Vicodin Addiction/Physician Over Prescribing

[Robert]

I would like to here from anyone who has become addicted to Vicodin as a result of a physicians inability to recognize the addictive nature of this drug and as a result over prescribing it for perceived pain in the pelvic region.

In addition, any nurses currently working in a hospital environment who recieve "professional courtesy" from coworkers issueing prescriptions for vicodin, please let me know.

One Dr. at a wll know hospital in NY was issueing my wife 2-3 prescriptions a month  over a two year period following  surgical procedure after her primary physician refused to give her any additional pain medication. The addiction accelerated to the point where he was issueing her 400-500 pills a month over a two year period.

[Frankinscense]

Pain is a funny thing. Oxycontin/oxycodone are not in my opinion the best drugs for chronic pain because of the damage they do to your endorphins. Long acting opiates are a better choice for chronic pain. What is your chronic pain problem? What is your definition of chronic pain? Chronic pain is best treated by a addiction/pain specialist. Family physicians can only treat chronic pain for so long. A family doctor who consistantly treats pain with class two narcotics will always get investigated. This is done to protect your best interests, Kim. I am only giving you facts and in no way am I judging your actions. My heart goes out to chronic pain suffers. But as a c/pain patient continues to take short acting opiates over the years consistently,pain tolerances are effected negatively and endorphins/neurohormones are awashed. When this happens, a number of things happen in the body that cause negative reactions.  You become dependent on the opiate. And you become afflicted with a disease known as opiate addiction. There are risks with this disease like any other disease. Your body will react violently to not having oxycodone in your system. Depression and slepplessness will occur. I am sure Kim that you know all about these symptoms. I just wanted to to tell you what you are up against. Do not blame you personal physician, it's not his fault. And this law you speak of is a good law. It protects unknowing persons from having their lives ruined due to this horrible disease. I do not know what your pains are, but there is  better treatment for chronic pain through pain/addiction specialist. I know that you may get angry with me for posting this, and you may say that I am overstepping my boundaries. But,we are here at this forum to help people by passing on bits of knowledge and information. Best of luck! and best Wishes, Frank

[From John B. to all]

Hey. Thanks or all your help and I hope I was of some to you. Lets not loose contact with one onother. I would like to know how you are doing. I am talking to Dan and he suggested a methadone treatment for me. So I will give it a try. It will be scary telling my doctor. I just hope he will agree with that and not just cut me off totaly.

      GOOD LUCK TO YOU: John B.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

That is all.  I dont want my future jeopardized because of the lame few.  I get very upset at the thought of no longer having the correct meds that work for me.  There is no way a Doctor would take away insulin from a Diabetic, why should my Doctor take away this medication that has given me a new lease on my now wonderful life.

It is not a life full of "Highs" and "Buzzes". It is a life WITHOUT PAIN.

If MY DOCTOR does decide to stop or change it let it be HIS decision.  Sandy, dont you think that this issue almost has the same sensitivity as the other issue that starts with an "A".  It is kind of like "Freedom for MY Doctor to choose my pain meds without worrying about the Gestapo behind him.

Kind of like FREEDOM OF CHOICE, MY doctors choice.

Those out there that have NO idea what Chronic Pain is like I envy you. But I dont envy those that do not have the compassion to relate to how we feel.  Lives are ruined or uprooted. Vacations that come to a roarig halt.  Missed lunch dates with my kids at their school.  When the pain in not in control (before the pain meds and the fine doctor who knows that I need them) everyone around you if effected.  I also am involved in acupuncture, chiropracric, meditation, and Yoga.  I do not use the pain meds as the cure all band aid. My Oxy is part of the BIG healing picture.  Thanks for listening and I did not mean to get on any soapbox.  See, You all are so easy to talk to and such good listeners!
Have a great PAIN FREE weekend everyone!
MARCIE!!!!!!!!!

P.S. If this posts twice it is because my paw hit the "submit" button by accident I am so sorry!

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

That is all.  I dont want my future jeopardized because of the lame few.  I get very upset at the thought of no longer having the correct meds that work for me.  There is no way a Doctor would take away insulin from a Diabetic, why should my Doctor take away this medication that has given me a new lease on my now wonderful life. It is not a life full of "Highs" and "Buzzes". It is a life WITHOUT PAIN.  If MY DOCTOR does decide to stop or change it let it be HIS decision.  Sandy, dont you think that this issue almost has the same sensitivity as the other issue that starts with an "A".  It is kind of like "Freedom for MY Doctor to choose my pain meds without worrying about the Gestapo behind him. Kind of like FREEDOM OF CHOICE, MY doctors choice.

[sandythesufferer of pain]

Robert, I sympathize with your desire to expose this hospital and its doctor. However, when shows like 20-20 jump on the bandwagon, legitimate pain sufferers are the ones that, well, suffer. Good doctors hesitate even more to prescribe medicines that work for those with arthiritis and other constant pain. Please think carefully about what you are doing. One bad doctor does not mean all doctors and hospitals should panic over prescribing. Not being an addict yourself, or in pain, you do not realize what having a sympathetic doctor who prescribes in MODERATION means to us. Just a small plea. Thanks for listening.

I whole heartly agree, recently my room mate with nueropathy due to aids was cut off his oxycotin that he used RESPONSIBLY for two years because his doctor got investigated for some reason. Mike didnt abuse them - but he was told he would not be prescribed them anymore to go somewhere else. He did, my doctor, who was absolutely shocked and agreed with the fact he most likely got investegated....who suffers here are the people that use them the correct way for the correct reason. Of course he is addicted to them, thats to be expected, but he was FAR from abuseing them.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

I can NEVER remember my LOGON names for each site I belong to.  At Skips Panic site (a GREAT site that someone has listed the web address here somewhere I am KIMMIE)  Here I am on under my daughters name.  Talk about not keeping ducks in a row.  To long without sleep.  Now I am really going to bed.
Have a great KIDNEY STONE FREE DAY.
Signed
Kimmie, Marcie, Randy (the man with one less Kidney Stone) Shelly and Toby the DOG