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.

[PS >>>>Annie]

....Excuse my typos.....I know your not gifted in interpretation.
Annie

[annie]

.......Disrguarding that last post, I would like to state my opinions on these postings: John B. You should switch places w/ me....Cindi, I  totaly agree w/ your Dec. 4 post.  Cronic pain sufferers are the ones who ultimately pay the price...I know this all to well.  Dervy:  I dont think turnig in Dr's is the answer...Being a "do gooder" never did anyone any good.  It is the good who suffer for the bad of others.  Susie, I'd like to here how you are doing...Your life sounds like my sister-in laws life...and to name a few others.  Be strong...
As for these doctors over prescribing...Geeeezzz!... I truly belive that these are isolated incidents.   I'v had trouble obtainingg "kiddie chewables" j.j., from my docs.  Even for very severe pain, but then again, maybe this is why im not addicted.....YET
Annie

[Sad]

You are all very sad and you need a life.

[Beth Jan.29,2001]

I know how your wife feels.  After several years of prescription drug abuse myself.  I believe that sometimes we get lost in the pain and believe that any narcotic med. will help any kind of pain, including mental.  We don't mean to hurt those closest to us, but sometimes there is no other course of action.  Don't give up on your wife. She can only help herself but you have to be there to support her.  I lost evrything that ment anything to me.  My marriage of 10 years, my home and just about my life.  Doctors don't think sometimes before they prescribe.  Dr. are sometimes so busy, they just want to get to the next patient and get through their day.  Just like us.  Sometimes it's the money.  If they give you what you want you keep coming back.  So, really who's fault is it?  I think everyone involved.

[Dervy]

I for one am for turning in Drs. who over prescribe, I watched my Mom go through numerous detoxes & it was disgusting what the Drs. had given her!! I have back problems & right now my favorite drug in the world is Lodine, it works better than a vicodin for pain (for me) it is non narcotic (sorry...no buzz) and non addictive. Bottom line is it works better than vicodins or percocets for relieving pain, why arent more Drs. trying this avenue?

[Dervy]

I for one am for turning in Drs. who over prescribe, I watched my Mom go through numerous detoxes & it was disgusting what the Drs. had given her!! I have back problems & right now my favorite drug in the world is Lodine, it works better than a vicodin for pain (for me) it is non narcotic (sorry...no buzz) and non addictive. Bottom line is it works better than vicodins or percocets for relieving pain, why arent more Drs. trying this avenue?

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Hi Susie,
Is this man the kids dad?
Whether he is or isnt you are doing the right thing!
Your poor little babies!  From your post it sounds like if he truly had the desire to get his act together you would let him come back.  Is this what he is currently bothering you about?  I mean the phone calls, him not wanting to get his clothes is he wanting you to tell him that he can come back?  If he got help would you let him?  Or would he have to get his act together first?  If he comes home before getting help I see this as a vicious cycle happening.

Susie, you have finally had the last straw.  Something has to change.  You are very couragous!  Keep in mind that your kids are watching your every move right now.  This is one of lifes lessons they will NEVER forget.  

My Mom left my dad after 10 years of marraige.  He was an alcoholic who ultimately lost his family because of this disease.  He would counsel people at AA meetings and then leave the meeting and go drinking.  My mom had never worked a day in her life.  She stayed home and took care of us.  I was 10, my sister was 8 1/2  (and a juvenile Diabetic). Like you Lisa my mom was courageous. She had the guts to do what most might not have.  We went from a big home on the water, belonged to Yacht Clubs, my mom was a volunteer in the hospital, Special Olympics, the Diabetis Center. The perfect life (so to speak).  We ended up on food stamps, in a trailer, and a mom who worked (for the first time in her life) in  factory assembling pens for a living.  NO Child Support.  MY POINT TO ALL THIS IS WAS MY MOM WAS MY BEST FRIEND THEN AND SHE IS NOW.  Susie, my sister and I were little but we grew up fast because of our environment.  My mom is a hero to me.  She did the hardest thing she could ever do!  My sister and I have a relationship with my mom that kids who come from an OZZIE AND HARRIET type of situation would never know.  I cant put into words how much I love my mom.  I love her more for what she did for us.  I tell her to this day that she made me what I am.  I know from that experience that life gives you no guarantees.  That situation prepared me so much more for life.  And now it will help me prepare my daughter and son to be a survivor in their life. This is hard to explain Susie but what I mean is I feel like young children who have strong, supported caring moms like you WILL TURN OUT OKAY AND WILL LOVE YOU MORE IN THE LONG RUN.  

