Hey guys, I need your help...

thief · Member

Hey guys, I need your help...

Phil · MIP Old Timer

Hi thief...

I gotta take a couple things each day for life...because of luekemia...its arrested...and doin ok...

One of the pills I take..can be very addictive...I guess its an awareness thing...

I think the big thing Im aware of is...Ive got to go by the medical book...and trust my doctors...

They all know Im a recovering alcoholic..If I have concerns..I bring them up...but I usually hafta take those questions, to the top of the ladder,,to have them answered properly...and with complete honesty..

So ...I just do what I gotta do..without abusing it....

jonibaloni · MIP Old Timer

Wow, Thiefy,

Can definitely understand your concern. In my limited pharmacological knowledge (Trained Surgical Technician) seems this drug has, if I am reading the pharmacokinetics properly, an effect where it helps the brain use more noradrenaline... and adrenaline and it's counterparts are good when faced with pain. Other than what I had just read on the Wiki link you posted, I have not had any practical experience with anyone I know of who was on this drug. It does not appear to be an opiate, which is a good thing...

But again, I don't have an answer.

I did want to comment that my Dr. put me on a drug that helps with my gallbladder problems... this drug stops certain glands from contracting... thing is, it is a mild barbiturate. Red flags went up every which-way. I too, use strictly 'as-needed'. I have gotten used to being sober and having a fairly clear head.. I don't like the way it makes me feel to be altered anymore.

When it comes down to it, Phil certainly has the experience to share here, and what he has said sounds solid. We all have to face that we are indeed going to grow older, like it or not, and have accompanying health problems that will probably require medication, even addictive ones, to continue to live life. I think listening to our doctors and doubling-up on our programs and our spiritual growth is the best possible thing we can do for ourselves. We can't just continue to suffer so... I know for a lot of us, excrutiating pain is a trigger in and of itself, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. Again, doubling up on our programs certainly can't hurt.

Hope you get what you need to get through, friend.

From all too close to Ravenna... (LOL)

Jonibaloni

P.S.... Wikipedia is sometimes in error about some things, or the author will 'conveniently' leave things out. Going to other trusted medical sites is also a good idea.

-- Edited by jonibaloni at 23:53, 2006-07-27

Wren · Senior Member

This is where you just put your trust in your Doc. My doctor swore up and down it wasn't addictive also, and gave me a full bottle for when I pass kidney stones. Well, it's still sitting in the shelf, and I'm scared to take it, but when it comes time again (which it will, I have hypercalcaemia), if I hurt enuff I imagine I'll take it. But, as Joni said, the awareness is there. If your feeling that worried, ask your Doc for something different. I listen to my red flags, and if it even slightly feels like I may "like it too much", I'll do something different. But no way should you be in pain. If you have a headache, you take aspirin, right? If you're diabetic you take insulin. If you're in alot of pain, which it sounds like you are, you take meds for that and just be cautious. Just my opinion.... Wren

Quetzal · MIP Old Timer

Hi Thief,

I have done a little check on a medical encyclopaedia. Here's the url:-

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a695011.html

I don't know anything about it other than what I have just read. But, I have a super GP who knows all about my alcoholism. If I were anxious (which I would be!) I would check with her and see what she says. But, I also know that, for me, pain could trigger me taking that fatal first drink again. I guess it's a balancing act. But, the good thing is that you are aware of the addictive side effects of the drug.

Take care, won't you?

Carol

Toni Baloney · Senior Member

Hi There,

This was a topic of a meeting yesterday, the conclusion was clear, that it states in the AA Book that when we take Medications, as Prescibed for Pain, and follow the directions, then we are just following Doctor's orders.

But I share your concern, I am a Recovering Alcoholic/Addict, and have similiar fears, my take on any drug, or rather my fear, is I can "hook" on anything.

Went through some horrible Dental Graft surgery about 2 months ago, and did, for the first time ever, take Vicodin, with Ibeprofin, 3 times a day, cut them in half, so I was not taking the full Rx, and did find that, in retrospect, I put myself in a lot of pain as a result of doing my own thing. Between a rock and a hard place, I did not like the feeling of being medicated. The whole ordeal lasted only l week, and I was just relieved when it was OVER.

Someone Posted NIH.gov, where you can go to Medline Plus, this site has been my favorite in researching anything. I had two allergic reactions to Anti-depressant drugs, so I used this site, to do the reseach on the entire spectrum of these drugs. Came to the conclusion, this last winter that I just am not a candidate for any of them.

I do wish you the best in finding some answers for yourself.

And a Great Big Welcome to this Board.

Toni

Doll · MIP Old Timer

My experience.

An AA friend is in detox right now for Tramadol that she was given after a car accident.

I had 2 cervical disks replaced in my upper spine on May 12, the only thing I took was the pain shots while in the hospital for 24 hours. Came home with a very large bottle of Advil. I found that Ibuprofin not only alleviates the discomfort but also decreases any swelling that I had. Although Ibuprofin took a lickin' on my stomach, I was too afraid to take anything else for fear of trading one addiction for another.........

You're in my prayers.