Need for strong meds

[trixieplayer]

I am in a situation where I have been on Morphine and oxycodone for treatment of pain associated with two chronic illnesses. Neither of which will improve over time. The diseases remain the same, why would'nt the medication required for treatment? My dr. is tapering off my dosage of oxycodone and I am having a difficult time dealing with the pain as a result. Why should I be made to feel as though I should'nt use pain medication if my pain levels require that I do? I am not a drug abuser. I am tired of being felt that it is such an accomplishment to go without medication and live in pain. What am I missing?

[trixy71]

ncgirl01, Actually, its not physically addicted, its physically "dependent", two totally different meanings.

Trixieplayer, Now, Since you haven't given us many details, this is only a guess, but its possible that your doctor wants to taper you to see where your pain levels are now, its possible that he wants you to do this to "reset" your pain receptors and to see if you can get along with a different/smaller dosage. Tolerance is an issue but many doctors will rotate meds usually once a year to help battle the tolerance issue.

What are your conditions and what are your pain meds, it will help us give you more specific advice. Have you talked to your doctor about why he is tapering you off, what did he say?

Good luck to you!

[ncgirl01]

When chronic pain is managed with narcotics you run into a whole other set of problems, the biggest being that you build a tolerance and they become ineffective. Now you've got 2 problems...you, even though not an abuser, are physically addicted to the medication and that sets in motion a terrible cycle.

[dominosarah]

Here is the link for the pain management forum.  I think they are better suited to give you advice.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Pain-Management/show/53