Judged for taking narcotics

Abby,

Thanks for your story. My wife has gone through the very similar situations with doctors, pharmacies AND the insurance companies.

If the people "who make and enforce the rules" would lighten up and let people do what they need to do, then there wouldn't be half the problems there are now with simply getting some pills to take.

Being physically dependent on Opiods is not the same thing as "addiction". Similar yes, but not the same.

Back at the turn of the century (1800s to 1900s) there were a myriad of Opiate containg "elixors" to choose from OVER THE COUNTER. People at that time were uneducated about the dangers of "self medicating" and also not aware of the dangers of Opiates, (addiction, overdose....). Some people had problems and some overdosed, but most of the population was OK with the meds being available OTC.

Sound familiar? Still today some peple OD and get addicted ect....... Nothing has changed except for the fact that the government now dictates what a person can and cannot take and put in their own body. 

They claim that their rules and regulations keep people safe. Also they "DEMONIZE" these extrodinarily useful drugs so that people are conditioned to look down on others for taking them.

All that simply was needed was education. Teach people the dangers of these drugs when misused and/or abused. No matter what there will still be those who cannot control (for whatever reason) their intake of certain chemicals. THIS will never change.

Just know you're not alone in your predicament. And don't feel bad about yourself for needing these types of pain releivers. God put these plants on earth for good reason. I guarantee that NONE of those reasons was for the government to be able to profit from it (which they do). The laws surrounding these sustances has created the largest black market in the history of the world. Not only does the gov. profit, but the thugs on the corner do as well.

Good luck in continuing to be able to get your pain releif meds.

MY NAME IS SOFFY, AND WELCOME TO THE CLUB I ALSO SUFFER FROM FM, OSTEOPOROSIS, INFL. ARTHT.TOO I HAVE THE FM FOR 7 YEARS NOW, I AM 48/YRS. MARRIED FOR 30 YRS, ON DEC. 9 I HAVE 3 BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS, GREAT HUSBAND AND 2 WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN, I SUFFER SO MUCH FROM CHRONIC PAIN BUT ONLY HOPE AND FAITH KEEPS ME ON GOING EVEN ON MY VERY BAD DAYS, I THANKS GOD BECAUSE I AM ALIVE AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME FEELS AND LOOKS WORSET  THAN ME AND THEY STILL ALIVE AND HAPPY, GOD GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVERY ONE TO COME TO THIS WORLD JUST FOR A GOOD REASON SO JUST DON'T SEE THE NEGATIVE THINGS THAT OTHER PEOPLE MAKE ABOUT YOU JUST THINK THAT YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PERSON AND THAT IS THE MATTER, JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOUR HEART THAT IS THE ONE THAT CAN SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOU THAT MATERS NOT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN THINK OR SAY ABOUT YOU. HOPE YOU HAVE  A GOOD DAY AND EVEN IN PAIN... DON;T FORGET TO SMILE. WITH HUGS TO YOU ATTE. SOFFY

I am so sorry for your trouble. From experience though, please do not take more than you absolutely need. I have been on pain meds (Lortab 10/325) for years. Of course I did not take that dose all the time. I have worked my way up to that as my body has become tolerant of the medication, therefore I need a higher dosage.

I can completely relate to pain. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but have also been told that I may have MS.

Unfortunately, now my body craves the medication. I never thought I would feel this way. I was never addicted to street drugs and dont even drink alcohol. I hate every minute of it and wish I could just stop the narcotics all together. I tried one time and became very sick. It was the worse pain and feeling I have ever had in my life and I have had 4 children.

As for the pharmacy, I suggest you switch. I too get looks for refilling, but that is not their roll. They could be filling much harsher medications!!!

Some of the smaller more family atmosphere pharmacies are a better choice. My current pharmacy at times will remind me of my refill date, but overall they treat me as a customer like anyone else. I make sure all of my meds (numerous) are through them and I think they know and respect that.

As for the amount you take.........posh on them. I take up to 7 a day. There are just some people who need the help.

I discussed being nervous about taking narcotics with my doctor and he asked me "what would you rather do..... live in pain or live?" I choose to live and be able to work.

Maybe too you need a new doctor. I do not know where you live, but sometimes if you ask around people know caring doctors. Just because a doctor prescribes narcotic medication, does not mean they are crooked. Some doctors really care about your quality of life. If you switch pharmacies, just buy the narcotic with cash and never fill with insurance. They are inexpensive and no one other than the doctor dictates your dosage.

I still stand very strong that if you can find an alternative, please please do it. If you cannot like me, then be careful and make changes to suit you.

Michelle

Let me start by saying that I am only 30 years old and have been taking narcotics for several years. I too am a chronic pain suffer, but mine is a little differ. I have a form of spinal bifida, and several bulding disks in back and also a disease in my knees that everything inside is deterating.  I think god every day that I have a caring doc that knows the pain that I'm in and doesn't give me weird looks if I ask for something, but every month I hav't to call office for refill and they transfer to pharm., I hate this. I feel as though they think I'm some sort of druggie when I hav't to call to see if it's ready, but I too hav't to listen to family and friends make comments about me taking these drugs(Vicodin10/660) it really ticks me off, nobody but yourself only knows the real pain your in, I can't move in mornings until I take a pill.  I'm just writing in response to your story and shouldn't beat yourself up just because of everybody else, I say screw them!!!!