Anyone here ever been addicted to painkillers?

I've got severe rheumatoid arthritis. I had a recent flare up and had to be put on opioid painkillers to manage the pain.

I want to get off them as soon as possible as they have warnings all over them about how they can be addictive. And I obviously don't want that additional problem.

Have any of you had tough experiences with painkillers?

not a pain killer but was seriously hooked on gabapentins for about a year

I'm addicted to the pain part, but yeah I'm aware it's well within your ability to leave that entirely undecided

MedeaLysistrata posted...

I'm addicted to the pain part, but yeah I'm aware it's well within your ability to leave that entirely undecided

Welcome back

If you're that worried about it, you'll probably be fine. That apprehension will literally strengthen your resolve to only use as needed and to resist any lingering cravings when you're done. Just continue being careful and you'll be fine.

i've had family get hooked on them. i've taken percocet a grand total of once, and that's my entire experience with painkillers, and apart from letting me sleep (had an eye injury) it just made me feel sick.

communicate with your doctor if you think you're developing a tolerance. that's the first sign.

If you're that worried about it, you'll probably be fine. That apprehension will literally strengthen your resolve to only use as needed

this is also true.

Not really. I mean I've taken them before but never had a problem quitting them cold turkey. If you find yourself needing to take a higher dosage to get any effect, then you should worry about addiction because that is your tolerance building.

OriginalPlain2 posted...

gabapentins

This kind of drug on the other hand I was addicted to and quitting was a waking nightmare. Talking about phenibut specifically.

Asherlee10 posted...

I will eat 800 mg of an NSAID

Please do not consume 800mg of Diclofenac.

Yes the addiction is horrible and the dopesick is excruciating when in withdrawal.

Yes, still am. I dont fully understand it, but I meet the criteria for substance use disorder, but somehow have the willpower not to use/abuse them? Ive drifting in and out of qualifying for alcohol, but I cleanly qualify with opioids and have for years. But I have a bottle right next to me for a rainy day, untouched in months. That being said, every psychiatric healthcare professional has described my situation as out of the ordinary, I guess one way that Im uniquely gifted mentally (compared to the slew of disadvantages).

Some general advice though for long term use.
1) Assume you will become chemically addicted/tolerant.
2) Dont allow increasing dosage, ever. Even if the Doctor advises it, draw the line at your starting dose. Tell them, set it as a firm boundary, and make sure they notate it.
3) If your Doctor seems too willing to refill, stop. If youre seeing a rheumatologist, I know finding a new one can be challenging. But if its a pain management specialist, theyre a dime a dozen.
4) Know that when you stop, it will hurt. Dealing with RA, pain is something youre familiar with, and while I only know about the symptoms second hand, they may seem incredibly similar to withdrawal (which I know first hand). Obviously tapering down helps, but opioid withdrawal feels absolutely horrendous. Thankfully, it doesnt last that long.
5) Know that once it stops working as well, youre reaching a point where it may never work as well. Watch for signs of its efficacy fading, such as duration of sleep when taking it.
6) Opioids can be a one way street. Its a last resort and you should tough it out if you can, and minimize usage if you cant. You likely know the reality of your future with RA, and there may come a time in your later years where you absolutely need them.

My Father is quite literally going through this exact thing and we had a conversation last weekend about it. I wish you luck, and if you have any personal questions feel free to PM.

DarkChozoGhost posted...

If you're that worried about it, you'll probably be fine. That apprehension will literally strengthen your resolve to only use as needed and to resist any lingering cravings when you're done. Just continue being careful and you'll be fine.

I know you aren't saying this out of malice, but that's not really how it works.

TC are you on any specialty medications like Humira or do you just take a weekly dose of methotrexate?

Asherlee10 posted...

acetaminophen or ibuprofen. These are usually recommended by a physician when I refuse narcotic pain relievers.

Diclofenac needs a prescriptions as far as I know and I've never had it or been prescribed.

I'm being an ass - the only NSAID dosed at 800mg is ibuprofen.

FolkenRawr posted...

I know you aren't saying this out of malice, but that's not really how it works.

