looking for physical and mental improvement rather than a cure, you are both more likely to reach a realistic treatment goal.
You mention that you've spent years trying to find a cure or at least something that will improve your life. Take a break! I totally understand that you want a cure so you can be all the things you want to be for your daughter, but don't forget about yourself. I also sense that you realize that maybe you've focused on finding the cure for too long and perhaps with too much intensity. Meanwhile, you're daughter is growing up and you're missing out on so much. Disneyland is nothing. Having a solid relationship with your daughter is the important thing here.
It's HEALTHY to take a break, step back, and enjoy your life for a while. Your pain and condition will still be there. It's not going anywhere and taking a few weeks or months off from your search doesn't mean you'll miss out on some super doctor or treatment that you didn't know existed. If they do exist, they'll still be there when you get back to your search. Try not to beat yourself up for not discovering something that may not even exist. Taking a break is not a surrender, nor is it a sign of some kind of weakness - and neither is having to take opiate pain medications.
I get it. I really do because I got caught in the same thing time after time before I finally understood that there is only so much medicine can do for me. My life and my quality of life is really up to me. That was a tremendously difficult concept to get through my thick head. You've put so much responsibility onto your shoulders trying to get better, it's no wonder you're feeling down and unmotivated. You don't have to continue feeling that way.
I hope I haven't either misread your situation or worse, confused and depressed you even more! Your post really called to me because of the similarity to my own chronic pain experience. Please keep posting here. You'll see there are so many people just like you, and we all support one another through times like this. You never know when someone will write one phrase or even just a word that will resonate and begin to lift you out of your funk. It WILL get better! :-)
scratch that. IV dilaudid doesn't work either...they just gave it to me at the ER today (long story...I'm in a LOT of pain tonight)...and all it did was make me sleepy but my pain was still awful...the 20mg hydrocodone they gave me 20 minutes later did a lot more for me. and I DID feel very very down after the dilaudid...so it just reinforces my belief that it's a med that can cause depression.
I'm so glad you said that Mellie...I thought I was the only one. Dilaudid never does anything for my pain. IV/IM Dilaudid, yes, but pill-form Dilaudid has always been worthless to me. I have a whole bottle sitting in my cabinet that I haven't taken because I just see no point, and it makes me so depressed.
I tried Dilaudid after a surgery in March, and despite the fairly high dose, it did nothing for me. It wasn't even as effective as an Advil. But I wasn't on it long enough to know whether it would make me depressed.
I will say, though, that money spent on controlling your pain is not wasted. Disney isn't going anywhere; it will be there and someday you'll get there with your daughter. I know, though, that Disney would be impossible for me without pain meds. I would never be able to withstand the physical walking around the parks without managing my pain.
And I agree about talking with your doctor. Maybe there's a different combination that will work better for you.
I will say, though, that money spent on controlling your pain is not wasted. Disney isn't going anywhere; it will be there and someday you'll get there with your daughter. I know, though, that Disney would be impossible for me without pain meds. I would never be able to withstand the physical walking around the parks without managing my pain.
And I agree about talking with your doctor. Maybe there's a different combination that will work better for you.
Like everyone here has said, no one is truly happy having to treat chronic pain with meds...it's like a chain around your ankle that you can never unlock.
But let's also be honest that, at least in my experience, the untreated pain would interfere with my life FAR more than any medication side effects or impacts from taking them. It's very important to find a balance along the fine line of pain management; enough meds to manage your pain, but not enough to turn you into a zombie. At one point I was on Lortab 10/500 every 4 hours and Xanax .5 every 6 hours...and I was a zombie 24/7, and I was having rebound headaches....and fast-forward to about 2 years after that and they tried me on MSContin 15mg 3x a day and Lortab 7.5/500 every 4-6 hours for breakthrough pain...and once again, I was a zombie. My pain was managed perfectly; I had no incidents of overwhelming pain and I never had to chase spikes...but I was too exhausted. Fast-forward to now; I'm taking 2-3 Norco 10/325's a day and that's it, and my pain is not GONE but it's to a point where I can cope, and where I can still function. that's the true goal of pain management, and if your meds are overwhelming you, it's very important to talk to your doctor about adjusting them. there are also alternative meds (oxycodone versus hydrocodone, for instance) that can sometimes make a difference because of how you react to each med as an individual.
