I haven't been on the board since Friday and I was blown away at all of the new names..it's a little overwhelming and sad. Just goes to show you how many are inflicted with this horrible disease. I'm so glad that you all are getting your questions answered... there are wonderful people here and we are all in the same boat, one way or another.
Glad you're all here..
cowgirl
I am a bit of a newcomer to this site but I have been monitoring it the last few weeks. I had surgery a week and a half ago and want to give some of my thoughts on addiction...
1. Doctors head for the hills when you tell them you have a problem.
After my surgery I told the doctors I wanted to get off of the pills and they thought it was best to leave me hooked up to a Dilauded drip. I asked my surgeon to put me in touch with a pain management clinic and they wouldn't see me because of insurance. When I forced their hand, they gave me a Clonidine patch and some Methadone and told me basically to have a nice day. I tore the patch off and refused the Methadone. Shopping for a doctor is like shopping for a car. Always question the meds that you may take! For me, I started with Darvocet and worked up to Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax. I thought I couldn't get hooked because the doctors said it was ok. After years of feeling crappy, I realized it was the meds, not my condition.
2. Methadone is the wrong path.
Do whatever you can to get off of Methadone if you are on it. I would not take the Methadone the doctors gave me because from what I have researched, it is worse than opiates and benzos. I can see it being used for extreme cases only. It's like prolonging the inevitable.
3. NA meetings and behavioral therapy work.
Never thought I would say this! I told myself that coming off the meds didn't have to be a religious experience for me but I was wrong. I think going through withdrawal sucks but staying off the meds takes even more power.
4. You don't have to tell the whole world about your addiction in order to recover.
We all have problems that need to be worked on.
5. The internet is a powerful tool.
It's part time therapy and part time encylclopedia. The people at this website are fantastic people. I am really happy that people care so much.
1. Doctors head for the hills when you tell them you have a problem.
After my surgery I told the doctors I wanted to get off of the pills and they thought it was best to leave me hooked up to a Dilauded drip. I asked my surgeon to put me in touch with a pain management clinic and they wouldn't see me because of insurance. When I forced their hand, they gave me a Clonidine patch and some Methadone and told me basically to have a nice day. I tore the patch off and refused the Methadone. Shopping for a doctor is like shopping for a car. Always question the meds that you may take! For me, I started with Darvocet and worked up to Oxycontin, Percocet, and Xanax. I thought I couldn't get hooked because the doctors said it was ok. After years of feeling crappy, I realized it was the meds, not my condition.
2. Methadone is the wrong path.
Do whatever you can to get off of Methadone if you are on it. I would not take the Methadone the doctors gave me because from what I have researched, it is worse than opiates and benzos. I can see it being used for extreme cases only. It's like prolonging the inevitable.
3. NA meetings and behavioral therapy work.
Never thought I would say this! I told myself that coming off the meds didn't have to be a religious experience for me but I was wrong. I think going through withdrawal sucks but staying off the meds takes even more power.
4. You don't have to tell the whole world about your addiction in order to recover.
We all have problems that need to be worked on.
5. The internet is a powerful tool.
It's part time therapy and part time encylclopedia. The people at this website are fantastic people. I am really happy that people care so much.
Eddie..thanks for sharing that. It was very insightful.
Cowgirl
Cowgirl
that is a great post, eddie. i know what you mean about drs running the other way...you are branded mentally unstable, also, after you tell them. You look great going in for your monthly refils, but once you ask for help, they treat you like a freak druggie..
Good luck, and next time reconsider the clonadine patch..it helps with the withdrawls and isn't addictive. It just lowers your bp.
Nice to meet you..
kerry
Good luck, and next time reconsider the clonadine patch..it helps with the withdrawls and isn't addictive. It just lowers your bp.
Nice to meet you..
kerry
