Hi guys,
I haven't been around for a while but I know this site is always there for people like me who need some advice. I've been through years and years of torturous lower back pain, I tried an SCS by Medtronics a couple of years ago and it stopped working after a few months when they then discovered I had more disc problems, like a lot of people on here, right
To cut an even longer story short I had a lumbar fusion at the end of October, L3-4-5-S1 and disc replacement at L2-3 and he cleaned up tons of scare tissue around the area too.
I'm now at the stage where I'm walking about a mile and a half every day and I desperately want to drive again. My independence is important to me as I'm sure it is for you. Physically there is no reason why I can't drive except for my meds.

I've come down from some meds but I think I perhaps need to come off some or all of the Oxy's I'm taking, OxyContin 60mg twice a day and Oxynorm 20mg when I need them, which is at least 3-4 times a day. I'm aware everyone is different.
Has anyone else had an experience like this, where they've had to come off meds, like this so they can drive and if you don't mind telling me or PM me I'd love know what they were. Obviously I'll be doing this under my Dr's supervision but I might not get to see him for a while and I'll have some research done.

Thank you all for reading my long story and of I can offer advice or help to anyone I'd love to, I've been to hell and back with pain, sciatica, you know yourself please ask, I'll be replying to your posts anyway.

Sinéad xxx

You have been through some serious deep spine surgery.....serious indeed! Wow! I hope all is improving for you in every way since having had such a "clean up" as you referred to it.

Well, now I have withdrawn from morphine, oxy this, tramadol that, Neurontin and lyrica again. Went through the plugged system and the trots again.... gosh, at least... AT LEAST this time I did not go through the tremendous depression. I am glad to be off..... again.

First time around, did the whole routine monitored every step of the way by my pain management doc. This time, being practiced and having the routine down, just did it under the eye of my surgeon post surgery. It worked. It probably helped I was working and had a far better state of mental outlook.

Prunes. They helped me get things working again. I am not too much into Colace, although in hospital I was made to use the stuff. Then, once it started moving again I rode out Montezuma's revenge. It was not as serious a bout as the first time for withdrawal, and maybe because I had already been away from the opiates for some years before this time around.

I hope you find the best rounded approach for your path. If you need more, just post here or PM me and I will chime in!

Hoping all is well!!!!!

Oh how I know what you've been through,Sinead! No one should have to go through what you did.
It sounds as though you've come a long way since then! You are walking a lot and wanting to get off some of the meds. Great!

I'm glad you are going about it under the supervision of your Dr.
WEAN mate wean!

It's been so long since I was on those meds. I've been on the Fentanyl patch for the past 6 yrs. I don't remember having any difficulty getting off the Oxy stuff. I did wean off the fentanyl patch at one time and had no problems to speak of. I just went down to the next lower dose a week at a time.

Do you think you'll be ok without those pain meds? Maybe if you have something like Lortab/Norco on hand for pain flares? This is a med you wouldn't have to take throughout the day on a regular basis. Just as needed.
This way you'd probably have a clear head for the most part and feel confident to drive. Course those bad days do seem to roll around. On those days I take what I need and just stay at home. Or I hitch a ride with hubby and such.

Regarding your chronic back pain, Sinéad , had you at any time tried that 'Radio Frequency Ablation'? This is something I'm going to be getting at the end of the month. If so, just wondered what you would have to say about it.

Rae

Wow Sinead (sorry about leaving out the dash), you really have had some serious big time surgery.
If you are going to try to reduce or come off the Oxycontin; best you do it under the care of your doctor. You do need to ween off gradually lowering the dosage. I, myself, am on 60 mg's Oxycontin every 6 hrs. (4 x's a day) plus Percocet for breakthru pain. I so wanted to lower my meds. Did try some time back to take a lesser dose of Oxy; but didn't last very long; I found it too painful to be without the current dose and gave up. My pain issues are pretty bad and just wasn't able to handle a lesser dose.

I haven't driven a car for quite a few years. I still have my driver's liscense; but in 2015 it is due for renewal. If I have to take a driving test; I would never pass. Even tho I am not driving, I still like to have my license.

Mark really went thru some difficult times the first time he got off his meds. As he mentioned, the first time was under doctor's care . He could probably lead you to the postings of his account of his withdrawal.

Seems like you are coming along pretty well being able to walk over a mile every day. That's great.


Gerry

that's awesome
from someone who walked 4 miles a day
this i still maintained after i had my forth
baby at 38
at the time I needed to wait
till she was a year
and again when she started school
had walking partner
miss it
so awesome
hope the decrease works
i have trouble with #2
that is total pits
live life
as best you can

Hi Eva,
I think an accent on my name is the least of our worries hun, don't worry about it!

Any reduction I do will most definitely be done with my Dr's supervision, you're right too that it's still early days in post-surgery. I would ideally would like my Dr to swap one drug for another but I'm gonna take my time and see. I'm always in a rush for something or other and it's silly really.

To renew your drivers licence you have to take another test? What country are you in, that sounds unusual to me but probably a good idea!

Mark and I have been in touch privately since I could no longer concentrate and read the board probably. God love him, he's been through so much and remains so positive when that is the hardest thing of all. He's a good man and his wife, a wonderful carer for him.

Think you for the chat and advice, I appreciate it all, take care hun and stay strong


Wow Sinead (sorry about leaving out the dash), you really have had some serious big time surgery.
If you are going to try to reduce or come off the Oxycontin; best you do it under the care of your doctor. You do need to ween off gradually lowering the dosage. I, myself, am on 60 mg's Oxycontin every 6 hrs. (4 x's a day) plus Percocet for breakthru pain. I so wanted to lower my meds. Did try some time back to take a lesser dose of Oxy; but didn't last very long; I found it too painful to be without the current dose and gave up. My pain issues are pretty bad and just wasn't able to handle a lesser dose.

I haven't driven a car for quite a few years. I still have my driver's liscense; but in 2015 it is due for renewal. If I have to take a driving test; I would never pass. Even tho I am not driving, I still like to have my license.

Mark really went thru some difficult times the first time he got off his meds. As he mentioned, the first time was under doctor's care . He could probably lead you to the postings of his account of his withdrawal.

Seems like you are coming along pretty well being able to walk over a mile every day. That's great.


Gerry
---End Quote---
that's awesome
from someone who walked 4 miles a day
this i still maintained after i had my forth
baby at 38
at the time I needed to wait
till she was a year
and again when she started school
had walking partner
miss it
so awesome
hope the decrease works
i have trouble with #2
that is total pits
live life
as best you can