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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Keating on August 13, 2010, at 2:09:01
Hi, I am a 47 year old pilates teacher and artist with a problem. I have stenosis, degenerative disc disease and bone spurs on T2 T5 areas on my right side. 4 years ago I started with pain management with physical therapy, shots that didnt work, massages, and creams all while being prescribed 3 7.5 Lortabs a day (and i will often take 3-6 a day). I recently changed Pain mgmt doctors (he changed the dosage to Lortab 5/500) and this last shot in my facet joints seemed to really help the pain a lot but now I'm facing a scary place in trying to wean myself off this drug. Rehab is not an option for me but I am very driven and when i decide to do something i go for it. My question is do i level with my dr at my next appt (in 2 weeks) about my abuse and ask for help by getting methadone, do i quit cold turkey? I've tried weaning and it works for a day or two then i seem to be back in the same boat. Its a real behavioral issue with me - i never take more than 1 at a time but i space it out like 1 at noon, 1 at 3, 1 or 2 in the evening. Any assistance you could give me would be most appreciative. :)
Posted by Dan_MI on August 13, 2010, at 8:44:44
In reply to Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 13, 2010, at 2:09:01
There are newer drugs to replace methadone. Suboxone (Subutex) is what my little brother takes.
> Hi, I am a 47 year old pilates teacher and artist with a problem. I have stenosis, degenerative disc disease and bone spurs on T2 T5 areas on my right side. 4 years ago I started with pain management with physical therapy, shots that didnt work, massages, and creams all while being prescribed 3 7.5 Lortabs a day (and i will often take 3-6 a day). I recently changed Pain mgmt doctors (he changed the dosage to Lortab 5/500) and this last shot in my facet joints seemed to really help the pain a lot but now I'm facing a scary place in trying to wean myself off this drug. Rehab is not an option for me but I am very driven and when i decide to do something i go for it. My question is do i level with my dr at my next appt (in 2 weeks) about my abuse and ask for help by getting methadone, do i quit cold turkey? I've tried weaning and it works for a day or two then i seem to be back in the same boat. Its a real behavioral issue with me - i never take more than 1 at a time but i space it out like 1 at noon, 1 at 3, 1 or 2 in the evening. Any assistance you could give me would be most appreciative. :)
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2010, at 10:29:37
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Dan_MI on August 13, 2010, at 8:44:44
Old poster takes this med and it worked for her. I feel for you as also was a runner and aerobics dance teacher for years and have the same problems but also osteoporosis. I thought excercise was supposed to protect our bones? Seriously welcome to babble and great that you are so active and determined. 47 was a great year for me. I didn't know bone spurs hurt as I don't think mine do. Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 13, 2010, at 12:35:03
In reply to Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 13, 2010, at 2:09:01
>my abuse
Are you actually abusing it?
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 13, 2010, at 21:21:29
In reply to Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 13, 2010, at 2:09:01
Methadone seems pretty extreme for a hydrocodone addiction. Tapering works best, but if you can't do that, try to get a relatively low dose of suboxone and taper off that under a doctor's supervision. The suboxone stays in your system longer than hydrocodone and is easier to taper.
Posted by Keating on August 14, 2010, at 16:29:25
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by emmanuel98 on August 13, 2010, at 21:21:29
Thanks all for the suggestions - I've always been someone that has felt in control of my life and I really feel like I've lost it as far as this medicine goes. I'm going back to teaching exercise while being mindful of my injury - yes, I really thought I have always been good to my body my whole life but the dependency I feel on getting a hydrocodone fix has me really bothered. I'm trying (unsuccessful mostly) to taper off but I think its more of such a habit now that I don't know what to do when I get anxious and am used to a little pill fixing things, albeit temporarily. I appreciate all your insight and wish you all the best.
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 14, 2010, at 16:42:33
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 14, 2010, at 16:29:25
I guess "want" isn't really a good word here...do you think/feel/believe that meds can and should play an ongoing role in your pain management?
