Mind my own business?

Hi:

I'm suspecting a friend of mine at work is getting addicted to his pain medication. We are friends at work only and do not socialize outside of work. He's a really nice guy, but a little young and nieve (spelling?). I think he's becoming addicted to his pain medication and don't know if I should suggest he get help or mind my own business. Any thoughts?

Also, on another note, while I'm here...

Is is possible for an elderly person in a nursing home to become addicted (or "Immuned") to their pain medicine.

My mother in law is a stroke victim and can't communicate, but she's been on the same medication for about a year and I just don't know if it's working or not. Thanks!

[no no no more]

Hello sssssss,
Yes, it certainly is a possibility for a nursing home pt. to become addicted to pain medication. However, sometimes there is no other option if the pt. is in need of the medication. What I've noticed is that the elderly are undermedicated because they sometimes can't communicate their needs (because of a stroke, or dementia), or the nurse is afraid to medicate out of fear of causing addiction. You can ask the nurses if they use a "pain scale" when medicating her.A few questions for you to consider: Did the doc try any other meds to help with her pain?  Is she really getting the medicine? Is it from all the nurses, or is it just one nurse that gives it to her? (A red flag)Sorry this is so long... I love the elderly. Take care, no no no more
P.S. I'm off to in-house treatment for 3 weeks on Monday... Good luck with your dilemna!

[rodewc]

There is a site "quicktopic.com" I have used it ain another discussion group for many years. It is free. It is user friendly. It has no limit in threads. It is quick. There are no "monitors" to say what one can discuss. The parameters are wide open.

The current "quick topic" I use is private. Our extended family chose that. It is THE most user friendly site I have seen on the nett, as I stated above, and I hjave been a net addict for longer than I have been a narcotic addict. A LONG TIME.

As an aside to the original question about your coworker: it is my opinion that unless that person's work is noticeably affecting the company, I suggest keeping mute. Only an addict himself can decide when to throw in the towel.

As on my own drug use. I ran out of Vicodin ES last Saturday. I thought it would be tough, but I called in sick from school Mon-Tues and lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. I s'pose one always lies in bed (sorry for the weak pun). Anyway Wednesday, I started the Thomas Recipe. It must have khelped as I noticed no discernible withdrawal symptoms, though I did make slight use of Xanax (Xanax being a plecebo, IMHO) Regardless, I found a heating pad and chocolate, LOTS of Heath Bars, Skor

[rodewc]

There is a site "quicktopic.com" I have used it ain another discussion group for many years. It is free. It is user friendly. It has no limit in threads. It is quick. There are no "monitors" to say what one can discuss. The parameters are wide open.

The current "quick topic" I use is private. Our extended family chose that. It is THE most user friendly site I have seen on the nett, as I stated above, and I hjave been a net addict for longer than I have been a narcotic addict. A LONG TIME.

As an aside to the original question about your coworker: it is my opinion that unless that person's work is noticeably affecting the company, I suggest keeping mute. Only an addict himself can decide when to throw in the towel.

As on my own drug use. I ran out of Vicodin ES last Saturday. I thought it would be tough, but I called in sick from school Mon-Tues and lay in bed feeling sorry for myself. I s'pose one always lies in bed (sorry for the weak pun). Anyway Wednesday, I started the Thomas Recipe. It must have khelped as I noticed no discernible withdrawal symptoms, though I did make slight use of Xanax (Xanax being a plecebo, IMHO) Regardless, I found a heating pad and chocolate, LOTS of Heath Bars, Skor

[rodewc]

and Mounds Bars to help.

I have NO Frickin idea why this post of mine Just entered twice.. bipolar like I, I spose.

Ennnyhoo, Monday I automatically get a refill for 30 Vico ES and Thursday I get 90 more w/ a cupla refills. That will be the real test, and ti be honest I am not certain which road I will take.

For me, I pray it is the road less traveled.

As I have said before, for my level of pain, I think I need no narcs at all.

I wonder about a nick called "tractershift" (sp) and how his CTWD went, as well as a poster "SouthernBelle"

I worry and wonder about all of us who, as FINISHED ao aptly put it... you can feel great, but never as superhumanly great as that little pill(S) make you feel.

I will close, having not said much. I apologize for the many grammar errors, etc, but somehow my posts went thru before I as able to edit.

I urge Phil and Cathy (are they the moderstors???) or some other leader ( I am a dandy follower) to take a look/see at "QUICKTOPIC" and maybe simply post the addy here and see how that works for all.

Love and peace~~

[rodewc]

http://www.quicktopic.com/

Maybe it will work? Phil and Cathy (if they are the moderators?) have been grand.. and this is free. I can attest to that. I have no money to send anyone, sadly,(but fortunately) quadruplets in college, but w/ years ti go. $$$$igh.

Love and Peace.. and I am clean ONE WEEK TODAY! wooo~~
(pray for me and wish me luck in good decisions Mon. and Thurs.)

