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My daughter and meds

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 2/9/2012 6:21 PM (GMT -8)
My youngest daughter Sara is having her gallbladder removed tomorrow, (fri), I would just like to ask all of you in this great forum to please send a prayer up for her to make sure all goes good and she recovers as quickly as possible.  She is 26, so young it seems, my oldest has high blood pressure, I told both of them except for my back, hips, and generally issues that are about my back due to work accident years ago, I am 58 and in better health then both of them, and I still smoke, I am not proud of that, and I am working on quitting, but my blood pressure is fine., lol, but please a short prayer for my baby girl would be much appreciated.

Now one to meds again, as chronic pain patients we have to be aware of the problems that come with taking narcotic meds.  That being said, I think sometimes to much time is spent worrying about becoming addicted to these meds.  If anyone has taken narcotic meds for more than 3 months, they will be addicted, thats just the way it is.  But we are not drug addicts in the sense that is portrayed all around us.  We did not chose to use the meds, they became a part of our lives for whatever reason that we take them.  I believe to much time is spent worrying about becoming addicted when in fact we already are.  No one here can possibly be getting any buzz from the meds anymore, after the first year, they are just masking the pain, not making us high.  I no longer and have not for a very long time struggle with the question, "am I an addict" I am by necessity, not by choice.  The meds make my quality of life better, thats what they are supposed to do, I will not live my life worrying about becoming addicted, its just to late for that.  Sadly for me and alot more, I have been on these meds for more than 12 years, and will be on them for a lifetime.  Dont be sorry about taking the meds, be very glad that they are there for us.  Without them, life would be one long pain, endless.

Take care all,

Kathy

Posted 2/9/2012 7:17 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Kathy, I will be happy to send a prayer for your daughter, my hubby had his gall bladder removed a few years ago and it was laprascopic surgery so only missed a couple days work. He was sore for only a few days which surprised me because I remember when it was classified as a major surgery.

Now about the medications I do tend to agree with you, we do not take them to get high we take them for pain. I wonder if pray tell a persons pain just disappeared if they could simply stop taking the medications? I know due to pharmacy mix ups I have had a problem twice with mine and I actually start feeling the withdrawal and its not pretty. I have been stuck in pain overload today so accept my apologies if my post makes little to no sense.

Prayers for your daughter
Posted 2/9/2012 8:24 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Kathy, I will gladly send a prayer for your daughter. My friend just had hers removed last tuesday and all went well, she is already feeling pretty good.

I fully agree with your take on the meds we need to take...I make no apologies about the meds I take...walk a mile in our shoes then you can judge.

All the best to you and your family, Amy
Posted 2/10/2012 12:04 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Kathy,

I'm praying for your daughter, too... that her surgery will goes smoothly and she will recover as quickly as possible w/ no complications and as little pain as possible.

Please keep us updated on how she's doing! --Tina
Posted 2/10/2012 12:28 AM (GMT -8)
…just woke up…and saw this post. Of course!…prayers out to you and your daughter Kathy. Keep us updated as you can.

I will be in and out here, as I continue to suffer with pain issues…..and will be meeting with a surgeon this next week.

I enjoyed reading your post, and many of us here understand the thoughts on it.

Take care,

SE
Posted 2/10/2012 6:57 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks all, your prayers mean so much to me.  She is getting the lapriscope (i am sure that is misspelled) also, since we found out so many people have told me they have had there gallbladder removed also.  It makes me feel better that they all went so well.  Your thoughts and prayers mean everything to me. Thanks everyone.

 

Posted 2/10/2012 7:24 AM (GMT -8)
Sending prayers and good healing vibes for your daughter Kathy. I hope everything goes well with the surgery. Let us know how it all goes.

Take care

Suzane

Posted 2/10/2012 7:48 AM (GMT -8)
Many Many Prayers for your daughter, I guess when anything involves are kids
it affects us so much, but she should be good...She might have to be on a new diet
for this, so look that up...Many well wishes and Prayers....and good healing vibes as well....
Posted 2/10/2012 3:40 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Kathy I assume your daughter has had her surgery by now and that she did fine. Please keep us updated on her health. I had my gallbladder taken out several years ago, and I did fine. It was microscopically. I went home the same day. I haven't had to change my diet at all. Some people do because fat doesn't settle well. Take care.

love and hugs
Loretta
Posted 2/12/2012 8:20 PM (GMT -8)
:)
Posted 2/12/2012 9:10 PM (GMT -8)
I will be happy to say a prayer for your daughter.

On the other hand I strongly disagree with you about becoming addicted to pain meds.

If taken for a long period of time we often do become physically dependent on them but not addicted. There is a big difference between dependence and addiction and while dependence often goes along with addiction the opposite is not true. Addiction does not go along with dependence.

Too many people, and sadly many in the medical field, too often interchange those terms as they do not understand the difference.

The short version is that an addiction finds its roots in a psychological need for something.

Dependence has its roots in a physical need.
Posted 2/12/2012 11:29 PM (GMT -8)
I'm not speaking on behalf of Kathy... she'll be along soon to speak for herself, lol... but I think she was basically trying to say the same thing as you, Jim - but just didn't use the word "dependence". (Kathy, if I am wrong - just tell me - but I think we've had this convo before, lol).

Anyway, I understand though, exactly what you are saying - and I do agree w/ the fact that addiction is rooted in a psych need for the meds; and dependence is a physical need.

It's funny, though, that many doctors don't even share this same sentiment.

When I was pregnant w/ the girls, I was dismissed by a top OB here... because of this exact argument. He was livid that I would not say that I was "addicted" to my medication. I said - "No... I'm not addicted... I'm clearly dependent, as I am dependent on my heart meds, anti-depressant, etc". He was LIVID. He told me that I would never be able to get off of my meds. Well, with two or three months, I was down 500mg on my morphine, down to just an inkling of my dose.... And, yes, I sent him a letter and told him that, of course, lol.

All that being said, I think most of us on long-term meds here are definitely dependent... and if we just went off of them, we would have symptoms. Some might have mild withdrawals; others would be in a world of hurt for awhile. But addiction is a craving for the medication that surpasses the physical need for the meds.

Anyway, I could talk about this subject all night, but I gotta run, lol. --Tina
Posted 2/13/2012 11:32 AM (GMT -8)
Tina, you are absolutely right, thats exactly what I meant, I couldnt find the word dependence in my head at the time I wrote that, thank you for seeing what I really meant to say, but then we (you and I) often what each other really means.

Sara is doing great, she is getting around slowly, but she is young she will be up and around in no time.  We have a wedding to get ready for.

Thanks again Tina,

Kathy

Posted 2/14/2012 4:31 AM (GMT -8)
Kathy,

I'm glad Sara is doing well... and, you are right, she's young and will be back on her feet soon.

How are those grandbabies doing? :)

I'm glad I understood what you were saying... because we've talked about this kind of thing, I know we share very similar viewpoints. I can get on a roll about that whole topic, lol... you know me! (and I know you are like that too!!)

Anyway, I will e-mail you very soon. Literally, the days here are more full and hectic than I can ever describe to anyone... but I know you understand the season of life I'm in right now. But know I'm around and I miss you!

Love, Tina
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