I've discovered after nearly 5 years of having to treat my pain with narcotics (the pain became unbearable 5 years ago and OTC and NSAID's were no longer cutting it) that the "high" I get when my meds kick in isn't the typical drug "high"...it's a "high" of relief because my pain is eased, and it allows me to get out of the fetal position I was curled in, dust myself off, and get done what I need to do. THIS is what pain management needs to feel like. no drug "highs" (that euphoric feeling)...and no drug "lows" (where you're so zonked out because the meds are so strong)....if that makes any sense? I hope it does. Remember that the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about what you're feeling...if these meds are making you feel awful, talk to him. he has other options he can suggest...adjustments can be made...your pain can still be treated without you feeling this way, although a certain amount of anxiety and depression are a side effect of chronic pain in general, sad to say.
Good luck and welcome!
Might I add that I've always had trouble with Dilauded causing depression for me as well....not that long ago they tried 4-8mgs every 4-6hours for me and I was so bummed out...I realized it almost right away and they switched me to Endocet (percocet 10/325) and the difference was HUGE. so I don't know if others have had a similar reaction to the Dilauded but I've found it recently (and in the distant past) to be a med that is accompanied by severe depression.
as for the money...wouldn't your daughter want a mom who isn't suffering, as well? That's worth more than a trip to disney any day.
But let's also be honest that, at least in my experience, the untreated pain would interfere with my life FAR more than any medication side effects or impacts from taking them. It's very important to find a balance along the fine line of pain management; enough meds to manage your pain, but not enough to turn you into a zombie. At one point I was on Lortab 10/500 every 4 hours and Xanax .5 every 6 hours...and I was a zombie 24/7, and I was having rebound headaches....and fast-forward to about 2 years after that and they tried me on MSContin 15mg 3x a day and Lortab 7.5/500 every 4-6 hours for breakthrough pain...and once again, I was a zombie. My pain was managed perfectly; I had no incidents of overwhelming pain and I never had to chase spikes...but I was too exhausted. Fast-forward to now; I'm taking 2-3 Norco 10/325's a day and that's it, and my pain is not GONE but it's to a point where I can cope, and where I can still function. that's the true goal of pain management, and if your meds are overwhelming you, it's very important to talk to your doctor about adjusting them. there are also alternative meds (oxycodone versus hydrocodone, for instance) that can sometimes make a difference because of how you react to each med as an individual.
I've discovered after nearly 5 years of having to treat my pain with narcotics (the pain became unbearable 5 years ago and OTC and NSAID's were no longer cutting it) that the "high" I get when my meds kick in isn't the typical drug "high"...it's a "high" of relief because my pain is eased, and it allows me to get out of the fetal position I was curled in, dust myself off, and get done what I need to do. THIS is what pain management needs to feel like. no drug "highs" (that euphoric feeling)...and no drug "lows" (where you're so zonked out because the meds are so strong)....if that makes any sense? I hope it does. Remember that the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about what you're feeling...if these meds are making you feel awful, talk to him. he has other options he can suggest...adjustments can be made...your pain can still be treated without you feeling this way, although a certain amount of anxiety and depression are a side effect of chronic pain in general, sad to say.
Good luck and welcome!
Might I add that I've always had trouble with Dilauded causing depression for me as well....not that long ago they tried 4-8mgs every 4-6hours for me and I was so bummed out...I realized it almost right away and they switched me to Endocet (percocet 10/325) and the difference was HUGE. so I don't know if others have had a similar reaction to the Dilauded but I've found it recently (and in the distant past) to be a med that is accompanied by severe depression.
as for the money...wouldn't your daughter want a mom who isn't suffering, as well? That's worth more than a trip to disney any day.