[suzieneedshelp]

Now i know ya'll r trying to improve this place but i do not se the max comments logic.  WE have people relating on hot topics via many more posts than r now allowed.  And wut will happen is that someone will start new thread on same subject (impairing new subject threads from appearing) or use up posts on another subject in that subject that was not finnished.   WEll its just my opinion.. and u know wut they say about those!
Peace...
Suzie

[minime]

I posted this to you yesterday on the thread below:

I read your post waaaay down at the bottom, and I wanted to answer but the thread was closed. There is a maximum of comments per thread allowed.

Have you thought about treatment options? Can you talk with your husband or any of your friends or family about this? You said no one understands addiction, but have you really sat them down and explained what is going on with you?

You said you felt like killing yourself, and you have to know that many of us have had those feelings before. However, it is not the way to go. Your little ones need you, and there is a way out of this. It will take hard work. Stay here and post, and I'm sure you will get a ton of advice and support. We are all here for you.

P.S. This maximum limit really sucks.

[momonhydros]

.hi my name is nancy i to am addicted to hydros, codeine anything i can do so i dont have to go though the horrible withdrawl (withdrawal) guess im a woos. im up to doing about 6 a day i know thats not alot compared to some but i still get horrible withdrawl (withdrawal). ive been taking them for about 2 years for herniated disk with sciatica. afaid to have the surgery since its not very successful. anyways i have twin girls and a 18year old son. everytime i try to stop these things im irritable,depressed and the anxiety is overwhelming i cant think ect...... i can handle the physical but the mental is the worst. my thought patterns change and i feel as if im going to loose my freakin mind. i would have never takin these drugs if i knew this was going to happen. i have addictive behavior as it is i should have known better. i also have suffered from panic attacks in the past and as soon as i try to stop taking the hydros i can feel the panic coming again. anyways i know what i need to do from reading this forum daily. justed wanted to tell my story. thanks for listening nancy ***@****

[Bandersnatch]

I, for one, think that this forum is just perfect the way it is now!

I am so glad to have a place just to read all the storys and i know that I'm not all alone like I use to feel.

Even tho i have seen the fighting that happens here from time to time, it always works out. we need to realize that with all the pain or addictions that all of us have been through, there will be times that some of us get frustrated or mad at each other. I don't worry about it. it is that human spirit that is shown when passion is expressed. when we are coming out of the "Fog" that indeference to everything we once had is replaced with feelings. If the feeling are good or bad, and we express them, it is much better than having no feelings at all.

love to everyone (even if someof you don't care- I love you, and thiers nothing you can do about it)

BS

[minime]

There is another good addiction site www.atwatchdog.org.  It is mainly comprised of people in Methadone treatment, but they welcome anyone with addiction problems.

[painpillhead]

I know how you feel.  I am 10 days clean now from taking 6-7 Vicodin ES.  I still have my pills.  with a refill.  I decided to quit because I am 47, taking treatment for Hep C, and the painpills were making me crazy couple with the treatment.  At first, years and years ago, I felt totally awesome..supermom, superWOMAN...I ruled!  Now I do wonder how I am going to be "on my own".  My family doctor told me to go to NA.  He said one of the first things towards recovery is whenever you go see a doctor, for LEGITIMATE pain, ie, abcessed tooth, etc,. tell him--Hey, don't give me any narcotics please.  I will abuse them and I would appreciate something else.  Being a recovering alcoholic, I would NEVER take a drink if someone offered, so now, I MUST tell docs up front NOT to give me any.  I truly think if I could get to this step, it would be the step towards true recovery...I know many many of you know in your heart of hearts this would work...if we only could do it..take the first step.  For me, it made sense...and I will do it now.  I had never even thought of it in this way....so.
food for thought....not a pleasant one...but a reality check.
peace to us all.
Lori

[Tram-man]

Thanks for the feedback Percs.

It would almost be funny if it wasn't so tragic -- trying to kick a "non-addictive" drug habit!

I quit drinking for four years before I started using Tramadol. I felt like such a fraud when family/friends would give me a pat on the back for getting sober -- they didn't know I was taking in their praise on 600 mgs. of Tramadol.

Tram

PS - First time to this site (or any site like it) today. Had no idea there were others in the same situation.

[newlife]

Does anyone have any info about propoxyphene -the narcotic in darvon, darvecet- I have been taking lortab 10/500 for the 4 yaers for legit backpain but nonetheless addicted.  5 a day habit and climbing before I ran out last Monday.  I have successfully tapered after each script, thinking I was all finished with that stage of my life....but no.  Anyways,  I went back to the doctor and asked for something with less or no tylenol to ease up on the liver and I ended up with 180 pills of propoxyphene.  I went thru a day of withdrawls from hydro but started up with propoxyphene and it knocked down the withdrawls but doesn't work very well with pain.  Either way I want to be opiate free and I was just hoping to taper with these.  Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with darvon and if it is just as bad as hydro or what?  Any input is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[rodewc]

"I learned a lot while recovering from minor surgery. I'd been given a phone number I could call to contact a kindly nurse, who would answer any post-op questions I might have. A few days after the operation I found myself feeling rotten. I was in a lot of pain and very frustrated that I was required to rest until the pain went away. I finally picked up the phone and dialed the hotline, hoping the nurse would write me a perscription for a potent drug, one with both anesthetic and recreational properties. Instead, she gave me some of the best advice I've ever heard. 'Listen,' she said, 'you're supposed to avoid stress and get lots of rest. BUT IF YOUR SOUL WANTS TO DANCE, STAYING IN BED IS STRESSFUL, AND DANCING IS RESTFUL.' I got up and went for a walk, and I started feeling better immediately. For me, that day, non-action meant getting up, not lying down."

