There should be a law

[flmagi]

Why aren't doctors required to give out graffic information to people when perscribing pain meds. Many years ago when a girl would go for Birth control, you were required to watch a video about the side effects etc. There should be a law that when a person requires an ongoing script, they should be fully informed of the dangers, the symptoms of addiction, rebound pain and withdrawel. Drug stores should attach separate pamplets to all pain killer perscriptions. So many people have become addicted by starting out with legitimate pain problems and end up hooked. Unless you are really familiar with such an addiction, people really haven't a clue what it means. I started with real pain problems. I work a very physical job, carry heavey equipment and have fallen a few times. The doc gave me pain meds every month for my back & knee. And I was Superwomen when I took them. Of course after awhile, they just weren't taking all the pain away, I even told the doctor that. She didn't give me anymore pills, but she also never explained anything to me. When I didn't have enough pills, the pain was worse than when I started. So , I figured the doc just didn't understand what kind of pain I was in. Started getting extras elsewhere. Had to, or I couldn't work, run my household, etc etc. Couldn't do anything without them cause of the pain. Special projects to do....more meds needed. Then of course, stressful situations....more pain meds. If I didn't have any meds, I'd start withdrawls and think I was just in so much pain (Thought it was legitimate pain) , that I will need to be on pain meds for life. At some point, I relized I was addicted, but still thought, Oh well, I have real pain issues. I didn't see the changes in my personality, even though I was told, I was different. It took along time to gather bits of info to realize, maybe..just maybe, its the addiction, withdrawl and rebound pain. Well, today is day 16, no pain killers. After about 6 days, I am walking without bringing tears to my eyes. My pain is soo manageable I can't beleive it. My back & knee.... not as bad as I thought for almost 4 years. Why did it have to take so long to get to this point? MAYBE, had I been fully informed, MAYBE, I wouldn't have gone this long.

[lonote]

If I were to be very honest with myself, and I ask myself have I really had a painful life? All the pain I used to drum up in my head, And being on suboxone now to curb the effects of narcotics, Do I wake up that  God awful sore? Well the answer would be NO. Sure I carry a bit (a lot) in my tummy I'm 5 ft. 1 inch, and could stand to lose a few so my back hurts, I need to see a dentist, at present I have a toothache. But its nothing a few stretches and a  good tooth brushing followed by ibuophren 800 can fix. Thats being dead honest from the horses mouth.    Cathy
With the exception of surgery, and of course i milked them for all I could get. Glad I don't behave that way any more and the doc is proud of me and always enjoys seeing me now.

[beachtowel]

yes narcotics have a very evil side to them.........

[beachtowel]

Jenny I am so sorry I thought you lived out here near me I must have you confused with someone......

[jenny8575309]

Sure I would, but you live in MI, I live in TX, we've been over this before, I think...  :)  I can't say that I don't want to go, I'm thinking about it.

[beachtowel]

Good morning Jenn........would you ever consider going to an N/A meeting?
somewhere close to your house?

[allaboutmary]

this is from flmagi on allaboutmary's computer:
No doubt i would start hurting more if I went back on pills. But I do have real problems. They are not as bad as I thought. Plus due to my job, Iam continueslly putting strain on it, or falling etc. Yes, I am a klotz. It is all manageable without those pills. I know that now. I know the pills caused pain so I would take more.  Damm, they are little devils, aren't they? lol

[beachtowel]

"My pain is soo manageable I can't beleive it. My back & knee.... not as bad as I thought for almost 4 years. Why did it have to take so long to get to this point? MAYBE, had I been fully informed, MAYBE, I wouldn't have gone this long".

Something you said here you  might not even realize something very simular happed to me with my back.....but a couselor said to me Michael 4 yrs you heal.........its your brain that keep giving the pain signals to your back your addiction........

flmagi think about it with your back and your knee don't you think that something has to heal in four years?
Another thing is you started taking pain pills today I'll bet money your knee and back would start huring you again.........

[jenny8575309]

I agree, when I started taking these pills I honestly didn't know what I was messing with.  I had a wisdom tooth that hurt.  It seemed innocent enough, when my tooth quit hurting, I kept taking them.  What's so wrong w/ getting a little buzz in the evenings?  I had no idea about withdrawl, and I had no idea that they were in the same family as heroin.  I had no idea that they were physically addictive.  My fault... I could have looked it up on the internet, we have a wealth of information at our fingertips.  And our health is ultimatly our responsibility, I can't blame anyone but myself for my addiction, although the doctors didn't help things.  I got a scripts w/ no x-rays, just had to answer a few questions..  I'm thinking in the near future the DEA will change things up a bit.