That whole scene back then was traumatic at the time.  We went from donating all our toys to charity every year for the needy one year to RECEIVING TOYS FROM CHARITY (THE NEXT YEAR) BECAUSE WE HAD NO MONEY WHATSOEVER! Pretty ironic dont you think!

What I am trying so hard to get across is do whatever is best for your kids and you.  YOU THREE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN YOUR WORLD!!!! Your kids will learn from you SUPERMOM that you cant help those who dont want to help themselves. You are teaching them that even though you can love someone so much sometimes that just is not enough.  Let your babies know that they are the most important thing in your life (which I am sure they know but its always great to hear again and again!).  They must know that if they are in that situation one day that YOU DONT HAVE TO STAY IN IT!!!!

It tears my heart out to know that they cry for him at night.  I have an idea for you. WHAT IF you had your kids (do you have boys and girls or both?) write on paper how they feel.  I mean just tell them to write down what it is that makes them cry.  What are they thinking?  What kind of sense are they making of this?  I mean why do they think he is gone? I mean could you say something like if you could tell ____ whatever you wanted to say what would you tell him?  After they do this as part of your LAST intervention with him SHOW HIM THE LETTERS.  Let him see and read what you are seeing those kids go through first hand!
Let him know that you have cut him all the slack that he is getting from you and your kids.  Let him know that he has made a mess of his life and that he will NOT be allowed to bring that on to your kids. They are precious little souls that should not have to be dragged through his world.  

You said that you could tell that your boyfriend was calling you from his moms house.  Do you mean that he found out what your phone number is ?  Is his mother an ENABLER or WHAT!  Please stay strong!  What a great Christmas present to yourself and to the kids.  A whole new life! Please Hang in there.  Your kids will thank you for it. Later on down the road if he does get his act together maybe he can meet with the kids or something that way the kids get some closure if you even think they need it.  Are there addiction counselors for kids that they could maybe talk to?  Susie, you have handled yourself so well through this.  You know his mom is LOCO. You dont need him as a boyfriend and you dont need that woman (his mommy)in your life!  You are young and smart you have two wonderful, sensitive kids.  You all are going to make it.  Please dont let that man bring you all down please.  Life is so short.  The kids will be grown and in college and you will STILL BE a human punching bag, verbally abused, will a house messed up all the time for someone with CHRONIC FLU SYMPTOMS!!! I want you to stay strong. I dont ever want him to one day just break you down with the name calling and ruin your spirit! You know you are doing the right thing NOW RUN WITH IT SUSIE!!!!!!!   There is a fine man out there somewhere just waiting for a lady like you with two sweet kids. Someone who deserves you and the kids. PLEASE DON'T GIVE IN. Now Susie I want you to give me something to hope for, for you three!
MERRY CHRISTMAS SUSIE.  WE LOVE YOU TOO.
Love to you and your sweet little angel kids.
Marcie.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I believe you are doing the right things.  I don't have any experience with ALATEEN but how else are they going to learn?  And it won't cost you any money.

Take care of yourself and your kids first!  You don't need any harassment, especially right now.

I don't know for sure how DEA handles these matters but they sure have most doctors scared.

[susanlea]

well it's a week and a half to Christmas.  I changed my home number to an unpublished and unlisted number.  Last night I saw my boyfriend trying to call me several times from his mom's house. I just couldn't pick up the phone, either he wants to yell and call me names, make another excuse for why he can't get the rest of his things yet, or he's probably gone through all 30 oxy's in 4 days which for him wouldn't be hard, he either doesn't want his parents seeing him go through withdrawals(they know about the detox and addiction, but his mother swears I've been making it out to be worse than it possibly could be and that it's all my fault in the first place, that I should as his live in been able to prevent this from happening, I should have stopped it, I tried an intervention months ago after finding out he was using again, got his sponser, his friends and his family to come over and try and get him back in detox, she called him and warned him I was trying to hurt him, so of course, he knew what he was coming home to and didn't come) I've been pretty much alone in this, my kids 9 and 10 know all about it and are very supportive of my decision in getting him to leave. But last night they cried again, because they love and miss him, and can't understand how he could hurt them so close to Christmas, I tried to get them to understand that as an addict, he can only think about himself right now, but it still hurts them, they are so little.  I'm sure I will eventually forgive him, but right now I have too much anger that his choice was himself, always himself.  My NA sponser a great women has been through this herself and suggested I take them to Al-a-teen tonight, since my boyfriend is supposed to come by tomorrow and take all his stuff, it's over. The pharmisist told me that this Dr. is very well know for giving out narcotics and she said that there will be a DEA investigation up here because too many Doc's are giving out stuff in this town, should be interesting.  Anyone know how that works, funny thing is my ex-husband is former DEA, any suggestions? Thanks for being there and listening, My friends all mean well, they just think a couple days away, and he'll make a big turn around and straighten up, they don't realize it's not that easy, thanks for anyone who will listen to me ramble, I just need to know I did the right thing, he has to make a choice, meetings, rehab, outpatient, something, give me something to have hope for. Merry Christmas, I love you all.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

