Hello everyone. I have been clean for 5 1/2 months. Yesterday I went to my Doctor for a very painfull ache under my left ribcage I've had for 2 weeks. He said it could be a intestinal blockage, a kidney stone, or Diverdicuitis (sp?). So before sending me in for an x-ray he prescribed 100 Vicodin. Part of me was happy, the other part angry and sad. Because even tho the pain meds are needed for this pain I didn't want the nightmare of the addiction. After my x-ray I came home and gave the 100 Vicodin to my husband to hold for me. He aske "Why do you want we to keep them for you?" He still dosn't know of my 6 year addiction. I told him that I hear stories of people getting addicted and I'm a little scared. The Doctor called and said there were know signs of a kidney stone and all looks well. But take the laxitive and see if the pain subsides. If not come back to see me. The laxitive didn't get rid of the pain. I haven't takin any Vicodin I'm scared to. So I don't know what to do.
Gina
Well Gina nobody can make this choice for you. Let's face it all addicts at some point in their life will more than likely need a pain med. It sounds like you did the right thing by letting your husband hold them for you.
If I were you I would be honest with him. Tell him about your addiction. He can't help you nor support you if he is left in the dark.
If you think your pain really and truly requires a vicodin take one as prescribed. When the pain stops have your husband FLUSH the rest.
Drink plenty of water. Get some rest and feel better soon.
Congrats on 5 1/2 months clean. Taking meds for legit pain and staying accountable does not take away your clean time. There is no need to suffer but be honest with yourself. Only you know if you really need a narcotic to control your pain.
Rae
If I were you I would be honest with him. Tell him about your addiction. He can't help you nor support you if he is left in the dark.
If you think your pain really and truly requires a vicodin take one as prescribed. When the pain stops have your husband FLUSH the rest.
Drink plenty of water. Get some rest and feel better soon.
Congrats on 5 1/2 months clean. Taking meds for legit pain and staying accountable does not take away your clean time. There is no need to suffer but be honest with yourself. Only you know if you really need a narcotic to control your pain.
Rae
Why did you get 100?That seems excessive.
You are managing the pain so far? It might not get worse and OTC remedies may be enough.
One thing that did set off some alarms were:Not being honest with your husband and not being honest with your doctor.Both people are in charge of your addiction at this point.That is very scary.If your doctor knew you were an addict,I doubt he would have given you a prescription for 100 Vicodin.That would be unethical.
Like Rae said,it's up to you now.You will have to be honest and remember.....once that opiate hits your bloodstream,it doesn't matter if it was prescribed or not.The addict behavour will kick in big time.
You are managing the pain so far? It might not get worse and OTC remedies may be enough.
One thing that did set off some alarms were:Not being honest with your husband and not being honest with your doctor.Both people are in charge of your addiction at this point.That is very scary.If your doctor knew you were an addict,I doubt he would have given you a prescription for 100 Vicodin.That would be unethical.
Like Rae said,it's up to you now.You will have to be honest and remember.....once that opiate hits your bloodstream,it doesn't matter if it was prescribed or not.The addict behavour will kick in big time.
The addict behavior will kick in big time. Boy isn't that the truth. If your husband doesn't know about your addiction you will be begging him for more and more. Then of course you could always get a refil from that doctor. Then the next prescription you may not give your husband to hold for you because you think you have it under control. You could be off and running in no time. I have been there done it with a script of 20.
I agree with Tim. 100 pills? WOW, that's a lot for someone that hasn't been precribed Vicodin in 5 1/2 months.
Like I said before the choice is yours. Only you know your pain level and only you can set the safety nets.
Good luck in whatever you decide and feel better soon.
Rae
I agree with Tim. 100 pills? WOW, that's a lot for someone that hasn't been precribed Vicodin in 5 1/2 months.
Like I said before the choice is yours. Only you know your pain level and only you can set the safety nets.
Good luck in whatever you decide and feel better soon.
Rae
Yeah, 100 blew me away. My husband tore a ligament in his shoulder and he got 15...that was the max the dr would give him. I would get honest with that dr, he isn't doing you any favors.
Janet was your husband seen? The ER? Most hospital's won't send you home from open heart surgery with 100 vicodin. I agree with Tim. It's time to get honest with your doctor or your husband. They can't help you help yourself if they don't know you have a problem.
