I think I'm hooked on prescription drugs

KittyBoo_2

I have had lots of different tablets prescribed for me since July for a parathyroid condition.
I have had the operation but still have the same symptoms and some days I am in agony.
The tablets range from very strong painkillers, tranquilisers and sleeping tablets.
I can't get rid of the pains in my bones and have had kidney stones and loads of panic attacks.
I keep crying and don't do any of the things I used to and don't feel positive about my future.
I am on incapacity benefit at the moment and my sick note runs out end of December.
I take the really strong pain killers on a daily basis for the calming effect they have on me but they make the pain worse. (strange but true)
I have seen 3 different Drs at our surgery but I feel really ashamed about going in to talk to them.
I have loads of these tablets and have thought about just taking them back to the chemist but the thought of not having them makes me anxious.

feelinggood_2

Please don't feel ashamed. Its very important that you are honest about what is going on, and get the help you need. The sooner this problem is dealt with, the better.

Could you be honest about how you feel about the strong painkillers, and also ask to see a pain specialist? I don't know much about it, but there are pain clinics that can help people manage the pain they are in. You could also ask for a referal to talk to someone about how you feel - a counsellor might help, or someone from the Drugs and Alcohol team.

There is lots of help available to you, for the pain, the medication problem, for the depression and the anxiety. Please reach out and ask for help. Would writing a letter to your GP help? Sometimes that is easier than explaining the problem out loud.

Also, make sure you discuss your concerns with the GP about your sicknote. If you are worried, perhaps see him before the note runs out, and explain that the worry isn't helping.

(There is a twelve step fellowship called Narcotics Anonymous. They are a group of men and women who meet to help each other stay 'clean'. There are many members who have problems with prescription drugs aswell as 'street drugs'. It may or may not be for you, but please have a look at the website: http://www.ukna.org/)

KittyBoo_2

Thankyou for your reply.
I know I have to face up to this and go back to the Drs.
One of the female Drs is really nice and I will wait until nearer the sicknote running out and then go back.
The local Job Centre plus have given me details about something called Condition Management Programme (NHS) and you work with a clinician and they can book you for sessions at the pain clinic and also to see a Cognitive Behaviour Practitioner.
I am waiting for an appointment now so hopefully I will be able to sort myself out soon.
Will look at the website you suggested - thanks

Pennylane

I saw Dr Chris Steele on TV the other week talking about people getting addicted to painkillers and he said codeine was the main culprit and loads of painkillers have codeine in them.

I've just found this for you
http://www.itv.com/Lifestyle/ThisMorning/Health/Addictedtopainkillers123/defaul
t.html

but just in case that doesn't work here are a couple of sites he recommended
on the prog.

www.codeinefree.com
www.codeinefree.me.uk

Hope you get some help & best of luck.

lisaloo1977

Hi, just wanted to say after having an operation, suffering a death in the family, and the break up of a relationship i myself became hooked on Coproxomal and Temazepam. I took stupid amounts of tablets and was in grave danger of damaging my liver, i also found i built a tolerance to the tablets and had to take more and more to get the desired effect. This resulted in me altering prescriptions to try to get more than the doctor had written the prescription for, which resulted in a visit from the police.

You really should not wait to have the review you should see your doctor sooner. I understand the fear of not being able to sleep without them and not having the calm, empty feeling of the pain killers but you are doing yourself damage and you will not be able to continue being prescribed the amounts you will end up needing. Your doctor has to help you, they will not just say stop and give you no more, they will withdraw you slowly. I also attended sessions to try work through all the reasons i relied on them. I guess for me, when i was numb from the medication or better still asleep, i did not have to deal with my real life and i felt no physical or mental pain. I almost ruined my life, if i am honest i still have to be careful of the temptation to take some when things get me down. The reason i dont, is i have worked out as painful as some things are living is all about feeling and sometimes we have to feel the down parts as well.
Please, please go to your doctor, make an appointment with the nice doctor, but do not put it off. You have made a huge step already in admitting the problem, you now have to continue on with that and admit it to someone in the flesh who can help you.

Good Luck

Savvy_Sue

I would go sooner rather than later, just because you still have your certificate doesn't mean you can't go now, and you might find if you wait that you can't get an appointment with the 'nice' doctor when you really need it.

KittyBoo_2

Thankyou all for your supportive replies.
I will make an appointment to see the nice Dr.
I used to have a really responsible job and managed a team of people but was made redundant before my illness.
I have to find another job when I ge back off of Incapacity Benefit but there's no way I could do that kind of work now.
I have lost all confidence in myself and have trouble remembering basic stuff.
This is apparently part of the thryroid problem and I'm not sure if it will ever get back to normal.
I know the tablets are not the answer and I am trying to wean myself off of them gradually.
I can't believe I have got myself into this position but I'm sure I will get on with it.
Thanks again for replying.
Your suggestions have been really helpful.

feelinggood_2

Well done on deciding to book an appointment KittyBoo, that is a really positive step, and I hope you'll be feeling better soon.

Do you think that a little bit of volunteer work would improve your confidence? Nothing stressful or major, just 2 hours a week? Sometimes just doing something like that can make us realise that although we can't do what we used to, there are lots of other things we can do. Round there there is a Volunteer Support Agency, perhaps you could find out if there is something similar? If now isn't the right time, its something to remember in the future.

Let us know how you get on with the Doctor.