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i’m on heavy narcotics and i think it might be time to up them again since i have some "breakthrough" which is now "constant". Im on 50mcg of duragesic, 7.5 hydrocodone x3, 10mg cyclobenzaprine x2, and a compounded cream of ketamine/cyclobenzaprine/ketoprofen which is a lifesaver a few times a day (but i only get a little).

I’ve had addiction problems before and i’m hesitant to up the dose, but the pain is now so bad it’s impacting every aspect of my life. The pain stems from stenosis + scar tissue + degenerative disk disease. Im in the process of losing weight but there is only so much exercise i can do. Im desperately looking for measures that can help me that dont involve surgery of any kind – i’ve already been cut on twice and i dont want mroe time off work, more scars, more recovery time or more crushed hope.

I’m considering accupuncture, meditation, that ketamine treatment that is suppoesd to help reset the pain center of the brain someone told me about, epidural steroids, facet joint injections, nerve blocks – anything at all i can do. If anyone has any suggestions PLEASE let me know – this is ruining my life.

FYI, I did not ask for someone to tell me to go to rehab. Thank you for your concern but sometimes addicts need drugs for legitimate reasons. I can barely get through the day because of what feels like a knife shoved in my back and being ripped down to the middle of my shinbone. I asked for mature answers, not the equivilent of "stop popping pills you druggie". I specifically asked for thought out mature answers and if you can’t provide that, respectfully, do not answer the question.
FYI, I did not ask for someone to tell me to go to rehab. Thank you for your concern but sometimes addicts need drugs for legitimate reasons. I can barely get through the day because of what feels like a knife shoved in my back and being ripped down to the middle of my shinbone. I asked for mature answers, not the equivilent of "stop popping pills you druggie". I specifically asked for thought out mature answers and if you can’t provide that, respectfully, do not answer the question. I’d vote you down if i wasn’t level one. Also, i’m not religious – mostly spiritual – so please, i want real concrete answers here. Faith based medicine isn’t covered by my insurance plan or my mind.

I’ve had two back surgeries, which were not 100% successful by any stretch. In addition to pain/muscle meds 3-4 times a day, I find that adding plain epsom salts to a hot bath helps. A product called Baththerapy is great too. The body absorbs magnesium from the salts in the water, which eases the muscle pain. In addition I have to take a liquid potassium supplement for different condition, but potassium levels affect muscle pain. The tight muscles can squeeze the nerves, which in turn aggrevate nerve pain.I put a good foam topper on the bed and bought Tony Little’s pillows, both which have made a huge difference. I can at least sleep 5-6 hours without waking up numb, tingling and in pain. It’s been a few years now, so I try to distract myself, and live as normally as possible (my entire lifestyle has been affected, am now considered disabled), get some form of exercise even though I know full well it will hurt (hey it already hurts, so wtf), and cry sometimes. I don’t play with meds, and the body will only metabolize so much anyway, so more does not always work, and of course can be dangerous. Norco, Tramadol and Robaxin have worked well for me, whereas I found percocet, morphine and duragesic patches are not as effective for me. Sometimes I add plain asprin if I feel inflammation. I wish you well.

Some people say that you can’t take Vicodin and Methadone at the same time because the Vicodin won’t work since the Methadone takes you off, blocks the effects of, narcotics. But sometimes Percocet is prescribed along with Methadone, when Methadone is prescribed for chronic pain, for breakthrough pain. So why do people say that painkillers won’t work along with Methadone when they are prescribed together? It’s probably because Methadone helps with opiate withdrawals but opioids are derived from opiates and opioids are prescribed with Methadone? PLEASE HELP!! Thank You SO MUCH!!!!

Hi there,
First of all, Methadone does not act as an *antagonist* so if you were to mix Vicodin and Methadone, it would have an additive effect depending on your dosage.
However, everyone varies in their response to this. Some people on 40mg of Methadone claim that they cannot feel the effects of heroin on top of this. But there are yet others who claim that even on large doses like 160mg, they can still feel the effects of heroin. The general consensus is that high doses of Methadone (80-90mg and above) saturate the receptors thus blocking the effects of other opioids but as I mentioned earlier, this varies from person to person. On lower doses of Methadone however, most people still receive pain relief from other opioids. In general, the blocking effect starts somewhere around the range of 70mg and above. At a dose of say 10-20mg of Methadone, you would still be able to feel the effects of say 20-30mg of Oxycodone.

The question is whether or not you really want to take a chance with this. Honestly, this is a decision best left to your Pain Management specialist. Without knowing your medical history and severity of pain, it would not be right for me to recommend an opioid just like that, especially not one as strong as Methadone.