Rae
Rae
He went to our regular GP. They X rayed him and sent him home with a Medrol pack and the pain meds. I'm sure that if he had still been hurting he could have gone back and gotten more meds. The drs around here are starting to crack down on over prescribing. My PM dr wouldn't even give me a refill on the meds that I have, I have to see him again before I get anything else.
gina, defintely tell your doctor about your addiction. ultram or ultracet might be a better choice to try at first. it can be addictive but not as much as vicodin due to the fact it only works on the opiate receptor for pain and not the site for satiety or "feel good" please read my post "withdrawal help" you may have some insite for me. thanks
Janet,
I had no idea you were seeing a pain management doctor. How long have you been going? What is he prescribing you if you don't mind me asking? I know your drug of choice is cocaine but be careful. Those PM doctor's tend to keep their patients coming back for years to come. I hope it's nothing serious?? Is this for your fibro?
Rae
I had no idea you were seeing a pain management doctor. How long have you been going? What is he prescribing you if you don't mind me asking? I know your drug of choice is cocaine but be careful. Those PM doctor's tend to keep their patients coming back for years to come. I hope it's nothing serious?? Is this for your fibro?
Rae
Rae, I will email you as I respect the members of this board and wouldn't want to be a trigger.
When in doubt...throw it out!
Janet,
I got your e-mail but I must say this. You've been a long time member of this board. You are always there to greet the newcomer and lend an ear to those in need. People come to this board and talk about pills and their addiction everyday.
I do NOT feel your story would be anymore of a trigger than this very thread could be to someone. That is just my thoughts. I think you could use all the advice and help as the next person. That is your choice if and when you want to share.
YGM..
Rae
I got your e-mail but I must say this. You've been a long time member of this board. You are always there to greet the newcomer and lend an ear to those in need. People come to this board and talk about pills and their addiction everyday.
I do NOT feel your story would be anymore of a trigger than this very thread could be to someone. That is just my thoughts. I think you could use all the advice and help as the next person. That is your choice if and when you want to share.
YGM..
Rae
thanks Rae
I think the reason I am reluctant to post is that I've had people say that they are envious that I can take the meds. I don't remember who it was that said that, but it's made me cautious of what I am saying.
I think the reason I am reluctant to post is that I've had people say that they are envious that I can take the meds. I don't remember who it was that said that, but it's made me cautious of what I am saying.
You have made it this far without any. I wouldn't think to much about the "what if's." Like, what if it gets worse? Only you know your pain and motivation for taking them. There are all levels of pain and just because you have pain doesn't necessarily mean you need the meds. I used to be able to convince myself I need pain pills for a stubbed toe!
I really believe that if you have them available, you will develop a "need" for them. A wise person, a long time sober recovering addict, once told me...If meds were in the house his body would develop a need for them. It wasn't all in his head, but real symptoms manifested from the addict brain. Vicodin in the house and he would get backaches, migraines, etc. and they called him until he gave in. Benzos in the house and he would have anxiety that would turn to full blow panic attacks.
The brain is a mysterious thing and I believe this to be possible. 100 is waaaayyyyy excessive and more than enough to have a full blown relapse on. Please be careful.
I really believe that if you have them available, you will develop a "need" for them. A wise person, a long time sober recovering addict, once told me...If meds were in the house his body would develop a need for them. It wasn't all in his head, but real symptoms manifested from the addict brain. Vicodin in the house and he would get backaches, migraines, etc. and they called him until he gave in. Benzos in the house and he would have anxiety that would turn to full blow panic attacks.
The brain is a mysterious thing and I believe this to be possible. 100 is waaaayyyyy excessive and more than enough to have a full blown relapse on. Please be careful.
Good advice Atlas.
Excellent post Atlas! How true. I am still that way if I have ibuprophin (sp?) in the house I have headache, backache, butt ache whatever. I have to really watch myself. Just hang in there slave. Remember what addiction is all about it hurts but remember the pain of loosing yourself and being guided daily not by a HP but on how you would get your drugs....YUCK.
Love,
Jane
Love,
Jane
Atlas-RIGHT ON.
That is exactly how I relapsed in 2002 after having a year clean time.I had a major accident on a mountain bike and did some extensive foot damage.I had a script for Percocets in my medicine cabinent.I would go to meetings and share how I was taking them as prescribed but my pain was still bad...1st lie.