I would think that Tramadol (Ultram) would be a good option, as long as you're not taking antipsychotics. They make a form of it paired with acetaminophen (Ultracet), but I personally would think you'd just want to stick with the Ultram. Ultram can cause dependence, but it isn't a controlled substances; basically, it can create mild euphoria and it has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects, but its not in the same league as the hydrocodone products you've been taking. However, if you take a sufficiently high dosage of the ultram, you should get pretty good pain relief.
If you're able to keep your pain reliever doses low and avoid actually abusing the medication, I'd question whether you have a problem or not. If you opt to take a hydrocodone product long-term, you might want to see about using the versions that use Ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen; that is, try Vicoprofen instead of Vicodin. There's less risk for liver damage that way.
Good luck!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 14, 2010, at 17:18:26
In reply to do you want pain pills?, posted by Christ_empowered on August 14, 2010, at 16:42:33
>If you opt to take a hydrocodone product long-term, you might want to see about using the versions that use Ibuprofen instead of acetaminophen; that is, try Vicoprofen instead of Vicodin. There's less risk for liver damage that way.
Liver damage does not occur when using normal therapeutic doses of acetaminophen on a long term basis; liver damage occurs after an overdose. Acetaminophen is an unusual drug because it is very safe at the recommended dose, but very dangerous in overdose. It is really quite unique.
Ibuprofen is often a more effective pain reliever than acetaminophen, especially for inflammatory or arthritic conditions. Unfortunately, ibuprofen can cause peptic ulceration and bleeding - which can be serious. Assuming that both medications are taken at recommended doses, acetaminophen is safer than ibuprofen.
Posted by sigismund on August 14, 2010, at 18:52:13
In reply to Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 13, 2010, at 2:09:01
I do Pilates every day because of a back condition which required a laminectomy, so I am trying to do what you know well.
Do not go on methadone. It will be harder to give up than hydrocodone. You can wean yourself off hydrocodone more easily. It will be difficult, but not impossible. I got off methadone. It's awful and takes forever.
Posted by Keating on August 15, 2010, at 2:27:46
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW? » Keating, posted by sigismund on August 14, 2010, at 18:52:13
You know, it's weird really - I don't think I have a "dependency" it's moreso like a habit now. The recent shots worked so my pain is really tolerable now - it's just that my mind still thinks, well, it's time to go take my pill and chill out now. I am on a very low dose - three .5 lortabs daily so there really is no high I get anymore. It's just a weird mindset that I need to change. Maybe I just need to grab a handful of jelly beans instead! But I won't lie to you - I really did like the good buzz they once gave me as I am not a drinker, smoker or other drug user. The Ultram is a good idea though because there is off and on pain still - particularly since its on my right side and i am right handed using my hands and arms a lot with my artwork. Hmmmmmm...
I am curious to hear others success (or failure) stories of trying to get off meds - it really is hard isn't it?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on August 15, 2010, at 7:15:42
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 15, 2010, at 2:27:46
Perhaps you should just take Tylenol instead, if you need extra pain relief?
Posted by emmanuel98 on August 15, 2010, at 19:25:54
In reply to Re: Newbie needs to quit lortab once and for all -HOW?, posted by Keating on August 15, 2010, at 2:27:46
15 mg a day of hydrocodone should be easy to get off. Go to 10mg for a couple of days, then to 5, then stop altogether. Or you can just switch over to ultram if you want to go that way.
If all you're taking is 15mg day of hydrocodone, you won't have much in the way of withdrawal symptoms. Maybe some transient depression and insomnia, but none of the chills, pains, nausea that heavy opiate users get. I would tell your doctor you've got a habit and get his/her advice about tapering as well. This will also keep the doctor from continuing to provide hydrocodone.
I was quite addicted to opiate pills and got off them using suboxone. Several months later, I cracked a rib and my PCP (who knew about the addiction) prescribed tramadol, which really, really helped with the pain but didn't create euphoria, so was not really addictive.
This is the end of the thread.
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