Abuse of Opioids takes away from all the good it can do

I've had a very similar history as you. Been cutting Oxy since my earliest joint surgeries in the mid 90's. After many more surgeries the Oxy allowed me to exercise until I had a huge spinal surgery in 2020. The Oxy gave me a life, things like yard work and house upgrades... that is up until last winter. I was 72 and it seemed like all my pains took over. This summer heat has me sitting hours on end. The pills make the pain manageable but I can't do much anymore. It weird, sometimes I forget to take half a 10mg Oxy (like you), and I get up start to do something like walk to the kitchen and it reminds me with pain all over. I like to think because I forget to take the pill I'm not addicted. I don't know, seems like age has caught up with me. I'm in pretty good shape as far as other meds, just a small BP and statin for my heart disease history. Strange thing is only recently had to start taking the Oxy during the night. Can't sleep through the night from the joint pain. I knew a couple other men who had similar experiences as me. They're all dead now. 68 was hell for me after that back surgery.

I have been on Oxycodone 7.5/325 4 x daily for over 5 years and diffenet variants of pain medication for over 20 years due to a bad spine; both lumbar and cervical. I had a wonderful doctor once who explained to me that I was NOT an addict, but that I would be drug reliant probably for the rest of my life in order to have some semblance of a fairly normal life. I do not abuse them and do not ask very often to have my prescription changed. Recently I did have hip replacement surgery and had the surgeon add 2 extra per day (every 4 hours instead of every 6 hours as needed) for one month. Hopefully then I will be able to go back to my regular amount. Just the extra 2 a day has had some drawbacks along with making my recover bearable. But I am managing as I was already aware of what could happen; constipation etc. I have found that the best thing to do if your know you are going to need long term opioid use is to find a good reputable Pain Clinic. They provide an all around approach to pain management and I couldn't survive without the great pain management company I am with, and have been for many years. They taught me Tai Chi and it has helped immensely when the opioid begin to wear off as they usually don't last but for about 2 and half, maybe 3 hours. The Tai Chi helps me focus on something other than the pain and discomfort and gets me moving when I'd prefer not to. Movement is key. Use it or lose it!!!

@woojr try looking at "inflammation" as a problem to be solved. I am similar to what you described as I age. Turned out I had gout and inflammatory issue. I tried black cherry juice concoction for 20 years then a suppliment "Zazzee" tart cherry capsules. When that took away my all over body pain I asked to be put on the Allopurinol for gout. Worked perfectly! But now with the summer heat PLUS humidity I am having pains again. I upped my exercise (with the help of the OXY. The exercise tires me out so I sleep deeper and have less pain! Also, I found I have to keep my bedroom on the cool side to sleep deeper during hot weather. This causes my muscles to cramp abit. (my body loves warm dry weather.) So maybe I have to take a little sleeping aid, or a muscle relaxer before bed. I just kind go with it these days and try not to worry that I "have to take something" to function optimally. I am BY FAR OUTDOING my ancestors. I just went through a period were the Oxy went back up, switched over to the Percocet but then the weather dried out and everything calmed down and I am back to the 2 pills for day (down from 3). I think we just have to do what it takes. And always be kinda vigilant.

Interesting comments. I haven't any issues with gout. I do like my sweets especially watching TV before bed. A year or so ago I started gummies. 5mg THC before bed. I do cryptograms with old sitcom reruns like Seinfeld. It's okay till 5AM then I can't get back to sleep until the Oxy relaxes me. As far as body temps, I've developed a tight comfort zone. In summer, like now, I'm good from 92 to 93, anything above or below I feel it. In winter, I like it warm. 75-76 is perfect. I use a wood stove which feels really good. I had a chunky black cat that used to lay on my neck, shoulders, lap and she was warm. Last summer she died from a heat stroke. Very sad, I miss her a lot. I guess we learned a while back to adapt to what we've been dealt. Take care