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Dilaudid opiate addiction

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Q: Dilaudid opiate addiction

asked by: DoctorQuestion on February 15th, 2008

For the last 6 years i have had this terrible shooting crippleing spikeing pain in my neck and spine area (upperback). My doctor does not believe that i am in pain (9 out of 10) and wont prescribe opiates. I am in so much discomfort i cant stand my undertreatment. For the last 2 years i also self administer 4mg of Dilaudid orally as needed. I obtain from a friend since no doctor will believe my severe undertreatment. When i went to a new pain doctor they did a GC/MS and i diluted with water because i was worried they would see the dilaudid that i take because no one else will give me anything. question 1. Do you think that i could explain to any doctor i am taking dilaudid (because of my horrible undertreatment) for 100% medical reasons without them getting angry. 2. how do you find a doctor that is willing to treat people vigiorsly and not undertreat the hell out of people.

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on February 25th, 2008

Pain Management Answer A3726

YOU WROTE:

Diagnosis that has been suggested: Fibromyalgia

Current medical status: Inconclusive MRI done 2 times in the last year

Current medical treatment: 300mg Gabapentin BID, Mobic 7.5mg QD, 200mg Ultram ER QD, 50mg Ultram 1-2tabs 2 times a day, 5/500 Vicodin 1-2 Tabs q6h prn pain (only used last week due to low amount prescribed).

Dilaudid is an opiate analgesic and a derivative of morphine. If you used Dilaudid continuously for 2 years in order to trate the pain, it's possible that you've become addicted to the drug. Opiate addiction is one of the worst of all addictions in terms of severity and impact on the body. If indeed you are addicted to opiates, it's not certain if the pain you are experiencing is due to fibromyalgia or to abstinence syndrome (withdrawal).

Opiate analgesics are not given to young people in cases of chronic not-fatal diseases. Fibromyalgia is not a fatal disease and you may experience the condition throughout your whole life. Since you are a young man in your early 20's you will definitely become addicted to Dilaudid or other opiate analgesics if your doctors prescribed opiates for the pain. If the medicine hasn't been prescribe, it seems that you made a big mistake by taking Dilaudid without a doctor’s permission.

At this point, you should ask medical help from an addiction specialist for treating possible opiate addiction.

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Comments (1)

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	Tags: addiction, pain management

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