Dealing With Chronic Pain in Recovery.
Valeria’s recent post on dealing with triggers in recovery got me thinking about my own triggers, and the ways I’ve learned to diffuse them since I’ve been in Suboxone treatment.
One of my biggest triggers is pain. Pain is probably a major reason why a lot of us started taking opiates in the first place, and I know that pain is one of the biggest triggers of relapse. So what do you do when you’re in recovery but you still have pain?
First of all, I should probably point out that Suboxone is not approved for the treatment of pain and is not recommended for chronic-pain patients who need opiate medication to manage their pain. Readers of my blog probably know that I have fibromyalgia. I have chronic pain, but my doctors never agreed to treat my pain with opiod medication. They all said that the kind of pain I have doesn’t respond well to opioids.
Eventually I began using pain meds that I obtained illicitly in an attempt to self-medicate. This worked for a while, but as many of us know, treating chronic pain with opioids has a downside. My tolerance grew quickly, and it was difficult for me to obtain the drugs that I was now dependent on. Because the drugs masked my pain so well in the begining, I often pushed myself too hard and caused myself more pain, which required more drugs…a cycle that soon became incredibly difficult to break.
Suboxone helped me break this cycle, and it does help manage my pain. I’m fortunate in this, because Suboxone doesn’t work that way for everyone. But while it does help, it doesn’t take away my pain completely and I still have many days where my pain level is high enough to significantly affect my life. So what do I do now that I can’t (and don’t want to) turn to pills?
My biggest coping mechanism is exercise (and I admit this grudgingly, as I am truly lazy). In my quest for greater physical and mental health, I’ve gone from being basically for sedentary to taking Tai Chi, Yoga, and Dance (Nia), plus swimming and walking. Some days require a monumental struggle with myself to get my butt to the gym, but it’s always worth it. I’m getting stronger and more flexible, and I feel better.
Exercise has another benefit, in that it increases the natural endorphins in our brains. Opiate addiction can cause our bodies to decrease or stop making endorphins, so anything that helps jump-start endorphin production seems like a good idea to me. I do believe it’s working too, because I feel so much happier when I’m exercising regularly.
Getting enough rest, eating right, spending time with friends and watching funny movies are other things that I can do for myself to help minimize my pain. I’m also learning to recognize my limits and how to ask for help when I need it. These habits keep me mentally strong and stable, so that I can deal with pain when it comes. I’m amazed at how much better I can deal with a flare-up when I’m well-rested and I’ve been enjoying life.
Examining my attitude towards my pain helped me a lot too. I realized that I could accept a certain amount of physical pain in my life and still be ok. I don’t have to be “comfortably numb” all the time any more. I also became more open to alternative ways of dealing with pain, instead of holding fast to my belief that only morphine would make me feel better. These days I use meditation, massage, ibuprofin, and cold or heat therapy to help me cope, and I’m looking into accupuncture.
Learning to deal with physical pain in my recovery hasn’t always been easy, and I’m certainly not perfect at it. During my active addiction, I got out of the habit of taking care of myself, and creating new habits takes time. Sometimes I do just wish I could take a pill and feel better, but that happens less and less the longer I’m in recovery. When it does happen, I’ve been able to use one of my new coping tools to get me through.
Of course, I have other triggers as well. I will write about how I cope with those in another post.
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June 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I really go give you a lot of credit. I never had physical pain as a trigger and I really don’t know how well I would deal with it.
Even though you may feel that you don’t handle your flare ups as well as you should… you don’t use. There is a lot to be said about that.
Continue the great work.
June 14th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I am in the third day of stopping my pills. I have been prescribed oxycodone and norco X5 daily for quite awhile (2 years) for chronic pain. As you can imagine, I am a mess right now. But it is the future I am worried about. That is because the pain I live with is real. But I have become so tired of being ruled by the pills. So although my chronic pain is neuropathic in nature and therefore different from yours, your post does give me hope that once I emerge from this horrible tunnel of withdrawal symptoms that I can begin to find a more balanced way to deal with what I have been dealt. Thanks for your post.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I am also in Recovery, and I am dealing with Chronic pain daily and nightly. I have been doing anything I can to make sure pain doesn’t trigger use. So far I have been sucessful for the last 7-8 months. I am on Methadone treatment, to make sure of no heroin use. I used it for the last 2-3 years for pain. I use natural methods such as lavendar oil, ibuphropen, meditation, and other ways to deal with the pain. I have no plans to use illegal opiates ever again. I’m so scared to have so much pain to deal with, that I won’t get enough help from a doctor. Iv’e seen 2 different doctors since (Family Practioners) I started my recovery process. I also am seeking Mental health help to even out my pain and management program, anything that helps is welcome. I have been sucessful so far, but I could be better. I’m doing my best, and that’s all that I can do? Later, Debra Rincon Lopez.
