[BlueMonkeys]

hello, i hope you guys can help me. so, i've been on hydrocodone on and off for about a year now. i started taking them for post-operative pain after i had a small outpatient surgery. at first everything was fine, and i really didn't even LIKE the way they made me feel! then it got crazy because i had some major dental work done and was diagnosed with a chronic painful condition. the dentist rx's some vicodin ES which is stronger than regular vicodin and the dr i was seeing for the other condition started me on norcos. i told each doc about each other but they said they were prescribing for different problems so that it was ok. needless to say, i started taking more and more for the different pain i was experiencing. anyhow, eventually the doc put me on vicoprofen which is ibuprofen with hydrocodone for my condition. eventually he refused to give me anymore because i was calling in for refills too soon and too often. and now i don't even see a doctor because i have no insurance. i just go to planned parenthood, the ER, or clinics to get prescriptions! my question is this, since going cold turkey is supposedly really bad and horrible, WHAT DO I DO? how do i get a doctor to help me wean off these things? do i just call one and talk to them about it, will i get arrested? i just realized right now that i don't want to continue doing this anymore. i do have legitimate pain but i don't want to be taking this stuff anymore and going to the er and clinics spending money i don't really have to get these. PLEASE HELP! do you think i could just call any doctor in the phone book or do i try talking to the people at the er or the clinics? obviously in order to get weaned off they would have to give me more, i just don't see them wanting to do that?? PLEASE HELP!!!Thank you

[Joshua J]

well, obviously your addicted...I too had the same problem. my job drug test us randomly and so I had to quit cold turkey. Its hard at first, but I think you can do it. good luck

[Doc]

Those narcotics are controlled substances, and there could be legal consequences if you have too many, you are deemed as a distributor or dealer, which is illegal. Funny you should ask?The same places that put you on the medication can take you off. Cold turkey is virtually impossible, and harmful. Withdrawal may be completely intolerable, and you will become a very distressed patient, or critical.You should see them, the clinics etc. and explain the problem. Calling a doctor from the phonebook would not be a good idea.A hospital, emergency, triage center may respond, if you have either the insurance or"assistance"like medicare.

[zeldaslexicon]

Well, at least you do have some insight into your addiction. If you feel you have a legitimate medical need for pain medication, you need to see a pain management specialist. Be ABSOLUTELY HONEST about your abuse of pain medication. A pain management doc should be able to help, but you will need to also get come counseling to help you deal with your addiction. The pain management doc should be able to help hook you up with some resources. If you cannot or will not do that, at least contact Narcotics Anonymous for help. Good luck to you.