DOT Physical/Neuro-Stim/Scrips

I'm pretty familiar with the scheds. Most people don't know that Meth and Coke are actually sched II!

At one time I was taking Tramadol...it worked pretty well, but then got bumped up to Sched II in Oct of 14 IIRC.

The most maddening thing about my particular situation is that they simply can't find what's causing the sciatic pain. I actually wish I had a bad disc or something...at least we'd know and there would be a very clear course of action. As it is, I've simply been chasing the pain...as structurally the my back is in appare W ntly very good condition for my age. Good "plump" discs, no real stenosis etc. One of the surgeries was to release my Piriformis muscle as they thought(a "last resort")after eliminating all the "hard" structure that it may have been inflaming the nerve. It did help somewhat...but did not eliminate it.

IRT the issues of actually obtaining the meds: We here don't seem to have the issues which more metropolitan areas do. I know there are time release safes, and a couple of times I've run into that but it's usually a 20 min delay or so. Most pain MD's require a "pain contract" be signed. It basically says that you agree to take a UA, come in for random pill counts and you must pick a primary pharmacy and use it exclusively to fill any scrips. I've had the same MD for many years...we know each other pretty well and he knows I'm not a "seeker" so I don't probably get so much attention as others maybe. I've actually taken strong meds BACK and asked for weaker stuff. The PA actually didn't know what to say except "I don't think we've ever had anyone do this"...He did prescribe me a lower dose but couldn't take the higher ones so simply said to dispose of them.

I've now quit the Percocet so I'm thinking all should be well clear by the 16th when I go for my physical. I think it will only remain detectable for 5-7 days...and the outside is for an overweight heavy user with a low metabolism, definitely not me!

Good conversation...

Regards

 

You're right. At higher dosage(>20mg) it's used in addiction treatment. It's replacing Methadone in many instances. I've used it previously...about 2 years ago...when my pain was going "uphill". The transdermal (Butrans®) patches are 5/10/15/20 Mcg/hr release which equates to roughly 5/10/15/20 mg per patch, so very low dosage as opposed to the higher pill form. I'll tell you what though...I don't know if it's the actual product or the method of delivery but they work really well in tandem with the stim. Obviously I'm pretty familiar with the effects of the narcs I've been on. With the patches, there's virtually 0. I don't even think about them really. Slap it on and just go.

I've read the stories about the pill form; "Soma"...seems like a completely different animal from what I've seen with the patch.

It was noted that back issues and truck driving aren't necessarily compatible for a variety of reasons...including the need to sleep in a bunk. In my case, it's not a real hardship. I spent many years at sea...some of them underwater...sleeping in what we called "coffin lockers" so as far as maximizing space while minimizing items and sleeping in confined spaces, I've got a head start!lol!

Thanks for the replies and the links to the regs!