Pain Medication/Addiction vs. Dependence

[Guest guest]

Poncho's earlier advice about having a little " stash " of extra pain

medication to use for emergencies, a long weekend when the pharmacy's

closed, or your doctor's on vacation, etc., is one that I've listened

to and followed.

With a situation like what I've recently been through, the benefit of

having this made the dufference of my having to go to the ER

unnecessarily, or being able to treat my additional pain at home. As

many of you know, I recently reduced both my long acting 24/7

medication, and my breakthrough meds. I went down from a 75 mcg.

Duragesic patch to a 50 mcg., and instead of 125 Oxycodone pills each

month, I now get 100. This reduction had worked just fine for the

last few months, UNTIL this latest episode from h#*@ that's plagued me

ever since Father's Day.

To make matters worse, my PM doc's on vacation, and his assistant

writes a script for a generic patch. For the first time in years, I'm

in the position where I'm needing the Oxy as dosed, every 4 hours!

But there isn't enough in the prescription for that kind of usage over

a four-five week period of time.

Fortunately, I had some set aside as Poncho has suggested, and that

stash is what got me through. I wasn't in any way irresponsible about

it, I took it as needed, every 4 hours, when the unrelenting pain

wouldn't subside. The pain is gone now, so the medicine is put away,

to be saved until the next time, which may be days or even weeks

before it's needed again. That's the difference between addiction and

dependence.

While I am dependent, I'm certainly not addicted.

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

www.pancassociation.org/anthology#Heidi.html

Bluffton, SC

SC State & SE Regional Representative

Note: All comments or advice are personal opinion only, and should

not be substituted for professional medical consultation.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/18/2005 10:59:24 AM Eastern Standard Time,

hhessgriffeth@... writes:

While I am dependent, I'm certainly not addicted.

Well said Heidi,

Best wishes, Poncho - GA