My best friend from high school had back surgery two weeks ago. Since I have had 3 of them and I know pain, I offered to help her this week. I had to keep several things in mind. She did not choose to take my advice and get a 2nd opinion, so she got her back fused, there are 3 screws and a metal cage around her back now. I don't know, but my doctor told me that is a last resort for me. I was also about 15 years younger than we are now. And I told her my story of how God has a lesson .. I pushed myself too much after the first one and didn't listen to the doctor, I felt better, pain free, so that gave me a license to go back to my normal life, of super mom.. the word No was not in my vocabulary.. so God said you didn't learn, let's do this again and again, til you 'get it'.
But, what really scared me for her and still does, the amount of meds she is on. Oxy's, perc's , muscle relaxers. The words she says , echos in my head. " I am taking as directed by my doctor". I realize the pain is high, I realize in today's world, there is no reason to be pain. But, I also realize how quickly a person can become dependent on them. And it scares the shit out of me! I realize the meds do her talking now. So if I question it, she says my doctor said I only have to be on them for 2 months. I am sure her doctor didn't tell her that is enough time to become dependent on them. I just told her, I am so sorry for your pain. Pain is a horrible cycle. But, I also want you to understand and have knowledge of what these meds do or can do to a person. I told her, let's talk in 2 months, but I can't go thru this my best friend from high school too. All I want is for you to be aware... just aware. I am not sure how "aware" a person can be on all those meds. I heard the "excuses", like the oxy's kill my pain, but don't make my head fuzzy. I am allowed to have 2 muscle relaxers and 2 perc's at the same time.
And all this scares me for her. Or for anyone who has to be put on a cocktail like this for pain. Our lives can change so quickly, and not for the better.
But, what really scared me for her and still does, the amount of meds she is on. Oxy's, perc's , muscle relaxers. The words she says , echos in my head. " I am taking as directed by my doctor". I realize the pain is high, I realize in today's world, there is no reason to be pain. But, I also realize how quickly a person can become dependent on them. And it scares the shit out of me! I realize the meds do her talking now. So if I question it, she says my doctor said I only have to be on them for 2 months. I am sure her doctor didn't tell her that is enough time to become dependent on them. I just told her, I am so sorry for your pain. Pain is a horrible cycle. But, I also want you to understand and have knowledge of what these meds do or can do to a person. I told her, let's talk in 2 months, but I can't go thru this my best friend from high school too. All I want is for you to be aware... just aware. I am not sure how "aware" a person can be on all those meds. I heard the "excuses", like the oxy's kill my pain, but don't make my head fuzzy. I am allowed to have 2 muscle relaxers and 2 perc's at the same time.
And all this scares me for her. Or for anyone who has to be put on a cocktail like this for pain. Our lives can change so quickly, and not for the better.
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I totally feel your concern. This many pills can spell addiction in a hurry. I hope your friend is aware. I have had some surgeries in the past 5 years (shattered elbow, torn tendon in my ankle) and I only took the heavy stuff for a couple of days or so. I'd rather be in pain than on opiates. I don't like the way they make me feel. I get sick to my stomach and dizzy in the head. I don't like that out of control feeling. Hard to believe that my daughter is an addict and her drug of choice are oxys. She did not inherent the non-addict gene from me, unfortunately. Your friend is lucky to have you help take care of her.
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