Methadone is an excellent drug for treating chronic severe pain. However, Methadone is an extremely strong opioid. You have to be very careful with the dosage (which is why I recommend that you let your Doctor handle this). Even low amounts of Methadone can cause an overdose in someone with no or little tolerance. It can also be incredibly difficult stopping Methadone compared with other opioids. I honestly do not recommend it unless,
(a) You have very severe chronic pain that has not responded well to other opioids (Oxycodone, Morphine, Dilaudid etc)
(b) You have a dependency on (or are addicted to) opioids
(c) Both of above

Think of Methadone as a last choice narcotic, to be initiated only if you are not responding to other opioids. Please discuss this with your doctor/pain management specialist. Feel free to drop me a line if you need.

—-

Notes:
As mentioned earlier, once you reach a high dose of Methadone, other opioids may not seem to work. This can also be due to the fact that you would already be dependent on Methadone. Methadone, at the lower doses, is about twice as potent as Morphine & has the nasty habit of increasing one’s tolerance very rapidly.

The doses for pain-relief start quite low, from 2.5mg of Methadone. Do not even think of taking a high-dose like 30mg if you are not tolerant to opioids. It could easily kill you. It is far easier to OD on Methadone than say Morphine.

(There is a scientific explanation for how this blocking effect works but it is rather long-winded (as am I) and technical. If you want to know, drop me a line.)

EDIT: The NMDA-Antagonist properties couple with mu-agonism are what make Methadone such an efficacious pain reliever and good for keeping cravings at bay.

But , these NMDA-Antagonist properties (mentioned by the first poster), have absolutely *NOTHING* to do with Methadone’s "blocking effect" at all. [Example: Ketobemidone is also a mu-agonist and a stronger NMDA-Antagonist than Methadone. But it does not exhibit any kind of blocking effect on other opioids]. You may have confused the "blocking effect" of methadone with NMDA-blockade.

both narcotics and alcoholic users thought just alcoholic abusers didnt understand.
well i heard that aa didnt under stand na &aa abusers

Different drug, different group. Generally AA has to work a "Stronger" program. People need more support, because alcohol is widely available. Narcotics are far more illegal and lethal. Both programs offer the support of not being alone, but a narcotic addict has different experiences to relate and would need to find more people like him (or her) to relate to.

i have been taking morphine for about 3 months and I am trying to get off of it but every three days or so the withdrawl effects become too much is there anything i can do to ease the side effects (not using other narcotics)

the only way to do is slow withdrawal…. if u were injecting it 3 times a day then reduce first to 1 time a day and take control of that…

sudden withdrawal will have severe adverse effects but they will eventually be over with time

As a wise decision… the harmful effects of morphine addiction is much more than withdrawal effects of morphine…. so better is to withdraw then to continue….

I’m doing a Civcs debate on the legalization of marijuana; I am on the NO side, though I am a neutral in society but this is for the basis of my assignment (: this is what I have so far:

Opening Statement:

The American Heritage Dictionary, Fourth Edition defines Marijuana as: A preparation made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the cannabis, usually smoked or eaten to induce euphoria.

Arguement:

Marijuana is the most common illegal drug used In North America. Though most drugs have legitimate medical purpose, many people use the “gateway” drug for recreational purposes. To get high; “high” as in feeling of Euphoria: feeling of well being, happiness.

Non- Medicinal and excessive use of any narcotic is referred to as drug abuse. This causes harmful effects to your body and major health risks. The legalization of Marijuana will result in more substance abuse in turn; promoting harmful effects and is an “all or nothing” concept where we in society …. ? ( That’s all I have for now)

Feedbacl Please ? (:

Anything is greatly appreciated !

Debate with the opening stance on the male version of marijuana and its beneficial aspects in our daily lives and going green. Talk about how the male version of marijuana can be used as fuel, clothing, ropes, cardboard boxes, furniture and other fine qualities as paper in which our US Constitution is written upon.

In addition; its great for farmers who have to rotate their corps. Its bio footprint is negative. The plant itself produces oxygen. Oh yes, its climate is suitable for just about any weather except for extreme cases of hot and frigid cold.

Later introduce the female and the medical additives for those suffering. Yes the counter argument is pharmaceutical companies produce the pill form. Yet, with the cost of medical coverage, why not be able to grow your own. Its cheap and very therapeutic while in the garden and the rest period.

Should we not be worried about terrorist working with drug cartels and entering thru mexico and latin america?
Does this change your mind about who we are letting slip in here?