Hi Kris, and welcome. This is a fantastic forum. It's been a lifesaver for me.
I think I may know how you feel a little bit. When I first started taking Percocets (and my pain was significantly less,) I felt like they helped mask my pain and I had more energy. But as I've had more surgeries, more pain and different types of pain, I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of pain and medications and surgeries.
With what I take now (75 mg Fentanyl and 30 to 45 mg oxycone, as well as Cymbalta for nerve pain, Clonidine for nerve pain, topical creams, Ambien for sleep, and Ativan for anxiety,) I feel like when my pain is well-covered, I'm tired. I also haven't been sleeping well at all since mid-July when things took a turn for the worse and I needed another surgery in August.
There have been times where I've wondered how much these meds help and what I give up being on them. Then I'll have to skip a dose or two for some reason (maybe I have to drive the kids somewhere or something and I realize how bad my pain is.
I think I may know how you feel a little bit. When I first started taking Percocets (and my pain was significantly less,) I felt like they helped mask my pain and I had more energy. But as I've had more surgeries, more pain and different types of pain, I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of pain and medications and surgeries.
With what I take now (75 mg Fentanyl and 30 to 45 mg oxycone, as well as Cymbalta for nerve pain, Clonidine for nerve pain, topical creams, Ambien for sleep, and Ativan for anxiety,) I feel like when my pain is well-covered, I'm tired. I also haven't been sleeping well at all since mid-July when things took a turn for the worse and I needed another surgery in August.
There have been times where I've wondered how much these meds help and what I give up being on them. Then I'll have to skip a dose or two for some reason (maybe I have to drive the kids somewhere or something and I realize how bad my pain is.
I am definetly not as motivated as I used to be but it is definetly the pain. The meds probably have something to do with it as I know I need them to function, but to me it's like taking insulin or BP meds. The only difference for me is that they are schedule 2 or whatever and difficult to have filled sometimes. I live about 2.5 hours from Disney World and ironically, my PMP's office is off the same interstate.
Also, Tuck was right about none of us being "happy" to take the meds. The whole CP/meds/stress situation *****. I think it's definetly important to come to terms with taking the meds as it's take meds or suffer for me and I'm not one to suffer if I don't have to.
I also understand what you mean about the out-of-pocket costs, although you have me beat by a lot. Still, for what I've had to pay for meds and doctor's visits, the family could have gone on a great vacation. I'd much rather have a great vacation with my family than go to doctors and take meds, but I'm learning to come to terms with it.
You are definetly not alone in having to deal with all of this. I have found that this forum has really helped me to find support and learn to deal with what may be a life-long condition and my quality of life has definetly improved just knowing that others are successfully dealing with pain and meds, too. I know we are all happy you've joined us and hope to hear from you more in the future.
Also, Tuck was right about none of us being "happy" to take the meds. The whole CP/meds/stress situation *****. I think it's definetly important to come to terms with taking the meds as it's take meds or suffer for me and I'm not one to suffer if I don't have to.
I also understand what you mean about the out-of-pocket costs, although you have me beat by a lot. Still, for what I've had to pay for meds and doctor's visits, the family could have gone on a great vacation. I'd much rather have a great vacation with my family than go to doctors and take meds, but I'm learning to come to terms with it.
You are definetly not alone in having to deal with all of this. I have found that this forum has really helped me to find support and learn to deal with what may be a life-long condition and my quality of life has definetly improved just knowing that others are successfully dealing with pain and meds, too. I know we are all happy you've joined us and hope to hear from you more in the future.
I feel the same way. When I first started lorcet 10-4 years ago-i was soo happy that my chronic pain (back, neck,knee, shoulder) was gone that I was doing everything. Now because I've been on them so long they don't work as well and I still feel the pain which makes me not want to do much. My dr switched me to roxicodone and I had a sever allergic reaction and had to go back to lorcet. Right now I am not taking the lorcets for a few days with hopes they will work better after not using them for a week. The pain now though, is debilitating and I am sure I am in withdrawl. Good luck!