June 15th, 2008 at 9:15 am
HAT’S OFF TO YOU! I TO WORK OUT AS A WAY OF MY OWN THERAPY. AS YOU KNOW I HAVE CHRONE’S AND IT IS A STRUGGLE AS YOU SAID DEALING WITH THE PAIN. MY RIGHT ARM IS STAYING COMPLETLY NUMB AND I ALMOST SLIPPED AND TURNED TO A PAIN PILL YESTERDAY, BUT I DIDN’T! I HAD TO THINK OF WHO I WOULD LET DOWN THE MOST AND IT BOILED DOWN TO ME. I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PAIN AND JUST USE MIND OVER MATTER,I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO ABOUT WHAT I GO THROUGH SO BEING ABLE TO WRITE DOWN HOW I FEEL AND TELLING ABOUT IT ON THIS SITE REALLY HELPS!!! I HAVE A WONDERFUL FIANCE’ BUT I BELIEVE HE HAS TURNED INTO A HYPO-CONDRIACT.(i think that is how u spell it)EVERYDAY I HURT HE HAS A ACHE OF SOME KIND AND IT IS ALWAYS HIM GETTING A MASSAGE OR A FOOT RUB, WHERE DO I OR WHEN DO I GET A BREAK? OKAY ENOUGH VENTING. VALERIE HANG IN THERE YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND I MAY NOT COMMENT EVERYDAY BUT I DO READ! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR INFO!
June 17th, 2008 at 2:13 am
I am really moved by the strength of anyone who is dealing with pain in their recovery. It’s hard, I know. I was suprised, though, that it seems to be easier to manage my pain now that I’m on Suboxone. I really think it’s because I’m taking better care of myself generally.
Finding alternative ways to deal with pain is so helpful too. I’ve been using The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook lately. This book is AMAZING and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone who is dealing with chronic pain. So many of the aches I thought I was going to be living with forever have turned out to be caused by chronic tensions in different muscles. Protect the Innocent - you should definitely check this book out - I was having problems with my hands and arms going numb and I’ve resovled that.
Bob - I hope you are able to find some relief from your neuropathic pain. I know there are some new medications available for that, but they seem to have mixed results. I hear you about your pain being real - mine is too. I’m really kinda scared what might happen when I finally taper off Suboxone, I’m not sure how much pain relief I’m getting from it. Good for you though for breaking your dependence on the pain pills. I swear, they make you feel worse in the end, don’t they?
June 22nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I think the real fear of pain is getting off the opiates. Because it is only a bandage and damages your body futher in the meantime. And when you become addicted to the fact that you can take a pill and take away the pain…it also becomes mental. My ex died from taking a combination of 20mg of methodone and drinking…..masking the pain was not physical but mental.
