pj81156 Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

The statistics on deaths from opioids are frightening. More than 100,000 people died in this country last year from overdosing. What the statistics don’t show is the number of people who are on opioids and don’t overdose and don’t become addicted. And, best of all, they get relief from pain that ibuprofen and acetaminophen can’t touch.

I am one of them. I take Hydrocodone. But I am treated suspiciously. Am I becoming addicted? Am I getting them from more than one doctor? Am I selling them to teenagers? The pharmaceutical companies and doctors created this mess and we who need the pain relief are suffering from their greed. I was even advised by my health insurance agent to stay with my doctor because I would have trouble finding another one who would prescribe them.

My pain stems from neuropathy. I only take them at night, and not every night. Thirty pills last me for six to seven weeks. Although I have chronic pain all the time, I take nothing during the day. I have tried cannabis, gummy bears, and that seems to work as well as hydrocodone. But my hydrocodone is free. And, it doesn’t really completely stop the pain.

My message here. Don’t judge people negatively who are on opioids.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

You are so right! Legitimate users are to be supported, those that use drugs for fun are the concern, specially those with narrow therapeutic margin and made haphazardly like fentanyk pills

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

We had an older friend some years ago that had neuropathy in both feet for which he took oxycodone.

One weekend they decided to go to Denver to visit his wife's sister and someone, who obviously knew they were going out of town, broke into their home and stole most of a fresh prescription. It took over a week to get the pills replaced because the powers that be thought something fishy was going on but it is situations like this that screw it up for the people that need it...

rwoodvira

[quote=pj81156]

You have my deepest sympathy - I have neuropathy in both legs and in my feet from 2 rounds of chemo and 7 1/2 weeks of daily radiation. So far I'm no evidence of disease, so it was worth it. Most days I do need anything heavy; I can get away with Tylenol; but once in awhile it hits hard so I understand your issues - last week I had a night with only 2 hours of sleep the cramps were so bad. I have not requested anything harder as I take another non-opioid Class 1 drug, plus an anti-nausea drug that causes constipation, a side-effect also of opiates.

There a couple of other drugs for neuropathy, but I didn't like the side-effects.

I generally rip up the label before disposing of the container. Lord knows who may go through your trash.

Is there anyway that the hydrocodone can be sent via mail-order?

cwp3420

I agree 100%. I have many medical issues from my former employment, and used to have a doctor who would prescribe oxycodone for me as needed. When the big witch hunt began for makers of the drugs, I told my wife it was going to swing the other way, and those who needed the medicine wouldn’t be able to get it. Now it has. My current doctor will give me 36 for a year. That’s it. For what he has told me, DEA and insurers are really tracking doctors who prescribe them, unfortunately.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

So many people ruin things for others.....

lukevaliant Loc: gloucester city,n. j.

hope you get off them soon. good luck with your healing.

John Matthews Loc: Wasilla, Alaska

Opioid abuse is about a lot more then100,000 deaths a year. Death is just one result of opioid abuse. The cost to society is huge from repetitive hospitalizations, to issues with children of the addicts (and a high degree will become addicts themselves), crime rates, jailing, unemployment, etc. pharmaceutical companies have much to answer. This started back in the early nineties with the thought that one should not experience pain. It is very unfortunate (but understandable) that dispensing of narcotics has become highly regulated.

Mr. SONY Loc: LI, NY

Thank goodness for fentanyl.
Needed some two months ago.

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

I do not think you are abusing your meds.

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

Neuropathy is no joke. Any people who suffer with it deserve any relief they can get. Best of luck!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Some people get neuropathy in their feet as a result of chemo.
Feels like their shoes are full of oatmeal.
Tactile feedback of feet position is not the greatest.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I certainly understand and empathize with your constant pain. My wife has severe osteo arthritis and takes a class 2 drug for pain.

On another note: I tore L4 & L5 while on a ladder trimming shrubs in 2010. Immediately and continuing for months I experienced excruciating pain in the right side of my lower back. I saw several doctors and one of them prescribed Oxycodone for the pain. In 2011, I had spinal surgery. Over months of use of the Oxy and Percocet (also prescirbed) I become addicted. Subsequently, I was overcome by depression. I saw several Psychiatrists who, over a period of many months, experimented with a multitude of anti depressants, none of which helped to eliminate the depression. The depression worsened and all I can clearly recall is I wanted to die. Out of desperation, my wife put me in a car and drove from NC, where we lived, to NJ. We stayed with friends and she enrolled me in a treatment center nearby in NJ. I was diagnosed and ECT (electro convulsive therapy) was prescirbed. I started with 3 treatments a week. Ultimately the treatments diminished and after 35 treatments, over a period of 4 - 5 months, I was finally relieved of the depression and began to have a normal life. I did see a psychiatrist for a while, mainly for the the prescription of Trazodone to aid in sleep. By Oct. of 2011, I had my life back. It was a very dark period of my life. Ironically, I have very fractured and minimal memory of the period from 4/2010 to 8/2011. My wife recalls the period for me.

Opioids are dangerous. They are also life saving.
Mark

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Dangerous and life saving for sure Mark. I have had two knee replacements (same knee) and now back pain from getting rear-ended in a car accident. I am very cautious and use NORCO sparingly. It does help get me to sleep when back pain is intense.
I am glad your injuries are behind you.