Several years ago we had a "Doctor Feel Good" in this area.  I was one of his many patients and usually got whatever I wanted out of him for a price.  His name used to pop up at NA and AA meetings all the time when somebody would have a relapse.  Eventually he got busted and lost his license but only in this state.  As it turned out, he was also a fellow addict that used some of his patients to get drugs for himself(including his wife).  You have to wonder what your own doctor's motives are.  If it seems wrong to you that he's trying to manipulate you into something stronger, then I would seek another doctor.  He certainly isn't improving your life or your boyfriend's.  Remember one thing,  doctors take an oath to do no harm!  Reread your letter and tell me that he's doing no harm to you both.

[susanlea]

some of you may have read some of my earlier posts about the boyfriend who's addicted to oxycotin, been through detox, came out and went right back using, lying being verbally abusive, always threatening to leave, sleeping in a different room , totally detached, he has no endorphines left. But what pisses me of the most, is his Dr. knows he has no real pain, knows he's addicted(has told me) to the oxy's, but he still gives him a perscription every two weeks for 30 20mg. What's wrong with this picture? Does this Dr. want to keep him addicted for the insurance money or what!  He's not a specialist just a family MD. He's also my Dr. I have neuropathy, TIA's and an unoperatable tumor on my spine, I have cronic pain everyday, and he makes me come in weekly for a perscription, I will not take oxy's for what it did to my boyfriend. I take 1 vicoprohen with advil 3 times aday I barely can stand the pain, but the Dr. keeps trying to push me to take something stronger, what's wrong with this Dr. He's vey nice but I'm beginning to think he's just in it for the money, keep them coming back.  Well I'm going back to my neurologist to treat me. I can't stand this anymore, My boyfriend is so far gone, he finally just up and left me and my kids because he couldn't stand  my constant bitching to go back to rehab, of course he denies taking the meds. But every weekend he seems to have the flu, I'm tired of watching the Dr. keep him addicted, he wouldn't go back to rehab, so I ask him to leave, he chose to give up a great home, great kids, and a women who has loved him for over 5 years, and stuck by him emotionally, financially, held his head up so when he vomited he wouldn't drown in it, cleaned up the diarreah when he couldn't make it to the bathroom in time, too many withdrawals, too many relapses and most of all too too many lies. He's slept in a different room for the past year, called me every bad name in the book, never helped me around the house, because he couldn't get off the couch or out of bed, no sex no kiss, no nothing for over a year, well this time I'm not asking for sympathy, this time I'm not trying to get an intervention going, this time I finally give up, It took me this long to love myself through NA and AA and love him enough to make him leave, I will not watch him die and I will not bury him, it just makes me mad that the Dr. has made it so so easy for him, maybe if it would have been harder for him to get access to the drugs he might have a little bit more of a chance, he knows no one who takes them and he couldn't afford them, he has 4 kids he pays for. Well he's now home with his momma, let her bury him. Please don't take it that I'm not understanding, believe me I love this man with all my heart, but he doesn't love himself how can he love me.  I pray to god everyday, he makes it, because the only thing he hasn't lost yet is his job, one just one more absence and he will(he's missed 52 days in a year) Thank you DR.

[From Aunt Lindy to Mariah]