Friday, March 27, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Hezbollah uses Mexican drug routes into U.S.
Sara A. Carter (Contact)

EXCLUSIVE:

Hezbollah is using the same southern narcotics routes that Mexican drug kingpins do to smuggle drugs and people into the United States, reaping money to finance its operations and threatening U.S. national security, current and former U.S. law enforcement, defense and counterterrorism officials say.

The Iran-backed Lebanese group has long been involved in narcotics and human trafficking in South America’s tri-border region of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Increasingly, however, it is relying on Mexican narcotics syndicates that control access to transit routes into the U.S.

Hezbollah relies on "the same criminal weapons smugglers, document traffickers and transportation experts as the drug cartels," said Michael Braun, who just retired as assistant administrator and chief of operations at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"They work together," said Mr. Braun. "They rely on the same shadow facilitators. One way or another, they are all connected.

"They’ll leverage those relationships to their benefit, to smuggle contraband and humans into the U.S.; in fact, they already are [smuggling]."

His comments were confirmed by six U.S. officials, including law enforcement, defense and counterterrorism specialists. They spoke on the condition that they not be named because of the sensitivity of the topic.

While Hezbollah appears to view the U.S. primarily as a source of cash – and there have been no confirmed Hezbollah attacks within the U.S. – the group’s growing ties with Mexican drug cartels are particularly worrisome at a time when a war against and among Mexican narco-traffickers has killed 7,000 people in the past year and is destabilizing Mexico along the U.S. border.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Mexico on Thursday to discuss U.S. aid. Other U.S. Cabinet officials and President Obama are slated to visit in the coming weeks.

Hezbollah is based in Lebanon. Since its inception after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, it has grown into a major political, military and social welfare organization serving Lebanon’s large Shi’ite Muslim community.

In 2006, it fought a 34-day war against Israel, which remains its primary adversary. To finance its operations, it relies in part on funding from a large Lebanese Shi’ite Muslim diaspora that stretches from the Middle East to Africa and Latin America. Some of the funding comes from criminal enterprises.

Although there have been no confirmed cases of Hezbollah moving terrorists across the Mexico border to carry out attacks in the United States, Hezbollah members and supporters have entered the country this way.

Last year, Salim Boughader Mucharrafille was sentenced to 60 years in prison by Mexican authorities on charges of organized crime and immigrant smuggling. Mucharrafille, a Mexican of Lebanese descent, owned a cafe in the city of Tijuana, across the border from San Diego. He was arrested in 2002 for smuggling 200 people, said to include Hezbollah supporters, into the U.S.

In 2001, Mahmoud Youssef Kourani crossed the border from Mexico in a car and traveled to Dearborn, Mich. Kourani was later charged with and convicted of providing "material support and resources … to Hezbollah," according to a 2003 indictment.

A U.S. official with knowledge of U.S. law enforcement operations in Latin America said, "we noted the same trends as Mr. Braun" and that Hezbollah has used Mexican transit routes to smuggle contraband and people into the U.S.

Two U.S. law enforcement officers, familiar with counterterrorism operations in the U.S. and Latin America, said that "it was no surprise" that Hezbollah members have entered the U.S. border through drug cartel transit routes.

"The Mexican cartels have no loyalty to anyone," one of the officials told The Washington Times. "They will willingly or unknowingly aid other nefarious groups into the U.S. through the routes they control. It has already happened. That’s why the border is such a serious national security issue."

One U.S. counterterrorism official said that while "there’s reason to believe that [Hezbollah members] have looked at the southern border to enter the U.S. … to date their success has been extremely limited."

However, another U.S. counterterrorism official confirmed that the U.S. is watching closely the links between Hezbollah and drug cartels and said it is "not a good picture."

A senior U.S. defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of ongoing operations in Latin America, warned that al Qaeda also could use trafficking routes to infiltrate operatives into the U.S.

"If I have the mon

MS-13 has ties with Al Qaeda, and drug cartels for the purpose of trafficking people, drugs, and weapons into the U.S. MS-13 is thee largest hispanic street gang in the U.S. right now, and are expanding at an alarming rate. Their membership is comprised of legal immigrants, and illegal aliens from various hispanic countries.
This is just one reason I quit doing drugs long ago.

Looking for folks that have been taking narcotic pain medication for a number of years to compair notes.

Yes, I have been for more years then I care to admit. I know by now I am Dependant upon these to function (mainly the patch.) but I do have one med for breakthrough pain… I dont take as often.

the amounts are definitely not as high as they were because I have 2 spinal stimulators. which helped alot with pain management.

