Doctors?

[ILoveLukey]

I cannot understand why doctors do not warn of the dangers of pain pill addiction???? I haven't been on here for awhile, my father died and we buried him yesterday. At our post funeral get together I was talking to my cousin who fell off a ladder and broke several bones in his leg and endured several surgeries. He told me that he stopped taking the Vic's and went thru horrible withdrawal.  You would have thought that his surgeon would have explained to him (he never took anything before and had no idea this could happen) that he should taper off ????????????He had no clue this was going to happen and went thru this nightmare.  I don't get it.

[Mikeinthesouth]

No doubt high doses and no doubt years of taking it. I would say to heed the warning while their is time when you can taper down without as many wd symptoms. I wish I had the choice but I seem to not be able to do that on my own without going into the hospital to be medically detoxed. Who knows I might still have to use that as an option if I give in again I think I will do that. Hang in there. Cheers

[feohmoon]

So very sorry to hear of your loss.  It is so devastating to lose a parent...my father passed away in 2001 and it still seems pretty fresh sometimes.  You will be in our thoughts.  Try your best to draw the strength you need from your father, I have to do that myself sometimes.

I personally believe the healthcare in this country and a high percentage of the healthcare providers are a joke.  I am saddened by the number of people dependant (not addicted) to medication of all kinds.  What doctor would not want to push pills for the pharmaceutical companies and make 'prescription commision'?  In all fairness, there are also good doctors, but at what cost do you find the difference in the two?  A holistic approach in healing along with proper therapy for mind, body and spirit...some herbs to cure what ails you...There is a better way and we feel that we are headed in that direction.

Best of luck
Peace

[ILoveLukey]

i am taking 2 mg. pills---------1 and 1/2 per day. Half morning, half afternoon, half evening

[FLaddict]

those people got off high doses, were on it for years, didn't follow directions.

But you are right, you are at a point when tapering would be a good idea. Don't fear it, just head the warning that it needs to be done slowly and be focused.

[allaboutmary]

I am on sub and got scared at first also. Most the stories you are reading about the people jumped off at high doses.  I am down to 1 1/2 mg per day.  If you taper very slowley and get down to a crumb of sub, then do it every other day etc.  It shouldn't be bad at all.  How many mg are you taking ?  

[ILoveLukey]

Thank you all so much for the condolences. I haven't cried much......in shock I guess. Now I am crying.........but that is a good thing. I need to let it out. He was my hero and I was his little girl (ha, I am 49 next week).  My cousin did say that he will never take a pain pill again (he is strong minded), as he never wants to go thru that again. My Subs are working great but I really, really get worried the more I read on  getting off them. I just read the Health Pages and it scares me.  I have been on these for abut 2 months and I am thinking I better start tapering NOW!

[poetrygirl1960]

I'm so sorry about your father, I will pray for you and your family.  Not everyone is predisposed to addiction, but I felt the same way when I went off of percocets and xanax.  I'm on suboxone and my doctor who prescribes it said as long as I was taking the other stuff there was no chance of me ever living a normal life.  There are good doctors out there, and quacks.  There are the quacks.

[worried878]

Yes...i am sorry about you losing your dad....are you ok?

[allaboutmary]

So sorry about your father.  I know what your saying .  They did this to my 80 year old mother and no one seemed to know what was wrong with her.  We took her to a few different doctors and then we figured it out.  I know the perscription bottles say they are addictive but don't give much more info.  My mother didn't even have a perscription at the time she was in the hospital then in rehab all the time getting pain pills from them.  Then when they stop giving them and she gets sick they didn't know what was wrong.
In her case there were too many doctors and none know what the other is doing.  
Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

[trinity358]

most doctors do say something about the addiction, unless they only prescribe them for a short time. besides, most adults are aware of the problem with pain killers anyways.....anything that makes you feel good is potentially addictive. it doesnt seem like your cousin had much of an addiction thought....sure his body was physically used to having the drug, but for him to just stop when he was done, thats not easy. basically i think whether they tell you or not who really thinks they will become an addict. most people would brush it off as the 'that will never happen to me'. just hope he doesnt want to start taking them again. By the way, sorry about your father.

[Mikeinthesouth]

They say do not take more than prescribed and also don't stop without your doctors knowledge in what you are doing. I imagine that is there warning. I truly don't think they know and if they do they have lil choice as what to do for chronic pain sufferers. I don't blame drs. at all for the addiction.

[worried878]

I guess not everyone gets addicted but u r right...my doctor's did tell me and I already knew better...i guess i just thought it would not happen to me....many are not aware of the potential danger tho...sorry he had to go thru that