[leejoseph]

This is a problem of mine ive had anxiety attacks for so long and took benzos for so long im completly addicted to them.They helped alot the first couple years now i dont know what they do. And i did do construction work and hurt my back so many times ive become addicted to painkillers.My problem is i can go thru withdrawal to stop taking them both.Ive done it several times but after i go without them and become not cravin them from addiction my anxiety attacks get bad again and i socially withdrawal and with the painkillers i have 3 slipped disk in my lower back one of wich pinches my sieatic nerve and 2bulged disc in my neck from a auto accident and 1 that is in the middle of my back that is crushed.So after withdrawal from painkillers im in severe pain.Its a endless cycle has anyone ever had this problem and figured out a solution?

[DePressMe]

My mom has similar back/neck issues as you have. She has to take the pain meds because of the severe pain. Have you considered surgery to repair your back? Then you might not need the meds.

[madisgram]

re your back...have you discussed the pain and solution with your doc. i had spinal fusion and never felt better. no pain!
re pain killers and benzos-it would be best if you be weaned off from them with a schedule from your doc. very dangerous to do it alone.
anxiety attacks-i learned in therapy to ask myself what i am afraid of? why flight or fright? in therapy you could learn skills to deal with your anxiety.

[Astridetal]

I agree you should be tapered shlowly under a doctor's supervision. I tried to withdraw from benzos on my own and got bad withdrawal symptoms while only having been on them for three months. Benzo withdrawal and painkiller withdrawal can be dangeorus. And as for your anxiety, do you tak ean antideperssant or other not-so-addictive anti-anxiety med? I would suggest you try this if you don't use one already. And therapy of course. And then slowly wean off your meds.

[equive]

I'm in an intensive outpatient program where the participants are mostly prescribed Suboxone. I'm prescribed it for heroin addiction, but actually the majority of people in the program are addicted to prescription pain medications they started for some time of chronic pain. Some of them say Suboxone helps them with the pain as well as their addiction. Maybe you could look into that as an option.

[leejoseph]

I tried suboxone for a couple months it didnt do anything for my pain it did help with the addiction though but i couldnt get past the benzos that your not allowed with suboxone.

[gma45]

Hi sorry you are in so much pain. Why do you need to get off of the pain meds? Have you tried a pain management clinic? I have a friend that gets patches for his back pain, I would talk to your Dr. and see if there are any alternative pain meds you could take and something not so addictive for your anxiety.