UPDATE ON OXYCONTIN ARTICLE

[MED HELP INTERNATIONAL]

Hi Everyone,

Jennifer Perez wasn't even aware that we have an Addiction Forum on Med Help, until I wrote to her yesterday.  She's NOT avoiding any of you, she simply didn't know about all the posts that are here.

She is going to review all your questions et.al. over the weekend and will respond as soon as she can.

We can understand your reluctance to participate. However, Oxycontin is a nasty drug and I do hope that you'll help Jennifer write an article that offers new insight into Oxy addiction and possible ways for people to avoid becoming addicted.  

Have a great weekend...

Cindy Thompson

[skipper]

groovy:
we have a glut of "trearment centers" in the upper midwest. what we
lack is detox centers. contrary to popular belief, they don't al-
ways go hand in hand.

read your e-mail
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[groovygirl]

wow - i was glad to see everyone in agreement on this issue.  witchywoman's statement about addiction being a nasty disease (or something to that effect) was simple yet profound.  the disease of addiction is what needs to be focused on here.

i am sickened by the lack of addiction treatment centers here in ma.  oxycontin is plentiful, but treatment is not.  most places don't take insurance and have long waiting lists.  it is so discouraging.  what is it going to take?  i called a few of these places asking about the new fda approved buprenorphine.  not ONE of these places had even heard about it...and here's one addict thinking, i've been waiting more than a year for this to happen, and these places don't even know what it is.

what's it like in other states?

[skipper]

good morning!:
hoping everyone is getting ready to have a good sunday. it's 8:40
am at this end of the missouri....hey jess your phone is off the
hook....don't be like that.
keep an angel on your shoulder
kip

[Francoise]

Now that I've said what a wonderful, life restoring drug oxycontin is, let me give you at least the one caveat I think everyone should know about it.

That caveat is that oxycontin causes the worst industrial strength constipation known. We're talking cement-like here. I was in the hospital twice for impaction till I made a liberating realization: I could do the same things they did in the emergency room; and I was a lot easier on myself than those frickin' doctors were. One person I know of had to have surgery to relieve his impaction. You can't take your eye off it, er, well, you can't take your mind off it. It gets to be a pain in the ass, well, I mean having to think about and take steps to avoid.

Frankly, now that I've moved to the Duragesic Patch, I don't have to worry about colonic paralization any more. And even though I'm a believer in oxycontin, I prefer the patch.

francois

[bmac]

That is why I posted the question to Cindi.I was really surprised medhelp is taking a stance against oxy.What other drugs policies should we know about.Is narcotic use as a whole a
'nasty thing?'
I hope Cindi will answer this question for us.Well I guess the reporter girl thing is over.If the article is about a 'nasty drug'they don't need our opinions.
                            bmac

[Chezz]

The problem is not that oxy is a nasty drug.
The problem is that addiction is a nasty disease.

Witchywoman. You are the woman! That is the best thing I have ever seen to describe this in two sentences.

I have abused other meds in the past. Now I realize that is was partially because I was not getting the pain relief I needed.

Because I am on oxycontin for the 1st time. I have NEVER had this type of pain relief EVER. I am finally able to walk sort of normal, instead of hobbling. I am able to sit for more than 5 min without contantly feeling pain, and moving around. I am relaxed and can lay and watch TV without focusing on the pain. It is too hard to explain the relief I finally have. With the other meds, I still constantly had some form of pain and was focused on it throughout the day. With oxycontin, I finally feel like I am LIVING life!!!
Furthermore, I have not had even a thought to abuse it. I am so greatful to just finally have pain relief.

Chezz

So Mrs. Perez. Please do write an article based on my story. My wife would like to be involved as well. She has finally got her husband BACK. Those are in her words.
Then maybe SOME doctors out there will read it and start following the hippocratic oath and not making pain patients feel like drug addicts. (The ones that I have seen that have said - "I don't treat pain" They need to be EDUCATED as well.