Thanks for the Post!
I see a pain managment doctor.
The Oxycontin is a timed release long acting opiate.
My Chronic Pain problem is Fibromayalgia, Arthritis, TMJ.  I have been told too that I have high levels of mercury which also can cause problems.  I am now in the process of changing my diet (eliminating caffeine, white rice flour etc.) I wake up in the morning feeling like I am 90 years old.  Yoga helps.
I have been diagnosed(with the Fibro, Arthritis) by 5 doctors. One is a physiatrist, one a anesthesiologist, a primary, a neurologist (he had me on so much verapimil for headaches I swelled up like Elvis).  My pain was so bad that my blood pressure was always high so now I am on blood pressure meds. too. Why on earth would I be angry!  You need to post here more often.  I think you are a great expert in the medical field.  Please hang around here.  We need your guidance!  If you know of a longer acting timed release opiate other than the Oxycontin let me know!  My pain managment doctor is a GREAT GREAT man who does more than just write a script.  He believes in a holistic approach to healing.  Yoga has been wonderful! Chiropractic is great too.  Frank, I even go to a stress counselor!  To me it is the BIG picture not just a script.  I work part time and what money I get goes to making me a better me!  I get massage once a week at the house.  My personal physician is a GOD in my book.  I did not know if my sentance came across wrong when I said "Why should my doctor take away this medication that has given me a new lease on life"  He is the one that said that the Oxycontin would be a good idea rather than the Short Acting narcotics that have the other ingrediants that make your liver and kidneys sick.
I have bloodwork done every 4 months to check on liver and kidney levels, thyroid TSH etc.  My doctors have been wonderful (they are compassionate and they know what I am going through.  My primary more than once has met me in his office on his day off and has given me trigger point injections (with the novacaine) and an occasional Depomedrol injection. The TENS unit also helps!  Frank, whatever advice you have I welcome it!  I dont plan on being on the Oxycontin all my life but until something gives this medicine has been a godsend for me.  The stress that my body was going through being in constant pain was just like going through a slow death. That is the only way to describe how I felt. I get lots of trigger point injection in the occipital area and also in my back.  I have been an outpatient for two procedures where I have received deep sacrilliac injections in my spine.  That lasts longer than the  trigger points.  The trigger points are good in the sense that the novacaine works immediatley giving instant relief. I could go on and on.  Thanks again Frank, Please stick around we need you here!
Kimmie

[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 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

[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 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 John B. to all]

Yes this is a wonderfull thing. I have been fighting this battle with pain pills for over 20 years. I have learned more and now feel better about myself in the last two weeks than in all the 20+ years I have been on these stupid pills.
  Lets all keep our heads up and no more feeling ashamed of our problem. Now we have eachother, and lets try to keep those people who have nothing good to say out numbered.

  SUCCESS TO ALL OF YOU: John B.

[Ken or Buck]

I am a regular on the other site. And I can tell you that like any other site it has its good days and bad days.Some of the people are great and some are not, but you have to take the good with the bad. I know that this site sometimes is the same way. I started posting here first. That was back when Chad first got clean. By the way hows it goin buddy? Hope to hear from you soon. I am currently starting to detox myself again from pain pills and these sites are a great help, but also can be harmful if you let others hurt your feelings or you hurt others. You have to take what you need and let the rest slide off. I will be on both sites as I am goin thru this process of withdrawl and recovery and hope to hear from you good people for your help and prayers. Thank you all for being here for one another, it is a wonderful thing.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I also looked into the addiction forum on the MGH site and was disappointed.  It seemed like a clique of regulars that ignored the newcomer.  Several others that I'm in contact with have the same impression.  If you aren't mentioned on their daily "roll call", you don't exist.

[vickyvortex to ronnieg re: great new si]

I am so sorry, but your line about the "bad" people screams for a response, and I am the one to do it!!!!!!  First, who decides what a "bad" person is?  The republicans?  The doctors?  Anyone who doesn't agree with another opinion?  Secondly, I have seen that site and I am sure the people are very good, but that's the problem.  It is a very nice, little bubble, but seems really fake.  And the fact that one cannot speak freely, being screened by a moderator and all, makes it appear to be an "R" rated movie that has been "Edited for Television." That may be a warm and fuzzy little site for shiny happy people, but it seems that the people on this site are real.  I can feel their pain, pardon the cliche.

[J.B. to Brian and Vicky]

I think that Dan has read some of your posts and is giving you some advice.  It's probably not the stuff you want to hear right now but good advice nonetheless.  Believe you me, I have been where you are now and it sucks.  I can only tell you what works for me and me alone.  Don't get the impression that what I do will work for you.  I just have a lot of mileage behind me and am able to cope with things on a different plane.  Addiction is just such a multifaceted syndrome that I don't think we'll ever have the final answer.   You have to figure out what's good for you.  Remember, it's only a life and death matter!

[From John B. to all]

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I should consider having my wife do the same. I did try once to let her have them and eaven hide them and only let me have them when I really needed them. But that just didnt work. She just put me on a giult trip every time I asked for one. She knew that I wasn't in pain. She does know that they help with my deprestion. She just doesn't think that that is the way to deal with it and would just lable me a junky. How can I get in touch with Dan so could talk to him. This thing is just tearing me apart.

     Thanks:  John B.