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[__ Prayer __] Prayer Request for Opioid Independence

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KevinK said:
I don't feel guilty, I just don't like them.
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I know the feeling, with me it was the paracetamol I used to take for my occasional migraines.
I say "used to take" because I began weaning myself off them by cutting down from the normal 2 at a time to just one at a time, then I didn't take any at all and amazingly my migraines are now few and far between and virtually painless, so I take no paracetamol at all..:)
Maybe you could do likewise and have a shot at cutting down on your opioid stuff as an experiment to see what happens?
 
I've actually quit completely twice. I mean absolute cold turkey, going through full withdrawal. The problem is, the reason for originally taking the pain meds (pain) doesn't go anywhere, and you end up having to go back on.
 
KevinK said:
..The pain is everywhere, all my muscles, in fact the diagnosis is Fibromayalgia.
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Remember, the internet is the best doctor in town because you can fully research your condition and discuss it with fellow victims in online help groups and medical forums etc. It's especially interesting to hear what meds other people are on, and whether they've tried experimenting with alternative cures, different foods and diets etc.
In fact we usually end up knowing more about the condition than most doctors..:)
PS- I mentioned I used to get bad migraines (flashing neon signs across my field of vision followed by a splitting headache for hours) and noticed that they often occurred if I was watching TV or my computer monitor screen, so as an experiment I made a point of always keeping the contrast and brightness turned down lower than normal and it seemed to work, I still get migraines but nowhere near as frequently or as painful as before, so perhaps the screens were the trigger.
 
The internet and my medical problems are very well acquainted. I've tried many alternative therapies, but my condition is so severe that prescription opiates is the only effective treatment, and even it's spotty.

I used to have an even worse problems with migraines, enduring them for some 40 years. I was suicidal at one point, when I was getting one every day for almost 2 years. Then a couple years ago, they began to fade, and currently I'm not getting them at all. I hope it's a permanent remission (my PCP says migraines do tend to fade away with age).
 
hi. can you try CBD and/or medical marijuana? they may not replace the opioids, but they could help you "get more mileage" out of your prescriptions, maybe even make it possible to taper a bit w/o major problems.

other than that...there's bunches of CNS drugs used "off label" for various sorts of pain. The big ones are various antidepressants (some older tricyclics, such as Elavil, plus Cymbalta) and antiseizure drugs that are used in psychiatry and for migraine people. Just...personally speaking, I'd skip the tricyclics. I took one for a bad bout of depression way back when, and...whoa. They're effective, in a sense, but they're also very rough during treatment, and they are -extremely- toxic in OD, have loads of drug-drug interactions, etc. I'm not a big fan of antidepressants in general, but I'd go for a newer drug over a tricyclic any day of the week, especially if you're looking at long-term treatment.

I think its worth noting that the opioids have been with mankind for millennia, and modern science has yet to come up with a better solution for pain. Seriously. In the 50s, doctors were wary about using opioids even in severe pain, and for a while there, various brain operations (including full on lobotomy) were used to "treat" severe pain, sometimes with rather disastrous results. I read this one woman's story...her mother had crippling migraines back in the day, she was given a frontal lobotomy, and later on she ended up in a state hospital, long-term. Ugh.

Anyway, its kind of interesting...opioids are also used for mental anguish. I once read Confessions of an English Opium Eater. Its and an 1840s book about a well-to-do Englishman who loved some opium, lol. Kind of like a 19th century tell all, I guess. These days, some doctors use Suboxone in severe, "treatment-resistant" depression and such. Ultram is also sometimes used in mood problems.

Rambling...guess I'm just trying to say...I -do- feel badly for your situation, and I'll keep you up in prayer, but opioids are pretty much the gold standard for managing severe pain, so...try not to be too hard on yourself about taking pain killers, just because they're currently stigmatized. :)
 
Thanks. I did try MM, no effect on my pain or migraines. I didn't even get high.

I've also tried tricyclics like Cymbalta, again no effect (well, there were side effects, but no benefits).

I don't really feel stigmatized for using opiates, it's what I'll call the "side effects". Every 2 hours I have to pop a pill, or go into withdrawal? What's to like? They also erase the sex drive. Make you dizzy and confused, like walking around in a fog. You say and do strange things. The fact that you basically have to overdose for them to work at all, there's no "window" or happy medium of safe use. I really don't like any drugs, but especially them.
 