June 24th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Hello my friends,I have read everyone’s comments and sounds like there are alot of people getting on the right track! Gotta love the strength that we never knew we had. Thanks b-crappie for the book recommendation, I am definetly going to check it out.Bob you stay tough, I can tell you are determined and just knowing that by what you are saying says alot about yourself and your recovery. I am no expert but I have a master’s degree in pill popping nothing to be proud of but nothing to be ashamed of anymore. Stay on this site and talk about how you feel, when you get down in the dumps forget about it and talk on this site. I mean how can you keep everything bottled up and stay strong at the same time? Sounds to me like you do not give yourself enough credit when you deserve alot of credit so here is a pat on the shoulder from me. Stay true to yourself.Kristina your post hit the nail on the head it is a bandage, one small minor cut that ends up cutting to the bone until you are ripped apart then what? Well for one forgive yourself and keep going, everyday you wake up is the beginning of a new and improved chapter in your life make the most of it and love yourself.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:18 am
I have recently got really fed up with the constant pain I am in. I contacted my doctor again to see if I could receive any help with the pain, before I relapse. I really don’t care how much pain I am In. I don’t think I will use, because I have too much recovery time in. I need to make sure that no pain, or doctor, anything will make me jeporadize my recovery plan. I am taking Ibruphrophen 800’s, they help a little. I am not interested in getting addicted to pain pills next. But, I know I won’t let that happen, because of all the time I’ve spent working on recovery. I have a plans and goals I am going to stick to no matter what else happens. I support anyone trying to do there best to stay clean and in recovery. Sometimes the pain is too severe. But, I have spent the last 15-20 years using Heroin, because of Depression, and other forms of emotional pain, and psysical pain that I couldn’t deal with. But, I have help now from outside help and other resources are out there. Just be open to meeting new people, and work on your faults, so your life will be better in the future. Later, Debra Rincon Lopez, in SE Portland,OR.
June 25th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Hi everyone - I wrote a comment this morning, but it seems to have gotten lost. Hmm…
Kristina - What happened to your ex is tragic, and I am sorry for your loss. I think you are right; the fear of physical and emotional pain keeps many people trapped in a cycle of addiction.
Detox is hard, and I am glad that there is a medication like Suboxone that makes it easier. I know one of the main reasons I chose Suboxone treatment was because I didn’t think I could deal with the pain of quitting.
debra - I hear you about being fed up with the pain. It can really wear you down, I know. You sound so strong and committed to your recovery though, and that is awesome. I hope you are getting support from your doctors around your pain issues. You shouldn’t have to suffer intolerable pain just because you are in recovery.
Protect the Innocent - Did you know that you called me “b-crappie”?
That is too funny! I really appreciate your comments and support, and I do hope you get that book and that it helps you as much as it’s helped me.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Please do look into accupuncture. My husband is 30 days off Oxycontin and is currently taking Suboxone. I feel so amazed to have found your writing here - it is great to find other people who speak this language. He feels very blessed to have found a doctor who works with suboxone. Also, he is undergoing accupuncture treatment. First, they put 6 or 7 needles in each ear for 20 minutes, and then put 2 in each ear that are actually very tiny and are taped in - they will stay in for a week. They also use them to help curb cravings for food or smoking. But he says it is an interesting sensation. Basically the theory is that there are energy blocks that cause pain or disease, and accupuncture helps unblock those. I literally thought to myself, wow, I wonder if this is hocus pocus, and the doctor said, now if this was really just hocus pocus, it wouldn’t have been around for 2000+ years. Anyway, I am grateful to have found this post and hope to go read more of your writing and share it with my husband. He is just home from a 28 day treatment program, and is still reeling from all he has been through. Keep your chin up and thank you for your honesty.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I would like to say thank you to everyone that responded to my post with such kindness! Thank U! This is a battle and it is great to know this place is here for support! My boyfriend has now been taking Suboxone for a month and it seems strange that he can actually think now. Wonderful that I don’t see him do the roller-coaster that he was on during his addiction to Oxycontin. He is doing really great, but if he hadn’t of hit rock bottom by losing his job…he would of never taken the time for treatment. Also treatment for his Crohn’s disease that he had been putting off. Now he has both under control and I feel like a HUGE weight has been lifted. Now he is working and has just been offered a better job! I do believe that some people become addicts by accident…do to the fact that they are in pain and then they build up such tolerance to these pills that they take more drastic measures…Then you are no longer in control…the pill bottel is. So now he is getting used to what it feels to feel normal again. And I am working on ajusting to my new normal boyfriend after all this time. I know this was a great first step that changed both of our lives and I look forward to more greatness and finally so does he.
Bless all of you for your strength in becoming a better you and not only to you success from it…So do the ones’ you love and everyone else u know and meet!
Best of Luck to u all.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Kristina, you sound so strong. You have really been through it and as difficult as it was for your boyfriend to do what he had to do, standing by and waiting for the outcome is no easy feat either. Congratulations to you for being a great girlfriend and friend to your man.