I second this. It isnt something you take three days then all of a sudden you realize its having a bad effect. Its relieving you of excruciating pain for weeks, even months, and slowly that suffering returns. People generally will ignore pain when its in the 1-3 range, tough it out on a 4-6 rangebut 7+? You start to seek a fix for it, you want to stop hurting. Opioids can turn your pain into a 0 for a long time, then it slowly becomes a 1, then a 2, then a 3. Its still working, still stopping that 7+, so people barely even notice. By the time the pain gets severe enough that you realize youve developed that tolerance, youre heavily addicted.

Oh, if youve never tried cycling ibuprofen and acetaminophen, its surprisingly effective. I used to think it was garbage anti-opioid myths, but Ive used it a lot and recommended it to others who agreed. If your liver and stomach are still going strong, you could give that a go. Im sure you get bloodwork enough to make it a relatively safe alternative.

OriginalPlain2 posted...

not a pain killer but was seriously hooked on gabapentins for about a year

I thought those weren't habit forming. I take them every now and then for anxiety. What was your dosage?

LSGW_Zephyra posted...

I thought those weren't habit forming. I take them every now and then for anxiety. What was your dosage?

Gabapentin is a fairly weak one, but still addictive. Lyrica/pregabalin is pretty strong, and I've heard Lyrica addiction in the UK is very similar to our opioid epidemic in America.

BDSMKane posted...

My Father is quite literally going through this exact thing and we had a conversation last weekend about it. I wish you luck, and if you have any personal questions feel free to PM.

Thanks for your words. This is the first time my RA pain has reached this level.

What tipped the balance of me seeking stronger painkillers was I tried to have a bath to alleviate the pain. Halfway into getting into the bath I found my knee and hand pain so extreme that I couldn't get into the bath. So I tried to get out. But the pain was so bad I couldn't get out either. So I was naked, and stuck half in and half out. It took me like 10 minutes to muster the courage to kind of flop out onto the floor. It sounds ridiculous, but until you experience this level of pain it's hard to fully understand.

There were other similar incidents too, but that was the one where I said enough is enough I need help.

MrResetti posted...

TC are you on any specialty medications like Humira or do you just take a weekly dose of methotrexate?

Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate is what I've used historically.

I hated being on methotrexate because it made me feel weak and nauseous. So as soon as my RA was under control reduced to just hydroxychloroquine.

no, but i have a bad memory with pain meds. when i worked at walmart, i wasn't aware that i needed a doctor's note for accommodations because i thought having cerebral palsy would be enough. they made me stand for 5 hours a day

it was so physically painful that i took two painkillers a day and i slept for twelve hours when i got home, barely having time to be with family or friends. then the pain started getting so bad that i was seriously contemplating upping the dose, and at that point i realized the job wasn't worth it and resigned (i did work the rest of the week out)

it was awful, and i think i would've been an addict if i didn't stop working. i really wish i could work at home or be a streamer or have an office job. i was not aware of how bad my physical limitations were until i worked at walmart, and it was probably the most depressing month of my life.

LSGW_Zephyra posted...

I thought those weren't habit forming. I take them every now and then for anxiety. What was your dosage?

they are addictive for a lot of people but not all. You are probably one that isnt

I was addicted to them and my dosage was 800.
went thru a large bottle in 2 weeks

Umbongo posted...

This is the first time my RA pain has reached this level.

i would kill the pain now, worry about the consequences later.

if there's an ounce of willpower when the addiction starts just gotta warn the doctor that there's a problem. My Dog had to take that medication too (for pets). because her arthritis was so bad. didn't help in her last days.

no but I've had a prescription for them twice and I can easily see how someone could become addicted to them. don't take more than you're supposed to. don't take them if you don't really need them. don't get prescription refills if you don't need them

edit: it does sound like you might need them, but just be aware that eventually you'll build up a tolerance(or your condition could get worse and make the pain exceed the ability of painkillers)

I get addicted to stuff real easy but I personally hated the way percocet made me feel, other than the pain relief

Umbongo posted...

Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate is what I've used historically.

I hated being on methotrexate because it made me feel weak and nauseous. So as soon as my RA was under control reduced to just hydroxychloroquine.

I would highly recommend bringing up an injectable medication therapy to your rheumatologist if you're insured. It can be life changing.

I was hooked on Codeine for a while. Had to gradually wean myself off. Was very unpleasant.