ReJust a thought

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the New Year. I just wanted to post something that is very close

to my heart.

There has been an ongoing dialogue about meds and those who abuse medications

(addicts). I have put in my two cents a few days ago i.e.. How difficult

this has made the process for those of us who truly need medications in order

to have relief from chronic unrelenting pain.

May I say that addiction is a disease. I have spent years working with

addicts. Now there are those who see nothing wrong with what ther're doing

and the impact it has on a family and their friends. There are those too,

who don't even realize that they have a problem. It's called denial. And

one of the hardest walls to break thru.

I could go on about this but this is it for now. Just some thoughts from me

and not meant to offend anyone.

Kathleen in Calif.

[Guest guest]

Addiction is an issue that is very much a real problem. I feel that it is

hard to pinpoint the physical and the mental addict. I have struggled

for years with this issue. I have so many pain problems and when I get

fearful of becoming addicted I panic and many times will detox myself with

the help of a physician. I have learned that even with the help of the Dr. it

becomes so traumatic because I experience so much physical pain that I then

have to go back to the Dr. and begin a trial and error regimen. Today I have

learned to accept that my Fibromyalgia,degenerated disc disease and

osteoarthritis, etc., are real and in order to be able to function on a

comfortable level I must not doubt this reality. There are many on this list

and others that fill people with anxiety and fear about their pain

management, guilt is another reality when taking medications I believe

looking at the big picture and taking stock of the individuals needs of pain

management. I went through a pain management program several years ago. In

that program I learned to do many things to help oneself alleviate the pain,

things such as some exercise as tolerated. To meditate, to get enough rest,

to learn to say no to peoples expectations when you know it will tax the

body. Many others will get acupuncture and use warm baths to relax the

muscles and calm the nerves. Most of all it is an individual issue and taking

time to really explore the possibilities and finding a treatment plan that

treats the whole person. Best of luck to all. Alice