Comments on: My Dr. Thinks I’m A Drug Addict?

By: .::rainbow armadillo::.

.::rainbow armadillo::. — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:33:17 +0000

You are addicted because what once worked no longer does and you must take more and more…I have been addicted and I know how it goes…

By: Lori C

Lori C — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:51:39 +0000

You need off the pain medications and the alcohol. You are young and you have a CHRONIC ONGOING illness that you are going to have the rest of your life. If you are needing that much pain medication now, what are you going to do 10 or 20 years from now when the highest safe does are no longer working because you’ve built up a tolerance.
You need to face the reality of your situation and realize you are going to deal with this for 60 or more years and the most important thing is to get your inflammation under control, but that some pain is going to be part of your life and you are going to have to build up your pain tolerance, not your narcotics tolerance.
You need to see a rheumatologist if you have not all ready. I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis many years ago and while I don’t believe that disease is as debilitating for women as it is for men or as RA is, it can cause terrible pain, unbelievable fatigue and this can just wear person down over time.
Visit the listed web site and others, and learn about treatment for your disease. If you are having that much pain that you have to take that high amount of narcotic, then you hare not controlling your inflammation or getting your disease into “remission” and that should be your #1 priority to save your joints and your organs.
Please do not listen to those who have suggested basically “doctor shopping” until you find someone who will give you more narcotics. RA is a serious disease and many factors besides your pain must be treated , including the emotional and psychologic devastation that is caused by this disease.
My heart goes out to you and I wish you all the best.

By: bentfort

bentfort — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:35:33 +0000

I can’t say whether you are addicted or not. The odds are that you are addicted, but not necessarily because you’re abusing them, only because after using opioids/opiates regularly (even as prescribed, which you’re not doing, — I don’t blame you– ) you become addicted. I know, I had a broken vertebrae and 2 crushed discs, as well as an ankle broken in 3 places and my shoulder broken in two… I was careful how I used the painkillers, but after a while, they didn’t work as well, so I started taking more, just enough to kill the pain to the point that it was tolerable… and I got addicted. I never got high at all, not once… never thought the painkillers were fun… But still got addicted. However, the main reason I’m writing is because I, too, began drinking to make the oxycodone stronger, and I ended up in the hospital with liver failure… I barely lived. They performed last rights over me at one point. The alcohol is damaging to your liver, but Tylenol (acetaminophen) is highly toxic to livers. If you notice, there’s a poison hotline number. Also, VERY strict instructions not to take more than 1000mg. for an extended period of time. If a cat accidentally gets swallows one, it dies, very rapidly. So beware, about the possibility of addiction, but also, very importantly, about the dangers of tylenol poisoning… it’s hard to come back from!!! (if you make it)….. Take care, and good luck getting things worked out.

By: meowzie

meowzie — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 01:34:41 +0000

I think its best that you get a referral to a pain clinic. I know that I have had the same problems with doctors acting like I’m and addict and it is so infuriating. There are times I wish they could live a day in my body, then they would have a clue!
A pain clinic understands and will be able to help you. I know because I have been to one and they prescribed me Methadone the day I was seen. It was such a lifesaver and made it so that I was able to function.
I recently had shoulder surgery (3rd surgery in 7 months) and I have had to fight tooth and nail to get pain medications. All I hear is that “most people don’t need them after 10 days” and stuff like that.
Doctors are afraid to prescribe pain medications because they do worry about people selling them and/or getting high. A pain specialist understands chronic pain and can help. I’ve included some links with information on how to find a pain clinic near you.
Good luck!
Michelle

By: Monika

Monika — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:35:47 +0000

I would go to another doctor. My mom has the opposite problem. They just keep prescribing her more even though she’s heavily addicted.—So this makes me happy to hear that doctors are actually denying people drugs. Good luck!

By: wink_cas

wink_cas — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:26:14 +0000

Hun you are right, you are young and the new thing to do right now is to take precribed medcation and it sucks when you really need and they don’t belive you, i have been there. Hun maybe try i different doctor hang in there hun

By: Amer

Amer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:23:23 +0000

In my opinion get another opinion from another doctor, because each person’s body is different and a doctor cant just prescribe u any amount. him thinking ur just takin them for fun means ur doctor doesnt trust u all that much than why should u trust him.

By: Marion F

Marion F — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:45:26 +0000

Unfortunaltely there are still alot of drs out there who are uncomfortable with prescribing pain meds. Your best bet is seeing a pain specialist. They are your best bet in getting the proper medication to help. Don’t give up, it will require you seeing a different dr and perhaps more than one or two untill you find one that can help. I wish you all the best.

By: Sooty

Sooty — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:04:36 +0000

Try a specialist in arthritis as yours could be a long term treatment. He will understand your pain and your needs. A GP can only do so much, and it could make matter worse with this increase in pain killer. I have come across people who have tried alternative treatment. You need patience to see results if you want to try herbal healing, acupuncture and other traditional medicine. It does work for some. Certain diet also helps.

By: winkcat

winkcat — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:38:16 +0000

I know someone in my family going thru the same thing. He had a consult with a surgeon about his knee and the surgeon said the guy would have to come off all the pain medicine and that he was an addict. He never went back to that surgeon of course. His family Dr. does understand. A family doctor or general practitioner or your Rheumie can get you an appointment with a pain treatment specialist. They generally are very understanding about pain and prescribe “well’.