[shinty]

I took myself off of pain medications after taking them for 20 years. They simply stopped working effectively. I also built up a huge tolerance to them, despite escalating dosages, and changing medications over the years. As an example: I went from 3 Percocet tablets daily 20 years ago, to 3- 80mg. oxycontin tablets, and 12- 10mg. dilaudid tablets daily, not to mention muscle relaxers, etc. My pain levels are basically the same since stopping them. I have noticed that I seem to be able to think with a much clearer head than when I was on the meds. I know they helped me lead a much better quality of life for many years. I'm going to have a stimulator implanted to target my leg pain. My advice for someone just starting pain management with narcotics is to ask to switch medications before simply escalating dosages due to tolerance issues. I think you will have the same pain relief, without worrying about hitting the dosage ceiling, etc. like I did, and not getting pain relief at all.

[CANDC]

shinty, congratulations on finding a tolerable alternative to pain meds. Just make sure you wean off any meds under a doctor's guidance to avert possible side affects.

Have you considered alternative therapies like accupressure that you could apply pressure to points of the body for pain relief or help?

shinty, yes, congrats for getting off the pain meds!

Can I ask, how many mg of oxycodone were in your Percocet? I have a severe migraine problem which started 2-1/2 weeks ago, and most days I take 3-5 mg Percocet a day, at least one Percocet a day. I don't know if I'm building up a tolerance or what, but one Percocet usually doesn't take away the pain, it just dulls it.

I don't want to be on pain meds at all, but the pain is just too bad to tolerate. Hopefully this bout of headaches will end soon. It's getting really old. I don't envy you for having to manage pain for such a long time.

[shinty]

I started out on 5mg. Percocets, and it was eventually raised to 10 mg., then to crazy amounts as the years wore on.
I have done everything under the sun as far as treatments go. right now I'm sticking with aqua therapy, and walking as much as possible. Aqua therapy is great for me because my body weight isn't effecting my lower spine, and it allows me to move and stretch a lot longer than on land. I still can only walk very short distances, but I am able to go a little further everyday.

[lorna]

Shinty I did this too recently. Did you become sick from stopping or nothing. I have been sick for a month and still not right from stopping - will talk to doc soon about it though...