I am having the same issue, but I don't necessarily blame it on the pain meds. I blame it on the fact that I'm on pain meds but still have pain! So my activity level is down, and Disneyland hurts!
But here is a question- when someone suggests taking your daughter to Disneyland, what goes through your mind? The meds or the pain?
Because when I started this journey, my PA told me that if at any point I found myself not doing things because I wanted to stay home with my meds, that's when it had turned into a problem.
(and I don't mean because you need the meds to treat the pain. You might be taking the meds when you have pain, but the feeling of the meds still is what is taking over your life).
If you are still not going to Disneyland because it hurts too much, it's not the meds that are the problem, and stop feeling bad about them. The lack of motivation comes from pain. It really causes a whole host of psychological problems- there are actually steps up from what you're doing, such as pain pumps. But make sure which issue you're having first.
But here is a question- when someone suggests taking your daughter to Disneyland, what goes through your mind? The meds or the pain?
Because when I started this journey, my PA told me that if at any point I found myself not doing things because I wanted to stay home with my meds, that's when it had turned into a problem.
(and I don't mean because you need the meds to treat the pain. You might be taking the meds when you have pain, but the feeling of the meds still is what is taking over your life).
If you are still not going to Disneyland because it hurts too much, it's not the meds that are the problem, and stop feeling bad about them. The lack of motivation comes from pain. It really causes a whole host of psychological problems- there are actually steps up from what you're doing, such as pain pumps. But make sure which issue you're having first.
Hello Kris,
I am very sorry you are struggling with chronic pain and the challenges that it brings into our lives. We know all too well how very difficult it can be.
I find your comment,"I am on Oxycontin and Dilaudid and not proud of it." at the very least interesting. Please don't feel bad over the fact that you require opiates to control your chronic pain and to function. I also take two opiates, a long and short released one. I am not by any means ashamed of that fact. No one is "happy" that we require opiates but I think we are all grateful when our pain is controlled.
The symptoms you describe sound more like situational depression that primarily from your opiate requirement. I agree that you should consult a pain management therapist.
I do not experience those symptoms. Don't get me wrong I think we all have a bad day here and there when living with chronic pain just simply gets us down.
I wish you the very best and hope you will find solutions. Please keep in touch with us and feel free to ask additional questions. I will look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Take Care,
~Tuck
I am very sorry you are struggling with chronic pain and the challenges that it brings into our lives. We know all too well how very difficult it can be.
I find your comment,"I am on Oxycontin and Dilaudid and not proud of it." at the very least interesting. Please don't feel bad over the fact that you require opiates to control your chronic pain and to function. I also take two opiates, a long and short released one. I am not by any means ashamed of that fact. No one is "happy" that we require opiates but I think we are all grateful when our pain is controlled.
The symptoms you describe sound more like situational depression that primarily from your opiate requirement. I agree that you should consult a pain management therapist.
I do not experience those symptoms. Don't get me wrong I think we all have a bad day here and there when living with chronic pain just simply gets us down.
I wish you the very best and hope you will find solutions. Please keep in touch with us and feel free to ask additional questions. I will look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Take Care,
~Tuck
I'm finding the same effect as Flower does, but certainly some opiods in higher doses and chronic use, do have the propensity to cause depression and lethargy.
Indeed, chronic pain itself can cause it.
Do you have a therapist? There are many who specialize in treating patients with chronic pain. You could also discuss these issues with your pain team. Perhaps there should be a change in your management plan.
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Chris
Indeed, chronic pain itself can cause it.
Do you have a therapist? There are many who specialize in treating patients with chronic pain. You could also discuss these issues with your pain team. Perhaps there should be a change in your management plan.
I'm so sorry you're going through this.
Chris
Hi Kris. Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry that you're having such a hard time. I find the opposite is true with me. The pain medications that I take allow me to live life with less pain and therefore accomplish more.
Maybe someone else will come on and post more.
Have you talked to your doctor about this?
Hugs,
Flower
Maybe someone else will come on and post more.
Have you talked to your doctor about this?
Hugs,
Flower
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