Re: dependence NOT ALWAYS addiction-- different

[Guest guest]

This is very accurate, very true. I wish all docs felt the same way. I

think some of them do worry about losing their licenses for over-prescribing

narcotics. My PCP monitors my tramadol very closely. I never get any

refills without getting a new prescription from her. I'm not sure why she

does this, except that it might have to do with her knowing about my psych

issues and not wanting me to have too many pills on hand? That's just a

guess. She's really a wonderful lady and I'm not complaining. If and when

the day comes when my dosage of tramadol needs to be increased I will have

to have the talk with her. Well, I'm rambling. Hope everyone is doing OK

so far this morning.

Jeanne in WI

> Just a thought. People who are taking narcotic pain meds for pain are not

> always " addicted " . They are " dependent " because the body does not

> withdraw from them without some kind of withdrawals if they are taken

> away suddenly. However, this goes to say with alot of other drugs that

> are NOT narcotic. For example... lets say steroids like prednisone that

> some people take for chronic inflamation. If you have been using

> prednisone for an extended period of time... it is to be TAPERED off

> because it can throw your adrenal glands into a crisis and make you very

> ill. That is why steroids are prescribed with gradual decreasing doses

> after long term use in order to stop them. Lets say SSRI antidepressants

> such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Prozac and others of its class. I am NOT

> addicted to Zoloft ... however if I stop it suddenly I can promise you I

> will be in major pain and have a fibro flare out of proportions. (I know

> this because I had stopped my prozac once cold turkey).

> The list goes on and on of drugs you cannot suddenly stop without some

> kind of response from the body.

>

> Now, if I was addicted to my pain pills, I would crave them. I would

> continue to pop them when I was not in pain to reach a euphoric high. I

> would continue to seek higher doses to achieve that high. (legally or not

> legally). Kind of like any street drug out there that people take to

> " feel high " . I do not crave them. I take it only for pain. BUT I

> PROMISE YOU if I dropped hydrocodone today cold turkey, yes I would go

> through some major withdrawals within a day or so. This does not

> constitute addiction.

>

> Ok, now lets say you stop your blood pressure medication that you have

> taken for many years. You WILL get a very high blood pressure and feel

> like crap unless you have put another one in its place to take over.

> Maybe even have a stroke.

>

> I know people who take prednisone would not be " addicted " to it..... but

> would suffer consequences of withdrawing it suddenly after long term use.

> THEY would not CRAVE prednisone. But they would be sick.

>

> See what I mean? Just a thought. I refuse to give up the only

> medication I have ever found that lets my pain up and allows me to

> function without the fibro beast taking over. If I ever have to, I will

> certainly try to reason with a doctor that takes them away and ask him to

> PLEASE wean me off them.

>

> love and hugs,

> Debra V.