I would have people give me feedback and give the prerequisite condolences....in other words,I was fishing for group permission and getting it.
My sponsor was at the meeting and confronted me.He asked point blank how many I had taken that night because my pupils were micro.I was deeply offended and told him I had only taken one....2nd lie.
The lies came easier and easier.I had relapsed when I refused to have my sponsor go with me to the doctor because I knew he would say something.
Bottom line.......I was eating them like candy.My pain was not even that bad.As long as they were sitting in my house,they were calling to me.My pain shot up and the denial kicked in.
This is a disease of dishonesty.
My mind is not my friend when it comes to judging whether I should take a narcotic.I don't have that kind of power.That is something that I choose to give to God today and I have no regrets.
That is exactly how I relapsed in 2002 after having a year clean time.I had a major accident on a mountain bike and did some extensive foot damage.I had a script for Percocets in my medicine cabinent.I would go to meetings and share how I was taking them as prescribed but my pain was still bad...1st lie.
I would have people give me feedback and give the prerequisite condolences....in other words,I was fishing for group permission and getting it.
My sponsor was at the meeting and confronted me.He asked point blank how many I had taken that night because my pupils were micro.I was deeply offended and told him I had only taken one....2nd lie.
The lies came easier and easier.I had relapsed when I refused to have my sponsor go with me to the doctor because I knew he would say something.
Bottom line.......I was eating them like candy.My pain was not even that bad.As long as they were sitting in my house,they were calling to me.My pain shot up and the denial kicked in.
This is a disease of dishonesty.
My mind is not my friend when it comes to judging whether I should take a narcotic.I don't have that kind of power.That is something that I choose to give to God today and I have no regrets.
Slave4-
I am really not all that surprised that you were prescribed 100 vicoden. It all depends on the physician. I went in a few years ago with a burn on my hand and was given 90 of the 7.5's with a refill, so it does happen.
Your choice what to do with them, I have found myself that no matter what, I cannot control my use, I do know that for sure.
I think there will come a time in all of our lives, where we are going to need pain meds for one reason or another, and we will all have to deal with this one.
As far as telling your husband. I dont know your situation at home, and I am not so sure that is always the best advice, it just depends on the person's situation, and the spouse. I have wished since the day I told my husband that he did not know, and to do it all over again, I would never of done it.
This is just my situation though, you may have a spouse, who accepts it, and will be very understanding. Is your choice.
Be careful with the Vicoden, and please if you dont need them, get rid of them.........
Keep posting.
Hugs.
I am really not all that surprised that you were prescribed 100 vicoden. It all depends on the physician. I went in a few years ago with a burn on my hand and was given 90 of the 7.5's with a refill, so it does happen.
Your choice what to do with them, I have found myself that no matter what, I cannot control my use, I do know that for sure.
I think there will come a time in all of our lives, where we are going to need pain meds for one reason or another, and we will all have to deal with this one.
As far as telling your husband. I dont know your situation at home, and I am not so sure that is always the best advice, it just depends on the person's situation, and the spouse. I have wished since the day I told my husband that he did not know, and to do it all over again, I would never of done it.
This is just my situation though, you may have a spouse, who accepts it, and will be very understanding. Is your choice.
Be careful with the Vicoden, and please if you dont need them, get rid of them.........
Keep posting.
Hugs.
Thank You javagirl for understanding about not telling the extent of my past addiction with my husband. He does know I had a hard time weening off the Vicodins after my shoulder surgery. I am in alot of pain right now but the pain of addiction seems worse to me. I havent takin any and I don't want to. I want them to find out the cause and sorce of this pain so I can go on with my days like normal.
Gina,
Congratulations on 5 1/2 months. We started together on this board, remember me?
You must tell your doctor about your addiction. Your doctor will give you pain meds just not 100 at a time.
You do not have to suffer with pain just because you are an addict. You have to be honest with your doctor so you can be treated properly. My doctors know I am an addict and it is a huge weight off my back.
Catherine
Congratulations on 5 1/2 months. We started together on this board, remember me?
You must tell your doctor about your addiction. Your doctor will give you pain meds just not 100 at a time.
You do not have to suffer with pain just because you are an addict. You have to be honest with your doctor so you can be treated properly. My doctors know I am an addict and it is a huge weight off my back.
Catherine
