Pain Meds

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Thu May 31, 2007 9:42 am

Hello all!

So over the holiday weekend I injured my ankle while playing baseball (hit a ball off of my ankle). Anyways it swelled up like something huge and got all nasty looking; oh yeah and it hurt like h$ll. I felt like

I went to the Drs took X rays that were negative (but one DR said my X rays looked funny). They gave me some pain meds that help (the generic of Lortabs- which I think is hydrocodone??? Anyways I have been only taking 2.5 per day when I can take up to 6 per day. This morning I did not take one right away like I did the past few days and it felt like I was going through withdrawal

- feeling like you are going to throw up, sweaty palms, anxiety etc... So I took one about 20 mins ago and I am starting to feel better.

What gives? Could I be addicted to the pain meds after only 2.5 days and at a lower dose than they recommend? If I am already addicted then how do I get off of them if I cant even go the morning w/o one? See now my anxiety is kicking in.

The past few days I have taken usually one in the morning, 1/2 at lunch and one at night. They are 500 mgs? Could the pain meds be interacting with my other meds poorly? (ativan, wellbutrin, calcium, digestive pill). Quite frankly I am kind of worried... any experiences with pain meds or advise?

Thanks!

JJ · Post by JJ » Thu May 31, 2007 10:04 am

Hi...I have never had that happen but maybe someone else will come along with some advice...I guess your doc will know what's-up??????

Take care...JJ

Post by **tex** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:12 am

Andrew,

Prescription painkiller addiction seems to be at epidemic levels in this country, but I wouldn't think that you could be addicted after only two and a half days, at less than half the max dose. Typical indications of addiction are a tendency to take a higher dose, because the perceived pain level is higher than it was initially. Here's an article on it:

http://www.opiates.com/prescription-pai ... ction.html

Tex

P S Sorry to hear about the baseball accident - that's a real bummer.

thedell19 · Post by **thedell19** » Thu May 31, 2007 10:37 am

Thanks tex I am ready the article now. I wouldnt think I would have withdrawal symptoms either but I have no other explanation. Maybe dehyrdration due to the pain meds absorbing water?

kate_ce1995 · Post by **kate_ce1995** » Thu May 31, 2007 11:38 am

I had arthroscopic surgery on my ankle in 2001. It was during my first bout with anxiety and while I had started meds, I was still working out the dosage.

The first week after surgery, whenever I stood up too long, it felt like all the blood was rushing to my foot and I'd get all anxiety attack feeling.

Now that I'm going through round 2 with adjusting to anxiety (having stopped meds last summer and getting re-regulated), indigestion or too much heat, or a twinge in some muscle can cause me to have an attack.

You may feel better because you were worried it was meds withdrawl and taking one was like a placebo for that reaction. Perhaps tomorrow morning, try another technique (I'm sure you have ones that work for you) first and see if you can get over it.

Hope the ankle feels better soon. I would call your doc just to make sure it isn't a reaction with other meds too.

Katy