Posted by Jackie L. (207.108.105.178) on August 09, 2001 at 21:01:15:
In Reply to: A minirant posted by Richard S on August 09, 2001 at 10:16:02:
I agree 100% with the use of narcotics in certain situations and IF they are taken responsibly and also under strict doc's care etc... I have taken Narcotics for years...and since 1998 have had NO CHOICE but to be on Duragesic patches (fentanyl) and vicodin high potency, valium etc..just to name a few...These are what keep me semi functional and without them i would be looking at totally spending 100% of my time in bed and most likely in a nursing home or a similar facility as my family couldn't take on the responsibility to care for me at home... To me my meds are a god send and I do not appologize for taking them or supporting them in certain instances..
The reason I am taking them is because of SEVERE nerve damage in low back and to both legs, bladder,stomach, bowel etc etc... I was denied surgery by Worker's comp approximately 5 years to late despite my doctors pleading with them (also surgeons etc) that I needed surgery on my low back immediately and it was an emergency (they still waited 5 years) We begged the Govenor to intervine only to find out he had withdrawn his authority over the worker's comp in my state and his hands were tied...So I was left to suffer what my surgeon later told me could have been an easy and repairable surgery..but because of worker's comp playing god I was looked at in awe by the surgeon who told me a "normal" person shouldn't have even been able to walk to last 4-5 years BEFORE MY SURGERY as the nerve down both legs were Severely compressed and beyond repair...because of this I have made little improvement painwise and will never regain normal function in my body and am now using a walker and in the near future might be looking into getting a motorize wheelchair etc..plus they will have to renovate our home... (split level)
So I understand the narcotic debates and the difference between dependence and addiction... I also see that narcotic's shouldn't be handed out for any little ache or pain...but only as a last resort...
Again I am living as normal a life as I can under the circumstances WITH MY NARCOTICS...without them I could be dead...
If either of you would like to talk further just e-mail me... I would like to talk to both of you... Huggs Jackie L.