I'm sorry about all this. Have you talked to your pain management doc about other options? I've known a couple people on long term treatment with Fentanyl patches. I think each one lasts 24 hours, but I could be wrong. Fentanyl is very high potency, so there's less drowsiness than with most opioids. Downside these days is all the bad heroin floating around that's adulterated w/ some form of Fentanyl making the legal stuff look "bad" or whatever. Ugh.

There are also, of course, various long acting, sustained release pain killers available in tablet form, although...from what very little I understand about it, different people metabolize these things differently, so what might = all day relief for one person might not be sufficient for another, that sort of thing.

other than that...I'll keep you up in prayer. I've seen how long term opioid use can be rough. I know of a lady who takes Dilaudid by the handful, and...whoa. Of course, she's -not- a believer, so I think for her the Dilaudid is also about emotional pain and escaping her life, etc. Happens.

Anyway...I'll keep on praying. :)
 
My insurance company won't cover the long release stuff like Fentanyl patches or Oxycontin. They would be a vast improvement if I could get them.

I've had my share of Dilaudid, too.
 
KevinK said:
My insurance company won't cover the long release stuff like Fentanyl patches or Oxycontin. They would be a vast improvement if I could get them.
I've had my share of Dilaudid, too.
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As a matter of interest do you smoke or drink? My dad, uncle and brother-in-law did and they all died of cancer in their early 60's. Booze and tobacco might trigger all sorts of other maladies too.
Personally I've never smoked or drank and never wanted to, I tried a few sips of different booze in my teens but it all tasted like cat pee to me and I haven't touched a drop since..:)
 
OK, the Lord better come through. I just found out that pharmacies in CA are refusing pain med prescriptions from doctors on "blacklists". It looks like I can no longer get Oxycodone, and am down to my last 95 pills (about 2 weeks worth). After that, not only pain, but will probably have to go through opiate withdrawal- again. I've been through it twice, and it's not fun.

Well, I did ask the Lord to stop the pain meds. I meant without pain.
 
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KevinK said:
OK, the Lord better come through. I just found out that pharmacies in CA are refusing pain med prescriptions from doctors on "blacklists". It looks like I can no longer get Oxycodone, and am down to my last 95 pills (about 2 weeks worth). After that, not only pain, but will probably have to go through opiate withdrawal- again. I've been through it twice, and it's not fun.

Well, I did ask the Lord to stop the pain meds. I meant without pain.
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I'm sorry to hear this Kevin K. Praying for you now! Life is hard enough without having to deal with chronic pain and bureaucratic rules restricting access to the meds you need.
I'm one of those alternative medicine types and I know you mentioned you've tried some before. Have you ever tried a parasite cleanse? https://drclarkstore.com/dr-hulda-clark-parasite-cleanse.html
Its helped me clear up allergies and my sister with hip-pain a few years ago.
 
Wow, the best herbal treatments I know of are Lobelia and Devil's Claw. I doubt they even touch your issues.

I also live with chronic pain.
 
KevinK said:
Thanks. I did try MM, no effect on my pain or migraines. I didn't even get high.

I've also tried tricyclics like Cymbalta, again no effect (well, there were side effects, but no benefits)..
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I’m currently using amitriptyline, a trycyclic antidepressant, to block nerve transmissions from my biliary ducts and pancreas. The side effects are annoying, but it sure is helping my pain. Is it on your “been there, done that, no thanks” list?
 
Yes, I've tried it. Here are my notes:

"May work to prevent migraines. But makes me feel very groggy next day. Believe it causes depression.
Took night before at bedtime, today felt like it was working up till about 2pm, when the headachy feeling recurred. Still had to take Imitrex."
 
KevinK said:
Yes, I've tried it. Here are my notes:

"May work to prevent migraines. But makes me feel very groggy next day. Believe it causes depression.
Took night before at bedtime, today felt like it was working up till about 2pm, when the headachy feeling recurred. Still had to take Imitrex."
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Bummer. I know it’s hit or miss with these meds. I will keep praying for you!
 
I'm just now trying a new botanical med someone turned me on to. Kratom. He says he has great results as an opioid substitute.
 
KevinK said:
I'm just now trying a new botanical med someone turned me on to. Kratom. He says he has great results as an opioid substitute.
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I just heard of this and haven’t had a chance to research it. Please do let
me know what you think. The reason I’m so exited about amitriptyline is my pain syndrome is so challenging to treat. An alternative sounds fantastic. Still, I am praying for your liberation.

Peace,
WW
 
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