I Need Advice, PLEASE HELP!!!!

[SSJPhenom]

For those of you that know me, you know that about 3 years ago I admitted that I had and sought help for an addiction to prescriptions pain killers. Specifically opiods. Medicines such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycottin, etc. I completed the program that I started; which was a methadone maintenance program. Meaning I started taking methadone at a clinic daily. Once they found my stable dose; which is the dose that keeps one from craving more and keeps one from entering withdrawal symptoms, I stayed at that dose for awhile. Then, slowly and with counseling, they weaned me off of the methadone until I was completely drug free. I'm happy to say that I haven't had any opiods enter my body for 29 months. As far as that part of my life goes, I'm doing great.

Here's my problem. I found yesterday that I have an exposed nerve in one of my teeth. It had been aching on and off for about 2 weeks and then yesterday the proverbial flood gates opened and I was in non stop constant pain. It hurt so bad that my ear started to ache as well. So I went to the dentist. They examined my tooth and discovered that I have en exposed nerve and that the tooth needs a root canal. The procedure is scheduled for Tuesday. In the mean time, the dentist prescribed me antibiotics for the infection and, you guessed it, hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5-325 for the pain. I've been instructed not to take ibuprofen because it is a blood thinner along with aspirin. acetaminophen(tylenol) is the only thing that I can really take for now and it's not working. Orajel worked for about 5 min. I've also tried tramadol and it isn't working either. What do I do? Do I take the pain killers that the Dentist prescribed. I told him about my past so he only gave me just enough to make it until the procedure is done, still though, I'm worried that if take one then it will lead to two, then three, then four, and onwards we go back to addiction. I'm in excruciating pain, though. So what can I do?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Stone Cold Tea]

You could always get high or blind drunk but I imagine they aren't the 2 best options for an ex-addict. I don't want to advise you to take the pills if your worried. Remember you beat it once though.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Google some addiction clinics that have Help lines that you can call and ask questions. The fact that you haven't taken the pain killers so far is a good sign. The fact that you are coming to us for help is a bad sign.

 

[Starkist]

Basically what GSB said.

Can you or do you have any Tylenol or Aleeve or something that is non-narcotic to take?

 

[Slash-LN]

Do you know anyone that you can trust to hold onto your pills that you can just get your daily dose from?

That's what I have to do because of a history of overdosing and abusing pills.

 

[JGlass]

Attend NA meetings while you're taking the painkillers so when you run out of painkillers you have recent, first hand memories of how destructive painkiller abuse can be.

 

[therockiswwf]

I knew someone who had the same nerve issue and the painkillers didn't help at all. Nerve issues suck.

If you just can't control yourself, get rid of the pills. You'll be in pain. But that pain is only for a few days. Addiction lasts a lot longer.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Basically what GSB said.

Can you or do you have any Tylenol or Aleeve or something that is non-narcotic to take?

I've tried Tylenol. Imagine taking Skittles for a migraine. That's about how effective the Tylenol is. As far as Aleve, I've been instructed not to take that, ibuprofen, aspirin, or Advil because they are all nsaids and have blood thinning properties. Basically the dentist doesn't want my gums bleeding too bad for the procedure and also, he says that if I don't clot right I could get dry socket.

 

[SSJPhenom]

Do you know anyone that you can trust to hold onto your pills that you can just get your daily dose from?

That's what I have to do because of a history of overdosing and abusing pills.

I tried that in the past. I would always feign worse pain or do something to get my hands on more. Besides, I'm worried that if I take just one then what's going to stop me from getting more and more.

I think I just might have to put up with it until Tuesday. Can't really eat or drink, but I'll find a way. Besides, I've found that if I put orajel on gauze and put that on my tooth it works for a good little while. That is until I start gagging on the gauze.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

I had the same thing before my wisdom teeth were removed. Feels awful. I would take four tylenol every six hours. That got me through. Not good for your liver, but it wouldn't be for long.

 

[Starkist]

I've tried Tylenol. Imagine taking Skittles for a migraine. That's about how effective the Tylenol is. As far as Aleve, I've been instructed not to take that, ibuprofen, aspirin, or Advil because they are all nsaids and have blood thinning properties. Basically the dentist doesn't want my gums bleeding too bad for the procedure and also, he says that if I don't clot right I could get dry socket.

Damn. That is not good all around. Tooth pain is one of the worst pains right next to getting hit in the shin. Are you able to trust yourself and take the medicine as needed? If you cannot trust yourself being sober and following directions, then this is a hard scenario to resolve. Meetings can help as well or even opening up to the dentist about your past could help them figure out what they can prescribe you as other options of pains medicine.

 

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

https://www.myhomeremedies.com/topic.cgi?topicid=2998

 

[Hyorinmaru]

I refuse to touch pain killers for that same reason.

Weed does wonders for pain so I use that instead.

 

[Hyorinmaru]

And it just became legal in Nevada I believe so you won't even have a guilty conscience.

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

You can also take valarian root. it kills pain but it also makes you drowsey.

 

[Slash-LN]

You can put a clove on the area. It has a sort of numbing agency.

 

[Mac Attack]

Hey, not sure if I'm late to the party, but if you are worried about the pills I may have some good advice. I'm currently working with the Pittsburgh Government to deal with a similar matter.

If you want to take the pills, but are worried about perhaps getting addicted again, psychologically speaking if you conceal the taking of the pills you may trick your brain into thinking you're not taking them.

In practice this would be the same as having a friend or family member hide your pain pill in food or something like applesauce, consuming the food and never saying that you had pills but taking them in a manner in which the visible recognition of them is not registered by the brain.