I know someone who’s addicted to pain killers. I can’t imagine what that sort of life must be like. To always be in physical pain. I never want to know, either. I think it would suck balls.
But I feel for this lady who’s addicted to pain killers. You know why? Because someone else is in control of her medications. I.E. The doctor. The doctor follows protocols and reads that this lady has been prescribed too many pain killers this month. No more ’til next month. What’s the big deal with taking too many pain killers anyway? They ease her suffering.
It got me thinking. If the reason why there’s a limit to how many pain killers one can be prescribed, it’s probably because people don’t want the people who need pain killers to be a burden on the health system, you think? And I think that sounds reasonable. But basically, by doing that, someone else is always in control of how much pain relief you need. And that’s crazy! NO ONE can decide that! Pain is an incredible sensation that affects all dimensions of one’s health. And people react to pain differently. So who is anyone to decline them relief?
Imagine if limits were put on how much you could eat? “I’m sorry Mrs. Johnson, but this is your fifth big Mac today. NO MORE … ’til next month” – ‘Cause let’s face it, T2D, hypertension, hypercholestolaemia, stroke, and heart disease are the biggest strains on the health system yet no limits are put on those people who abuse what they can get. And let’s not forget about bowel cancer. Quit eating fiber and you can be sure that’s waiting for you at the end of 20 years.
What are your thoughts, the nobodies who read this blog?
Happy Friday!
I think the problem is that prescription drugs are dispensed too quickly in the first place. Doctors should be more accountable for using drugs as a last resort only, or in conjunction with other therapies. Taking painkillers only masks symptoms of the pain, it doesn’t address the root of it. Doctors (and I should clarify this does not apply to all doctors, only the less scrupulous ones) have also been known to prescribe certain brands of medication because it profits the pharmaceutical companies. I’ve encountered this myself, I’ve been given ‘sample packets’ of medication that, upon closer inspection, were not even designed to treat my symptoms. I’ve also been treated with narcotics over back pain that a few exercises and a trip to the chiropractor was able to cure.
I genuinely empathize with people who have chronic pain but there are ways they can learn to conform their lifestyles to helping cope w/ the pain. My friend Bonnie who’s been prescribed everything from Percosets and morphine tablets to medical marajuana to help w/ symptoms of fibromyalgia found that a week at a pain clinic did more for her than years of prescription drugs. At the clinic they taught her how to modify her activities to cause the least amount of pain, like walking, climbing stairs, even simple household chores like vacuuming. It doesn’t take away the pain, but it reduces it. I’m not saying I’m Tom Cruise and against prescription meds, I just know they’re dangerous when they’re prescribed too quickly and more importantly, in lieu of more sensible alternatives like vitamin supplements, change of diet, exercise, physiotherapy, etc. They should only be used when nothing else has worked, and I also believe they SHOULD be controlled, especially narcotics, because they’re far too addictive in nature to be left to the discretion of the user.
I fully agree that it sucks to watch someone in pain, I’m going through it right now with my mom. I think in her case it’s a bit different because she isn’t going to get better, and no amount of vitamins and therapy is going to help her. In her case and cases like hers, I say bring on the drugs. All I’m saying is that painkillers should be controlled and used in addition to other therapies when it’s appropriate to do so.
By: Sheri on September 18, 2010
at 9:50 am
I think some of the problem with having too much painkillers is they lose effectiveness and then you have to keep taking higher and higher doses. Also you can start to get phantom pains, kind of like withdrawal, if you have it too often then manage to go a few days without. Meh.
By: Hooly on November 20, 2010
at 12:50 am
Hey, Vanilla Bear. I know what you mean now about doctors who prescribe too quickly. But that doesn’t mean I’ll take their drugs! Similarly to abortion, I guess you can’t really have a blanket rule. Everyone’s therapies, whatever they may be have to be tailored. Like a fine suit. I still feel for this lady who’s addicted to pain killers though. And what about those who want the easy way out? Aaah … my mind and it’s inability to be coherent.
Julian, I acknowledge your comment but can not engage in a discussion as I’m retarded. I will however provide you with the answer to another question. And that is “Valencia” – The question was, “What is an orange?” – Again that doesn’t make sense but gardening all day leaves little room for decent thoughts.
By: Suzy J. on November 21, 2010
at 1:04 pm