Introduction ~ Question on when to try weaning off meds

Posted by ckeys @ckeys, Sep 18, 2018

Hello~ I am a chronic pain sufferer for 7 years. Started after stem cell transplant for an aggressive lymphoma and got much worse after a second one. I am 54 and still grieve what was an am trying to adjust/accept the "new normal." I am in remission, but the alphabet soup of chemo, radiation and two stem cell transplants have left me a shadow of what I once was. My pain is bone and sometimes joint and sometimes all over myalgia. I am on oxycontin 20 3x day and norco 10/325 for break-through pain of which I take 4/day some days six, some days 2 or none, but average 4. I also use medical Marijuana for sleep and really bad days. I started Cymbalta to help with neuropathy in my hands and feet and that helped my overall myalgia pain as well. Here is my question, my palliative care/pain management team is talking about trying to cut back. My thinking is that if I have to take Norco the vast majority of days, cutting back will only increase break through pain. Thoughts, experiences? I live in fear of losing my meds as I was suicidal before I was finally appropriately treated. Help! and Thank you!

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@living_strong

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@living_strong then you need a clear mind I have a L2fracture from work so that put me into retirement I wasn't planning on retirement at 65 but thats life.Along with l fibromyalgia I learned to use holistic meds which work for me I do take 1Tramadol at night .For my inflammation I drink ginger-Tumeric tea .Best of luck to you

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@ckeys

I don’t think using pain medication makes you an addict. It does make you dependent in that you have to wean off – – – but there are many other types of medications that you have to wean from, PPIs come to mind. Personally I much prefer being dependent on a medication that helps me live a full life.

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@ckeys In 05 when I fractured my back after the initial nar otics I was on ,and you listen to your Dr on how many you take ,this wo t make you an addict the Dr told me I then was put on 6,5,4,3,2, then one Tramadol ,at present some days I dont need it but at bedtime it helps me sleep without pain So these people who get addicted are not following the Dr,s instructions.

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