(pg. 10 of Finding your own North Star, Claiming the Life You were Meant to Live) paperback by author Martha Beck, 2001.

I have no affliation w/ this author or book, but she speaks to my soul.

~~

[cleo101]

Hello every one i have not posted in a  while but in the last few months my pill habit escalated to 16 to 20+ some days these pills prescribed and bought so when i ran out of what my Doctor gave me i just bought what ever i could except for oxycontin.

Loritabs Percs vicodene  you name it i took it.  
I have extreme back pain and had surgery 2 discs removed from my neck still in therapy for my lower back.

One day i realized that no matter how many pills i ate the pain was still there so what good was it doing to take them????????

I quit cold turkey on Wednesday so i have 4 days in and i am praying that i make it this time.

i feel pretty sick today not any energy at all the last time i made it to day 5 and then was in a car accident after driving .

using thomas's recipe so i guess it could be worse . hoping to get through this day and many more.  

Praying for all of you

cleo101

[Tram-man]

Is anyone here taking Tramadol under any one of various names, the most popular being Ultrams? I was told they were not addictive several years back and found I could order them at legally because they are not listed as a narcotic -- but I am here to say this is NOT the case (the addictive part)!

I would appreciate any feedback.

[oxic]

CLEO: Hang in there!!! Great job on making it to day 4-5.
I also have a bad back(couple surgeries), and came off about the number of pills/day(percs) you mentioned.
It'll be six months on the 19th; so it can be done.....and the surprising thing is my back has been okay!! Stay Determined.

Tram-Man: Over the 6 plus months that I've been at this forum, many many people have had f*&king nightmares due to withdrawals from the "non- addictive" tramadol. They forget to tell you, that it goes after the same receptors as opiates.
Yet another example of people having to learn the hard way....no wonder we have to do our own due diligence regarding everything these days.

Take Care,

percs

[lisabet]

Thanks for mentioning the atwatchdog site. I checked it out; it looks like a really good site.  Appreciate it.  Love, Lisabet

[sssssss]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and help. I've read all of your stories, too. After reading how everyone is trying to help everyone, I couldn't help but think in a world that's so screwed up sometimes,  there are still nice people who care about other people.I prayed for you all in church today. Keep trying everyone, you're all so determined, you'll get there.

[HarleyCat]

Good Morning.  I took rodewc's suggestion to heart.  If you want more info, email me @ ***@****

:)

[BLUE501]

I am posting here because we reach are max. on the other thread. I too have delt with this for what seems to be forever. Congrats on 3 days!! those are some of the hardest. I know how it feels to wonder if it will ever work. For myself, I have realized that this time, it HAS to work. I have lost too much. I have been arrested for writing fake scripts, I have lied stole and cheated people I love to feed this habit. I am really feeling better and tell myself everyday to be positive. I hope that you keep posting and talking. I know for myself, when I have a craving, and I have alot, I reach out.

be safe
linda

[lifer]

Thanks I feel very alone because Ive been through this so many times that none of my family or freinds want to hear about it I seem to have lost that naivete about recovery I had so many years ago I guess that is agift Dont want to die like this But my will to go on is damaged It takes apeice of my soul every time I go back But the crazy thin is For awhile The drugs work till tolerance and souces run out.

[BLUE501]

I hear you. The most important thing is to KNOW that YOU are worth it. Many people take multiple times to "get it." The person who quits the first time and never picks up again is lucky. But I have known many people who have finally achieved abstinence after 3 4 5 20 tries. I truely belive that if you want it it will eventually work

linda

[lisabet]

Thanks to you all about your feedback on ambien.  I will consider all your comments.  Chitown - don't worry, if I do use them, it won't be on an everyday occurance.  I just read the pharmacy brochure, and it said pretty much like you stated; about the rebound effects.  This makes me hesitant to use them. I've tried to use the benadryl before for sleepiness, but it just hypes me up. Nyquil helps, but I used to be dependant on it, so I don't want to start up with that again. My body obviously is all screwed up; I could lay down any time during the day and go fast to sleep, but at night when I FINALLY make myself go to bed by 12:00 - I toss and turn for hours. It seems like I'm finally sleeping a deep and relaxing sleep when my alarm goes off at 7:00 am. My body clock needs re-wiring!!!...smile   Again, thanks for the comments, Love, Lisabet