With out full details disclosed, I am on a narcotic for breakthrough and The patch. for daily pain.

In the past I was on very high doses.. but I mentioned the stimulators to my Dr and in 2005 and 2006 – I had the implants..
Ever since the implants. I have also been able to get off of all muscle relaxors, and anti-inflammatories. and no antidepressants. I mainly use just the patch…..and an antibiotic.

It’s a good feeling to know that there is alternative treatments that work. I have avoided the pain pump on purpose- I wanted to see how I would do. and It is amazing
I feel teriffic.

I have a LONG HISTORY… and most was due to a failed back surgery….

I know that I could not be without all meds- I did try.
Message me if you want to compare notes…

Some parts of europe have legalized recreational use and even opend "shops" and the crime rate has significantly dropped. Would that happen here or would it be a disaster? Thoughts?

It would make the drug smugglers get a different job.

Maui would have a large export business.

Prisons would be roomy.

Revenue from taxing.

Clinton could finally exhale.

Cheaper pot, even sick aging granny could get some.

Is this an assignment?

Good luck.

As tot he above reply, colon cancer? Is this if you smoke it through a lower GI tube/bong?

I am not a pot smoker.

I usually have 1-2 cans of red bull a day. the last two days i’ve had none and now have a really bad headache that wont go away. Is it possible that this is some sort of withdrawal from the red bull? This must sound kinda weird like red bull is some sort of narcotic. But i can’t think of anything else that may be causing this headache.

Red Bull has a natural form of caffiene in it and caffiene is definitely addictive. Your symptoms are because of your caffiene withdrawal. Caffiene is definitely a drug — it’s a stimulant. Your body is reacting to the withdrawal of this stimulant that it has become use to.

Question on morphine sulfate kadian and Hydromorphone. I was 38 when I hurt my back 2001 The doctor have given me Vicodone 10/660’s dose rate for 2 years then I finaly had back surgery 2003. The doctor who did my surgery placed a fixation screw 12mm to long, and never seen his mistake even after many visits and newer MRIs, this wrong doing which lead me to have more pain. Rating my pain scale a 5 to 10 and nothing less for just over a year. I was commited to a bed and couch for one year. During this year I have taken vicodone with hydromorpone on a steady bases. I thought my life was over and almost ended it. I could not take the pain anymore and I never felt normal with all the pain medication, antiflamatory medication and mussel relaxers. I really thought my life was over until I went ti the twin City Spine Center, They saw the long screw that was palced in my back from the first surgery Doctor right away. This lead to a second Life threating spine surgery 2004 with a 70% chance of dying. The surgery went well but I had severe nerve scaring due to bone growning around the bad screw and into my spinal nerve. Anyway this lead to a long life of pain medication until 2008. Since 2001 to 2008 I have been on many of the hard narcodic medication with Morphine Sulfate and hydromorphine the last type of medication I am on. I just had my third spine surgery March of 2008 and its a miracle that my Nuro spine surgeon has fixed some bad nerve compression and nerve scaring to a point that I dont need my medications anymore. I am trying to stop cold turkey and I am having major withdrawals I have every one mention. I landed in the emergency room 2 day in a row this week with major bloataion, and severe pain of the stomack. I am very nervous, and shakey, I cant sleep, My head is pounding, I have hot and cold sweats, and I cant sleep. I did not realize that my emergecy room visits was because of my quitting cold turkey. There are time at bedtime I am having such a hard with drawal symptom that I take 1/2 a pill but nothing works. I have went a week already but the symptoms are not stopping. What can I do to get over this severe Withdrawal symptoms. I know this was a long writting but it was to give you an Idea that I have been on my pain medications for 7 years until my back was finaly cured by a very good Doctor.

— You should NEVER attempt to quit cold turkey after taking that dosage of narcotic pain medication for that long. You need a physicians assistance to slowly withdrw yourself from the medicaiton over a long period of time and during this time they will give you other medicatins that will help you deal the any problems you might have. Attempting to go cold turkey can lead to serious problems and in some cases even death.
— You should already be going to a pain control center already if you have been taking the medication as you described. Federal law requires that taking pain meds after the healing period of an injury must be handled by a cerified pain control center/ doctor..
— Talk to you pain control doctor and tell him its time to stop, believe me, he will be happy to help you slowly wean off it. I am talking from experience, I take oxycontin40 and HYDROcodone 10/325 and I back off every few months with my doctors help just because i don’t like taking that much. I take the medication because I have to, not because I want to and I take full advantage of my doctor’s expertise. Trying to stop alone, cold turkey, no way!