From: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Cummings)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Meds
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:59:39 GMT
Reply-To: Linda.Cummings@f34.n375.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:375/34
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24816

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

Hi Keith!

 > Linda, I am very surprised to hear that you are taking narcotics after
 > going through the pain management.

Well, the Birmingham Pain Clinic are the ones that prescribed the
Tylenol #4 or Vicodin, Keith.  I know what I learned and wrote in
my Clinic.zip file.  However, I'm evidently very good with my pain
meds.  I only take 2 per day at the most.  I remember what it was
like when I was "mentally" addicted before, and I do recognize when
I'm tempted to take a pain med "just because it feels good."  I
don't do that anymore. [smile]

 > Almost every drug abuser
 > I have talked to said they just started taking one more every
 > night, then they quit working and they asked the doctor for something
 > else and before they knew it, they were taking several of this pill
 > and several of that one to combat the pain.

There has been two times in the last two months that I took a
Tylenol #4 and two hours later took a Vicodin.  This was after I
tried the relaxation techniques and it failed.  I was in so much
pain, that the additional pain med was what I needed to finally be
able to relax enough that the relaxation techniques finally did
work.  I know from experience, Keith, how NOT to abuse the pain
meds.  I'm watching myself very carefully fo ANY signs of
addiction.

 > Now I know that you are not the
 > kind of person to abuse medication. But most of the people I've
 > talked to never started out, at least consciously, to abuse the
 > medication.

You're absolutely right, Keith.  No one really consciously abuses
the medication.  It's extremely easy to do so, though.  That's why
I watch myself like a hawk.

 > What really puzzles me is that from all the reading I've done on pain
 > (I am currently reading Defeating Pain which I ordered from the Spinal
 > Network and is probably the most up to date book on pain) I have found
 > that one of the primary goals at ALL pain management clinics is to
 > get patients with CHRONIC pain problems off of prescription narcotics.

I know.  This is what we were told in Birmingham also.  But, *I*
was told that taking the Vicodin or Tylenol would not hurt me if it
was helping diminish the pain so I could at least function somewhat
in my daily activities.  They contradicted what they told me.  I
saw others in the group, however, have their medication diminished
greatly or stopped completely.  I have my suspicions about why they
prescribed the meds for me, but I have no proof.

 > I know you are in pain and I know you are looking for ANY kind of
 > relief. As a friend, I must tell you that I believe in the long
 > run you are headed for trouble with narcotic pain medications.

And, that's why I monitor myself so closely and will continue to do
so. I appreciate your concern, Keith.  You're a very good friend.

Linda

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