DrugBuyers.Com: Being in pain vs. being addicted?

Your story sounds a lot like mine. MVA, with lots of pain. I fractured almost every bone on the left side of my body, and have been managing pain for the last year an a half or so. Even though my accident was back in 91, I am just now having chronic pain. I have been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis, and have tried several drugs.

I too was on the short acting meds, and once I switched to the Duragesic Patch (or pain patch as you refer to), things have gotten much better for me. I wake up pain free, whicj starts my day off on a good note. I do have breakthrough pain, but it is much more tolerable.

You do not want to be on short acting meds, if you are a chronic pain sufferer, since the tylenol, or APAP in the hydrocodone mixture, will do a number on your liver.

I would highly suggest trying the patch, and see how you tolerate it. Depending on how opioid tolerant you are, your doctor will start you on the 25mcg, or possibly the 50mcg patch, and adjust from there.

I have been on the 50mcg patch since March, and recently, I was having a lot of breakthrough pain on day 3, along with withdrawal symptoms. I saw my doctor, and we decided to replace the patch every 48 hours, which helps tremendously.

Also, if you decide to use the patch, sticking is an issue, especially if you sweat. I use a product made by Nexcare, called Tegaderm to help them stick better.

As far as addicition, I would not worry about it. I had the same feelings too, and if the medicine helps you to lead a normal life, then it is not bad. I look at it like water. I need water to stay alive, and would start having "withdrawal" if I stopped drinking water. The same thing applies to the pain medicine. Without it, I am miserbale, in pain, and don't want to do anything, and constantly have a grimace on my face. That's no life. Just because I need a patch that contains narcotic medication to take away pain, does not mean I am addicted, but dependent. There is a distinct difference. Just like I am dependent on Water to survive, I am also dependent on my pain patches, to live a normal life.

My only worry, is if they get stolen, or I lose them. Accidents happen. When I fly, they are packed on my carry-on baggage, to make sure they do not get lost. If I travel by car, I bring just enough to get me through the long weekend, in case they get lost somehow. This happened to me last x-mas. I took all my meds, kept them in my jacket, and they were stolen. I had to explain that to my Doctor, and he recommended filing a police report, etc. To remedy the situation, I only bring enough for the trip, and keep the rest home, where I could lower my dosage if necessary until refill time.

I have come to the realization that pain will be a part of my life until I am burried, or until an operation can fix my problem for good. 2 failed surgeries, and my last consultation said that permanent nerve damage was a possibility, led me to pain management. Now I replace a patch on my body, every 48 hours, to feel normal. That's life.

Best of luck with your decision, and feel free to PM me, if you have any questions on the use of the patch, or anything else. You are only a few years younger than me, so we are both in the same boat, and can probably help each other sharing experiences, and what works best to deal with the pain.

Chronic Pain is a disease, and should be treated as such. Don't worry about "Being Addicted". It's more like being dependent, than addicted. Sure, if you stop using it, you will go through withdrawal, and also have a lot of pain.

Best regards!