RE: Just a vent-- A PRISON OF PILLS/Debra

[Guest guest]

Debra,

I know exactly how you feel. Pills are just a regular part of my day. But

if I didn't take them, I would be totally worthless. I would not be able to

move and would be doing nothing but crying. I know there have been days

when I'd forget to refill a script for my pain relievers and would have to

wait to get them. Those are the days when I know that the meds actually

work, because without them it is pure hell. I've gotten to the point where

I don't care what other people think about my taking that many meds. It

used to bother me that I had to take that many and also worried about what

" other people would think " . Now it's to hell with what they think. They

aren't going through what I am. And if that's what I have to do to function

and survive, well then I guess that's part of my life now. So I look at is a

necessary even though it would be nice to not have to take anything and be a

normal person. I take meds not only for my fibro but also for my

degenerative disk disease, herniated disk, bipolar, depression, panic

attacks and thyroid. That's a lot of meds but as you said, what are the

alternatives. So you aren't alone - I'm right there with you as I'm sure a

lot of others in the group are too.

It's actually kind of ironic that you should bring this up now because a

friend of mine who has moved about two hours away came to visit last weekend

and just " happened " to mention 2 stories of 2 of her friends who take meds

for " every little thing " and she thinks it's totally unnecessary. Not sure

if she was trying to imply something or what, but she is the type of person

who is in top health and doesn't even believe in taking an aspirin for

anything. I didn't have the energy or the desire to explain anything to

her. I just let her rant on where in the past I would have defended myself

and people who are in chronic pain until I got my point across (I'm pretty

stubborn). I have learned though that sometimes it's pointless to try and

make others understand (and just stresses me out) so I just let it go in one

ear and out the other. I don't think that's the reaction she expected.

Teri (central Wisconsin)

Just a vent-- A PRISON OF PILLS

Dear friends,

I just wanted to vent this last thing before I go to work. I often think of

how pills are so much a part of my life. It seems I depend on so many pills

just to get through life and work. (not all prescriptions but the endless

vitamins, supplements, and anything I think will help. Including adding non

prescription meds like naproxen or aspirin for inflammation of my right

shoulder). On the other hand, without them, fibro would have me down so far

I would not be able to move. So I really don't have choice here. And that is

the truth. If not for the meds, I would be in a hell of a mess. But it seems

there is always some pill to pop. The vicodin that I cannot do without

becuase the fibro pain will triple. The Lyrica now that seems to be the one

drug that has actually tried to keep the fibro at bay and decrease its never

ending symptoms. The blood pressure medication, the Xanax which I take less

than I use to but sometimes my nerves get so wound up I have to

take it. Then there is the Zoloft for depression that I have had for YEARS

before the fibro kicked my A$$. Then the calcium supplements, the Vit D, the

B12, the multivitamin etc. And lets not forget the muscle relaxers I take

about once a day because my damn muscles knot up so bad that I feel like I

cannot move.

I do wish I were healthy again. And stopping any of these medications would

have consequences. But you know, I will take them because it is my only

lifeline with the beast called FIBROMYALGIA that went 10 fold in the last 4

years.

Just venting. Anyone else feel like they are in a prison of pills????

love and hugs,

Debra V.